AUGUSTA — A bill meant to toughen sentences for those convicted of trafficking illegal drugs or importing them into Maine was met with mixed reactions from the Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on Monday. The bill, LD 1541, offered by Sen. Scott Cyrway, R-Benton, would increase the classifications of trafficking crimes as well […]
Maine
Posted inMaine
Lawmakers say Paul LePage is lying about 2013 ‘bribe’ offer
“It’s a little bit unfair the way I’ve been treated and people who try to bribe me get off scot-free and then I tell the truth and I get demonized.” — Maine Gov. Paul LePage AUGUSTA — A pair of state representatives who led the failed attempt to bring impeachment proceedings against Republican Gov. […]
advertisement
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Lewiston’s historic Wiseman Bridge on state work list for 2016
Maine Department of Transportation documents: Statewide plan | Lewiston projects AUGUSTA — Lewiston’s historic Wiseman Bridge on Chestnut Street is finally going to get some long overdue TLC, according to a recently released work plan for the Maine Department of Transportation. The bridge, built in 1927, spans one of the city’s industrial canals and features […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Pair admits to Maine, N.H. robberies, including one in Lewiston
PORTLAND — A New Hampshire couple on Wednesday admitted to committing a string of robberies at banks and a credit union in Maine and New Hampshire last year, including a heist at a Lewiston credit union in September. Crystal Dufault, 33, and Joseph Richards, 46, both of Manchester, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to […]
Posted inMaine
Legislative panel supports arts day for veterans in Maine
AUGUSTA — It may seem like a small gesture, but it’s a meaningful one for Maine veterans who are also artists. On Wednesday, the Legislature’s State and Local Government Committee voted unanimously in support of a bill that would establish Nov. 1 as Veterans in the Arts and Humanities Day. The committee moved the bill from […]
Posted inBusiness, Lewiston-Auburn, Maine
Law change would make roller derby legal in Maine
In Maine’s nine roller derby leagues, there are hip checks, bumps and hardcore skating by players with nicknames like Hard Dash and Frida Rockit. It’s a full-contact sport — though maybe not officially. Per roller-skating law in Maine — and there is actually roller-skating law in Maine — no contact is allowed. State Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland, […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Medical marijuana sales jump in Maine
Medical marijuana sales at Maine’s eight dispensaries were up 46 percent between 2014 and 2015 to $23.6 million, according to figures released by the state Tuesday. That’s almost double sales from two years ago. Tim Smale, who with his wife owns the Remedy Compassion Center dispensary at 730 Center St. in Auburn, which has thousands […]
Posted inMaine
Maine State House Democrats announce support for Bernie Sanders
AUGUSTA – Democratic presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., got a lift in Maine on Tuesday with endorsements from Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap, party godfather and lobbyist Severin Beliveau and a host of legislators. The progressive senator is an underdog in his race against former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton — who received […]
Posted inEncore, Lewiston-Auburn
Actress Judith Ivey guest-directs at Lewiston’s Public Theatre
LEWISTON — Tony Award-winning actress Judith Ivey added to her 40-year career in TV, the stage and movies by playing Margaret Thatcher opposite Helen Mirren’s Queen Elizabeth II on Broadway last spring. She arrived in Maine on Jan. 3, her first time in the state, after fielding a fair number of “really?”s. “All my friends […]
Posted inbPlus, Maine
Weird, Wicked Weird: Maine Bigfoot tales
Maine Bigfoot observers tell their hairy stories for an Animal Planet TV episode. Editor’s note: “Finding Bigfoot”‘s Maine episode aired on Animal Planet last Sunday, Jan. 10. For episode clips, including howling sounds caught near Bradbury Mountain, check out AnimalPlanet.com/tv-shows/finding-bigfoot. BUXTON — It was a BIG event. Fittingly. Loren Coleman’s car sat in the parking […]