AUGUSTA — The Maine Legislature on Wednesday celebrated the state’s large population of Franco-Americans during a ceremony at the State House. The 13th annual event featured the induction of seven more Mainers into the state’s Franco-American Hall of Fame. The inductees included Mary Rice-DeFosse of Lewiston, Leo Pepin of Augusta, the Rev. Ron Labarre of […]
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Posted inMaine
LePage blasts Maine lawmakers on solar efforts
AUGUSTA — Republican Gov. Paul LePage on Tuesday launched a fusillade of criticism against the Legislature’s Democratic majority for supporting bills that promote solar energy during one of the coldest winters in recent history. Rolling out a new proposal on energy, LePage said the focus of “liberal” lawmakers on solar is misguided because many Maine […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Augusta mom charged after 4-year-old wanders away
AUGUSTA (AP) — An Augusta woman is facing charges after her 4-year-old daughter wandered away from home during a snowstorm and walked to a convenience store looking for ice cream. Police Lt. Christopher Massey said the girl dressed in her winter gear and walked about a quarter of a mile at about 6 p.m. Wednesday […]
Posted inObituaries
Julienne E. Rodrigue
1924 – 2014 AUGUSTA — Julienne E. Rodrigue, 89, died Tuesday, March 11, at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born in Augusta on Aug. 22, 1924, a daughter of the late Joseph and Anna (Godbout) Dostie. Julienne was a gentle mother, a loving and caring woman, and was devoted to her faith […]
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Maine budget-writing panel approves $42M bill
AUGUSTA (AP) — The Maine Legislature’s budget-writing committee on Friday endorsed a $42 million bill that replenishes the rainy day fund while also restoring money for programs Gov. Paul LePage wanted to cut. Democratic Rep. Peggy Rotundo, co-chair of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, said the 8-5 party line vote Friday represents a compromise […]
Posted inMaine
Maine Senate passes Medicaid expansion bill without a veto-proof majority
AUGUSTA — After more than three hours of debate on a Republican compromise to a Democratic effort to expand Maine’s low-income health care program, known as MaineCare, the compromise passed 22-13 Wednesday in the state Senate. The measure failed to garner the 24 votes it would need to be considered safe from a Gov. Paul […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage vetoes bill to restrict fireworks
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine Gov. Paul LePage has vetoed a bill that would’ve placed some limits on fireworks use. LePage said the bill that would’ve restricted the use of fireworks before noon and clarified that their irresponsible use could represent disorderly conduct represented “heavy-handed regulations.” He also said the bill “seeks to roll back […]
Posted inMaine
LePage wants to add 22 positions to fight drug trafficking in Maine
The Republican governor set combating drug crimes as a high priority during his State of the State address in February. The plan is estimated to cost $3 million. “To me, this is not about money,” LePage said. “This is about our people.” Flanked by law enforcement officers from around the state, LePage again detailed the […]
Posted inConnections, The Franklin Journal
Pie sales help Lithgow renovations
The first-ever pie sale held at Lithgow Public Library in Augusta on Jan. 23 — which was National Pie Day — raised $900 for the Friends of Lithgow Library’s Capital Campaign to renovate and expand the historic building. Along with community members and library staff who baked pies for the sale, the Friends of Lithgow […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Commission rejects Lewiston-Auburn charter school
AUGUSTA — There will be no publicly financed charter school opening in Lewiston-Auburn this fall. A state commission not only voted unanimously Monday to deny the application of the Lewiston-Auburn Academy Charter School, it voted to strike language in a report inviting the school with Turkish ties from applying again. And two members of the […]