Let’s start with an understatement: Lawmakers aren’t usually known for their restraint when it comes to borrowing money. At the federal level, it’s a systemic problem. Bringing home money to constituents is not only the hallmark of a successful congressman, it also often ensures re-election. Unless, of course, you are former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, […]

Let’s start with an understatement: Lawmakers aren’t usually known for their restraint when it comes to borrowing money. At the federal level, it’s a systemic problem. Bringing home money to constituents is not only the hallmark of a successful congressman, it also often ensures re-election. Unless, of course, you are former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, […]

A Florida couple recently welcomed home a new puppy, Lancelot Encore – the first commercially cloned puppy in the U.S., according to the Associated Press. Cloning animals to “replace” treasured companions is a boondoggle. These beloved animals’ personalities and charming quirks cannot be so easily reproduced. And when one considers that millions of dogs and […]

Pike Industries’ prospect for building an asphalt plant on Spring Street grew bleaker this week, as the city’s code enforcement officer ruled that the plant is not included in the company’s property rights. At the same time, the Westbrook City Council continued moving forward with an effort to rezone Five Star Industrial Park and surrounding […]

Pike Industries’ prospect for building an asphalt plant on Spring Street grew bleaker this week, as the city’s code enforcement officer ruled that the plant is not included in the company’s property rights. At the same time, the Westbrook City Council continued moving forward with an effort to rezone Five Star Industrial Park and surrounding […]

The Maine Legislature is contemplating its annual fatuity fest of 1,700-plus proposed new laws. Ambitious legislators will again energize a six-month merry-go-round of debate, discussion, deliberation and decision as to how many of their wishes shall burden the public. Some of these hankerings will be spawned through parthenogenesis (no known father); some by artificial insemination […]

Park benches Eagle project Luke Merrifield installed benches at Robie Park in Gorham as his Boy Scout Eagle project. Merrifield thanked Phinney Lumber, Merrifield Farm, Pogo Realty, Great Falls Construction, and Cathy Maurer in honor of Riley Abbo, for their support. Honor Society students Treasa Arey and Meegan Daigler, both of Gorham, have been inducted […]

Good air day The weekly noonday concert Jan. 22 at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Portland was an interesting one, given by Music’s Quill, which was founded in 2000 by tenor Timothy Johnson and lute player Timothy Burris. The duo has devoted itself to bringing English airs and French airs de coeur to […]

Westbrook police charged 13 people with drinking and drug violations Saturday night, during a special effort to enforce underage drinking laws. The violations included furnishing liquor to minors, illegal possession of liquor by minors, illegal transportation of liquor and drugs and possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia. According to Lt. Mike Nugent, the officers caught […]

A U.S. Department of Agriculture market administrator establishes each month’s basic minimum milk price paid to the nation’s farmers. In December, the blend price in Maine was $15.06 for each 100 pounds of milk shipped to a processing plant. A year ago, the basic price was $21.59. In a complex pricing formula, the blend price […]