Michael Shepherd

Staff Writer

Latest

Published
January 11, 2013

Rainy day fund raid, other stopgaps to close $112 million DHHS shortfall

AUGUSTA — One-time fixes, including almost completely raiding the state’s reserve fund, represent almost all of the LePage administration’s proposed plan to close a $112 million current-year budget gap in the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
Published
January 9, 2013

State House: Democrats unveil legislative agenda

But with looming problems, including two projected statewide budget shortfalls, party leaders are vague on policy specifics as the governor’s office says he won’t consider tax increases in a new budget.
Published
January 9, 2013

Activists crowd State House as Legislature convenes

Amid promises to tackle the budget, the new legislative session kicks off with meetings.
Published
January 8, 2013

Protest, promises of future friction greet legislators on first day of session

AUGUSTA — Teases of legislation and political fights to come, along with a mid-day demonstration by progressive groups, took over the halls of the State House, where official business on Tuesday consisted of quick morning sessions and committee work.
Published
January 8, 2013

Opponents challenge LePage on education funding

Rep. James Campbell, I-Newfield, says he has drafted a bill to use state revenue from the Oxford Casino to fully fund K-12 education.
Published
December 28, 2012

Everett J. Prescott CEO given Lifetime Achievement Award by Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce

GARDINER — The headquarters of Everett J. Prescott Inc. could have moved in 2003 from the city where it was founded in 1955.
Published
December 27, 2012

Central Maine gets creamed, but closures minimize snowstorm’s impact

Lonely capital-area commutes made for few accidents on central Maine roads covered by the biggest snowstorm so far this season Thursday.
Published
December 27, 2012

Few problems on capital-area roads early Thursday

Gov. Paul LePage closed all state offices because of the storm, and skiers will have to wait to use Augusta cross-country trails.
Published
December 14, 2012

Area educators react to Conn. shooting by checking security, answering questions

AUGUSTA — Word of the Friday morning massacre at a Connecticut elementary school didn’t immediately reach pupils at Marcia Buker Elementary School in Richmond, where students were distracted by winter events, including a scheduled holiday concert.
Published
December 7, 2012

Whitefield woman dead, Livermore Falls woman hurt in head-on collision

A Whitefield woman is dead and a Livermore Falls woman seriously injured following a head-on crash on Route 17 near the Windsor-Whitefield line, state police say.