PARIS — A Peru man accused of strangling his mother-in-law to death during a sexual assault last October pleaded not guilty to murder charges Tuesday. The attorney for Paul Orchard, 33, entered pleas of not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity to one charge of depraved indifference murder and one charge of felony murder. […]
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Posted inMaine
Maine committee reviews bills to protect farm animals from fireworks
AUGUSTA — A bill making it easier for law enforcement to charge people who are using fireworks without regard for their neighbors or neighborhoods gained surprising support from a Maine fireworks retailer Monday. Sponsored by state Sen. Chris Johnson, D-Somerville, LD 302, which aims to make it clear in state law that a person using […]
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Posted inMaine, Nation / World, sj-web
Maine effort to tax nonprofits raises eyebrows across the US
AUGUSTA — Nonprofit organizations across the country are closely watching Maine as it considers becoming the first state to impose property taxes on hospitals, private colleges and summer camps. Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s proposal has sparked a fiery debate in Maine over what impact nonprofits have on their communities and whether they should have to […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Lewiston lawmaker helps lead charge for bill on standardized test opt-out
AUGUSTA — A Lewiston lawmaker is helping lead the charge on a bill that would make it easier for parents to keep their children from taking standardized tests in public schools. State. Sen. Nate Libby, D-Lewiston, said Thursday the bill he’s c0-sponsored with state Rep. Sara Gideon, D-Freeport, is simple and straightforward and makes it […]
Posted inMaine
Maine hospitals say proposed LePage budget will cost them $55 million a year
AUGUSTA — Hospital executives and their representatives lined up Wednesday to say a proposed two-year budget offered by Republican Gov. Paul LePage would damage the state’s health care system and put hospitals deeper in debt if passed by the Legislature. Members of the Legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee and the Health and Human Services Committee are […]
Posted inMaine
Maine legislators consider repeal of law prohibiting switchblades
AUGUSTA — State lawmakers are considering a bill that would repeal the prohibition on so-called “switchblade” and “Stiletto” knives. Supporters of the change said many knives, which were never intended to be prohibited by the decades-old law, are increasingly being targeted by law enforcement. On Monday, state Rep. Joel Stetkis, R-Canaan, was carrying a lockbox […]
Posted inMaine
Lawmakers seek reform for Maine’s Clean Election law
AUGUSTA — A stack of bills aimed at cleaning up Maine’s Clean Election finance law holds the potential to rankle political leaders on both sides of the aisle. State Rep. Justin Chenette, D-Saco, said he knows leadership is displeased with his efforts to stop candidates who are seeking state office from also running political action […]
Posted inMaine
Legislation targets false claims of military service
AUGUSTA — People who falsely claim they’re military veterans for financial gain could be more easily prosecuted under a proposal passed by the Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on Wednesday. Stemming from a bill offered by state Rep. Brad Farrin, R-Norridgewock, a change to state law would make it clear that a person falsely […]
Posted inObituaries
Elaine M. Tufts
1929 – 2015 AUGUSTA — Elaine M. Tufts, 85, of Readfield, died Monday, Feb. 23, at the Alfond Center for Health, Augusta, following a brief illness. She was born in Biddeford on April 18, 1929, the daughter of the late V. Burton Elaine was a graduate of Cony High School, Class of 1946, and earned […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Industry, LePage administration pan proposed call center bill that penalizes companies that move work overseas
AUGUSTA — Jason Levesque lost a bid for a contract Tuesday to a competing call center in the Philippines. He understands pressure from overseas. He understands wanting to keep work here. The president and founder of Argo Marketing Group, headquartered in Lewiston, told legislators Tuesday that he doesn’t understand “An Act to Retain Call Centers […]