AUGUSTA — Eliminating any of the state’s tax exemptions and credits will be politically challenging but may be necessary to avoid further cuts to municipal revenue sharing, Maine lawmakers said Monday. A special group of lawmakers, state officials and economists that’s been tasked with examining the state’s tax breaks, exemptions and credits to come up with […]
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Increased violence at Maine’s psych hospital prompts reform
AUGUSTA — Of the 92 people in state custody who were found “not criminally responsible” for crimes, 18 have been charged with at least one count of murder. That’s more than 20 percent of the state’s so-called “NCR” population, while less than 2 percent of those serving time in Maine prisons have been convicted of […]
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Maine looks at proposal to arm forest rangers
AUGUSTA (AP) — A special group in Maine is examining whether forest rangers should be allowed to carry firearms, something rangers say is critical to protecting them from the growing dangers they face in the field. The group, which met for the third time this month, was formed by an executive order from Gov. Paul […]
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North Pond Hermit accepted into alternative sentencing program
AUGUSTA — Christopher Knight, also known as the North Pond Hermit, will enter a special court program aimed at helping people with mental health and substance abuse problems who commit crimes stay out of jail. The Co-Occurring Disorders Court formally accepted Knight earlier this week, Kennebec and Somerset County District Attorney Maeghan Maloney announced Friday. […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Business, Maine, The Franklin Journal
Anthem plan draws praise, criticism
AUGUSTA — Central Maine Healthcare employees, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield leaders and others spent hours Monday trying to sway the head of the Maine Bureau of Insurance. Anthem’s plan to move thousands of individual policyholders into a plan that strictly limits their doctors and hospitals is horrible — or great — depending on […]
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Augusta cyclist struck by car last month dies
AUGUSTA (AP) — Police said a bicyclist injured in a collision with a vehicle in Augusta late last month has died. Authorities said 20-year-old Terrance Ladd died on Saturday. Police said that on Aug. 30 Ladd collided with a vehicle driven by 27-year-old Leona Peaslee who was driving north on Northern Avenue and trying to […]
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20K motorcyclists take part in Maine charity ride
AUGUSTA (AP) — More than 20,000 riders from around the state gathered at the Augusta Civic Center at noon on Sunday for the United Bikers of Maine’s 32nd annual Toy Run. Participants rode 13 miles to the Windsor Fairgrounds, where thousands of toys were delivered and later distributed to needy children throughout Maine during the […]
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Maine Film Office reports increase in productions
AUGUSTA — The Maine Film Office says the number of film and television productions in the state is way up this year. The office says that it has certified 14 productions in Maine so far this year, bringing about $3.7 million into the state. In 2012, the state certified eight productions with $1.5 million spent […]
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State sells bonds to pay off $183 million in MaineCare hospital debt
AUGUSTA — A bond was sold Tuesday to pay off $183.5 million in state debt for services provided by hospitals under MaineCare, the state’s Medicaid system, Gov. Paul LePage said. The payment will trigger more than $300 million in federal matching funds. “With the sale of the liquor revenue bond, Maine hospitals are now just […]
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3 new charter schools to open in Maine this week
AUGUSTA (AP) — Nearly 400 students will attend five charter schools in Maine this fall in the second year since charter schools were authorized by the Legislature. Three new charter schools will open their doors when classes get underway this week, joining two others that first opened last fall. The new schools are Harpswell Coastal […]