Maine Education Commissioner takes public input through listening tour

Submitted by Around Town Web... on Thursday, March 17th, 5:01 pm

BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) --- Maine's newly appointed education commissioner continued a 'listening tour' he's been on in the Queen City Thursday.

Stephen Bowen took a tour of classrooms and facilities at the United Technologies Center. The center allows high school students to take a number of programs to prepare them for careers in trade.

Bowen's office says it has been conducting the tour to hear thoughts from parents and educators on ways to improve public education in Maine. The commissioner says while he's heard a number of concerns about funding and direction for the department of education, people have offered similar ideas for improvement.

Bowen also met with Bangor area superintendents Thursday morning to hear their ideas. Citizens can share their thoughts during a public forum with the commissioner this evening at the United Technologies Center from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

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Maine Highland FCU to Sponsor Table at CWC Auction

Submitted by Erica Hutchinson, Development Office

Thursday, March 17th, 2011, 1:31pm

Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union is the first local business to sponsor a table at the Charlotte White Center Auction! The CWC auction is trying new things this year to engage the community, raise donations and increase attendance at their annual fundraiser. Sponsorship options are part of the new approach.

"Our auction is young and we are doing everything we can to grow it. We are commited to continuing to provide community childrens' service programs--some of which are completely funded through donations. We have to get out there and get the dollars. We are thrilled Maine Highlands FCU is joining us in this work!" said Erica Lewis, Development Director for CWC.

Want to get involved? Contact Erica at 947-1410 or elewis@charlottewhite.org.

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Lisbon Community School Chess Team Competes in Orono

Submitted by Monica M. Millhime, Community Resources / Grants

Thursday, March 17th, 2011, 1:16pm

Lisbon Community School Chess Team Competes in Orono

Photo Caption: Jonah Sautter, a fifth grade student in D. J. Thorne’s class at Lisbon Community School in Lisbon, shows his concentration during a recent Chess Competition in Orono for Maine Chess Team Students. Jonah is the son of Nicole and Doug Sautter of Lisbon Falls.

Lisbon - The Lisbon Community and Philip W.

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Treasurer Poliquin speaks in Bangor about pension reform

Submitted by Around Town Web... on Wednesday, March 16th, 10:07 pm

BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- State Treasurer Bruce Poliquin is trying to drum up support for the LePage administration's plan to deal with a very large unfunded pension liability.

Poliquin spoke to Bangor Republicans at Husson University about the proposals. The budget would require teachers and state workers to contribute an addition 2% to their pensions and retire at age 65 instead of 62. The state would also freeze cost of living allowances for retirees for three years, and then cap increases at 2% annually. Poliquin says this is necessary because of the way previous administrations handled state workers' pensions over the past few decades.

"And so now these folks who created the problem are no longer here," Poliquin said. "It's our responsibility to deal with it, and we will, but we have a $4.3 billion debt."

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OSHA proposes $212K fine for Lincoln paper mill

Submitted by Around Town Web... on Wednesday, March 16th, 7:33 pm

BANGOR, Maine (AP) -- The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration is proposing that a Maine paper mill be fined $212,000 for alleged safety violations.

OSHA announced Wednesday it has cited Lincoln Paper and Tissue LLC following an accident last September that resulted in a worker being burned when hot steam and condensate burst out of the end of a high-pressure steam line.

William Coffin, OSHA's area director for Maine, said OSHA is proposing sizable fines because the hazards at the mill found after the incident were similar to hazards that were cited and corrected following a 2008 inspection of the facility.

Dennis McComb, the mill's environmental and safety manager, said all the items cited by OSHA have been corrected. He said the company has yet to decide whether to appeal.

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2011 Hike for the Homeless

Submitted by Around Town Web... on Wednesday, March 16th, 2:27 pm

BANGOR, Maine-- The 2011 Hike for the Homeless will be held on Saturday, April 9. Proceeds from the event benefit the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter.

The hike will depart from Husson University in Bangor, the Cianchette Building in Brewer, the Veazie Community School in Veazie and Hampden Academy in Hampden and will converge on the Bangor waterfront. Following the hike, all hikers will meet the Sea Dog for raffle prizes as well as a cookout with an opportunity to learn more about the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter.

For more information about the hike and to register, visit the Hike for the Homeless website.

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Third Annual Robyn L. Tate-Brown Memorial Bowl-a-thon at Family Fun Lanes

Submitted by mparent on Wednesday, March 16th, 11:18 am

The death of good friend and fellow bowler, Robyn L. Tate-Brown, inspired Andy Meucci, Owner/Manager of Family Fun Bowling Lanes to do something special to honor Robyn; to help show support for her family; and in the process, help a local, non-profit organization. His desire led to sponsoring the Robyn L. Tate-Brown Memorial Bowl-a-thon for the third year to be held Saturday, April 16, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

“Robyn is greatly missed by many people,” remarked Andy. “The Robyn L. Tate-Brown Memorial Bowl-a-thon is a way for us to come together to support her family and also two worthwhile organizations. I hope we have a huge turnout for this event.” Hospice of Eastern Maine and Pathfinders: Support for grieving children will benefit from partial proceeds of the bowl-a-thon.

Hospice of Eastern Maine was formed by a group of community volunteers in 1981 and is the oldest hospice in Bangor.

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