LEWISTON — Patti Gagne, a lifelong Lewiston-area resident, has announced she is a Republican candidate for Maine Senate District 21, which comprises the city of Lewiston. Gagne is owner of Patti Gagne Insurance Agency in Lewiston. She serves on the Lewiston Board of Appeals and is chairwoman of the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce. Gagne […]
politics
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
CDC suit gets new lawyers; computer info secured
The Maine Attorney General’s Office is no longer defending the Maine Department of Health and Human Services in a federal whistle-blower lawsuit brought by a former Maine Center for Disease Control division director. DHHS, which oversees the CDC, has two new lawyers. And as the lawsuit continues, computer hard drives have been taken from several […]
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Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Study says Keystone pipeline won’t add to climate change
WASHINGTON — The proposed Keystone XL pipeline cleared a key hurdle Friday with a government study that found the project’s impact on the climate would be minimal, which supporters said meets President Barack Obama’s test for building the project. In its final technical review, the State Department found the Canada-U.S. oil pipeline would not greatly […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Lodges unsure if new law allowing them to sell moose hunting licenses will help
An effort to jump-start the economy in parts of rural Maine led to legislative passage of a bill that would allow hunting and fishing lodges to purchase a limited number of moose permits, which they could then sell to interested sports at a premium. The guides would get work. The lodges would have more guests. […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
How LePage plans to double Windham prison without more staff
As lawmakers work to firm up a state budget that’s out of balance and debate an expansion of Medicaid, a proposal to nearly double the capacity of the Maine Correctional Center in Windham will resurface in coming weeks. Gov. Paul LePage included the expansion project and a $100 million bond for it last year in his proposal […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Former worker says he faced reprisals after saving money for state
AUGUSTA — Maine’s finance commissioner has launched an inquiry into the Bureau of General Services, after an ex-employee claimed he was subject to reprisal from his managers for trying to negotiate lower rates on architecture contracts for state projects. “Please be assured that if the investigations indicate that reform is appropriate, this department will implement […]
Posted inMaine
LePage meets with GOP lawmakers to discuss Medicaid
AUGUSTA — Republican Gov. Paul LePage on Thursday invited a select group of state lawmakers to an “informational session” held during a luncheon at the Blaine House, the governor’s official residence. Those asked to attend included a number of rural Republican state representatives who have either said they would support a Medicaid expansion or who […]
Posted inMaine
LePages tie yellow ribbon for Maine troops, urge others to do likewise
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage and first lady Ann M. LePage this week tied a yellow ribbon around one of the Blaine House maple trees to remember the men and women in uniform serving at home and around the world. “All of our military members home and overseas deserve our appreciation. They’re the ones away […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine Senate OKs dental hygiene therapists bill
AUGUSTA — Maine’s Democratic-led Senate has advanced a bill supporters say will expand access to affordable dental care in the state. In a 19-16 vote, the Senate gave initial approval to the bill establishing a new license for dental hygiene therapists, which would be able to do procedures like filling cavities and pulling teeth. Dental […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine, sj-web
Maine bill would create local ‘food hubs’ for small farmers
AUGUSTA — More Maine students would eat locally grown food for lunch under a bill designed to support the expansion of “food hubs,” where small-scale farmers can store, cut or clean their products and more easily distribute them to larger markets. Critics question why question the government should fund food hubs, but supporters say the […]