In an Evernote notebook dated Jan. 14 lies a truncated mutant of a column which rants on about the feeble nature of winter to that point. “Hardly any snow!” the archaic column raves. “Why, it’s practically spring already!” The column was never finished and I think you know why. Winter came, winter saw — and […]
Maine
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Bliss Thru Shopping: Reality bites: Amazing Race, Survivor, Down East Dickering
If Bag Lady were to go on a televised race around the world tethered to a stranger whom she was meeting for the first time as a blind date — “Hi America! This isn’t awkward at all!” — I would pack deodorant and mouthwash, naturally. Probably pajama pants for sleeping. (Bag Lady is endlessly modest.) […]
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Posted inLocal Sports
College hockey playoffs: Maine stumbles in first game
The University of Vermont Catamounts erased a pair of one-goal deficits and used Brendan Bradley’s goal with 2:07 left in the game to snap a 2-2 tie and post a 4-2 victory over the University of Maine in the first game of their best-of-three Hockey East quarterfinal series Friday night at the Gutterson Fieldhouse in […]
Posted inMaine
LePage budget aims to eliminate state funding for methadone
AUGUSTA — Doctors and mental health professionals said a proposal by Gov. Paul LePage to stop state payments for methadone treatment for opiate addicts receiving Medicaid benefits would result in dramatic and likely tragic consequences. The proposal, part of LePage’s $6.57 billion, two-year state budget plan, would instead require addicts to be treated with Suboxone […]
Posted inRiver Valley
Unseasonable cold, deep snow hindering Maine maple syrup season start
MEXICO — Tappers are gearing up for maple syrup season, but the sap hasn’t started running yet because of unseasonably cold temperatures and deep snow pressed against the trees. Ray and Ann Carver of Mexico began tapping trees Wednesday when temperatures topped 40 degrees. They will place 400 taps this month. “Nothing is running yet, […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Lewiston lawmaker helps lead charge for bill on standardized test opt-out
AUGUSTA — A Lewiston lawmaker is helping lead the charge on a bill that would make it easier for parents to keep their children from taking standardized tests in public schools. State. Sen. Nate Libby, D-Lewiston, said Thursday the bill he’s c0-sponsored with state Rep. Sara Gideon, D-Freeport, is simple and straightforward and makes it […]
Posted inBusiness
Maine minimum wage increase, right-to-work proposals face resistance in Legislature
AUGUSTA — Increasing the wage for the state’s lowest-paid workers is on the agenda for Democrats in the Legislature, and Republicans are likely to counter with right-to-work legislation that will be a nonstarter for the pro-union House majority. On Wednesday, rookie state Rep. Gina Melaragno, D-Auburn, offered a proposal that would increase the state’s minimum […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Prices for heating oil and kerosene continue to climb as spring approaches
PORTLAND (AP) — A Maine government survey says the average statewide cash price for heating oil climbed 7 cents in the past week. The Governor’s Energy Office said the average price was $2.86 a gallon, up from $2.79 the previous week, according to the March 2 survey. The average kerosene price of $3.37 was 6 […]
Posted inMaine
Maine hospitals say proposed LePage budget will cost them $55 million a year
AUGUSTA — Hospital executives and their representatives lined up Wednesday to say a proposed two-year budget offered by Republican Gov. Paul LePage would damage the state’s health care system and put hospitals deeper in debt if passed by the Legislature. Members of the Legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee and the Health and Human Services Committee are […]
Posted inMaine
Opponents speak out against LePage cuts to immigrant welfare
AUGUSTA — The Legislature’s budget-writing committee on Tuesday heard from scores of people opposed to Gov. Paul LePage’s proposal to eliminate welfare programs that help asylum-seeking immigrants. Speaking in French, Vincent Mwamba, 70, told the Appropriations Committee that he was a judge in his home country of the Congo, but when he refused to find an innocent […]