Sandy Paine: Praise for Bates athletes keeping safe

It was disappointing to read the Oct. 12 article about the Bates students being sent home for not following COVID-19 protocols. However, I’d like to give a shout out to the Bates boys and girls cross country teams and coaches for wearing masks while training. My husband and I have come across them training several […]

Mike Twitchell: Vote Rick Bennett for Maine Senate

I’m a former three-term Norway selectman and lifelong drywaller, and have known Rick Bennett for many years. He has served in the House and the Senate, and is knowledgeable, honest, and a public servant. If Rick can help you, he will. Rick will listen to what you have to say. That is why I am […]

Bonnie Shulman: Sen. Claxton ‘a breath of fresh air’

I don’t often (ever?) write letters in support of political candidates. But I am moved to do so by the candidacy of Ned Claxton for state Senate District 20. He is such a breath of fresh air in this contentious environment — he actually listens to people, rises above partisan bickering, and has the skills […]

Cartoon for Sunday, Oct. 18

Dick Lovejoy: Vote Duguay for Oxford County commissioner

I am writing this letter to support Dave Duguay as Oxford County commissioner. I have known Dave for many years. We have worked together on many occasions, especially through the River Valley Rotary Club. Dave is always stepping up to volunteer on many of the club’s projects, which include making and delivering lobster lunches, helping […]

Leonard Pitts Jr.: Living in an era where misinformation is weaponized

“Jared Kushner is under federal investigation for diverting money to terrorist organizations according to a guy I met at the gas station who told me he works for the FBI” is something I would never be allowed to publish. “Donald Trump Jr. has an escalating cocaine dependency problem according to a woman I ran into […]

Elaine Makas: ‘Herd’ on the news

Last month when President Trump voiced his support for herd mentality, I assumed that he had misspoken and actually meant herd immunity.  I now realize that he really does advocate for herd mentality, a dangerous situation that leads to herd mortality. Elaine Makas, Lewiston

Darcy Shargo: Why the 340B drug discount program must survive the pandemic

Pharmaceutical manufacturers have launched an all-out assault on a vital drug discount program that patients depend on for their medicines, and lives are at stake. The 340B program was created by Congress in the 1990s to give safety-net providers access to reduced pricing they could not negotiate on their own. Republicans and Democrats alike support the […]

Alicia Heyburn: COVID-19 relief funds can help teens

The Sun Journal reported Oct. 6 that school districts may wind up leaving coronavirus relief money on the table because they can’t spend it before the year end deadline. Our youth are losing their connection to nature at an accelerated pace, yet the outdoors is a resource for learning, engagement and health and should be […]

Lawrence Everett: Leaders must focus on more critical matters

In my opinion, we do not have a government. We have a collection of self-serving politicians only interested in the next election cycle. I and many others tried for years to get our elected officials to stop their political bickering and pay attention to what was happening here and around the globe. The escalating engineering […]