These are some of the stories central Maine is talking about today.

After cold and snow that set February records, southern New England is entering March with another round that could push Boston over its 20-year-old season record. With 102 inches, Boston needs 5.7 more to break the 1995-1996 record of 107.6. Snowfall of 4 to 6 inches is expected by early Monday across the area, with up to 8 inches in southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.  Central Maine is only expecting a few possible snow flurries. As for the cold, three cities in Vermont and Maine set records for the coldest February. Portland, with an average monthly temperature of 14 degrees, broke the 1979 record of 15.6 degrees.  Rutland and Montpelier, Vermont saw a record cold of 5.2 and 5.1 degrees. (AP)

Small towns throughout Maine are facing a shortage of trained firefighters and aging volunteer ranks. The China Village Fire Department has only four volunteer firefighters trained to enter a burning building and its fire chief says he needs at least six to launch an interior attack. The Madison and Skowhegan fire departments, says both have struggled in recent years to maintain a roster of 22 volunteer firefighters ,in addition to eight who are full-time. 30 years ago there were waiting lists for the volunteer ranks in both departments. The Maine State Federation of Firefighters says 93 percent of Maine's fire departments are fully, or primarily, staffed by volunteers. (AP)

A Maine advisory committee is set to decide this week if the state will enact new regulations to protect its dwindling smelt population. Ice fishing for smelt is a winter tradition in Maine, and the little fish are beloved by some as a batter-fried treat. But state surveys show that smelt populations are in decline in many parts of the state. State officials say spawning runs have declined by more than 50 percent compared to the late 1970s and early 1980s. The state Department of Marine Resources Advisory Council is scheduled to consider the regulations on Tuesday. (AP)

A Maine senator wants to allow residents to carry concealed handguns without getting a permit. Sen. Eric Brakey of Auburn says that nearly 100 lawmakers, including members of both parties, have signed onto his proposal. Officials have not yet scheduled a date for a public hearing on the bill. The measure would make it legal to carry a gun without a permit if a person is already eligible to own a gun. Brakey says that similar laws are in place in several states, including Vermont and Oklahoma. Brakey says it's a "moderate proposal" that would restore the rights provided by the Second Amendment. A similar effort failed in the Democrat-controlled Senate last year. Republicans now hold the majority in the chamber, but Democrats remain in power in the House. (AP)

Today, state lawmakers will work on a proposed law that could make penalties for ripping off retailers much more serious.  In a scheduled work session, legislators are expected to talk about a new bill aimed at preventing what's called "organized retail crime.” If the bill becomes a law using fake receipts or coordinating with two or more people to steal something could be a felony. According to WGME, current state laws only allow for someone to be charged with a felony if they steal more than $1,000. Organized retail crime is an estimated $147 million dollar problem in Maine and $40 billion dollar issue nationwide. (WGME)

The Capital Judicial Center is opening today. It houses the functions of Augusta District Court, Kennebec County Superior Court and family court, and includes six separate courtrooms of varying sizes. According to the KJ, it also functions as an office building for the court’s Office of Information Technology and the Administrative Office of the Courts. The building has a much higher level of security including a secure garage area on the ground floor with parking for judges and a place designated for inmate transportation. (centralmaine.com)

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