Maine

Jovantae Barnes continues late-season rhythm, explodes against Maine

Published

1 year ago

November 2, 2024

Jovantae Barnes continues late-season rhythm, explodes against Maine

NORMAN — Oklahoma appeared on the brink of a disaster on disaster on Saturday.

The Sooners’ offense started the game with a five-play, 12-yard drive that included just one first down before they were forced to punt. Maine promptly took possession and drove straight down against Oklahoma’s defense with an eight-play, 69-yard touchdown.

In a game against an FCS opponent that the Sooners were favored to win by 35, they trailed 7-0 at the 7:59 mark of the first quarter. Out of nowhere, the Sooners needed a spark.

That’s where Jovantae Barnes stepped up.

On the first play of the ensuing drive, Barnes took the first-down carry for 74 yards to the one-yard line. Two plays later, he punched into the end zone to tie the game at 7-7.

“I still think (that big run) was a touchdown,” Barnes joked after the game. “They might say different. But it felt good to break one and just celebrate with my guys.”

That play — and Barnes’ performance — proved pivotal in helping the Sooners establish control en route to a 59-14 win over the Black Bears.

That run was just the beginning for Barnes, as he operated as the offensive fulcrum the entire day. By halftime, he turned 11 carries into 158 yards — the most by an OU running back in a half since 2014 — and two touchdowns, averaging 14.3 yards per carry.

In addition to the 74-yard run, Barnes had rushes of 29 and 15 yards, respectfully, and also caught a pass for 19 yards as he injected a big-play factor that’s been missing for the Sooners all year. He kept that up in the third quarter, scoring on a 19-yard touchdown where he made defenders miss as he reached the edge and found the end zone.

Even without playing the fourth quarter, Barnes had himself an outing: 18 carries, 203 yards (11.2 yards per carry) and three touchdowns.

Not only was it a career-best performance, he also became the first OU player to run for more over 100 yards this season. It was something to celebrate for Barnes, who struggled all of last season with injuries.

“Really proud of him and (how he) continued to come back and work hard and just being on a mission, if you will,” OU coach Brent Venables said. “And it’s a great example for the other players. Everybody learns from that. And all that matters is what you do moving forward. And things are gonna happen, and you’re gonna have to overcome some things, and certainly he did that and (was) frustrated with being injured and not being able to get into a rhythm a year ago. But last year doesn’t have to have anything to do with this year.

“And so he just put his head down and created opportunity for himself, made the most of the opportunity when he’s gotten in and he’s just really excelled and has really taken off.”

But Barnes’ performance against Maine wasn’t just a flash in the pan. As the Sooners’ offense has struggled all season, Barnes has given OU something resembling consistency. In the two games leading up to Maine, Barnes recorded over 200 total yards and rushed for over 4.0 yards per carry.

Those performances have helped OU find something in the running game, which ranked 110th nationally coming into the game. Adjusting for sacks, the Sooners rushed for 207 yards last week against on over four yards a carry last week against a stout Ole Miss defense. They finished with 381 rushing yards on 7.3 yards per carry against the Black Bears.

Things appear to be pointing in the right direction for the Sooners’ running game, and Barnes is a key reason why.

“I said it last week, I thought he ran super physical last week,” OU quarterback Jackson Arnold said. “Obviously had a bunch of yards in the receiving game last week, too. And today for him and for his confidence, I think this was tremendous for him.”

The Sooners have needed Barnes as things have sputtered. The Sooners have scored just 61 offensive points in their five conference games, and they were without three starting offensive lineman — Jacob Sexton, Jake Taylor and Michael Tarquin — against Maine. The wide receiver room has been decimated by injuries.

But in the middle of it has been Barnes, who has been fighting to keep the offense afloat. On the season, he has 577 rushing yards on 4.7 yards per carry and has played the seventh-most snaps on the offense.

“It all starts at practice,” Barnes said. ” think that’s my biggest thing and I’ve been trying to do better at that and also go watch extra tape and make sure I see things that maybe other people won’t see. I think I’ve been doing a good job with that. Just meeting with (OU running backs coach DeMarco Murray, meeting with (offensive analyst) Nick Basquine, just making sure I do extra things for myself because I know it’s gonna help and I know the type of player I am.”

Considering the Sooners had lost three straight games by double digits, they simply needed a win and to show something they can build on heading into a grueling three-game stretch to end the year. It appeared the running game had found some momentum last week, and it continued growing against Maine.

Barnes had been heating up and then exploded against the Black Bears. If the Sooners hope to end their season on a positive note, it’s going to have to start with the guy who’s been their most consistent player this season.

“I think we all as a group have just been building more confidence,” Barnes said. “I let those guys know I’m gonna give you my all and I want this to be the best group at the end of the day. I want this to be the group that goes out there and executes every time we get the ball or even when we don’t have the ball. I think we’ve been doing a good job of that, just going out there doing our job. We just have to bring it all together as a team and as an offense to execute.”

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Maine

Wet, cooler today; rain & snow impacts across Maine

Published

1 hour ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Wet, cooler today; rain & snow impacts across Maine

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – Good morning and Happy Sunday everyone. Skies are cloudy with fog across much of Maine this morning. Rain has entered locations along the interstate and to the northwest. Temperatures vary from the upper 30s to mid 40s. Winds are out of the SE between about 5-15 mph.

Today will be a wet and impactful day with rain and even snow anticipated as a large cold front passes through Maine. Skies will be cloudy with plenty of fog lasting through the morning. Rain will expand across the interstate by the late morning hours, reaching Downeast locations by midday/the early afternoon.

By the early to midafternoon, temperatures will start to drop across northwestern locations as the cold front passes through Maine. This will result in rain turning over to mixed precipitation and eventually snow across the Western Mountains, Moosehead region, and Northern Maine. Rain will continue steadily and at times heavily across the foothills, Interstate, Coast, and Downeast. A few thunderstorms are even possible closer to the coast.

Snow will expand across areas to the northwest of the interstate this evening, reaching all the way down to Interior Midcoast communities, the Bangor region, and Interior Downeast areas by sunset and into the start of the night. Precipitation will taper off across Western Maine shortly after sunset, before exiting the entire state around midnight tonight. High temps today will vary from the low 40s to low 50s with SSE to NW gusts reaching 20-25 mph.

WABI Weather 4/19/26 AM(WABI)

Snowfall totals will vary under 2 inches across Western, Northern, and Interior Downeast locations. However, a few pockets of 2-4 inches are possible, mostly in higher elevations across the mountains. Rainfall totals will accumulate around a half inch to three quarters of an inch when all is said and done.

Precipitation will be out of Maine by midnight tonight, with cloudy conditions giving way to mostly clear skies by sunrise. Lows overnight will dip back below freezing across much of the state, from the low 20s to mid 30s tonight, so cover up any plants or flowers outside. WNW gusts will reach 20-25 mph. A Small Craft Advisory is expected offshore.

Skies will be partly to mostly sunny across the interstate and coast on Monday morning. However, by the late morning to midday hours, clouds will build with a few scattered rain and snow showers in spots. Conditions will remain on the cloudier side in the afternoon before clearing up around sunset into the start of Monday night. Highs will be chilly on Monday, from the low 30s to upper 40s. WNW to SW gusts will be a bit breezy, reaching 20-25 mph, which will add to the wind chill factor.

High pressure will build on Monday night, remaining overhead on Tuesday. Skies will be sunny in the morning, becoming partly to mostly sunny in the afternoon. Highs will remain cool, in the 40s across the board with North to SW gusts only reaching 15-20 mph.

A weaker low-pressure system could bring showers across Maine on Wednesday and Thursday. There is a bit of model uncertainty on exactly when it will impact Maine. The GFS has impacts on Wednesday, while the EURO, GRAF, and GDPS models have most of the impacts on Thursday. We will continue to monitor this system and potential impacts. All it looks to provide as of now are cloudier skies and rain showers, with some snow shower chances farther to the North.

By Friday and Saturday, conditions are trending on the drier side with sunshine and average temperatures returning to the forecast.

SUNDAY: Highs from low 40s to low 50s. Cloudy with AM fog. Rain becoming widespread throughout the day, turning over to snow to the north & west during PM. SSE to NW gusts reach 20-25 mph.

MONDAY: Highs from low 30s to upper 40s. Partly to mostly sunny early. Developing clouds with scattered rain/snow showers by midday/afternoon. WNW to SW gusts reach 20-25 mph.

TUESDAY: Highs throughout the 40s. Sunnier AM. Partly to mostly sunny PM. North to SW gusts reach 15-20 mph.

WEDNESDAY: Highs from low 40s to low 50s. Mostly cloudy with a few rain showers. Few AM snow showers possible North. SSE to SSW gusts reach 20-25 mph.

THURSDAY: Highs from mid 40s to mid 50s. Cloudier skies with rain showers possible. Some AM snow showers possible North. NW gusts reach 20-25 mph.

FRIDAY: Highs from upper 40s to mid 50s. Partly cloudy. NNW gusts reach 20 mph.

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Maine

18 jaw-dropping views from Katahdin to help you plan for warmer weather

Published

13 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

18 jaw-dropping views from Katahdin to help you plan for warmer weather

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in September 2022.

When it comes to Maine hiking, summiting Katahdin is the ultimate achievement.

Maine’s tallest mountain stands at 5,269 feet, and there are a number of different trails hikers can take to get up and down Katahdin. And while some are harder than others, none are easy.

But the views are incredible.

Whether it’s the rugged terrain of the Knife Edge or the vast landscape of the 200,000 acres that compose Baxter State Park below, here’s a look at what it’s like to climb Katahdin.

Hunt Trail

Hunt Trail traces the edge of a ridge on the west side of Katahdin known as Hunt Spur. Credit: Aislinn Sarnacki / BDN

Katahdin Stream Falls is one of the many scenic highlights of Katahdin’s Hunt Trail. It’s located about a mile from the trailhead at Katahdin Stream Campground. Credit: Aislinn Sarnacki / BDN

Abol Trail

Chimney Pond Trail

Cathedral Trail

Saddle Trail

Northwest Basin Trail

Knife Edge

Hikers on the Knife Edge of Katahdin have few options for getting off trail to relieve themselves of human waste. Above treeline, Leave No Trace principles recommend planning ahead to avoid the necessity of going to the bathroom in fragile alpine areas, or getting off trail as far as possible to relieve themselves on rock or gravel. Credit: Courtesy of Brad Viles

Tablelands

South Peak

Hamlin Peak

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Maine

Maine Township Residents OK Purchase Of Building For Food Pantry – Journal & Topics Media Group

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Maine Township Residents OK Purchase Of Building For Food Pantry – Journal & Topics Media Group

Maine Township residents vote in support of purchasing building for the relocation of the township food pantry.

A proposal for Maine Township to purchase a building at 9850 Milwaukee Ave. in Glenview to move its popular and growing food pantry received strong approval at the township’s Annual Meeting held last week at the Town Hall on Ballard Road.
More than 100 residents attended the meeting where they approved buying the property for $1,429,000. The 3,000 sq. ft. building, which is located within the township, had been the home of a local restaurant. It is currently vacant.
In March, Supervisor Kim Jones explained that the food pantry needs more space for food and to accommodate clients who need food. “We’ve totally outgrown it,” said Jones at the time. “We’ve been looking for more than a year.”
Following last week’s meeting, Jones said about the vote, “That magical moment really encapsulated the strong support system that’s been built from neighbors helping neighbors throughout our community. The food pantry has grown in leaps and bounds throughout the last five years thanks to the dedicated work of its staff, volunteers and the public.”
Des Plaines City Clerk Dominik Bronakowski served as ceremonial moderator for the event.
Jones also recognized a number of employees and officials who currently serve the township. They included Assessor Susan Moylan-Krey and MaineStay Youth and Family Services Director Richard Lyon for their 20 years of service to Maine. Assistant Director of MaineStreamers, Therese Tully was recognized for her 25 years of service.
The meeting also recognized former Des Plaines Self-Help Closet and Pantry Director Debbie Walusiak who was presented the Sgt. Karen Lader Good Citizen Award for her more than 20 years of service to the Des Plaines community.
“Debbie is an exceptional community leader and volunteer,” said township Clerk Pete Gialamas whose office runs the annual award program. “Her work with the Des Plaines community, particularly her leadership navigating the Self-Help Closet and Pantry’s 2020 move to a larger location in the midst of the COVID pandemic really shows the depth and resolve of that leadership and dedication to service.”
In 2011, the clerk’s office instituted the award in honor of Lader, a resident of Des Plaines and a 15-year veteran of the Cook County Sheriff’s Police who lost her battle with cancer in 2010. She was deeply involved with the township’s Neighborhood Watch program and active in Maine’s National Night Out Against Crime event held each August. She also worked on Special Olympics and animal rescue.

If you like this story, you can get a whole lot more practically every day of the week by subscribing to journal-topics.com. Click here to choose your preference of either print or online, or call 847-299-5511.

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