WATERVILLE ( AP) — Maine state officials say an internationally recognized bicycle touring organization is planning a big tour in Maine next year. The Department of Economic and Community Development says Vilo Quibec Ivinements is headed to Maine in August 2013 to host a grand tour of about 2,000 participants traveling more than 600 miles […]

AUGUSTA (AP) — French music will be playing and French food will be on the menu as Maine’s Franco- American community is recognized during the state’s 11th annual Franco-American Day. Festivities in Augusta today include French music being performed in the halls of the State House, a Franco-American breakfast menu in the cafeteria, and historical […]

AUGUSTA ( AP) — Lawmakers have sent to Gov. Paul LePage a bill that carves out a major chunk of Maine’s Clean Election Act. Legislators on Tuesday gave final passage to the change in the public campaign financing law. The bill removes the socalled “matching funds” provision from the law, in line with a U. […]

AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine Democrats are criticizing Gov. Paul LePage for taking a weeklong trip to Jamaica while the legislative session is in its final weeks. Democrats say the governor leaves today for vacation — his second trip to Jamaica during a legislative session. This time, he leaves with just a few weeks left in […]

NORTHPORT ( AP) — A Maine man who rescued a neighbor from her burning home has been named one of this year’s Carnegie heroes. Jason Thurston of Northport was named a Carnegie Medal recipient today for rescuing a 71-year-old neighbor in December 2010. The award is given by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission to people […]

PORTLAND ( AP) — Two longtime opponents of gay rights and same-sex marriage initiatives are forming a political action committee to oppose Maine’s same- sex marriage referendum. Michael Heath and Paul Madore said Tuesday they’ve formed the No Special Rights PAC to oppose November’s ballot measure asking voters if same-sex marriage should be legalized. Heath […]

BATH — Students from Jobs for Maine’s Graduates (JMG) at Morse High School and Bath Regional Career and Technical Center ( BRCTC) plan to host Maine Maple Friday. Activities will run from 8:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. and from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday in the culinary arts lab at BRCTC. There will be […]

BRUNSWICK — The Brunswick Town Council on Monday approved exceptions to a ban on outdoor wood boiler heating units, allowing wood and wood pellet boilers that meet certain standards. Jeff Emerson, the Brunswick Fire Department’s deputy chief for fire prevention, said Monday that the exceptions rely on new state emissions standards to determine which boilers are […]

BATH — Dreamland Theater will screen “The Secret of Roan Inish” at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Winter Street Center, 880 Washington St. The film, set in Ireland, focuses on 10-year-old Fiona, who is sent to live with her grandparents in a small fishing village in Donegal, Ireland. “She soon learns the local legend that […]