Posted inLocal & State, sj-web

Six Republicans seek party’s spot on U.S. Senate ballot

LEWISTON — Republicans and Democrats will go to the polls Tuesday to pick each party’s candidate for the upcoming U.S. Senate election in Maine. Democrats have four candidates; Republicans have six. All are vying to be Maine’s replacement for long-serving Republican U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe. Many on the ballot have said the election is the […]

Posted inLocal Sports

Decline in agriculture means dwindling deer population

Whenever wildlife biologists and sportsmen gather to discuss the causes of Maine’s declining deer numbers, there is almost always an agreement on one thing. When it comes to chief causes in the whitetail decline in Maine, habitat trumps both predation and severe winters. Sure, coyotes and bears raise havoc with fawn survival, and deep snows […]

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Posted inFranklin, Lewiston-Auburn, Local & State, Oxford Hills, River Valley

Maine’s food tax far too complex

Faced with mounting pressure from aggravated Mainers who had long blasted the state’s snack tax as far too complex, confusing and unfair, the Legislature dumped the tax in 2000. No longer would families have to pay more for lunch-box staples such as granola bars, crackers and pretzels, lawmakers promised. No longer would annoyed shoppers have […]

Posted inOur View

Outlook dire, says report on Maine PACs

A report issued last week raises serious questions about the future of campaign financing in Maine. While a recent survey shows Maine voters think reducing the influence of special interest money and leveling the playing field for candidates are very important, our state may be doing the opposite: * Increasing special-interest money and influence in […]

Posted inObituaries

Patricia Ann Mucenski

WAKE FOREST, N.C. — Patricia Ann Mucenski, “Patti” departed from this world on June 1, to start a new adventure in heaven. As an angel she will begin to mend the broken wings of souls in need. Patti was born in Potsdam, N.Y., Sept. 13, 1977, daughter of Edward S. Mucenski and Nancy Shene Mucenski. […]

Posted inLocal & State, sj-web

Snack tax pop quiz

Maine’s snack tax is long gone but in its place is a tax on … snacks. Sometimes. And baked goods. Sometimes. And juice, poultry and ice cream. Sometimes. This Sunday, reporter Lindsay Tice will explore what’s taxed, what’s not, and what stores aren’t telling you that could save you money. Think you know what’s taxed […]

Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Local & State, The Franklin Journal

White Mountain National Forest: Fee-free day June 9 for National Get Outdoors Day

CAMPTON, N.H. — To celebrate National Get Outdoors Day, day-use fees will be waived Saturday, June 9, at national forests across the country, the White Mountain National Forest announced Wednesday. However, fees will remain in effect for overnight camping, cabin rentals, permits, reservations and activities offered by concessionaires, WMNF spokeswoman Colleen Mainville said. “On Saturday, June […]

Posted inOur View, sj-web

Turnpike rate increase simply unfair

With its upcoming rate hike, the Maine Turnpike Commission has an opportunity to make intra-state travel fairer in Maine. But a Turnpike staff rate recommendation does just the opposite, actually heightening existing disparities between western and coastal Maine. We have long complained that Maine has a two-tier highway structure: A free roadway for Portland and […]

Posted inLocal & State, sj-web

Maine’s Poliquin self-funds U.S. Senate campaign to tune of $109,000

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine State Treasurer Bruce Poliquin is giving his Senate campaign treasury a boost. Documents filed with the Federal Election Commission indicate he’s raised more than $229,000 through May 23. And he provided nearly half of that himself. The FEC filings indicate Poliquin gave $109,000 to his campaign. The pre-primary flings from […]