Maine

April 11, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci has learned of the death of an active duty Army soldier with Maine ties.

Spc. William Charles Koelsch III, died in on Wednesday, April 9, in a training accident at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He served with the 509th Infantry (Airborne).

Spc. Koelsch’s mother lives in Fort Fairfield. He also has a sister who lives in Maine.

“All of Maine mourns the death of another brave soldier,” Governor Baldacci said. “We will keep SPC Koelsch’s family and friends in our prayers during this difficult time.”

Flags will be ordered flown at half-staff on the day of Spc Koelsch’s funeral.

No additional information is available at this time.

Source: Maine Governor

April 10, 2008 -- On April 5, 2008 the Malt-O-Meal Company of Minnesota announced a recall of unsweetened puffed rice and unsweetened puffed wheat cereal. In addition to Malt-O-Meal’s own brand, these cereals are sold under multiple labels, including the store brands for Hannaford and Shaw’s Supermarkets.

Salmonella invades human cells: Photo by Rocky Mountain Laboratories,NIAID,NIH (CC)    » read more »

April 10, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today signed LD 2012, “An Act To Protect Children in Vehicles from Secondhand Smoke.” The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Brian Duprey (R-Hampden), was at the ceremony, as well as numerous supporters of the legislation.

Cigarette outside a car window: Photo by joka2000 (CC)    » read more »

April 10, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – In remembrance and honor of Sgt. Nicholas A. Robertson, Maine Governor John E. Baldacci has directed that the United States flag and the State of Maine flag be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset Friday, April 11, 2008.

Sgt. Robertson died as a result of wounds received in Afghanistan on April 2, 2008. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

Services for Sgt. Robertson are being held on Friday in Brewer.

Source: Maine Governor

April 8, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Responding to growing concern over the condition of bridges around the State and to a November 2007 study, “Keeping Our Bridges Safe,” Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today submitted bipartisan legislation that will invest an additional $160 million over four years in bridge construction and preservation.

Iron bridge over Crooked River on Ryefield Bridge Road, Otisfield Gore, Maine: Photo by Bob Travis (CC)    » read more »

April 05, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sgt. Nicholas A. Robertson, 27, of Old Town, Maine, died April 3 at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds suffered April 2 while conducting dismounted combat operations in the Zahn Khan District, Afghanistan.

He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

Source: DoD

Governor Baldacci Will Submit Legislation to Place New Restrictions on Driver’s Licenses and State Credentials

April 2, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci learned today from the Department of Homeland Security that Maine has been granted an extension to the May 11, 2008, implementation deadline for the REAL ID Act of 2005.

Earlier today, Governor Baldacci responded to a March 31 letter from DHS that asked Maine to take certain steps to improve the security of its driver’s license before an extension would be granted. In his letter to DHS, Governor Baldacci agreed to all the requirements.    » read more »

April 1, 2008 -- In observance of Maine Equal Pay Day, the Women’s Employment Issues Committee of the Maine Jobs Council today releases Working Women In Maine: Indicators for Progress 2007, a report on working women in Maine, concluding that progress made in recent years to close the gender wage gap has stalled, with women still earning significantly less than men and more likely to live in poverty.    » read more »

March 24, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Pfc. Tyler J. Smith, 22, of Bethel, Maine, died Mar. 21 at Forward Operating Base Falcon near Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when the base received indirect fire.

He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Source: DoD

March 28, 2008 -- The Maine Bureau of Insurance is advising consumers to beware of three specific scams circulating via fax machines and through telemarketers.

“In this time of economic hardship, consumers must be especially vigilant for people whose goal is to take advantage of them financially,” stated Maine Insurance Superintendent Mila Kofman. “We have become aware of fax machine solicitations to sell health insurance. These solicitations involve the unauthorized marketing of a licensed insurance company’s products,” stated Kofman.    » read more »

March 28, 2008 -- (AUGUSTA)-- Maine lakes and streams now have a better chance of staying healthy thanks to a new law discouraging the use of lawn fertilizer containing phosphorus.

Just as fertilizers can help plants grow in yards, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) cautions that fertilizers also can help plants grow in lakes, streams, and bays. Rainwater and melting snow wash fertilizers and other pollutants from lawns down driveways, from road ditches into storm drains or directly into nearby waters. Excess nutrients from fertilizers, particularly phosphorus, can turn waters green, lead to smelly scums, and rob the water of its oxygen, potentially causing fish kills.    » read more »

March 28, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – In remembrance and honor of Private First Class Tyler Jacob Smith, Maine Governor John E. Baldacci has directed that the United States flag and the State of Maine flag be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset Monday, March 31, 2008.

PFC Smith died as a result of wounds received from indirect fire in Iraq on Friday, March 21, 2008.

His funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. on Monday at the West Parish Congregational Church, 10 Church Street in Bethel.

Source: Maine Governor

Boston, Mass., March 17, 2008 – Nearly $5.4 million in grants and innovative financing are available to Northeastern communities and organizations working to significantly reduce diesel emissions and improve public health.    » read more »

March 10, 2008 -- (AUGUSTA)— The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is cautioning home owners to check the condition of their outside heating oil tanks following a number of spills statewide. Falling ice from roofs and snow compaction around outdoor heating oil tanks can sever lines and break off filters causing costly spills. A broken off filter or severed fuel line can empty the entire contents of the tank.    » read more »

March 3, 2008 -- AUGUSTA, MAINE — County and state emergency management officials are reminding Mainers of risks associated with the snow piled up on roofs and around vents.

“We strongly recommend that residents and business owners take steps to clear snow off their roofs,” MEMA Director Rob McAleer said today. “The roof failure at Sacopee Valley High School underscores the damage that can occur from the sheer weight of so much snow. Snow on the roof can also cause ice dams, permanent roof damage and leaks.”    » read more »