AUGUSTA — Eliminating any of the state’s tax exemptions and credits will be politically challenging but may be necessary to avoid further cuts to municipal revenue sharing, Maine lawmakers said Monday. A special group of lawmakers, state officials and economists that’s been tasked with examining the state’s tax breaks, exemptions and credits to come up with […]
Maine
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Portland considers ban on plastic foam products
PORTLAND (AP) — The Portland City Council is considering a proposal to ban the use of plastic foam products at the city’s foodservice establishments. The proposal that will be taken up Monday also would prohibit the retail sale of polystyrene foodservice products such as cups, plates and food containers. A working group appointed by the […]
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Man’s body pulled from Kennebec River in Pittston
PITTSTON — The body of a young man who is likely from central Maine was pulled from the Kennebec River on Saturday afternoon, according to Department of Public Safety Spokesman Stephen McCausland. An autopsy was performed by the State Medical Examiner’s Office on Sunday revealed no signs of foul play, according to McCausland. The body […]
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Several dozen Maine bridges get double red flags
PORTLAND (AP) — The Maine Department of Transportation insists all state-owned bridges are safe despite a review of federal data indicating dozens of them have multiple red flags. Chip Getchell, who is in charge of bridge planning for Maine DOT, said he is satisfied the bridges are safe because the state is aggressive in terms […]
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Increased violence at Maine’s psych hospital prompts reform
AUGUSTA — Of the 92 people in state custody who were found “not criminally responsible” for crimes, 18 have been charged with at least one count of murder. That’s more than 20 percent of the state’s so-called “NCR” population, while less than 2 percent of those serving time in Maine prisons have been convicted of […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Maine warms up to wood
Josh Goodfellow bought a pellet stove last year. “Wicked happy ’bout it,” said the Lewiston man. He figures he saved more than $500 last heating season — a good way toward paying off his new stove. When No. 2 heating oil hit $4.26 a gallon, Rich St. John decided that was it. He pulled the […]
Posted inLocal Sports
For him, this bowhunting law misses the mark
If you are a Maine bowhunter or recreational archer, fasten your seat belt! You are not gonna believe this. Among the assortment of new sportsmen-related state laws that got squeezed through under the public radar was LD 540, which, I predict, is destined to live in infamy, at least among the bowhunting communtity. Language in […]
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North Pond Hermit accepted into alternative sentencing program
AUGUSTA — Christopher Knight, also known as the North Pond Hermit, will enter a special court program aimed at helping people with mental health and substance abuse problems who commit crimes stay out of jail. The Co-Occurring Disorders Court formally accepted Knight earlier this week, Kennebec and Somerset County District Attorney Maeghan Maloney announced Friday. […]
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Searchers find missing Benton man alive
UPDATE: BENTON — An elderly Benton man who had been missing since Wednesday was found alive on Friday morning, according to officials. Arthur Wakeman, 86, of Benton, who had left his home at some point between 2 and 6 p.m. Wednesday, was found alive Friday, according to Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife spokesman Doug […]
Posted inOur View
Ride system: State’s contract leaves few options
Legislators had a dramatic demonstration Wednesday of the state’s new transportation system for MaineCare clients. Rep. Matt Peterson, D-Rumford, picked up his cell phone during a legislative committee hearing and dialed the number provided to some MaineCare recipients. As Peterson held his cell phone to the microphone, the number rang once and a recorded voice […]