Mills Administration Announces 2022 Specialty Crop Block Grants Program Funding

Augusta, ME - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has announced nearly $560,000 in the Fiscal Year 2022 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funding to Maine. This USDA grant will help the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF) fund projects ranging from managing soilborne diseases in potato production through integrated soil improvement to drought stress management for wild blueberry growers.

Augusta, ME - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA)

Governor Mills Celebrates Grand Opening of Newly Converted LP Houlton Mill in New Limerick

$150 million investment already resulting in the manufacture of new siding that will increase company’s consumption of local, sustainably sourced fiber

New Limerick, MAINE – Governor Janet Mills today attended a celebration marking the grand opening of the newly converted LP Building Solutions facility in New Limerick.

LP Houlton recently began manufacturing LP’s flagship siding and trim

‘A Tapestry of Small Moments:’ A Story of Success at the Blueberry Harvest School

In the low bush wild blueberry fields of Washington County, there is important work to be done in the month of August. Families come from throughout the state, the country, and the continent to harvest the blueberries that make their way to grocery store shelves and kitchen refrigerators throughout the country. Once the harvest is done, they pack up and move once again, across school administrative unit (SAU), and sometimes country lines. The Maine Migrant Education Program (MEP) partners with the nonprofit organization Mano

300 Grams of Meth Seized After Traffic Stop

A traffic stop led to an arrest and more than 300 grams of Methamphetamine seized by Troopers.

On August 24, 2022, at approximately 7:15 P.M., Trooper Jordan Bragan conducted a traffic stop for an inspection violation at mile 175 northbound in Hermon.  After observing several indicators of criminal activity, Trooper Bragan went back to his cruiser and requested a K9 unit. The driver, 29-year-old Patrick Murico, of Lewiston, attempted to throw contraband out of the vehicle. Trooper Bragan witnessed the act and retrieved the contraband which was 300 grams of Methamphetamine.

As a result of this investigation, Murico was charged with class A Trafficking of Methamphetamine.  Murico was also charged with  Unlawful Possession of Schedule Drugs and Trafficking in Prison Contraband.

Under Law Signed by Governor Mills, Average Health Care Premiums for Maine Small Businesses to Drop for First Time Since At Least 2001

Maine successfully reverses trend of increasing health insurance premiums for many small businesses and reduces proposed increase in premiums in individual market as health insurers’ rates are finalized for 2023 plan year

Governor Janet Mills announced today that Maine small businesses will see their first annual average reduction in health insurance premiums since at least 2001.

According to final weighted average rates (PDF) filed by health insurance carriers and approved by the Maine Bureau of Insurance for the 2023 plan

Department of Public Safety raises awareness about new Law aimed to keep Mainers safe

A new law that took effect on August 8, 2022, will help Mainers safely secure their prescription drugs and firearms, and other dangerous weapons. The law which was passed unanimously sponsored by Senator Susan Deschambault, D-Biddeford, and co-sponsored by Representative Richard Pickett, (R) Dixfield establishes the Safe Homes Program. It will educate people on the importance of safe prescription drug and weapons storage. It will also make storage devices more affordable.

Maine has the second highest firearm mortality rate in New England. In

Governor Mills Announces Nearly $2 Million to Expand Substance Use Disorder Treatment in Rural Maine

Federal funding is part of a slate of actions from the Mills Administration this summer and fall to support Maine people with SUD through strengthened Opioid Health Homes, support for parents, and naloxone distribution

Governor Janet Mills announced today a new $1.9 million initiative to expand treatment of substance use disorder (SUD) in rural Maine. The funding can be used by behavioral health providers to invest in start-up costs, such as staff training and development, that will allow them to increase the number of patients they serve in rural areas of the state.

This new initiative complements State funding for renovation and capital