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Maine News

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Maine News for Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Portland Press Herald
Mainers may feel credit tightening, spend less
But the state may be cushioned because institutions here didn't engage in much subprime lending.

Investors in Maine stay calm
Some brokers say they've been preparing clients for bad news for months.

LaPointe violated safety rules, expert testifies
The boater, approaching from behind, was obligated to avoid a collision that killed two, a witness says.

FairPoint pushes back takeover timetable
The two-month extension has nothing to do with glitches involving 911 calls, the company says.

Search ruled valid in animal cruelty case
The judge's decision means a Somerville dog breeder's trial on five felony counts can proceed later this year.

Trustees approve funding request
The proposed UMaine System budget aims to keep tuition increases at less than 6 percent.

Candidates trade jabs on tax cuts
Susan Collins and Tom Allen campaign around the state before returning to Congress today.

State does 'adequate' job awarding contracts
A report recommends more explanation when agencies don't use competitive bidding.

Mainers may feel credit tightening, spend less
But the state may be cushioned because institutions here didn't engage in much subprime lending.

Editorial
After stability should come new finance rules
Regulators must first tend to the immediate crisis, but an overhaul should follow.

RON BANCROFTProspect of vast load of debt discourages college applicants
Maine's average student debt is seventh-highest in the nation, at 71 percent of per capita income.

Bangor Daily News
MILO, Maine — A fire that consumed an entire block of the downtown district Sunday morning was set intentionally and

BAR HARBOR, Maine — The number of tourists in Bar Harbor always declines after Labor Day, but a small group of

FORT KENT, Maine — More than a year ago, a student at Virginia Tech went on a

Winds gusting up to 45 mph knocked out power to more than 12,000 utility

ORONO, Maine — University of Maine System board of trustees will seek a 4½

GREENVILLE, Maine —Three friends who were charged with indecent conduct in

Editorial
Iraq Illusions In announcing a small withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq early next year,

Palin choice inspires raft of opinions What to make of Sarah Palin? Even some of my lifelong Republican neighbors are

Kennebec Journal

Local financial advisers urging clients to stay calm
AUGUSTA -- Local financial advisers fielding calls Monday from investors concerned by a financial meltdown on Wall Street have advice that could just as easily come from your mom.

Project for east side rotary is in preparation for new Hannaford supermarket
AUGUSTA -- Construction work on the east side rotary known as Cony Circle began Monday morning, state transportation officials said.

UMAINE SEEKS BIGGER BUDGET
ORONO -- The University of Maine System trustees approved a two-year budget package Tuesday that will seek an additional $17 million in state funding in 2010 and 2011.

AUGUSTA Council votes to raise speed limit at bridge
AUGUSTA -- Motorists crossing Memorial Bridge have spoken with their gas pedals, and the City Council voted unanimously to forward their message to the state Department of Transportation.

Audit backs state's results in contracting
AUGUSTA -- A report released Monday by the state's watchdog agency concluded the state does an "adequate" job awarding contracts while noting a few areas for improvement.

Animal-welfare license plate advances
Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap was presented a check for $50,000 from Mainers across the state after the state's Animal Welfare Program collected the minimum 2,000 petitions from vehicle owners who want an animal adoption awareness plate.

Gas prices blow around in Ike's wake
Post-hurricane gasoline prices rose above $5 per gallon in some parts of the country Sunday and Monday, but a gallon of regular unleaded was widely available for under $4 in central Maine on Monday afternoon.

Animal seizure warrant upheld Judge determines raid on animal breeder's home was carried out 'in good faith'
WISCASSET -- A judge has ruled that a search warrant in connection with a raid on a Somerville dog breeder's home was valid.

Editorials:

We need voting system for 21st century
City and state voting officials are girding for a big turnout on Nov. 4, Election Day.

DAVID B. OFFER : Truth is a victim in campaign advertising from both sides
Charge: A Barack Obama television ad tells Michigan voters that John McCain opposes loan guarantees for the auto industry.

Sun Journal
Maine candidates respond to AP questions
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - In Maine's 2nd Congressional District, retired history professor John Frary of Farmington is in an uphill battle to unseat Democratic Rep. Mike Michaud, who's seeking a fourth term.

Maine firewood thefts increase
AUGUSTA (AP) - With heating season approaching and temperatures going down, firewood thefts are going up.

New England governors gather
BAR HARBOR (AP) - New England's governors and premiers from eastern Canada began arriving in this coastal resort town Monday for their two-day meeting, but with no formal events scheduled the initial day they polished their golf swings and reconnected with their fellow chief executives.

Investigators: Milo fire was arson
MILO (AP) - The state fire marshal's office has ruled that an early-morning fire that destroyed a large part of downtown Milo was intentionally set.

Animal license plate clears hurdle
AUGUSTA (AP) - Animal welfare advocates are one step closer to getting a new specialty license plate in Maine that would benefit the state's Animal Welfare Program.

Sex offender registry law challenged
AUGUSTA (AP) - A Superior Court judge will consider a challenge to Maine's sex-offender registry law by more than two dozen plaintiffs who are known in their suit as John Doe.

UM System eyes 6 percent tuition hike
ORONO - A hike in tuition for University of Maine System students would be around 6 percent next year, if state lawmakers give more money to higher education.

Vegas in local casino effort
The company created to own and operate an Oxford County casino if one is approved by voters in November has been sold to a Las Vegas-based company.

Dems open office in Farmington

Editorial
Failing firms had too much 'fiscal literacy'
"Fiscal literacy" is a modern banking buzzword, which means, more or less, learning how to manage one's money wisely. Some local banks are proffering "fiscal literacy" courses as a courtesy to their clients.

Palin's choices scrutinized by mainstream media
The notabilities of the mainstream media are suffering acute PMS. That's Palin Motherhood Syndrome.

MPBN
Governors and Premiers Focus On Regional Policy
Today marks the opening of the 32nd annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers, held this year in Bar Harbor. The governors of the six states join premiers from six provinces to discuss regional policy programs in the areas of economic development, transportation, environment, energy, and health, among others. But as Anne Ravana reports, this year a group of protesters is demonstrating their concerns about the involvement of corporate sponsors in those discussions.

Wall Street Takes a Big Hit
It's been a bleak day on wallstreet for millions of investors. Stocks tumbled on word that the huge investment bank Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy protection under the weight of 60 billion dollars in housing market holdings that went sour. As Keith McKeen reports, news and the announcement that investment giant Merrill Lynch is being acquired by Bank of America is creating jittery investors in Maine, as elsewhere.

Heating Oil Woes Increase
Reports over the weekend that a Lewiston-based oil delivery service has gone out of business has led to renewed concerns that businesses as well as customers are going to be facing a tough time this winter.

Hypodermic Needles Turning Up Near Popular Walking Trail
home > radio > maine news > news story Maine News Hypodermic Needles Turning Up Near Popular Walking Trail It's no surprise to see rubbish washing up at your local beach. Cigarette butts and plastic bags are typical sights. But Back Cove in Portland has the added burden of dealing with a most worrisome type of trash: hypodermic needles. Josie Huang has more.

Economic Statistics Reviewed
Morning Edition host Irwin Gratz speaks with Kurt Wise one of the authors of the Maine Center for Economic Policy's report, "The State of Working Maine."

PolitickerME
Bank of America, Merrill Lynch both gave to Maine candidates

Another State House reporter moves on

Ellis: Maine is competitive in presidential race

DSCC ad hits Collins on war record

Stateline: Maine not a battleground state