Faced with a court ruling that seems to endanger one of the fundamental strengths of the Internet ”“ its openness and neutrality ”“ the Federal Communications Commission is proposing a new approach to regulating broadband service. Regulate the Internet? Unfortunately, it’s inevitable, either by an impartial referee or the self-interested policies of a few broadband […]

The arrival of La Kermesse this weekend shows that organizers are determined that the show will go on, even though the Franco-American festival is dealing with several handicaps. Years from now we hope supporters will be able to say that this was the start of La Kermesse’s comeback. This popular event has a sound formula, […]

It’s hard to fault Cecil B. Wilson, M.D., for his harsh criticism of Congress last week. Doctors are facing a 21 percent cut in Medicare payments. It’s the result of a cost-cutting formula that has been in effect since the 1990s, but routinely waived. Despite consensus on the issue, however, politics has temporarily blocked this […]

Thumbs up to the Town of Sanford on the opening of a new police station this week. For more than 100 years, the Sanford Police Department has operated out of the town hall, and this new, much-needed space will allow police to have more a efficient and state-of-the-art facility. The project also put area contractors […]

The saying goes, ”˜any fool can become a father, not everyone can be a dad.’ I am blessed to count myself as one of the lucky few to who understand the difference, having been taught by the two most important men in my life. One of my earliest memories was waiting at home for my […]

Harvey and Joana Oest wanted a house in Boothbay Harbor near the water and the village. They got it — building on a lot THISCLOSE to busy Route 27.

One of the nation’s largest bakeries has asked a federal court to help protect valuable trade secrets ”“ the recipe and processes responsible for the trademarked “nooks and crannies” of Thomas’ English Muffins. These closely guarded details are fully known only by a handful of executives, and now one of them has been offered a […]

Patients who have long been eligible to benefit from Maine’s medical marijuana law are looking forward to actually obtaining prescribed relief, once regional marijuana dispensaries are able to open throughout the state. The dispensary system was authorized by voters last year for patients suffering from cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS and other serious ailments. But it appears […]

A Senate vote last week illustrated the political difficulties of taking meaningful steps toward the “clean energy future” envisioned by President Barack Obama. A narrow Senate majority upheld the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate greenhouse gases. The 53-47 vote rejected an effort to overturn the EPA rules, but it is far from […]

For many towns this year, the business of town meeting was overshadowed by the hotly contested primaries for gubernatorial candidates, and the battle over Question 1 on the state ballot. But many budgets and town ballot questions were settled at the polls on June 8, including the following: ”“ Wells voters approved a proposal to […]