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Maine News

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Maine News for Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Portland Press Herald
Soaring food prices drain schools' lunch budgets
In addition to charging more, they are looking for creative ways to provide healthful meals.

Snowe's bill bars genetic discrimination
The Senate is expected to pass the measure, aimed specifically at insurance companies and employers.

In wake of breach, Hannaford steps up security
Card numbers will be encrypted, an effort one expert praises but describes as 'reactive.'

Gambling measures among bills blocked by Baldacci

Story in Portsmouth, N.H., paper leads to backlash over Maine's Peeping Tom bill
A news article, picked up by Fark, failed to fully explain the measure, leading to angry online comments.

Commentary:
ROBERT A. KENNEDYVoter-backed R&D bonds paying off in private-sector jobs
The funding has helped the University of Maine enable a variety of businesses to grow.

Bangor Daily News
At UM, ecovillage idea gains allies

ORONO, Maine - Between the peeling exterior paint and spartan rooms, building 11-16 in the University of Maine's York Village doesn't look like your typical setting for a revolution in college living.

Judge: Sex offender can't live at home

BUCKSPORT, Maine - For the victims and family members who still deal with the trauma Travis White caused during several years of misconduct, the decision was a victory.

Internet gives high-schoolers taste of college

HOWLAND, Maine — Samantha Hockridge plans to go to college and she’s not wasting time.

Editorial: Close down Gitmo

The prison at Guantanamo Bay has long been a national disgrace. The current mess over how to try suspected terrorists in improvised special courts highlights the need to shut down this facility.

Kennebec Journal

AUGUSTA: Out in the open
AUGUSTA -- Councilors endorsed the creation of a group that wants to be among the best friends to the city's plants, trees, wildlife, waters and open spaces.

Hannaford takes steps to prevent data breech
Hannaford Bros. has beefed up computer security since a data breach exposed 4.2 million customer credit and debit card numbers to potential fraud, and plans other changes to make the system even stronger, executives said Tuesday.

Train trip from coast aims to boost future rail service
Jack Sutton believes rail transportation could be the future of Maine.

Hallowell joins regional waterfront effort
HALLOWELL -- City councilors Monday unanimously approved joining in regional efforts with Augusta and Gardiner to seek grants and other assistance for waterfront development.

Augusta woman among EPA awardees
AUGUSTA -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded merit awards to 38 New England entities, including seven from Maine, agency officials said.

Jail isolates inmates with staph infection
SKOWHEGAN -- Two inmates at the Somerset County Jail are in isolation with what may be a Methicillin-resistant bacterial infection.

Editorial:

Lawmakers had session that was largely effective 2 less-than- admirable moves: Dirigo bailout, minor ethics reform
They dealt with jails and school consolidation, ethics and the environment, the state budget and state bridges.

Down East magazine reveals well-kept central Maine secret
"15 Small Town Getaways" was the colorful front-page headline in Down East' s April edition. I ripped the magazine open to page 76 to see the list of getaway towns and nearly fell to the floor. The world went dark. My town of Mount Vernon has been discovered.

MIKI MACDONALD, FNP : Amended midwives' law watered-down, dangerous
LD 2253, An Act To Provide Access to Certain Medications to Certified Midwives, as amended by the Legislature, was just signed by Gov. John Baldacci. The new law allows persons who hold no license to practice a health-care profession to prescribe and administer prescription drugs and other substances.

Sun Journal
Hedge fund contributions to Pingree questioned
PORTLAND (AP) - The two Democratic candidates who've raised the most money in Maine's 1st Congressional District race are trading shots over contributions from a wealthy hedge-fund manager.

Governor blocks four proposals
AUGUSTA (AP) - Gov. John Baldacci says he won't sign four bills enacted by the Legislature before its adjournment late Friday night.

Driver's license rules take effect
PORTLAND (AP) - Mainers seeking a driver's license were required to begin showing proof of residency effective Tuesday, but the change was largely uneventful.

Fort Kent holds snowplow parade
FORT KENT (AP) - After a nasty winter, residents of northern Maine have kept a sense of humor about the mounds of snow that piled up.

Editorial:
Why Maine ought to be in pictures
Knock, knock, it's the creative economy calling.

MPBN
"People's Veto" Discussed by Business Leaders
The term "People's Veto" has surfaced in talks among Maine business leaders. The idea of voters rescinding taxes raised in the waning hours of the legislative session reflects the degree of indignation felt by Maine's business community. Tax increases on beer and wine and a hike in the minimum wage, they say, is evidence the legislature has ignored the financial status of both business and consumers. Keith McKeen reports.

Candidate Ethan Strimling Profiled
We continue our series of profiles of the eight candidates vying for Maine's First District Congressional seat, long held by Tom Allen, who is now running for the Senate. Tonight we take a look at Portland Democrat Ethan Strimling. Strimling, who just turned 40, is serving his third term in the Maine Senate. He was first elected to the legislature in 2002, and for several years he's directed the social service agency Portland West, which provides education, counseling, housing and job training to low income people in the greater Portland area. Barbara Cariddi reports.