AUGUSTA — State Sen. Roger Katz, R-Augusta, said Wednesday that he wants Maine to allow its large number of unenrolled voters to participate in party primary elections. Katz, considered a moderate Republican, said his bill, LD 744, would allow registered voters not enrolled in either party to cast a ballot for either a Republican or a […]
Maine
Posted inMaine
Lawmakers hone focus on ‘glaring loophole’ in Maine clean elections law
AUGUSTA — A bipartisan group of state lawmakers continues to hone its focus on reforming the Maine Clean Election Act in an effort to keep those running for state office from forming and managing political action committees. The system is ripe for corruption and fraught with ethical pitfalls because candidates accept donations for their leadership […]
advertisement
Posted inMaine
Veterans get free tickets to Rise Above Fest, Sea Dog offers benefit brew
BANGOR — When the Sea Dog Brewing Co.’s doors open on May 1, there will be a new beer on tap brewed specifically to support the Rise Above Fest’s goal of suicide prevention. “Sea Dog brewery is creating a special release beer called Rise Above Red just for the cause,” Dan Reidenberg, executive director of […]
Posted inMaine
Lawmaker says bill is not about Collins running for governor
AUGUSTA — State Rep. Matt Moonen, D-Portland, said Monday that a bill he’s authored to change the way the state selects a replacement U.S. senator in the event of a vacancy has nothing to do with gubernatorial politics. Moonen’s bill was the source of speculation that Democrats were concerned U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, might […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
New England states hope to gain support with drive for ocean pollution laws
PORTLAND (AP) — A group of state legislators in New England want to form a multi-state pact to counter increasing ocean acidity along the East Coast, a problem they believe will endanger multi-million dollar fishing industries if left unchecked. The legislators’ effort faces numerous hurdles: They are in the early stages of fostering cooperation between […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine, sj-web
Fishermen, regulators to discuss future of closed Maine shrimp fishery at Portland hearing
PORTLAND (AP) — Fishery regulators are holding a public hearing in Portland to discuss the future of New England’s closed Maine shrimp fishery. The shrimp fishery closed in 2013 and has yet to reopen because of concerns about shrimp population levels. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is collecting feedback from the public about establishing […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Hikers carry weight of fallen soldiers in tribute climb
PISCATAQUIS COUNTY — As the snow slowly fell on Borestone Mountain last Saturday, 12 individuals ages 11 to 45 checked their gear in the parking lot before heading off to snowshoe hike up the East Peak summit. But unlike most hikers, these 12 added something special to their packs. Each hiker carefully placed a stone […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Downeast LNG to file environmental reports for natural gas terminal
ROBBINSTON — Downeast LNG, which now is proposing to construct a liquefied natural gas import-export terminal on the western shore of Passamaquoddy Bay, expects to file draft environmental resource reports with federal regulators in the coming weeks. In 2005, the energy development firm announced that it had plans to construct a $400 million liquefied natural […]
Posted inBethel, Franklin, Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, Oxford Hills, River Valley, sj-web
As lawmakers consider jail consolidation, York County sheriff offers jail tours to argue for independence
ALFRED (AP) — With lawmakers in Maine set to revisit the issue of whether the state’s county jails should be consolidated, a sheriff offering tours of his jail to illustrate how efficiently it runs independently. York County Sheriff Bill King opened the York County Jail to tours to help show that the jails are best […]
Posted inNew England, sj-web
Don’t lose the boots: north New England ready for mud season that could stretch deep into May
WESTBROOK (AP) — New England’s own Nathaniel Hawthorne once wrote, “Life is made up of marble and mud.” In the region’s northern reaches, life will soon be made up of mud, mud and more mud. Mud season is a rite of spring in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, when the snow and frozen ground melt, […]