NEWS & UPDATES
U.S. attorney honors investigators in Maine child pornography, drug trafficking cases
PORTLAND, Maine – Some of Maine’s highest-profile cases of trafficking in drugs and child pornography were recalled Tuesday in Portland, where the local, state and federal law enforcement officers involved were awarded for their work. In a late morning ceremony, U.S. Attorney Thomas Delahanty also handed out awards to five others, largely for ongoing advocacy
How do you act when you’re hungry? What LePage’s school grades really show
The governor’s recent report cards of Maine schools tell an important story, but not the one he is trying to tell. Rather than highlight what certain schools are doing well while offering constructive criticism to others, the grades show how closely educational outcomes are tied to economic circumstances. According to Maine Department of Education data, a staggeringly high
Feds seek more information about state plan to include photos on Maine EBT cards
AUGUSTA, Maine – The federal government is asking Gov. Paul LePage’s administration to provide details on its efforts to pilot a new electronic benefits transfer card system that would include a recipient’s photo. The state uses EBT cards to dispense a variety of public assistance, including the largely federally funded food stamp or Supplemental Nutrition
Maine Calling: What to Do About Panhandling
The city of Portland has been at the center of the storm over the issue of panhandling, but other Maine communities are also grappling with it and discussing whether to put limits on people soliciting money from passers-by. In Portland, a ban on panhandling from median strips was ruled unconstitutional earlier this year and now
Pay it forward with kindness
PORTLAND/GORHAM (WGME) — Random acts of kindness and paying it forward. They’re phrases we’re hearing more and more of these days. Bottom line is, it seems being rude and having mo manners are on their way out and being nice and thoughtful are in. So we decided to see if that’s the case in Maine.
Homeless improv group focus of 'drama therapy' talk
After a year of field research, the creators of "Off the Cuff," an improv theater group for the homeless, will present their findings at an upcoming college conference. Tommy Waltz, a student at the University of Southern Maine’s School of Social Work, came up with the idea of bringing weekly acting classes to clients of
Augusta Police Chief staged panhandling protest
AUGUSTA, Maine (NECN) — The police chief in Augusta took a day off work last Friday to stage a one man protest against panhandling in his city. Chief Robert Gregoire said, based on his department’s interactions with many panhandlers, he believes the public’s donations are often used to buy drugs, alcohol or cigarettes. He held
Group protests Portland DHHS office relocation
PORTLAND — They call themselves “homeless voices for justice,” and they were out in force Wednesday in front of the DHHS offices in Portland. The group was protesting a plan to move the offices, and the services DHHS provides to South Portland. Homeless advocates say that will create a hardship for people already going through
Holy Thursday brings foot washing to Portland's Monument Square
Chris Kidder took off his shoes and socks inside Portland’s Preble Street social services center, slipped his tired feet into a plastic tub of warm, soapy water and smiled. Sitting opposite Kidder a few feet away, the Rev. Michael Seavey smiled right back. "Oh my God," said Kidder, 31. "I’m in heaven." He wasn’t the
Eight nonprofits get awards from Electricity Maine
AUBURN – The owners of Electricity Maine announced that their eight Power to Help Core Partners will each receive $20,000. Seven of the eight nonprofits were on hand for a check presentation and luncheon held in their honor at the Martindale County Club in Auburn. In attendance were representatives of Good Shepherd Food-Bank in Auburn,
Puppet and dance show to serve up hunger awareness in Portland
Typically, a touring performance troupe comes to town, does a show and leaves for the next city. But the puppeteers and dancers who will bring "Who’s Hungry" to Space Gallery beginning Thursday hope their show will have a longer-term effect on the people of Portland. Their performance will explore hunger in Maine and offer audiences
Thomas Ptacek: Why I am no longer homeless
Roughly six months ago, Luisa Deprez wrote about me in a BDN column and how the loss of MaineCare might affect me. As she mentioned, I had at one point been homeless and had spent the previous three years leading advocacy efforts with a group called Homeless Voices for Justice, which is supported by Preble
