AUGUSTA — A bill that would ban gun ownership for individuals convicted of non-felony domestic violence crimes passed a key legislative committee Friday. The Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted 5-3 in favor of LD 600, a bill offered by state Rep. Richard Pickett, R-Dixfield. Pickett is a former police chief and state […]
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Posted inMaine
Recreational marijuana bills could forestall statewide ballot measures
AUGUSTA — For state Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland, it’s not a matter of if Maine will legalize marijuana for recreational use, but how it will do so. Also now at stake is whether Maine voters will get to weigh in this year or next. Russell and state Rep. Mark Dion, D-Portland, both have bills before […]
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Get out of jail free? Auburn senator suggests low-profile suspects pay no bail
AUGUSTA — Eliminating cash bail would dramatically reduce the number of inmates in Maine jails and dramatically lower taxpayer costs, according to state Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn. Brakey said Thursday he intends to introduce legislation that would do away with bail in Maine and replace it with a system that screens those charged with crimes […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Foundation helps Franco-Americans afford college
LEWISTON — Brady Dion is leaving his summer job in Sabattus on Sunday to go to college — but college is expensive, he said. An Oak Hill High School graduate, Dion is getting some help — thanks to high grades, community volunteering, Franco-American roots and Franco elders who left money in their wills to the […]
Posted inMaine
Maine House passes bill to add drug agents; LePage threatens veto
AUGUSTA — The Maine House on Wednesday, with broad bipartisan support, passed an amended version of a Gov. Paul LePage bill that adds drug enforcement agents, judges and prosecutors to the state’s payroll in an effort to bring under control the state’s growing opiate drug problems. The measure also increases funding to the Maine Department […]
Posted inFranklin, The Franklin Journal
Livermore resident required to petition for warrant articles
LIVERMORE — A resident will need to circulate petitions to get 10 articles on the June town meeting warrant. Dwight Hines sent selectmen Chairwoman Megan Dion a letter dated Feb. 23, suggesting the articles. The Board of Selectpersons voted unanimously March 10 that Hines should circulate petitions to get the articles on the warrant, Administrative […]
Posted inMaine
Committee cuts out ‘shoot-to-kill’ rule for Windham prison
AUGUSTA — A proposal that would have allowed the use of deadly force against any prisoners attempting an escape from the Maine Correctional Center in Windham was stripped from a bill Monday that makes other changes to the state’s Department of Corrections. In a 12-1 vote, the Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee agreed […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
‘Historic’ turnover this year among Maine’s sheriffs
An unprecedented number of Maine sheriffs are counting the days until they put away their badges. Of the state’s 16 county sheriffs, seven have announced plans to leave office at the end of the year. And another seven will face re-election in the fall, clearing the way for a major shift in leadership governing county […]