LEWISTON — Police went into a homeless encampment along Lincoln Street on Wednesday, removing 13 puppies and ordering the occupants to leave the property by the end of the week. In the thickly wooded area between Lincoln Street and the Promenade Mall, half a dozen tents were set up at the start of summer, with […]
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Maine stats show 9 percent drop in homelessness
AUGUSTA (AP) — While homelessness has decreased 9 percent, the director of Maine’s Statewide Homeless Council is urging businesses and the private sector to donate more to make up for a lack of public money. Cullen Ryan, the acting director of the council, says there’s still a lot of work to be done despite the […]
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State funds sought to house female veterans in Augusta
An Auburn Democrat is seeking a one-time $150,000 state allocation to help the Betsy Ann Ross House of Hope begin providing housing for female veterans and their children at the Augusta property it has been working on for months. State Rep. Bettyann Sheats told colleagues this week that Maine has “done a wonderful job caring […]
Posted inMaine
Bill to expand state veterans bureau heads to Gov. Paul LePage
AUGUSTA — A bill that adds staff to Maine’s Bureau of Veterans Services gained final approval in the state Senate Monday on a unanimous vote. The legislation, LD 1612, would also provide tuition to the University of Maine and the state’s community college system for members of the Maine National Guard. The bill combines some […]
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Lewiston lawmaker proposes using liquor profits to help veterans
AUGUSTA — A bill before the Legislature proposes using about $550,000 from the $46 million profit the state makes selling $144 million worth of alcohol each year to help Maine’s 140,000 veterans. Rep. Jared Golden, D-Lewiston, offered the proposal Tuesday as part of an amendment that rolls together several recommendations from a special commission that […]
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Bills to boost services to Maine veterans advance unanimously
AUGUSTA — A pair of bills that would add three staff members to Maine’s Bureau of Veterans Services sailed through the Legislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee on Wednesday with unanimous approval. The bills, one of which seeks to make the bureau the lead agency on tackling the issue of homeless veterans, were the result […]
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Report: Maine’s Bureau of Veterans Services should be upgraded, expanded
AUGUSTA — A new report released Friday is recommending Maine’s Bureau of Veterans Services be expanded and revamped so it can better serve the state’s estimated 140,000 military veterans. The report shows it’s been more than 15 years since the bureau has received any updated policies or targeted funding, and that younger veterans — those from […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Community giving to Lewiston High’s homeless program
LEWISTON — On the lower level of Lewiston High School is The Store Next Door, a food pantry/supply closet/kitchen table for students without homes. There’s heartache and tears — but also joy and laughter. On a recent Friday as the 1:59 p.m. bell rang, ending another week, students broke into smiles as they danced during […]