CBS 13 News (Portland, Maine)
Child care crisis costs Maine $400 million+ per year, study finds
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- Child care crisis costs Maine $400 million+ per year, study finds
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- A new report shows the child care crisis in Maine is costing families, businesses and taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars a year.
The study from ReadyNation found the crisis could cost Maine $403 million each year in lost earnings, productivity and revenue. Nationwide, the non-profit estimates that number is close to $122 billion.
STORY: https://wgme.com/news/local/child-care-crisis-costs-maine-400-million-per-year-study-finds
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- Gardiner students clash over LGBTQ+ and Trump flags, prompting controversial new policy
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- Gardiner Area High School officials say they're following a temporary policy to only display the American flag after an incident that occurred on Friday.
This also includes a temporary ban on wearing a flag as a cape or affixing a flag to clothing or school walls.
School officials say the incident that sparked the ban was when students put up and removed flags inside the school with competing political and social messages.
Student Faith Morton says one of those flags represented the LGBTQ+ community and the other was a Trump flag.
Morton says students should be able to express themselves and is disappointed in the way the school handled the situation.
"It was not the right way. It really wasn't. And there should be people who say that it's not okay,” Morton said.
School leaders say the incident led to students picking sides and even what the superintendent described as a heated altercation.
"It...
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- On Your Radar: Maine sheriff needs your help finding $200,000 in rare, stolen coins
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- In a new segment "On Your Radar with the I-Team," we're looking at murders, unsolved crimes, scams, and much more.
For the debut segment, CBS13 invited Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce to discuss an unsolved case of rare coin theft.
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- Sunday Headlines
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- Sunday Headlines: New details in suspected double homicide in New Hampshire. Plus, a look ahead to a cool and rainy week.
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- This dreary & raw weather pattern will continue. When will the sunshine return?
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- This dreary & raw weather pattern will continue. When will the sunshine return?
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- Friday Favorites with Good Day Maine
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- A soggy stretch of weather heading our way. Join us for a conversation about the upcoming weekend, plus weigh in on the potential change to the Maine license plate and a would you try a lobster milkshake? Let us know!
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- 100 years since Maine governor ordered flags at half-staff for dead dog
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- This week marks the 100th anniversary of one of the more bizarre controversies in Maine history.
It was June 1, 1923, when then-Governor Percival Baxter’s beloved dog, Garry, died. So, the governor did something that made national headlines, he ordered the state house flags to fly at half-staff for his dog.
Flags at half-staff are a symbol of mourning for noted officials, dignitaries, or first responders killed in the line of duty. It's a relatively rare and somber event, which is why it got attention 100 years ago.
“Every citizen in Augusta would have looked at the state house 100 years ago and said, 'Why is the flag at half-mast? Who died?' Well, it wasn't a 'who,’ but it was a 'who.’ It was his Irish setter dog, Garry, who was ninth in line of that name,” Maine historian Herb Adams said.
Gov. Percival Baxter, Maine’s 53rd governor and best remembered now for donating Mount Katahdin and the land around it to the people o...
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- Gorham seniors allegedly sidelined after protest over coach's behavior
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- Several Gorham lacrosse players say they were taken off the team following a protest this week. They say it was only in response to problems with the coach, which has gone on for years.
Students say the athletic director informed them Thursday that they were no longer on the team.
But the seniors and parents say the problem is with the coach. They claim he has yelled, refused to talk to the students, and other abusive” behaviors.
STORY: https://tinyurl.com/37nsveur
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- Downpours Expected Friday
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- After 5 days without seeing a cloud in the sky, we have some changes on the way.
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- Crews clean graffiti off of a fallen officer memorial in Maine, as police search for suspects
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- A $1,000 reward is offered for information leading to arrest and conviction of those responsible for damage to the Maine Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Augusta. Cleaning crews are now using baking soda and low pressure to remove the spray paint.
The memorial was first dedicated in 1991 and has engraved the names of 88 Maine law enforcement officers.
More here: https://wgme.com/news/local/maine-law-enforcement-officers-memorial-vandalized-in-augusta
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- Dog with Maine Deer
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- A Mainer and his dog stumbled upon 2 fawns while walking in the woods. #shorts
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- Record heat to storms
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- Meteorologist Christian Bridges has an update on the forecast for Thursday and the weekend
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- Portland businesses complain about influx of homeless campers on city's west side
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- There are new complaints from business owners bordering a large and growing homeless encampment on Portland's west side.
Since the camps on the Bayside Trail were taken down, the campsite between the Fore River Parkway Trail and the back of the county jail has more than doubled in size.
At least three nearby businesses were burglarized recently.
Business owners say they have no way of knowing if the homeless campers are responsible, but they do say those campers are starting to hurt their businesses.
"A little bit more than a week ago, we had a series of break-ins," Red Hook Design Owner Wayne Valzania said.
Valzania’s business and at least two others were burglarized.
"I lost a couple of paint sprayers, pretty expensive paint sprayers. XPress Copy was cash. Don't know what exactly they took from Alice, if they took anything at all," Valzania said. "I'm guarded in saying there's a connection between the bre...
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- Mainers split on idea of replacing chickadee license plates
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- The Maine chickadee license plates have been in use for nearly 25 years.
The Bureau of Motor Vehicles says those old plates cause a public safety concern.
Michael Cahill thought he had no issues with his chickadee plates, until he checked Wednesday.
"I've had the plates since 2011. The rear one is starting to deteriorate. The front one seems fine," Cahill said.
At a public hearing on Wednesday, Mainers talked about a bill that calls for the chickadee plate to be replaced with the 1901 state flag.
It's a green pine tree and navy blue star. The bottom would still read "Vacationland."
"No I don't think it's a good idea. I think it's really, rather dull. Nothing against that flag, but we don't have that flag as our state flag. So I stick with the chickadee," Maine resident Andrea Gelder said.
Gelder and Ginny Fischer say they want the chickadee to stay and say it represents the state to a "T."
...
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- Wildfire smoke to bring poor air quality to Maine
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- Meteorologist Christian Bridges has an update on the wildfires burning in Nova Scotia, and a look at the hot temps expected later this week.
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- What happened to the Portland program that employed homeless Mainers?
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- The city of Portland is in the midst of a crisis, providing emergency shelter to more than 1,000 people per night, many asylum seekers. All three sites are at capacity, leaving dozens more sleeping on the streets.
Gayle asked the CBS13 I-Team:
“Whatever happened to that program in Portland where the city would pay panhandlers and homeless people to do work, like pick up trash?”
The program is called the Portland Opportunity Crew and the city's spokesperson says it's been paused since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but officials are getting ready to re-launch it in June.
The opportunity crew first launched back in 2017 with a pilot season, which served 17 people. It was aimed at panhandlers, specifically to help them move toward a safer, healthier lifestyle.
Two days a week, they could join the crew, cleaning up parks and public areas to earn minimum wage.
Just days after the CBS13 I-Team asked about ...
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- A record high set in Augusta today but will we see relief for Memorial Day? Find out!
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- A record high set in Augusta today but will we see relief for Memorial Day? Find out!
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- Friday Favorites with Good Day Maine
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- Hey all! Chat with us on Friday as we bring you the holiday weekend forecast, plus talk about that search for a good Samaritan who saved a dad and his daughter, and a cat café is coming to Greater Portland!
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- Bear plays baseball in family's backyard on Mother's Day
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- Viewer Janelle Blake sent us this video of a bear spotted in her backyard playing with a baseball. Her family couldn't believe their eyes when the bear wandered out onto their lawn and picked up a ball. She says her kids are avid baseball fans.. and apparently the bear is, too.
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- 23 new Mainers become citizens in South Portland
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- SOUTH PORTLAND (WGME) – Maine celebrated some of the country's newest citizens Thursday.
Twenty-three citizenship candidates from 17 countries took their oath of allegiance Thursday in South Portland to become American citizens.
Thursday was also the grand opening of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Field Office in South Portland.
The grand opening was delayed due to COVID-19.
CBS13 Chief Photojournalist Mike Hartford spoke to some new Mainers about the experience.
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- Memorial Day Weekend forecast
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- Meteorologist Christian Bridges has a look at the forecast for the long weekend.
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- Maine artist hand-paints wood floral arrangements, sees business boom
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- A beautiful bouquet of flowers is sure to brighten anyone's day, but they don't last forever. One Mainer has found a way around that with flowers made of wood that look real and last a lifetime.
STORY: https://tinyurl.com/mvw3ahr8
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- Maine's storm-damaged communities say FEMA is no longer paying up
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- As Maine communities place finishing touches before tourism season, in York County, crumbling retaining walls and construction cones are going on years waiting for relief.
Emergency Management Agencies are now pointing the finger directly at the hand that feeds them: the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
For more on this story, visit: https://tinyurl.com/3se2wjsv
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- Bicyclist, cat wrap up cross-country journey in Maine
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- A bicyclist and his cat are wrapping up a cross-country journey in Maine.
Caleb Werntz and “Marylyn Monroad" have been biking for months, with Werntz peddling and Monroad watching the country go by from her basket in the front.
Werntz has crisscrossed the country on a bicycle since he lost his home and his job to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He frequently stops at churches and firehouses for a break and says Monroad gives him an opportunity to interact with all kinds of people.
He's written a book about those interactions, and he said Monroad has also written a book about their journeys from her point of view.
He jokes that he translates her observations.
Full story: https://wgme.com/news/local/bicyclist-cat-cross-country-journey-maine-caleb-werntz-marylyn-monroad
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- Good Samaritan helps rescue people trapped on roof of burning building in Hallowell
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- A fire in Hallowell left 2 people trapped on the roof. A Good Samaritan helped rescue them. Police are now asking for help identifying the civilian hero who helped them escape. #shorts
STORY: https://tinyurl.com/2d2x6268
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- Hundreds of Maine volunteers make a difference for United Way's 'Day of Action'
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- PORTLAND (WGME) – Hundreds of volunteers got their hands dirty and made a difference Tuesday.
It was part of the United Way of Southern Maine's “Day of Action" which they say is the largest day of volunteer service in the region.
The United Way of Southern Maine says more than 650 volunteers from more than 20 businesses and organizations helped out at the sites.
CBS13 Photojournalist Jim Bowne stopped by some of the sites to see the impact firsthand.
For more on this story, visit: https://tinyurl.com/3tk9xfbm
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- Storms tomorrow, warm Memorial Day weekend!
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- Meteorologist Christian Bridges has a look at the upcoming Memorial weekend forecast
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- Ask the I-Team: Are hotels in Maine required to have sprinkler systems?
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- A deadly fire at a hotel in Kittery last week became so intense so quickly because firefighters say it didn't have a sprinkler system, which has raised some questions about the safety requirements for these types of buildings.
Ken asked the CBS13 I-Team:
"I know the hotel that burned in Kittery was old, but why wasn't it required to have a sprinkler system? I thought all large buildings like this needed them."
The Days Inn that burned in Kittery was built in 1956, long before the days of fire suppression systems like automatic sprinklers.
It wasn't until 36 years later in 1992 that those systems would be required under state law.
But those building codes only apply to new buildings that are two stories or more tall.
So, to answer Ken's question, the Kittery hotel was grandfathered in because of its age and wasn't required to have sprinklers.
If it had been built after 1992 though, it would have n...
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- 'Homelessness is bad for everybody': Shelter crisis leads to resources strain in Portland
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- PORTLAND (WGME) -- The growing crisis of homelessness in the city of Portland is not only putting a strain on those living on the streets, but also on city services and resources.
"I'm not used to this," Chrissy Russel said. "I've always had a place to live."
Russel, who says she's been experiencing homelessness for a little more than a year, was one of the first to set up camp along the city's Bayside Trail near Trader Joe's. What started as just a few tents expanded into a small community of the unhoused only a month or so later.
"All of a sudden I woke up one morning and there were tons of tents over there around me," Russel said. "We've been trying to keep it, you know, as clean as possible but when you've got all these people in one spot it's hard."
Last week, the city forced those camping along the trail to leave after the site became a "health and public safety issue."
"Shelters are at capacity, there's nowhere for...
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- Sunday Headlines
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- Sunday Headlines: Drive-by shooting in Lewiston under investigation. Plus, 24-years after his disappearance, family of Angel Torres are pleading for answers.
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- Saturday Headlines
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- Saturday Headlines: 2022 saw the most fatal motorcycle crashes in Maine's history. Plus, a pandemic delayed ceremony honored Portland Firefighters from the past four years.
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- A much needed rain tonight but good news for your Sunday forecast. Details!
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- A much needed rain tonight but good news for your Sunday forecast. Details!
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- Community shocked after Maine man dies from rare tick-borne Powassan virus
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- A Maine man died from complications due to the Powassan virus, a very rare tick-borne illness.
Friends of 58-year-old Robert Weymouth say he was active and hardworking, and his death comes as a shock.
STORY: https://bit.ly/3OuNcSl
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- Friday Favorites with Good Day Maine
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- Hi all! Join the Good Day Maine crew for our Friday Favorites where we chat about some of the most interesting stories of the week, plus you'll get your weekend forecast!
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- Southern Maine Coastal Classic Dog Show kicks off at Cumberland Fairgrounds
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- PORTLAND (WGME) -- The Southern Maine Coastal Classic Dog Show kicked off Thursday at the Cumberland Fairgrounds.
It includes AKC "All-Breed Dog Shows" as well as obedience and rally trials.
Shows start at 8 a.m. each day and run through Sunday.
They'll be held outdoors, rain or shine.
CBS13 Photojournalist Monty Orrick stopped by to catch some of the competition for best in show.
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- 'They told me about Maine:' Asylum seekers share stories of months-long journeys to Maine
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- PORTLAND (WGME) - Local churches, the Homeless Services Center and the Portland Expo are filled with asylum seekers, and the city says there is no more space.
However, asylum seekers keep coming anyway.
Matala Kenda is from the Congo. His months-long journey to Maine began by flying from Angola to Brazil and then walking through Central America.
He says his village and country has become extremely violent and his father was killed.
Kenda crossed into America through Calexico, California in mid-February.
On April 24, he stepped off the bus in Portland.
He was picked up by Sergio DaSilva, a former asylum seeker living in Westbrook.
“He has no family. Even in the Congo, even here,” DaSilva said.
Kenda had gotten in touch with DaSilva’s brother who still lives in the Congo.
His brother encouraged him to come to Maine.
“They tell me if you go to Maine, th...
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- Staffing, housing, homelessness: Portland's new city manager lays out priorities
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- Portland's now-official city manager is getting right down to business.
Danielle West took the "interim" title back in November 2021 and was officially appointed on Monday.
"I'm extremely honored," West said.
West now leads Maine's largest city. She is the first female to do so.
"I don't take that lightly, and I don't want to be the last. So I'm going to try to really buckle down and look at all the different things that are facing the city right now," West said.
Staffing is at the top of her list.
The city has about 250 open positions right now, which is about 20 percent of all city jobs. Several offices have interim department heads.
Those open positions impact how the city is able to handle a wide range of pressing problems.
"In order to be able to deliver services that we deliver to the residents and the businesses and the visitors, we have to have the staff," West said.
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- Record cold recap
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- Meteorologist Christian Bridges has a look at the record cold temps recorded across the state, as well as our weekend forecast.
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- Hummingbird at the window
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- Check this out! A Maine woman caught a great video of a hummingbird outside her kitchen window. #MyMaine #shorts
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- Frost Freeze Overnight
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- A cold night is on the way. A widespread frost/freeze is expected by Thursday morning.
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- Fire burns Days Inn motel in Kittery, Maine with flames shooting through the roof
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- A large fire broke out at the Days Inn in Kittery on Wednesday.
Flames could be seen shooting through the roof and smoke is visible from miles away. Police say the Route 1 Bypass was shut down in all directions. Wind made fighting the fire even more challenging for firefighters.
Video courtesy: Paige Murdock
Updated here: https://wgme.com/news/local/crews-battle-fire-at-hotel-in-kittery#
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- 'Are they safe?': Families worry about students after man gets into Portland middle school
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- Police say a man got into Portland’s King Middle School on Monday and made his way to a girls bathroom, where he offered hypodermic needles to a student.
Police responded around 8:45 a.m. Monday as students were arriving at school. That’s when they say a man walked inside King Middle School.
A district spokesperson says a door had been left open.
“Some people in our community are able to just walk into buildings,” Portland resident Josh Lindgren said. “I think it’s not safe for children.”
That man has been identified as 44-year-old Jacob Horwitch.
Police say they found Horwitch across the street near the entrance to Deering Oaks Park.
While he was in the school, police say he entered the girls bathroom and offered a student hypodermic needles.
Although school officials say when he was arrested, he had no needles, drugs or weapons on him.
The school district says the sch...
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- Why is pickleball so annoying to some Maine neighbors?
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- It's a hybrid of tennis, ping pong, and badminton, and it's arguably the fastest-growing sport in America, but people living near outdoor pickleball courts say the racket is unbearable.
After a quiet winter, the outdoor pickleball courts at York Paddle Tennis and Pickleball Club are back in full swing.
"This is essentially recess for adults,” said Lauren DeLong, with the York Paddle Tennis and Pickleball Club.
“We were all so isolated for so long that there needs to be… we need community. Our mental health needs it,” said Susan Kelly Weston, with York Hospital Oncology Care.
But some nearby neighbors say the perpetual pickleball pops are borderline torture.
"Just last night alone, it was phenomenally loud. The courts were full and there were people there until right at nine o'clock. It's just obnoxious,” said Bob Ellis, who lives near the York Paddle Tennis and Pickleball Club.
Ellis lives 800 fee...
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- Rockland police officers rescue ducklings that fell through storm drain on Mother's Day
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- Two Rockland police officers went above and beyond to help a mama duck be reunited with her babies on Mother’s Day after they fell through a storm drain.
Sgt. Dan Duhamel and Officer Logan Finnegan came to the rescue of 10 ducklings that had fallen through a storm drain on Sunday.
Police say the officers wasted no time jumping into action, with Finnegan climbing into the storm drain and several feet of water.
Duhamel and Finnegan were able to rescue all 10 ducklings, who were reunited with their mother and escorted safely across the road.
Not all heroes wear capes. Great work Sgt. Duhamel and Officer Finnegan!
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- From summer to frost in Maine
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- Meteorologist Christian Bridges has an update on the big changes to our weather over the next few days, including Wednesday night's frost potential.
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- 'People are scandalized:' Maine sludge shipments lead to oversight push in New Brunswick
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA (WGME) -- A mounting environmental crisis in Maine is leading to major concerns for our neighbors to the north in Canada.
As our state struggles to dispose of biosolids, also known as wastewater sludge, truckloads a day are now being shipped to the province of New Brunswick. That increase in imports is leading to questions about capacity there and if there's any risk for contamination.
For more on this story, visit: https://wgme.com/news/i-team/people-are-scandalized-maine-sludge-shipments-lead-to-oversight-push-in-new-brunswick
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- Tourism season heats up in Maine, businesses getting creative amid worker shortage
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- Tourism season has arrived in Boothbay Harbor and the summertime holds a special place in some shop owner’s hearts.
Harborside 1901Bar and Grill co-owner Mete Hansahin says tourism season is critical to their survival. And they’re finding unique ways to combat the state’s labor shortage.
“We decided to buy our own housing and provide ourselves, our employees with housing,” said Hansahin.
Hansahin says they are bringing eighty employees from out of state and most of them will be staying in housing they provide.
He says the last few years have been difficult, just getting by with the few workers they can get.
“I think it is getting out there,” said Hansahin. “People are more willing to work throughout the summer now. They want to go explore what’s happening in Maine.”
A stroll down the street from the Harborside is Downeast Ice Cream Factory.
With more than seventy flavors, ther...
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- Sunday Headlines
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- Sunday Headlines: Maine woman charged with arson after allegedly setting house on fire with people asleep inside. Plus, Thursday's truck explosion near Blaine House caused by lithium-ion battery.
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- Saturday Headlines
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- Saturday Headlines: Maine mom's calling on Congress to ban assault weapons. Plus, Rockland police look for a dog stolen out of a car.
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- Happy Mother's Day from Good Day Maine
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- CHECK IT OUT: The Good Day Maine team would like to wish our moms a very happy Mother's Day!
SEND YOUR MOTHER'S DAY PICTURES TO US: https://wgme.com/chimein