AUGUSTA — More than two dozen people turned out Monday to oppose a proposed disciplinary policy governing inmates in the state’s prisons. No one spoke in favor of the proposed rules at a more than two-hour hearing held before Maria Lucia, an employee of the Maine Department of Corrections, who drafted the policy. She said […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Marijuana legalization efforts combine into 1 campaign
AUGUSTA — The two campaigns that have been jousting to put competing marijuana legalization questions on Maine’s 2016 state ballot have coalesced behind one plan, organizers announced Monday. It ends an awkward and often rancorous duel that has divided marijuana advocates and potentially scared away large national donors that would have happily given to the effort […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Paul LePage steps up efforts to remove Katz from oversight committee
PORTLAND (AP) — Maine Republican Gov. Paul LePage is stepping up efforts to remove a Republican lawmaker from the investigation into whether LePage overstepped his authority in persuading a private school to rescind a job offer to one of his political opponents. The Portland Press Herald reported (http://bit.ly/1Wco8il ) that LePage sent a letter to Republican […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage catches criticism for joke about wives and checkbooks
PORTLAND — Maine’s brash governor has offended plenty of people in his five years in office. But this time he really did it: A wisecrack at a town hall meeting in Auburn that fell flat with women across the state. A spokesman for Maine Gov. Paul LePage said he was clearly joking when, during his […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Ben Chin raises almost $64,000 in Lewiston mayoral race
LEWISTON — Mayoral candidate Ben Chin has raised over $63,000 in his campaign for the office so far, reporting Friday that he raised $29,696 during the reporting period from Sept. 1 to Oct. 20. That, coupled with the $33,000 he had already raised, makes this the most expensive mayoral campaign in the city’s history. Friday […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Joe Dunne apologizes for erecting anti-Chin signs in Lewiston
LEWISTON — Local landlord Joe Dunne has apologized to the city for posting two controversial signs attacking mayoral candidate Ben Chin. Dunne placed an ad in the Sun Journal on Friday saying, “I am truly sorry that my sign was taken as racism and bigotry. I have dealt with many people of color from diverse […]
Posted inMaine
Maine takes in lottery proceeds with little oversight
COLUMBIA — Derrick Ray watches customers buy lottery tickets with mixed emotions. As manager of Columbia’s 4-Corners Shop ’n Save, a small grocery in Washington County, he knows the lottery is good for business. Last year, the store sold $237,000 worth of draw games and instant tickets, or about $488 for every person in town. […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Video: Lewiston candidates keep it civil
LEWISTON — Nobody would be much inclined to call Thursday’s mayoral candidate forum feisty, but it did have its moments. As the five candidates offered their views on the issue of lead paint in downtown housing, Ben Chin suggested that the city needs to get tough on local landlords who take advantage of their tenants. […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislature puts 32 bills on its 2016 docket
AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Legislature in 2016 will consider bills aimed at extending stalled conservation bonds and giving priority to in-state companies seeking government contracts after proposals were advanced by legislative leaders on Thursday. The 10-member Legislative Council, evenly split between top Republicans and Democrats, advanced 32 out of 400 bills proposed by legislators […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Nurse Kaci Hickox sues New Jersey over Ebola quarantine
TRENTON, N.J. — The health care worker who sharply criticized being quarantined at a New Jersey hospital last year because she had contact with Ebola patients in West Africa said in a lawsuit filed Thursday that Gov. Chris Christie and the state health department illegally held her against her will. Attorneys for Kaci Hickox filed […]