AUBURN — An upcoming change in Maine law that allows adults to carry a concealed handgun without a permit is triggering a spike in gun sales at some local shops. John Reid, owner of J.T. Reid’s Gun Shop in Auburn, said Tuesday that sales of handguns are up and he’s ordered more firearms to keep […]
Maine
Posted inMaine
Group faces uphill climb on citizens’ veto on GA for immigrants
LEWISTON — The organizer of a people’s veto referendum aimed at repealing a law that allows cities and towns to pay General Assistance benefits to asylum-seeking immigrants for up to two years said he hopes to start collecting signatures soon. But the question could face competition from another proposal for a ballot measure being sought […]
advertisement
Posted inMaine
Maine benefit bartering. Growing form of fraud: EBT cards to buy drugs
But also in Robinson’s possession that day were six state-issued electronic benefit transfer cards — essentially debit cards loaded with welfare benefits, with some benefits available as cash — from state and federal programs meant to help poor families and children. Those cards had been reported lost or stolen by their owners 114 times and re-issued […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Mark Eves expands case against Gov. Paul LePage
AUGUSTA — Democratic House Speaker Mark Eves expanded his federal lawsuit Wednesday that alleges Republican Gov. Paul LePage pressured a school for at-risk youth where Eves was president into firing him. Eves’ lawsuit, filed last month, accused the governor of violating Eves’ First Amendment rights. He now argues the governor also violated Maine law. The lawsuit […]
Posted inMaine
Collins, King urge feds to increase access for opioid treatment
The same day Republican Gov. Paul LePage reiterated his intent to use National Guard troops to fight Maine’s growing heroin problem, the state’s U.S. senators called on the federal government to increase access to treatment programs for painkiller addicts. Those addicted to prescription painkillers often use heroin as a substitute when they can no longer […]
Posted inMaine
Latest Paul LePage missive could trigger 18,000 new pen pals for governor
AUGUSTA — In the latest in a series of handwritten messages, Republican Gov. Paul LePage denied he’s among a group of plaintiffs suing President Barack Obama. “I believe you mistake me for someone else,” LePage wrote in his note to Murshed Zaheed, an activist with the national group CREDO Action. “I do not have a lawsuit […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Lewiston firefighter helps to tame California wildfire
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — In the wee hours Friday morning, J.P. Adams was preparing to get some snooze inside a tent pitched near Shasta National Forest. There would be breakfast in the morning, followed by guaranteed adventure for the remainder of the day. Vacation? An exotic camping trip to the woods? Not quite. For the next […]
Posted inLocal Sports
Keep an eye on bear hunts in Colorado, Massachusetts
Back during both of Maine’s bear referendums, there was a common refrain from the Humane Society of the United States ( HSUS) and others bent on closing down Maine’s traditional bear hunts over bait. It went like this: “Bear hunters in Maine do not need to set up bait sites in order to hunt bear. […]
Posted inbPlus
Oyster records. Toothpick records. One-of-a-kind festivals. Maine has it all
Maine is the place to find natural beauty, moose and a town claiming to be the “Center of the Known Universe.” Around here, we know how to toss back giant oysters, navigate Devil’s Elbows and celebrate our “Chickens.” Yes, that’s capital Chickens, in quotes, but actual chickens, too. It’s just how we roll. The Sun […]
Posted inMaine
Weird Wicked Weird: True tales of lost pirate booty
Maine author Patricia Hughes has collected hundreds of tales over the decades of daring pirates, amazing bounty, jilted witches and buried loot, but the stories of lost treasure only make it into her books if they meet two criteria. The story has to be true. And the treasure has to be haunted. “Somebody (was) murdered […]