One thousand Maine families will be ripped off next year by unscrupulous lenders. Will someone stand up for them?It’ll take the governor or a legislative leader. Will they act or will they be lulled into inaction because there’s so much happening, because it’s too complicated, because it can wait until next year?A report released Monday […]

It’s unusual to celebrate the defeat of legislation that we wholeheartedly supported, but in the case of Rep. Nancy Smith’s bill to address the problem of convicted criminals working in sensitive jobs with the state, a good outcome has been guaranteed.Smith’s bill, which was before the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, would have forced […]

Did you watch the race Thursday night?Unless you’re a winter sports enthusiast, the Olympics were likely your first introduction to the sport of snowboardcross, which is part downhill race, part motocross and part roller derby on a snowboard.Mainer Seth Wescott, a Farmington native, won the sport’s very first Olympic gold medal after a series of […]

When a person’s freedom – his or her very life – is at stake, the state is obligated to seek the truth, even if it’s ugly, uncomfortable and painful to others who have already suffered more than their fair share.The Legislature is considering a bill that would rewrite the state’s restrictions on granting a new […]

George Roy must be recognized for his generosity and advocacy for children.Roy, who lives in Auburn, has for several years given the kids of his hometown a great gift. Roy pays for ice time at Ingersoll Arena in Pettengill Park so young kids in Auburn can skate for free. This year, the free skating is […]

Too often, events like the one Tuesday in Lewiston end in tragedy.An armed man, distraught over the turns in his life, runs from police, holds a gun to his head and jeopardizes the staff and patients at a hospital. Dozens of cops, with their own weapons drawn, surround the man, looking to minimize the danger […]

Missed opportunities and a way forward.That’s what the members of the Lewiston-Auburn Commission on Joint Services talk about when they explain their blueprint for increased cooperation between the Twin Cities.The commission, formed in the fall of 2004, delivered to the city councils of Lewiston and Auburn on Monday night a plan to consolidate the planning, […]

L.L. Bean’s retail store is leaving Lewiston.Despite the city’s white-hot love affair with the retailer, we all knew it was just a crush, destined not to last.The temporary store opened in the fall for the Christmas shopping rush and drew shoppers to a retail space that’s been vacant since Ames closed in 2002. L.L. Bean […]

An older couple are sitting in front of their computer.They’ve just received some great news. They’ve won the lottery.All they have to do is send a few thousand dollars to pay the taxes and keep it a secret and they’re rich.They don’t realize it’s a scam.The Maine Attorney General’s Office is running a public service […]

The L-A Commission on Joint Services Monday night will present the results of more than a year of work.Its mission: To look at ways Lewiston and Auburn can work together to provide better services and save money.The exhaustive process began in October 2004 when the city councils of the two cities passed resolutions establishing the […]