Browntail moth caterpillars can feed on conifers during outbreaks, UMaine researchers discover

Over the past 200 years that browntail moth caterpillars have been studied, the invasive pest has only been documented feeding on hardwood trees. Now, preliminary findings from the University of Maine suggest that mature browntail moth caterpillars also may be able to subsist on coniferous trees.

The discovery — which was made thanks to a chance sighting by a UMaine undergraduate student researcher — might mean that scientists have had an incomplete understanding of the pests’ outbreaks and where they might spread in the future.

Rachel Jalbert was walking down her driveway in Hampden, Maine one day in late

King Introduces Bill to Electrify Military Vehicle Fleet, Cut Carbon Emissions

DoD is the Largest Institutional Consumer of Petroleum in the World, Responsible for 56% of the Federal Government’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Energy and Natural Resources Committees, has introduced a bill to help reduce carbon emissions by transitioning the non-tactical fleet of the Department of Defense (DoD) to electric or other zero-emission vehicles. The Military Vehicle Fleet Electrification Act would require at least 75% of all non-tactical vehicles – such as

Matinicus Isle Plantation residents can now renew vehicle registrations online

AUGUSTA — Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has announced that Matinicus Isle Plantation launched Rapid Renewal, the Department of the Secretary of State’s online service for the renewal of motor vehicle registrations.

Rapid Renewal allows Mainers to conduct business with municipal and state government in

Old Town Airport hosts 2nd annual Wings & Wheels Car Show & Fly-in

The event brought in hundreds of people all in an effort to raise money for the Maine Veteran's Project.

OLD TOWN, Maine — Antique cars, planes, and even helicopters took over the Old Town municipal airport runways Saturday for the 2nd Annual Wings and Wheels Car Show & Fly-in. All proceeds from the event go toward Maine Veteran's Project, non-profit supporting veterans throughout the state. 

"It's a beautiful day, people are here to spend their money and their time supporting this

Silver Alert: Penelope Crabtree LOCATED

UPDATE: She has been located safely. Thank you.

SILVER ALERT  

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office has issued a Silver Alert for 79-year old Penelope Crabtree of Sebago. Crabtree was last seen Monday, June 13, 2022 at the Morning Glory Diner at 78 Portland Road in Bridgton at approximately 10:00 a.m. Crabtree, who suffers from dementia and vision problems is driving a white 2014 Nissan Juke SV, Maine Registration Plate 9612NA. Crabtree is a white female, 5’05”, 185 lbs. with brown hair and brown eyes. Crabtree has a history of confusion and losing her way while driving. Most recently she was the subject of a Silver Alert on June 6, 2022.  

Anyone who sees Penelope Crabtree or has information should call the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office at 207-893-2810. 

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Seashore Trolley Museum Named 2022 Blue Star Museum

KENNEBUNKPORT – Seashore Trolley Museum will join museums nationwide again this season in the Blue Star Museums initiative, a program that provides free admission to currently-serving U.S. military personnel and their families this summer. The 2022 program began on Armed Forces Day and ends on Labor Day. Find the list of participating museums at arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.  

 

Blue Star Museums is an initiative of the National Endowment for the

Governor Mills Signs Executive Order Establishing Cabinet on Aging

Executive Order Directs State Agencies to Work Together to Ensure older Maine People Age in Healthy, Safe Communities With Dignity and Support

Portland, MAINE – Fulfilling a promise from her State of the State Address, Governor Janet Mills today signed an Executive Order establishing a Cabinet on Aging.

The creation of the Cabinet comes at a time when Maine’s median age makes it the oldest state in the nation, with tens of thousands of people expected to

State recovers $14,900 from business violating online retail tobacco sale prohibition

AUGUSTA –  The Office of the Attorney General has successfully prosecuted an online e-cigarette retailer for tobacco sales in contravention of Maine law requiring all tobacco products be sold in face-to-face transactions. Retailers are

Governor Mills Mourns Passing of Sherry Huber

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement on the passing of former State Representative Sherry F. Huber:

“I am deeply saddened to learn of Sherry’s passing,” said Governor Janet Mills. “She was a friend, a trailblazer, a public servant, and a fierce and effective advocate for reproductive health care and for the protection of our cherished lands and waters. I will miss her, but I am grateful for her decades worth of important work – a legacy that will live on for generations to come.”

New Black Bear Trapping Education Course

Have you ever wanted to trap a black bear in Maine?

With one of the largest black bear populations in the United States, Maine offers excellent opportunities for hunting and trapping bear. Maine is the only state within the lower 48 states that allows bear trapping as a method of harvest and trapping is an important component of Maine’s black bear management plan.

To better educate, prepare, and remove barriers for those interested in

IRVING EQUIPMENT RECEIVES SAFETY AWARD FROM THE CRANE RENTAL ASSOCIATION OF CANADA

Irving Equipment Receives Safety Award from the Crane Rental Association of Canada 

 

Saint John, NB — Irving Equipment received the prestigious Safety Award from the Crane Rental Association of Canada for its outstanding demonstration of health and safety standards during the year 2021. 

The Safety Awards were presented to twelve companies at the closing

HIRED BEFORE GRADUATION - WELCOMING THE NEXT GENERATION OF TALENT

Congratulations to our newly graduated employees!

Keeping and growing talented young people, here at home, with rewarding career opportunities is important to the team at J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI). Our goal is to offer new graduates with leadership potential the chance to step directly into a full-time role and continue to focus on their personal growth and development - beyond the classroom.

We are excited to be welcoming and celebrating the accomplishments of our

UMF $3.5 million federal TRIO grant for Upward Bound programs renewed for next five years

FARMINGTON, ME  (June 13, 2022)—The University of Maine at Farmington is excited to report that the TRIO federal funding grant for its two Upward Bound programs has been renewed for the next five years.

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UMF will receive $3,591,775 as part of the more than $16 million in grant funds that will support students who are from low-income economic backgrounds and families in which neither parent has a bachelor’s degree.

The grant was recently announced by the office of U.S. Senator Susan

Oh receives inaugural award named in her, recognition from Legislature and Gov. Mills for service to older adults

Patricia Oh, senior project manager for the University of Maine Center on Aging, received an award created in her honor, and recognition from the Maine Legislature and Gov. Janet Mills for her service to older adults and communities that support them.  

The Lifelong Communities Fellows, experienced lifelong community leaders who mentor groups starting or expanding a program to make their municipality more livable, especially for older residents, created and gave her the

Contributions of three Maine women recognized at 2022 Deborah Morton Award ceremony

READ MORE ABOUT THIS YEAR'S AWARDEES

Dozens gathered in Innovation Hall on the University of New England’s Portland Campus on Friday, June 10, in celebration of the 60th annual Deborah Morton Society Convocation and Awards Ceremony.

Three prominent Maine women were presented with the 2022 Deborah

Social Work alum convinces Maine legislators to pass new law regarding prosthetic devices

VIEW THE LEGISLATIVE BILL

 

READ JORDAN SIMPSON'S REPORT

During her four years at UNE, Jordan Simpson, B.S. ’21 (Social Work), was focused on getting her degree. But she also spent a lot of time on something she is very passionate about, advocating for people who have experienced limb loss.

“This issue has been important in my

Class of 2020 Celebrates with In-Person Graduation

Speaker Cheryl Townsend Gilkes tells the students, “Mighty causes are calling you”

Family and friends gathered to celebrate the Class of 2020. which had its in-person graduation June 11, 2022

By Bob Keyes (Colby College)

Photography by Knack Factory

More than 300 members of Colby’s Class of 2020 triumphantly returned to campus June 11 to celebrate their graduation, two years after the pandemic abruptly sent them home.

The graduates had received their diplomas and participated in virtual

Sci-Fi Author J.S. Morang Expresses Concern About New Release Relating To Uncomfortable Similarities To Current State

Sci Fi Author Jeremy Morang

“A conflict spanning time and space,” war at global scale. The Guardian War series tells tales of civil unrest due to food shortages, and territory skirmishes.

Writing about war and has never been easy for me. I’ve never confronted carnage firsthand so I struggle internally with telling my stories in the setting of global war from a first person perspective.”

— Jeremy Morang

RANDOLPH, MAINE, UNITED STATES, June 13, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Morang’s second release of 10, The Guardian War Chronicles Series is a gripping science fiction Action-Adventure. A futuristic setting that is eerily similar to current times resonates with the readers. A society living within the confines of a global block-chain, government instability, food shortages and universal

Maine State Police Announce Structural Reorganization of Agency

From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO.

Colonel John Cote is excited to announce a State Police structural reorganization which will incorporate several new positions and other efficiency measures including leveraging existing personnel to provide better service to the citizens of Maine.
 
The State Police are looking to reorganize Troop units, provide overnight coverage on

Maine DOE Data Management Systems Summer Training

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Data Team is holding their annual summer training July 26th-28th and August 9th-16th. The focus of the training this year will be on tips and resources to assist districts with their state required data reporting and viewing/certifying their reports. New for this year we have condensed our sessions down to three hours. Please note that these trainings are geared towards users who have experience in the states student and/or staff data collection and reporting systems (Synergy, NEO and MEIS). For those who are brand new to state required student and/or staff data reporting we offer one-on-one onboard training.

Register for one-on-one onboard training

Early College High School Student First to Earn Required Credits for University of Maine at Augusta Degree while Attending High School

Amber-Rae Pesek, a senior graduating from Ellsworth High School in June of 2022, is the first student ever to complete the necessary credits to earn an Associate’s degree from the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) while simultaneously completing her high school career. Pesek, who marched in the May 14th UMA Commencement Ceremony, will be officially awarded her degree in Liberal Studies in Summer 2022 following the completion of her high school career.

Pesek earned 74 credits college credits as a high school student in the UMA Early

Driver license reinstatement fees can now be paid online

AUGUSTA — The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles announced a technological upgrade Friday to allow Mainers to pay driver license reinstatement fees online.

“Mainers lead busy lives and they expect the option to do most daily activities online at

Want to Bring Local Food to Students in your Community this Summer?

Summer means fresh, local food and we are lucky to live in a state with so many wonderful farms to support in our communities! Bringing the farm to your school is easy with Harvest of the Month (HOM), and the Child Nutrition Program has FREE promotional and educational material to help make this happen! Beautiful posters, fact sheets with recipes, stickers and more will be mailed to you at no cost. Maybe your school has a garden bursting with summer squash and cucumbers (the HOM highlighted ingredients for July and August), or perhaps you have a family recipe using summer produce that you know kids in your community would love.

Sample promotional materials!

Reach out to your district’s School Nutrition Director to partner on this great opportunity to, whether it be through summer meal sites or summer school! For more information contact Robin.Kerber@maine.gov or visit https://www.maine.gov/doe/harvestofthemonth/summer.

2021 Merit and Citation Awards

The Merit & Citation Awards Ceremony was held this morning at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro. The ceremony is held to recognize past and present members of the Maine State Police, both civilian and sworn members, and citizens of Maine who have gone above and beyond what is expected of them.  

The awards include Trooper of the Year, Legendary Trooper, Leadership Award,

Governor Mills Announces $4 Million Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan Initiatives to Offer Student Loan Repayment Assistance & Bolster Scholarships for Health Care Careers

Programs from Finance Authority of Maine offer scholarships and student loan relief to help Maine attract and retain nurse educators and health care professionals in medicine, dentistry, and behavioral health

Coopers Mills, MAINE – Governor Janet Mills today announced two initiatives from her Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan to attract and retain health care professionals in Maine.

The first initiative, offered through the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), provides student loan repayment assistance to health care professionals in

Maine PBIS Announces First Training of Trainers and Coaches Cohort

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) and the University of Maine System (UMS) are pleased to announce the first Maine PBIS Training of Trainers and Coaches cohort.

Maine schools and districts are experiencing the positive impacts of the Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports’ (PBIS) evidence-based framework with over 75 schools currently implementing PBIS with more being added each year. Additional trainers and coaches are needed to provide support for newly implementing teams.

Please go to https://bit.ly/MEPBISToTInfo to learn how you can become a Maine PBIS Tier 1 Trainer and Coach.  If you have any questions, please contact Karen Robbie at karen.robbie@maine.edu .

SILVER ALERT Peneolope Crabtree

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office has issued a Silver Alert for 79-year old Penelope Crabtree of Sebago who was last seen Monday evening of June 6, 2022 driving on North Bridgton Road in Bridgton towards Sebago. Crabtree, who suffers from dementia was traveling behind her husband when he lost sight of her headlights. When he turned around and checked the immediate area he could not locate her vehicle and she has not made it back to their residence.

Crabtree is driving a white 2014 Nissan Juke SV, Maine Registration Plate 9612NA. Crabtree is a white female, 5’05”, 185 lbs. with brown hair and brown eyes.

 

Anyone who sees Penelope Crabtree or has information should call the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office at 207-893-2810.

 

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

SILVER ALERT Graham Lacher

The Bangor Police Department has issued a Silver Alert for 37-year-old Graham Lacher of Norridgewock who was last seen Monday, June 6, 2022 at approximately 4:40 p.m. walking away from the Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center at 656 State Street in Bangor. Lacher was a voluntary patient but is now considered involuntary. A K9 track was attempted that ended in the area of Eastern Maine Community College.
Lacher is a white male, 5’11”, 265 lbs. with brown hair and blue eyes. Lacher suffers from mental illness and tends to avoid people. He has long brown hair, a long beard, glasses and was last seen wearing a gray jacket, gray/green Carhartt pants and an orange knit hat. 

Anyone who sees Graham Lacher or has information should call the Bangor Police Department at 207-942-8211.

Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Reminds Citizens to Prepare as Atlantic Hurricane Season Begins

AUGUSTA, MAINE - Today marks the beginning of the Atlantic Hurricane Season that extends through November 30. Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, are predicting above-average hurricane activity this year - which would make it the seventh consecutive above-average hurricane season. NOAA's outlook for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season predicts a

Maine State Police to Honor Civilian and Sworn Members

From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO.

On Thursday, June 9, 2022, at 10 a.m. the annual Maine State Police Awards Ceremony will take place at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro.

The ceremony is held to recognize past and present members of the Maine State

Governor Mills Announces 20 New Land for Maine’s Future Conservation Projects

Governor Janet Mills today announced 20 new Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) conservation projects across Maine that conserve lands and preserve public access to lakes, rivers, scenic views, and mountain vistas for Maine people.

With the selection of these projects, the Land for Maine’s Future Board has now approved a total of 25 new projects in the last year since Governor Mills and the Legislature reinvigorated the program with $40 million in new State funding through the biennial budget. Additional projects focused on conserving working lands are expected to receive funding later this year.

Of the 20 projects announced today, one-third of the applications came from

Governor Mills Announces $12.3 Million To More Than Double Apprenticeships for Maine People & Strengthen Maine’s Workforce

Awards to 14 Maine organizations will support the significant expansion of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship opportunities in more than 50 new occupations

Lewiston, MAINE – Governor Janet Mills announced today that 14 organizations will receive $12.3 million to expand apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships across Maine as part of her Administration’s effort to strengthen Maine’s workforce through her Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan. The funding is expected to provide more than 3,000 Maine people with new apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship opportunities, more than doubling the number of Maine’s current apprentices.

The Governor made the announcement at Lewiston Adult Education, one of the

UMaine industry liaison testifies to Congress about preparing future forest workforce

The University of Maine’s liaison to the forest products industry testified before Congress on Wednesday about university-led programs and partnerships to develop the workforce and innovations necessary to maintain Maine’s leading role in the global forest economy and support rural jobs and opportunity. 

Shane O’Neill, the forestry industry business development manager at UMaine, was a

CMP's Powering Maine Plan to Deliver Greater Reliability, Grid Resiliency, and Clean Energy Access

Three-year proposal to ensure price stability

AUGUSTA, ME—May 26, 2022– (NYSE:AGR) – Today, Central Maine Power (CMP) introduced the company’s new Powering Maine plan in a letter filed with the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC). CMP is proposing a three-year commitment to continue to improve the delivery of reliable power, support more efficient storm restoration response, reduce the impacts of outages on customers, offer more tools to customers to monitor and manage their energy usage, and enable greater adoption of renewable energy onto the grid.

“CMP must continue to make the smart system updates that improve reliability now and

Silver Alert: Stillman Miller of Mars Hill

The Maine Warden Service has issued a Silver Alert for 75-year-old Stillman Miller of Mars Hill was last seen Thursday, May 26, 2022 at approximately 2:30 p.m. when he walked into the woods behind his home at 252 Presque Isle Rd. in Mars Hill.  

Miller is a white male, 5’7”, 200 lbs. with gray hair and blue4 eyes. Miller who suffers from dementia was last seen wearing gray sweatpants and white shoes. The color of his shirt is unknown.  

Anyone who sees Stillman Miller or has information should call 911 or the Maine Warden Service at 1-800-924-2261.

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Attorney General’s Civil Rights Team Project Wins Golden Apple Award

Project recognized by MEA for strong commitment to local schools

 

AUGUSTA –Attorney General Aaron Frey congratulates the Civil Rights Team Project on its well-deserved 2022 Golden Apple Award from the Maine Education Association. The Project, which is housed in the Attorney General’s Office, engages student civil rights teams in schools across the state to explore issues of race and skin color, national origin and ancestry, religion, disabilities, gender (including gender identity and expression), and sexual orientation. “Our Civil Rights Team Project does vital civic education work in our state, helping children engage each other in important conversations that reduce bias and discrimination. We are proud of the powerful work they do and congratulate them on this hard-earned honor.” The Project has been running for 26 years and is currently serving 207 schools across the state. The awards ceremony was held over the weekend in Portland. 

Captain Albert Stevens Elementary Journalism Club Visits State House, Learns Their Beloved Teacher is Being Honored

Excitement was certainly in the air on May 12th as people filled the Hall of Flags in the Maine State Capitol Building for an announcement to be made by the Maine Department of Education. Among the guests were several 4th and 5th graders from the Captain Albert Stevens Elementary School (CASS) in Belfast, part of RSU 71. The students are part of 4th grade teacher Nancy Nickerson’s Journalism Club and what they don’t yet know is that their teacher Mrs. Nickerson was about to be named a County Teacher of the Year, along with 15 other educators from across Maine.

Nickerson, who had only known for a short time herself, wanted her students to join in

24-year-old woman takes first in MMTA Maine State Truck Driving Championship

Written by Insp. Daniel Russell of Troop K

The Maine Motor Transport Association Maine State Truck Driving Championship was back this year for the first time since 2019 and Troop K Commercial Vehicle Enforcement was proud to be there to assist with the pre-trip inspection competition again.

The Maine State Police would like to congratulate Haleigh Fickett of Corinth, a transport truck driver for RH Foster Energy for placing 1st place in the Tanker Truck class at the competition. Haleigh, who is 24 years old, competed against 11 of the top tanker truck

Maine CDC Announces Possible Hepatitis A Exposure at Oakland Restaurant

AUGUSTA — The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has identified a case of acute hepatitis A virus in an Oakland food service worker.Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. It can spread through contaminated food or water.

The food service worker handled food while infectious at Waterville Country Club’s

To Avoid Accidental Conflict, Senator King Stresses Importance of NATO’s “Essential Defensive Nature”

As NATO is poised to expand in response to Putin’s attacks on Ukraine, King urges top NATO nominee to make clear the alliance’s defensive nature

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate NATO Observer Group, today stressed the importance of ensuring that adversaries and allies are aware of the NATO alliance’s defensive posture. As Finland and Sweden take steps to join NATO following Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked attacks on Ukraine, King urged

King Announces Support for Dettelbach as ATF Director

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced that he plans to vote in support of Steve Dettelbach’s nomination to be the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

“The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives plays a critical role within our nation’s law enforcement community, policing some of the most dangerous threats we face. The ATF Director is a critical leader in public safety – but since the role became a Senate-confirmed position in 2006, the Bureau has only had one permanent director, hindering its

BREAKING: Firefighters Battling Multi-Alarm Boothbay Harbor Inn Fire

BREAKING: Boothbay Harbor, Maine - Firefighters from area departments tonight are battling a multi-alarm Inn fire at 48 Lakeview Drive in Boothbay Harbor, Maine.

Collapse reported. 

Stay with us for the latest.

Jaequan Grant Recognized as Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports-Scholar

GORHAM, Maine – Senior Jaequan Grant (East Granby, Conn.) of the University of Southern Maine Huskies men’s indoor and outdoor track & field teams has been named a 2022 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar-Athlete award winner, earning second team honors in men’s track & field.

 

Diverse: Issues in Higher Education sponsors the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Awards to honor students of color who have excelled in the classroom as well as on the athletic field. Recipients from colleges and universities across the United States and across all

Talk by Read ME fiction author Meredith Hal at RPL June 2nd

Rockland, Maine - The Rockland Public Library presents Meredith Hall, Thursday, June 2, at 6:30 p.m., via Zoom. This event is free and open to all.

New York Times bestselling author Meredith Hall’s debut novel centers on Doris and Tup Senter, working Tup’s family farm in 1930s Maine. After a sudden tragedy shatters their lives, the Senter family is consumed by a dark shadow of grief and guilt. Slowly, the Senters must find their way to forgiveness—of themselves and of each other. Beneficence is a study of love—both its gifts and its obligations—that will stay with readers long after the last page. In this talk, Hall will discuss the novel and her writing process and answer audience questions. Beneficence is the Maine

Governor Mills Applauds Maine GearShare in Brunswick, Encourages Kids to Enjoy the Maine Outdoors

 Governor also walks downtown Brunswick, stops by local businesses

Governor Mills Donates IFW Pack to Maine GearShare

Brunswick, MAINE — To promote outdoor recreation for Maine children, Governor Janet Mills visited GearShare in Brunswick today. GearShare is a new non-profit that acquires, maintains, and lends outdoor recreation equipment to trip leaders and nature-based educators to help connect students to the Maine outdoors. Governor Mills, an

Governor Mills Congratulates Heart of Biddeford on National Recognition

Governor Janet Mills today congratulated Heart of Biddeford, a nonprofit organization focused on economic development and quality of life in downtown Biddeford, for being awarded the 2022 Great American Main Street Award. The award from Main Street America recognizes communities for excellence in comprehensive preservation-based commercial district revitalization.

“Biddeford’s renaissance is a national success story, and I couldn’t be

Cooks Corner Exit Ramp Closures on Route 1 in Brunswick

BRUNSWICK - The Maine Department of Transportation will be replacing the railroad crossing at Cooks Corner in Brunswick this weekend. This work will require the closure of the Route 1 exit ramps at Cooks Corner. The ramps will be closed from 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 21st until Sunday, May 22nd.

Maine Track Maintenance of Fairfield and McGee Construction of West Gardiner will be assisting MaineDOT with this work. The cost to the department is $151,000.

Governor Mills Highlights Responsible Aquaculture as Opportunity to Create Jobs, Strengthen Economy, and Promote Maine Seafood

Governor walks downtown Bath, stops by local businesses and encourages Maine people to shop local as part of visit to Sagadahoc County today

SAGADAHOC COUNTY – During a roundtable with sea farmers from the New Meadows River Shellfish Co-op today, Governor Janet Mills highlighted her Administration’s commitment to responsible aquaculture as an opportunity to strengthen and diversify Maine’s economy, generate good jobs, and provide Maine people with sustainable, locally-farmed seafood.

Gov. Mills shucks an oyster following aquaculture roundtable

To support Maine’s aquaculture sector, the Governor pointed to millions of dollars made available to Maine sea farmers through the State’s distribution of funding through

Roadway and Intersection Improvements on Route 4 in Auburn

AUBURN - The Maine Department of Transportation is making roadway and intersection improvements along part of Route 4 in Auburn. The work area begins just south of Oak Hill Road and continues northerly for approximately half a mile, including intersections with Oak Hill Road, Lillian Street, Turner Street, Martin Street, Fair Street, and the public boat launch. Work started on May 16th and is scheduled to continue through June 2023. This will be day work. Work may also be done on Saturdays. During construction, drivers may encounter lane restrictions. The contractor on this project is Pratt & Sons, Inc. of Minot. The contract amount is $3,427,844.

NECEC appeals to the Board of Environmental Protection have been postponed due to Covid-19 illnesses

AUGUSTA, May 16, 2022 — On May 17 and 18, 2022, the Board of Environmental Protection was scheduled to meet at the University of Maine in Farmington to consider appeals of the Site Location of Development and Natural Resources Protection Act permits issued to Central Maine Power Company and NECEC Transmission LLC to construct the New England Clean Energy Connect project.  The Board was scheduled to consider the appeals of the Natural Resources Council of Maine, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, and a consolidated group of Maine residents, small businesses and towns referred to as the West Forks Group. 

Due to circumstances regarding Covid-19 related illnesses that are beyond the Board’s control, the Board’s May 17-18, 2022 meeting in Farmington is being postponed. In consideration of public health information regarding Covid-19 and the availability of Board members, staff and the parties, the Board Chair will determine the soonest date to reschedule the NECEC appeal meeting, possibly in late June.

New Resource for Locating Services and Supports for Families in Maine

In an effort to increase knowledge of the existing services and supports for individuals and families in Maine, the Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) worked closely with other state agency partners to develop a Family Services Resource Guide, also known as Access Maine.  This online tool (www.AccessMaine.org) launched in April 2022 and includes an inventory of state-level programs that will connect OCFS staff, service providers, individuals, and families to resources that can support everyone in

Inspired by Becoming an Outdoors Woman, SustainME is open to ALL adults!  Interested in learning to be more self-reliant and securing your own sustainable food sources? Want to connect to your food in a more meaningful way, whether it’s wild-caught, hunted, gathered, raised, or grown? Join us at SustainME for a hands-on day where you will gain the knowledge, self-confidence, and practical skills to be more self-reliant with an emphasis on sustainable food sources and preparation. Event Details: Saturday, June 4, 2022 - 9am - 4pm at Bryant Pond 4-H Camp in Bryant Pond, Maine. Outdoor skills-focused workshops follow three distinct paths: Hunting/ Fishing, Wild Edibles/Foraging, and Backyard Farming.   Spring sessions include: raising and harvesting meat birds, fermentation, fishing, shotgun shooting, campfire cooking with wild game, creating a wildlife-friendly yard, spring foraging, introduction to composting, wildlife tracking, introduction to bowhunting, map and compass, and more. Open to all adults! Come solo or bring a friend, partner, or colleague to learn something new.   Learn more + register online

Paving Work in Lewiston and Auburn

ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY - The Maine Department of Transportation will be doing paving work and making draining improvements on Russell Street and the Veterans Memorial Bridge in Lewiston and Auburn. The project area begins on Mount Auburn Avenue at Turner Street, extends for nearly 2.5 miles across Veterans Memorial Bridge, continues down Russell Street, and ends at Sabattus Street. Work is scheduled to begin on May 15th and be finished by June 24th. Drivers should expect alternating, single-lane traffic patterns and ramp closures. The contractor on this project is All States Asphalt of Richmond. The contract amount is $2,274,744.

BREAKING: Multiple Departments Battling York 3-Alarm Fire

BREAKING: York, Maine - Multiple departments this afternoon are battling a 3-alarm fire, heavy fire throughout 2.5 story house, at Wellington Avenue/Freeman street in York, Maine.

Unknown if anyone is injured.

Stay tuned for the latest.. 

Attorney General Warns Mainers About $850 Relief Check Identity Theft Scam

Scammers Pretending to Represent Revenue Services Stealing Identifying Information from Unsuspecting Mainers

The Attorney General’s Office and Maine Revenue Services have been alerted that scammers claiming to be the “Maine IRS” have been targeting residents and requesting social security numbers, maiden names, and other sensitive information, stating it was needed to process $850 relief checks authorized by the Governor and the legislature last month. 

“Maine Revenue Services already has all the information it needs to issue these relief

In Light of Russian Aggression, King Questions Top Nuclear Official on Status of Global Non-Proliferation Efforts

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King, Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Strategic Forces with jurisdiction over the United States’ nuclear arsenal, expressed concern that the war in Ukraine may erode support for nuclear non-proliferation efforts worldwide, and pressed a top Biden administration official for her assessment of the situation. In a hearing to examine the state of America’s nuclear activities and posture, King asked Jill M. Hruby – Under Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Security and

BREAKING: Governor Mills Announces Positive COVID-19 Test Result

BREAKING: Maine - Governor Janet Mills announced this afternoon that she has tested positive for COVID-19.

The Governor tested positive via a BinaxNOW rapid test this afternoon after developing a mild scratchy throat. She has no other symptoms otherwise and feels well. The Governor is fully