AUGUSTA (AP) — Gov. Paul LePage’s pick for chief advocate for utility customers has received a key legislative committee’s unanimous support. The Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology committee voted on Tuesday to recommend long-time Democrat Barry Hobbins, following supportive testimony from Republican and Democratic leaders. The next step is Senate confirmation. The Associated Press reported […]
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Cornelius receives MEA Leadership Award
The Androscoggin Retired Educators Association Leadership Award was presented to Susan Cornelius of Sabattus, front, at the Maine Educators’ Association Convention held in Augusta on May 4. Cornelius taught math at Lewiston High School for 31 years and is a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. She volunteers at St. Mary’s Gift Shop and is a […]
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Women’s Club visits Augusta
Members of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Livermore Falls visited the State House in Augusta on May 3. They met with their senator, Lisa Keim, R-Oxford. Keim spoke about her committee work and addressed a question on how well legislators from different parties work together. From left to right are Muriel Bowerman, Ghislaine […]
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Maine DHHS says foster homes needed for kids with special needs
AUGUSTA (AP) — The state says there’s a continued need for foster homes in Maine as more children come into state custody because of parental substance abuse. Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew says there’s a particular need for foster families who support reunification as well as those caring for teens, sibling […]
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Maine bill to protect bees withdrawn after ag business criticism
PORTLAND (AP) — A bill designed to protect bees in Maine from a class of pesticides has been withdrawn in the wake of criticism from agricultural interests. Rep. Michael Devin, a Newcastle Democrat, proposed the bill, which would have put limits on the use and sale of neonicotinoids. Neonicotinoids, also called “neonics,” are insect-killing pesticides […]
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College leaders testify against campus firearms bill
AUGUSTA (AP) — Higher education leaders say campuses would be less safe if lawmakers pass a Maine Republican’s campus carry bill. The bill wouldn’t let public universities, community colleges and Maine Maritime Academy regulate possession of handguns on their campuses. Maine allows concealed carry without a permit for those over 21 years old and has […]
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River Valley Rotary Club elder abuse prevention meeting held with Betty Balderston
RUMFORD — Betty Balderston, Elder Abuse Prevention Advocate out of Augusta, and her assistant, Carol Grover, addressed the River Valley Rotary Club fellowship meeting on April 24. Legal Services for the Elderly is a nonprofit organization that has been providing free and confidential legal services to Maine residents, age 69 and older, on a statewide […]
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Maine wants to require work of certain Medicaid applicants
AUGUSTA (AP) — Gov. Paul LePage’s administration is asking President Donald Trump to allow Maine to require certain adults to work to receive Medicaid. The state wants to count an individual’s personal assets when determining MaineCare eligibility and wants to collect monthly premiums for adults who have the ability to earn income. Department of Health […]
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Maine lawmakers want to expand, evaluate opioid abuse treatment
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine lawmakers are set to consider bills to protect babies exposed to drugs and support peer recovery. More than one person a day died from drug overdoses in Maine last year, and lawmakers this year have taken steps to increase access to medication-assisted treatment. About a dozen bills are set for public […]
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Presenting the colors
Reps. Heidi Brooks, Roger Fuller, Jim Handy, all D-Lewiston, and Gina Melaragno and Bettyann Sheats, both D-Auburn, welcomed the Franco American War Veteran’s Color Guard, Post 31 of Lewiston, to the State House Wednesday, April 19. The Color Guard presented the colors in the House of Representatives as part of the annual celebration of Franco-American […]