AUGUSTA (AP) — Hundreds gathered at the Maine Statehouse on Wednesday urging lawmakers to expand Medicaid under the federal health care overhaul as the Democratic-controlled Legislature began its work for the new session. The presence of the roughly 350 people calling for Medicaid expansion foreshadows what’s certain to be another fiery debate in the Legislature […]
Maine
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Inmate expected to plead to lesser charge in prison death
ROCKLAND — A former Maine State Prison inmate is expected to plead guilty Thursday to a lesser charge in connection with the death of another prisoner nearly five years ago. A hearing is scheduled for Jan. 9 in Knox County Superior Court in the case against 34-year-old John E. Thibeault who was indicted in July […]
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Hundreds rally at State House in full-court press on Medicaid expansion
While Mainers who have lost their health care coverage or are not eligible for MaineCare without expansion told their stories, the political challenge of winning expansion this session was as clear as the broadcast from Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s television, beaming down his welfare-reform message on the assembled activists: “Maine’s Medicaid program is crowding out […]
Posted inOxford Hills
Oxford man dies in house fire
OXFORD — A man who lived alone died in a fire at his waterfront home on Hogan Pond Lane on Wednesday, police said. The body of Peter Lowe, 55, was found by firefighters battling the blaze at 144 Hogan Pond Lane, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. The house was destroyed. Firefighters were called […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage defies Maine AG on releasing report; tells AG: ‘Sue me’
Our View: LePage won’t let public see costly report AUGUSTA — In a letter to Republican Gov. Paul LePage, the state’s top law enforcement officer demanded he follow the law and release copies of a publicly funded study of the state’s welfare system. Maine Attorney General Janet Mills on Wednesday sent LePage a terse letter regarding […]
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Teen dies in collision with logging truck in Washington County
TOPSFIELD (AP) — Police say a crash involving a car and an empty logging truck has claimed the life of an 18-year-old high school student. WZON radio reported Dylan Porter of Brookton died early Wednesday morning in the crash on Route 1. The driver of the logging truck, 39-year-old Kevin Lagse of New Brunswick, was […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Unstable crane causes concern at Kittery shipyard
KITTERY (AP) — Officials at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard temporarily evacuated some personnel after concerns were raised about an unstable crane being used for some building repairs. Deputy Public Affairs Officer Gary Hildreth said the report about the crane next to Building 178 came in at about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. Personnel in the building and […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Waterville council approves $6M in hospital bonds
WATERVILLE (AP) — The Waterville City Council has approved up to $6 million in tax-exempt bonds for Inland Hospital improvements. City Manager Michael Roy said Tuesday after the 7-0 vote that the money will come through the Finance Authority of Maine and the city is in no way liable for the debt. Roy told the […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine heating fuel prices climbing
AUGUSTA (AP) — A weekly Maine survey has found that the average price of home heating fuel has climbed to $3.81 a gallon, up 4 cents from last week. Prices are climbing in the wake of winter storms, power outages and very low temperatures. The Governor’s Energy Office said Tuesday that kerosene prices also rose […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine lags rest of nation in broadband service
PORTLAND (AP) — When it comes to high-speed Internet service, Maine lags behind most of the nation. Analysts say only Montana has less capacity to offer education, medical assistance, commerce and economic development via the Web. Officials told The Portland Press Herald (http://bit.ly/1a0peUS ) the reasons for Maine’s poor broadband infrastructure include the state’s vast […]