DEAR SUN SPOTS: In reference to Deb’s letter, Saturday, July 23, she is so on track for all the info she gave us, especially putting trash at curbside in warm weather. I would like to add an extra tip: if placing trash at the curb in plastic bags, then birds like crows, pigeons and gulls […]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have read that the mosquito that gives people the Zika virus breeds in small containers of water, and that tires are one of their favorite places. Every few weeks, my wife and I haul to the roadside several water-filled tires that were rolled there by illegal dumpers. Auburn Public Works does […]

ANSWER: “Abil To” appears to be a legitimate company offering a variety of behavioral health services via web-based and remote (telephone) communication. There are a few complaints on various websites from people receiving confusing phone calls from callers claiming to be with this company, but it’s unclear whether those complaints stem from misunderstanding on the […]

ANSWER: State law charges the Bureau of Health with reporting safe consumption standards for fish caught in Maine waters by noncommercial fisherman (i.e. the general public). It’s not a new development — safe consumption standards have been around for decades. Usually, the standards are due to high levels of mercury found in the water. Depending […]

ANSWER: We’ve probably all seen those ads promising big bucks for stuffing envelopes, but beware — many, if not most, of those are scams. They often want you to send in money (it might even be a small amount, such as $10) or to provide personal information. Sun Spots’ advice? Don’t do it. There are […]

ANSWER: Thank you for this good advice, Deb. It’s true, animals that are searching for food are attracted to the scents of garbage, and it is possible for their heads to become caught in small food containers, which in turn, can cause the animal to suffer from confusion, dehydration and starvation — which eventually can […]

I want you to know that I clipped out each part of your answer and made copies of them. One set of copies was sent to my brother-in-law in South Carolina. Grandfather Giffin is the only family member in my husband’s family to see active war service. My husband served four years in the Navy […]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I read your column all the time. Could you please tell me where Simard-Payne Park is located? The pictures look good, so it must be nice to see it. Thank you. — No Name, No Town. ANSWER: Simard-Payne Law Enforcement Memorial Park was, until 2007, known as Railroad Park. It is located […]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: With lots of renewal happening on lower Minot Avenue in Auburn (Agren’s Appliance, Mechanic’s Savings, and soon the old Barn location), why are the old abandoned Jimmy’s Restaurant and Cameron Tire buildings still standing? Urban blight is a poor welcome to the city. — Carl, Auburn. ANSWER: Renewal and development is a […]

Second, did I also read somewhere that we are supposed to get a 2 percent raise in our Social Security checks, and if so, do you now when? Sure hope I wasn’t dreaming on that one. Thanks for all the good you do for so many people. — No Name, No Town. ANSWER: You’re not […]