http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/-t1.htm News from around the State. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:23:09 GMT 10 http://i18.servimg.com/u/f18/11/65/21/31/banner10.jpg http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/-t1.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/wanted-long-term-vision-for-state-budget-t18883.htm Outspoken Wanted: Long-term vision for state budget State House: Lawmakers will start meeting next month to figure out where they can make more cuts. By MATT WICKENHEISER Staff Writer Portland Press Herald Lawmakers will begin meeting next month to figure out exactly where they can cut $30 million more out of a state budget that has already been pared to the bone. "Our challenge is going to be significant. It's not a small task," said Rep. H. Sawin Millett Jr. of Waterford, ... Maine News Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:23:09 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/wanted-long-term-vision-for-state-budget-t18883.htm#22201 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/wanted-long-term-vision-for-state-budget-t18883.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/law-improves-voter-access-to-initiative-costs-t18880.htm Outspoken Law improves voter access to initiative costs Lawmakers want Mainers to be aware of the fiscal impact of a citizen-generated referendum. By MATT WICKENHEISER Staff Writer Portland Press Herald When voters close the curtains behind them on Election Day, they'll have a bit more information available to them than in the past. Mainers will see estimates of what the various citizen-initiated referendums would cost the state, as required by a new law passed by the Legislature and signed ... Maine News Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:15:14 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/law-improves-voter-access-to-initiative-costs-t18880.htm#22198 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/law-improves-voter-access-to-initiative-costs-t18880.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/unemployed-but-not-out-of-work-t18879.htm Outspoken Unemployed, but not out of work Mainers use the freed-up time to toil as volunteers, retrain or help family. By ANN S. KIM Staff Writer Patricia Washburn of Wells was laid off the same week her 80-year-old father, Stewart, of Massachusetts, had a health crisis. She was able to help him with his recovery and new living situation in Portland, including setting up his laptop. It was hard at first for Larry Tinsman to imagine that business had truly dried up. As a courier driver, ... Maine News Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:08:04 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/unemployed-but-not-out-of-work-t18879.htm#22196 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/unemployed-but-not-out-of-work-t18879.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/maine-receives-failing-grade-on-legislators-disclosure-rules-t18875.htm Outspoken Maine receives failing grade on legislators' disclosure rules BY SUSAN M. COVER Staff Writer Morning Sentinel AUGUSTA -- Maine was one of 20 states to earn a failing grade on a recent report card that measures financial-disclosure rules for state lawmakers. The Center for Public Integrity, a nonpartisan research organization based in Washington, D.C., ranked Maine 41st in the country for its disclosure practices. Maine earned just 53 points out of 100, good for a grade of ... Maine News Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:49:39 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/maine-receives-failing-grade-on-legislators-disclosure-rules-t18875.htm#22192 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/maine-receives-failing-grade-on-legislators-disclosure-rules-t18875.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/a-wide-open-competition-t18872.htm Outspoken A wide-open competition BY SUSAN M. COVER Staff Writer Morning Sentinel AUGUSTA -- In 17 months, Maine voters will choose a new governor. Haven't thought much about it? With the rain, the recession and the Red Sox, that's understandable. But many people are thinking about it. Nine have officially signed up with the state ethics commission. Former Red Sox minority owner Les Otten is scheduled to announce an exploratory committee today in South Portland. State Rep. ... Maine News Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:32:28 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/a-wide-open-competition-t18872.htm#22189 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/a-wide-open-competition-t18872.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/wind-project-may-knock-island-electric-rates-down-t18867.htm Outspoken Wind project may knock island electric rates down Advocates hope Maine's first island wind turbines on Vinalhaven also blow public opinion their way. By TUX TURKEL Staff Writer Portland Press Herald A groundbreaking ceremony Monday on Vinalhaven will usher in Maine's first island wind-power project and could help set the stage for larger offshore wind farms. Politicians and business and community leaders are expected to be at the construction site of the $15 million Fox Islands ... Maine News Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:47:25 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/wind-project-may-knock-island-electric-rates-down-t18867.htm#22183 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/wind-project-may-knock-island-electric-rates-down-t18867.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/juvenile-fire-starters-getting-overdue-help-t18866.htm Outspoken Juvenile fire-starters getting overdue help State agencies will pool resources to address a widespread problem that has been largely ignored. By DAVID HENCH Staff Writer Portland Press Herald More Maine children than adults are charged with arson each year, yet the problem of kids setting fires has received relatively little attention. Now, however, officials from several state agencies are creating a group charged with making sure that services are available across the state ... Maine News Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:43:22 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/juvenile-fire-starters-getting-overdue-help-t18866.htm#22182 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/juvenile-fire-starters-getting-overdue-help-t18866.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/dam-removal-stands-alone-but-also-set-a-precedent-t18857.htm Outspoken Dam removal stands alone, but also set a precedent BY KEITH EDWARDS Staff Writer Morning Sentinel AUGUSTA -- The removal of the Edwards Dam almost 10 years ago was hailed as precedent setting, with more to come. But was it? It was the first time the federal government ordered a dam removed because the environmental problems from impounded water outweighed the economic benefits it produced. More than 430 dams have been removed since Edwards Dam was breached with a rush ... Maine News Sun, 28 Jun 2009 12:29:58 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/dam-removal-stands-alone-but-also-set-a-precedent-t18857.htm#22172 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/dam-removal-stands-alone-but-also-set-a-precedent-t18857.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/mainers-others-reminisce-buy-up-singer-s-cds-videos-t18852.htm Outspoken Mainers, others reminisce, buy up singer's CDs, videos From staff and news services Portland Press Herald PORTLAND — Not long after the Bull Moose record store on Middle Street opened Friday morning, a distraught woman came in with a bouquet of red carnations. The woman, saddened by the death of pop icon Michael Jackson, said she wanted to place the flowers next to his records. The flowers remained there for the rest of the day, but many of Jackson's albums didn't, as dozens of ... Maine News Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:37:07 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/mainers-others-reminisce-buy-up-singer-s-cds-videos-t18852.htm#22166 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/mainers-others-reminisce-buy-up-singer-s-cds-videos-t18852.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/portland-may-owe-millions-to-ferry-line-t18850.htm Outspoken Portland may owe millions to ferry line The transit district asks a federal agency to referee disputes over terminal and parking garage finances. By KELLEY BOUCHARD Staff Writer Portland Press Herald PORTLAND — The city of Portland might owe the Casco Bay Island Transit District more than $2.5 million in past proceeds and a stake in future revenue from the parking garage at the Commercial Street ferry terminal, district officials say. The city also might be hindered as it ... Maine News Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:30:19 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/portland-may-owe-millions-to-ferry-line-t18850.htm#22163 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/portland-may-owe-millions-to-ferry-line-t18850.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/police-probe-thefts-from-girls-camp-t18848.htm Outspoken Police probe thefts from girls' camp BY MECHELE COOPER Staff Writer Morning Sentinel WASHINGTON -- To steal from a nonprofit group that serves foster and low-income girls is about as low as you can get, according to the camp director of The Summer Camp in Washington. Camp director Tracy St. Onge said someone broke into the camp during the winter and stole $3,000 worth of supplies including a stainless-steel microwave, a sound system, two-way radios, rechargeable spotlights ... Maine News Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:21:55 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/police-probe-thefts-from-girls-camp-t18848.htm#22161 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/police-probe-thefts-from-girls-camp-t18848.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/woman-s-body-found-on-mountain-t18847.htm Outspoken Woman's body found on mountain BY TERRY KARKOS Lewiston Sun Journal BETHEL -- Police described the death of a woman missing since Tuesday as "unusual" when her body was found Friday on a mountain in Bethel. The body of Kim Vanderlaan, 40, was found by a search team on Walker Mountain at about 9:45 a.m, police said. "There's a lot that we still don't know at this point," said Maine State Police Detective Brian McDonough. "I think we would probably categorize ... Maine News Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:19:29 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/woman-s-body-found-on-mountain-t18847.htm#22160 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/woman-s-body-found-on-mountain-t18847.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/drug-seller-gun-runner-sentenced-to-17-years-t18842.htm Outspoken Drug seller, gun runner sentenced to 17 years Gang member Stanley Jenkins ran a gun-and-crack cocaine ring between Maine and Boston. By TREVOR MAXWELL Staff Writer Portland Press Herald PORTLAND — Stanley Jenkins and Patricia Morrison were unlikely business partners who found mutual opportunity in trafficking guns and drugs between Boston and Maine, according to court records and their own admissions. When they started working together in late 2006, Jenkins was a 22-year-old member ... Maine News Sat, 27 Jun 2009 01:53:52 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/drug-seller-gun-runner-sentenced-to-17-years-t18842.htm#22154 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/drug-seller-gun-runner-sentenced-to-17-years-t18842.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/fed-up-tax-law-foes-unite-t18836.htm Outspoken 'FED UP' TAX-LAW FOES UNITE BY SUSAN M. COVER Staff Writer Morning Sentinel AUGUSTA -- Republican state Sen. David Trahan, a veteran of the people's veto, has emerged as the leader of an effort to repeal a new law that overhauls the state tax system. Using the name "Still Fed Up With Taxes," Trahan and others took steps this week that allows them to raise and spend money on the campaign. The name of the new political action committee is a takeoff of a successful ... Maine News Sat, 27 Jun 2009 01:25:26 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/fed-up-tax-law-foes-unite-t18836.htm#22148 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/fed-up-tax-law-foes-unite-t18836.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/portland-board-oks-rezoning-for-wind-testing-towers-t18830.htm Outspoken Portland board OKs rezoning for wind-testing towers The 100-foot structures for checking if turbines are feasible on Munjoy Hill and Peaks still need more approvals. By DENNIS HOEY Staff Writer Portland Press Herald PORTLAND — Towers that rise 100 feet and are equipped with devices capable of measuring wind speed and direction are one step closer to being erected in the city. The Planning Board voted 5-0 Tuesday night to approve rezoning that would allow anemometer towers to be ... Maine News Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:08:31 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/portland-board-oks-rezoning-for-wind-testing-towers-t18830.htm#22141 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/portland-board-oks-rezoning-for-wind-testing-towers-t18830.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/seeds-of-peace-campers-looking-beyond-hate-t18829.htm Outspoken Seeds of peace campers looking beyond hate Nearly 150 campers from Afghanistan, Egypt, India, Israel, Jordan, Pakistan, Palestine and United States are at the camp this year. The Associated Press OTISFIELD -- The 17th season of the Seeds of Peace camp has gotten under way in western Maine with its traditional flag-raising ceremony. Campers from around the world sang their national anthems during today's opening ceremony, which concluded with the Seeds of Peace anthem and the raising ... Maine News Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:06:44 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/seeds-of-peace-campers-looking-beyond-hate-t18829.htm#22140 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/seeds-of-peace-campers-looking-beyond-hate-t18829.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/swine-flu-infects-nine-maine-camp-counselors-t18828.htm Outspoken Swine flu infects nine Maine camp counselors State CDC chief Dora Anne Mills says precautions are in place, and she expects summer camps to stay open. By MEREDITH GOAD Staff Writer Portland Press Herald The swine flu pandemic, which caused the closure of an elementary school in Maine last spring, has spread to youth summer camps, the state's top health official said Tuesday. Nine cases of the H1N1 virus have been identified at four summer camps in Cumberland, York, Oxford and ... Maine News Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:04:32 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/swine-flu-infects-nine-maine-camp-counselors-t18828.htm#22139 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/swine-flu-infects-nine-maine-camp-counselors-t18828.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/police-find-remains-in-well-t18827.htm Outspoken Police find remains in well Morning Sentinel LEBANON (AP) -- Investigators seeking evidence in the disappearance of a young woman three years ago have found human remains in a well near a home in Lebanon. The remains were discovered Tuesday following an 18-month coordinated investigation by Maine State Police and Sanford police into the disappearance of Frances Moulton of Lebanon, who was 27 when last seen in July 2006. She was reported missing that September. Stephen McCausland ... Maine News Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:59:45 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/police-find-remains-in-well-t18827.htm#22138 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/police-find-remains-in-well-t18827.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/jury-returns-verdict-in-about-90-minutes-t18826.htm Outspoken Jury returns verdict in about 90 minutes BY BETTY ADAMS Staff Writer Morning Sentinel FARMINGTON -- Jurors convicted Thomas H. Mitchell Jr. of murder Tuesday in the stabbing death of Judith L. Flagg in her Fayette home one winter day 26 years ago. It was the third time he was convicted of attacking a woman. Mitchell, 52, formerly of South Portland, had been tried over the last seven days in Franklin County Superior Court. Jurors took about 90 minutes to return a guilty verdict. More ... Maine News Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:57:43 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/jury-returns-verdict-in-about-90-minutes-t18826.htm#22137 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/jury-returns-verdict-in-about-90-minutes-t18826.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/green-group-celebrates-50-years-t18825.htm Outspoken Green group celebrates 50 years BY SUSAN M. COVER Staff Writer Morning Sentinel AUGUSTA -- Fifty years ago, a small group of people got together and decided there was a need to protect Maine's environment. Fifty years later, the Natural Resources Council of Maine is looking back on campaigns and hard-fought battles, and looking to a future filled with more of the same. "If NRCM had not existed and not done the things it did, the state of Maine would not look like it does ... Maine News Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:55:49 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/green-group-celebrates-50-years-t18825.htm#22136 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/green-group-celebrates-50-years-t18825.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/demonstrators-in-portland-decry-violence-in-iran-s-streets-t18822.htm Outspoken Demonstrators in Portland decry violence in Iran's streets The rally draws people who came here from Iran, and others who support their cause. By DENNIS HOEY Staff Writer Portland Press Herald PORTLAND — Robabeh Shirkhorshidi raised her tiny fist and spoke as eloquently as any Iranian politician probably could. "We're going to fight them," the 69-year-old Portland woman said through an interpreter. "Without weapons." Shirkhorshidi, who fled Iran five years ... Maine News Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:14:09 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/demonstrators-in-portland-decry-violence-in-iran-s-streets-t18822.htm#22131 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/demonstrators-in-portland-decry-violence-in-iran-s-streets-t18822.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/three-nh-men-face-jail-for-beating-sailor-t18821.htm Outspoken Three N.H. men face jail for beating sailor The suspects and victim came off a 'booze cruise.' The judge says everybody had too much to drink. By TREVOR MAXWELL Staff Writer Portland Press Herald PORTLAND — Three New Hampshire men Monday pleaded no contest to misdemeanor assault charges in the beating of a Navy sailor last year on Commercial Street after a "booze cruise" on Casco Bay. Jacob Davidson, 22, Christopher Hartt, 23, and Thomas Hartt, 26, were originally indicted ... Maine News Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:12:04 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/three-nh-men-face-jail-for-beating-sailor-t18821.htm#22130 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/three-nh-men-face-jail-for-beating-sailor-t18821.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/behave-or-be-zapped-portland-police-plan-taser-trial-period-t18820.htm Outspoken Behave or be zapped: Portland police plan Taser trial period The chief requests a three-month tryout to test the benefits of stun guns. By DAVID HENCH Staff Writer Portland Press Herald PORTLAND — A handful of city police officers will be equipped with Taser electric stun guns for a three-month trial and evaluation period starting later this summer. Police Chief James Craig got the go-ahead for the trial program from City Manager Joseph Gray, with conditions aimed at ensuring ... Maine News Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:09:20 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/behave-or-be-zapped-portland-police-plan-taser-trial-period-t18820.htm#22129 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/behave-or-be-zapped-portland-police-plan-taser-trial-period-t18820.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/health-care-deemed-a-crisis-to-cure-t18817.htm Outspoken Health care deemed a 'crisis to cure' BY SUSAN M. COVER Staff Writer Morning Sentinel WATERVILLE -- The head of the state's leading conservative organization said Monday he's worried about a "government takeover" of the health-care system. Tarren Bragdon, chief executive officer of the Maine Heritage Policy Center, said in a speech at the Hampton Inn that how the nation solves the health care crisis will help or hurt Americans for years to come. "This threat ... Maine News Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:45:01 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/health-care-deemed-a-crisis-to-cure-t18817.htm#22126 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/health-care-deemed-a-crisis-to-cure-t18817.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/suspect-denies-1983-murder-t18816.htm Outspoken Suspect denies 1983 murder BY BETTY ADAMS Staff Writer Morning Sentinel FARMINGTON -- The man accused of murdering Judith L. Flagg in her Fayette home more than 26 years ago took the witness stand Monday and denied killing her. Thomas H. Mitchell Jr., 52, formerly of South Portland, testified in his own defense on the sixth day of his jury trial in Franklin County Superior Court. "Do you have an explanation for why your DNA is under Judy Flagg's nails?" asked the ... Maine News Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:42:11 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/suspect-denies-1983-murder-t18816.htm#22125 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/maine-news-f4/suspect-denies-1983-murder-t18816.htm