How Should You Judge the Reliability of Internet Information?

I found this list on the McGraw Hill Publications page. It effectively outlines how news consumers should judge the credibility and factuality of a news source.
I thought I would share it with you and let you judge for yourself the various forms of news media available in the Town of Lebanon, Maine.

Here is a list of points to consider when you are trying to judge the reliability of information you find on the Internet:

• Who is the author or sponsor of the page? On the page you are citing, or on a page linked to it, that individual or organization should be identified, that individual's qualifications should be apparent, and other avenues of verification should be open to you.  On the other hand, a page created by a person or an organization that does not provide this information is not a good source to cite.
  
• Are there obvious reasons for bias? If the page is presented by a tobacco company consortium, you should be suspicious of its reports on the addictiveness of nicotine. Is there any advertising? If the page is sponsored by Acme Track Shoes, you should be suspicious of its claims for Acme track shoes' performance.
  
• Is contact information provided? If the only identification available is something cryptic, such as "Society for Ferruginous Retorts," be suspicious of the page's reliability. If the page is sponsored by a reputable person or organization, there should be some other way to verify that reputation, such as an e-mail or postal address. (Note that a tilde [~] in the page's address usually indicates a personal home page and may require more searching for reliability.)
  
• Is there a copyright symbol on the page? If so, who holds the copyright?
  
• Is this page a "zombie," or one considered "walking dead" because the person who posted it no longer maintains or updates it? Even though the information is "alive" in that it is still accessible, it is "dead" in that it could well be several years old!
  
• What is the purpose of the page? Why is this information being posted--as information, as a public service, as a news source, as a research tool for academics, as a personal ax to grind, or as a way to gain attention?
  
• How well organized is the page? Is the page easy to navigate? Is it complete? When was the page last updated? Is the information on it current? How credible are the links it provides?
  
• Is the information on the page primary or secondary? That is, is it a report of facts, such as a medical researcher's article counting cases of "mad cow" disease in England in 1997, thus making it primary information, or is it an Internet newsgroup discussion about "mad cow" disease, thus making it secondary information? The papers and reports you write for your college classes need to be based on primary information whenever possible. The further away from the primary sources your own sources are, the less reliable the information is.
  
• Can you verify the information on the Web page some other way? For example, can you check the page's bibliography (if there is one) against your library's holdings or check the information against a source in the library?
  
• If you are worried that the information may lack credibility, try starting with a source you know is reputable. For example, if you have to do a project on the latest in cancer research, you can begin your search at major cancer research institutes, such as Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota .
  
• Finally, remember that even though a page might not meet your standards as a citable source, it may help you generate good ideas or point to other usable sources. Also, be sure not to stop your search at the first page you find--shop around and do some comparing so that you can have points of reference.

Copyright ©2001 The McGraw-Hill Companies. Any use is subject to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. McGraw-Hill Higher Education is one of the many fine businesses of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc..

Cemetery Maintenance and Town Property Maintenance Up for Re-Bid

 

The Town of Lebanon is seeking bids on lawn maintenance for the 2015 mowing season for thirty-eight cemeteries and four municipal properties.

The cemeteries are located at various locations within the town's limit. (see photo with this notice for locations). The town properties are the Old Town Hall, Town Office Building and Fire Pond, Town Pound, and the Park and Ride @ Rt 202 and Depot Road. 

Services will include providing adequate labor and equipment for Spring and Fall clean up and mowing of the grounds in accordance with Maine State Law beginning on May 12th through November 1st.

A copy of the full request for proposals, a copy of the cemetery map, and the official bid form will be available upon request at the Town Office.

The Prospect Hill Cemetery and the Forest Grove Cemetery are not part of this bid.

No bids will be accepted via fax or e mail. The Town of Lebanon reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, and waive any irregularities.

Sealed proposals clearly marked "2015 Town of Lebanon Mowing Bid" are due to be delivered to the Lebanon Town Office located at 15 Upper Guinea Road, Lebanon, Maine 04027, by Monday, May 11, 2015 at 5:00 PM, at which time they will be publicly opened. An acceptable bid will be awarded at 5:30 PM on May 11, 2015.

Proof of Worker's Compensation and General Liability Insurances are required to accompany the bids.

Any Questions should be directed to the Board of Selectmen at (207) 457-6082, ext. 110 or 111.

 

 

QUESTION: Does the EMS1 Expedition Really Have a New Paint Job?

I was surprised by the lack of towns people at the Selectmen's meeting tonight.
It seems the "other" pages have been reporting there's a new paint job on EMS1, and indeed there IS.
I expected a mob of the "other" page's advocates to attend the Selectmen's meeting and present with a riot the likes of Baltimore or Ferguson.
But there was no one. Just the Selectmen, the Chief and me.
Whether or not the town votes on June 9th to combine the Lebanon Fire Department with the Lebanon Rescue Department, Chief Daniel Meehan is STILL the appointed Chief of BOTH departments.
While the Chief did have the EMS1 vehicle at the Selectmen's meeting tonight, I did not run right out and take a photo of the vehicle, as I chose to wait for Chief Meehan to unveil the new paint job on the Lebanon Rescue Department Official​ page, which I'm SURE he will do within the next day or so, and we'll be glad to share their photos with you at that time.
But of course, the Chief's stalker stole his thunder once again by posting the photo of EMS1 and it's new look on the "other" pages, as the Chief sat in the Town Office talking with the Selectmen this evening.
The paint on the EMS1 vehicle was original to the vehicle, about 5 years old, and only reflected its use by the Lebanon Rescue Department.
Reflective stickers have also been added to the vehicle making it more noticeable during nighttime accident scenes and more effective in slowing traffic at active fire, rescue and accident scenes.
I did not ask how much the paint job cost, or where the vehicle had been painted, but will gladly ask if anyone would like to know.
As for using the money that should have gone to the IV pumps for the ambulance, in order to paint the EMS1 vehicle, Well, we won't even dignify that with an answer, as it has already been noted time and again, that mismanagement of medications, mismanagement of training records, mismanagement of equipment and more, were ALL responsible for the need for restructure in our Lebanon Rescue Department. Plus the town has a completely separate fund for maintenance and upgrades on the vehicles.
WHY the "other" page continues to harp on the IV pumps and claim they are $750.00 each when other area Chiefs have confirmed that is an outdated price and that they actually cost about three times that amount, is beyond my understanding. Perhaps the "other" pages need to review the information given during the "Meet the Chief" meeting back on February 28, 2015.
If anyone has not seen that video and would like to, please give a holler and we'll be glad to repost.
Lebanon Maine's Chief's Vehicle, EMS1, looks GOOD and will now be far more noticeable when responding to a motor vehicle accident or fire call in the dark of night.
EMS1, a vehicle Lebanon can be proud to own!!

QUESTION: Will the Use of the EMS1 Vehicle as a Chief's Vehicle Void the Conditions of the STK Grant Used to Purchase It?

Well, many in Lebanon have asked for it, and here it is.
Finally, PROOF POSITIVE that the Selectmen's choice to allow Chief Daniel Meehan to use the EMS1 Vehicle as a Chief's Vehicle, in lieu of over $1,800 a month in payroll and expenses will NOT cost the Town of Lebanon this vehicle, OR any future grants from the STK Foundation.
The vehicle was given to the town as a "Personnel Transportation" vehicle, and has been used as a Chief's vehicle since the Town of Lebanon first received the grant for it's purchase.

 

The letter clearly states that the Town of Lebanon Selectmen may use this vehicle for any use it deems necessary within the Fire and Rescue Departments.

Hopefully this will finally put to bed, the fear, and the rumors and the outright lies that have been spread in Lebanon that we will not be eligible for any future grants because the Lebanon Board of Selectmen have chosen to hand the keys of EMS1 over to Chief Daniel Meehan to use at his discretion within his command of these departments.

 

 

Trooper Michael Lane Happy to Join State Police and Complete His Training in Lebanon!

Trooper Lane happy to be training in Lebanon

By: Harrison Thorp

Published: May 4, 2015

Comment     Print

Maine State Police Trooper Michael Lane (Courtesy photo)

LEBANON - New Maine State Police Trooper Michael Lane said he couldn't be happier that he is completing his field training in Lebanon.
Lane received his State Police badge on April 10 after completing 10 weeks of specialized state police training at the Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro, Maine.
"I love working in Lebanon," Lane said Sunday. "I was hoping this was the area where I'd be and was fortunate enough to get it."
Lane, who lives in York County, grew up in Medfield, Mass., and is a graduate of
Endicott College of Beverly where he was captain of the college's football team as a senior.

Thank you to Harrison Thorp of The Lebanon Voice for allowing this repost.........
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Frisbie Memorial Hospital Offers Free Course in Chronic Pain Management

Do you live with a chronic health condition or know someone who does?
Frisbie is offering a free, six-week program that will help chronic pain sufferers learn to self-manage conditions such as diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure or other persistent health problems.
Classes start Thursday, May 14th (2-4:30pm) and a caretaker or family member is welcome to join with you!

Call (603) 573-6925

for additional information and to register today.

The Works Family Heath and Fitness Seeks Aquatics Manager

WENTWORTH DOUGLASS HOSPITAL

 

 

Join our team! The Works Family Health and Fitness Center is seeking an Aquatics Manager.

A successful candidate will be an energetic solution finder with previous experience successfully managing an aquatics facility and is CPO, CPR, First Aid, Lifeguard and WSI certified. Experience scheduling pools and staffing for guarding, lessons, and events.

For more information: ...
http://www.theworkshealthclub.com/body.cfm?id=19

 

You can follow Wentworth Douglass Hospital on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/WentworthDouglassHospital?fref=ts

Lebanon Academy Selling Prize Calendars to Aid in Building Maintenance.

Don't Miss out on YOUR Chance to WIN!!!

 

The Lebanon Academy is selling prize calendars that will offer a new prize for each and every day during the month of June, 2015.
The group is hoping to raise enough money to be able to paint the rear of the Academy building as well as the front steps.
Calendars cost $20 each and come with an attached coupon that you fill out with your name and information. This coupon is put in for the drawings and each day of June, 2015 someone's name is pulled and they will win the prize listed for that day.
Calendars are on sale at the Martha Sawyer Community Library (at the rear of the Hanson School), and at Kenney Automotive on the corner of Rt 202 and Little River Road, Lebanon, through May 31, 2015.


1. Rustic Cabinet..........value $75
2. Oil Change ..........value $30
3. 6 Yards Screened Loam...........value $120
4. Wood Framed Mirror...........value $75
5. Hand Made Step Stool...........value $40
6. Cash Card..........value $50
7. 1/2 Gallon Maple Syrup.......value $30
8. Family Fun Basket...........value not stated
9. Oil Change...........value $30
10. Set of Pots & Pans............value $40
11. Cash Card.............value $50
12. Hair Cut & Style...........value $30
13. Garbage Disposal...........value $378
14. Cash Card............value $50
15. Oil Change............value $30
16. Lap Quilt..........value $40
17. Delta Handspray Assembly......value $251
18. Baby Boy Quilt..........value $50
19. Dog Grooming..........value $25
20. Garage Door Opener..........value $160
21. Baby Girl Quilt..........value $50
22. Oil Change............value $30
23. Quilted Table Runner and Candle.........value $40
24. Set of 2 Folding Stools...........value $60
25. Hand Braided Rug...........value $120
26. Bed Bath & Beyond Certificate........value $50
27. Cash Card..........value $50
28. Moen Rainhead Shower Assembly.........value $241
29. 6 Yards Screened Loam..........value $120
30. Cash Card.........value $50

Is Your Car One of 46 Milllion with an Active Potentially Deadly Recall??

PORTLAND (WGME) - There's a good chance that you or someone in your family is driving a vehicle with a potentially deadly safety recall. We discovered hundreds of thousands of cars here in Maine have recalls that haven't been fixed.

Vehicle manufacturers issued 70 recalls in just the past month, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In fact, Ford recalled about a million cars and trucks in the past week. One of the recalls is because Ford said there's a door latch defect that can cause doors to fly open while cars are driving down the road.

NHTSA tracks all recalls, but if you're trying to keep track of them, it can be a rough and confusing ride.

"It's a huge issue. We're talking about 46 million cars across the country that have an unfixed recall," Carfax's Chris Basso said.

We teamed up with Basso. He told us his database shows 1 in 5 cars in Maine has an open recall.

Carfax offers a free app. It lets you easily see if your vehicle has a recall that hasn't been fixed.

The first three cars we checked had open recalls. Some were for airbag recalls, others seat belt, and corrosion.

Last year was a record year for recalls in the United States. There were 803 recalls involving 64 million vehicles.

"Many of these cars here will have an open recall; they pose safety danger for passengers in those cars and others on the road," Basso explained.

Basso said the most alarming trend is that family oriented vehicles, like minivans and SUVs, are at the highest risk of having an outstanding recall.

Carfax estimates about 200,000 vehicles in Maine that are on the road or up for sale with an unrepaired recall issue.

If you want to see if your car has an open recall, there are two easy ways to find out. You can search on NHTSA's website or just download the My Carfax app that we used.

Car makers are required to mail owners a recall notice within two months of a recall decision telling them they need to get their vehicle fixed for free, but people either ignore those notices or they've sold their car and information didn't get updated.

Federal regulators are now meeting with car makers to try to come up with new ways to let people know that when there's a recall, you really need to get the problems fixed.

May's Full Flower Moon, A Time for Warmer Weather, Planting, and Birthing.

May's First Full Moon is called the Full Flower Moon, also called Mother's Moon, Milk Moon, and Corn Planting Moon.
May's Full Flower Moon marks a time of increasing fertility with temperatures warm enough for safely bearing young, a near end to late frosts, and plants in bloom.

 

 

Full Flower Moon, May 3, 2015 over Lebanon, Maine

 

Garden Lover's Club knows JUST What to do With Those Old Wheelbarrows!!

What to do with an old garden wheelbarrow that has outlived its usefulness??

Why turn it into a garden, of course!!

 

Check out all the beautiful wheelbarrow gardens at

The Garden Lover's Club

by following the link below:

 

http://blog.gardenloversclub.com/diy/25-wheelbarrow-planter-ideas-for-your-garden/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=25WheelbarrowLookLikeClicksDesktopAd1&utm_campaign=25WheelBarrowWebClicks

Portland Seadogs Announce MOMday Mondays, Free Game Tickets for Moms!!

Portland, Maine - The Portland Sea Dogs in conjunction with Sun Tan City have turned Monday's into MOMday's, a special ticket offer for mother's at every Monday home game. Mother's will receive a free general admission ticket to Monday games when they present a MOMday coupon and purchase a child's ticket to the game.
MOMday coupons are available free online at www.seadogs.com. Mother's who present the MOMday coupon at the Sea Dogs' Ticket Office will receive a complimentary general admission ticket, with the purchase of a child's general admission ticket. A child's general admission ticket cost $5.00. Child's ticket rates are available for kids 16 and under. The offer is good for all nine Monday home games throughout the 2015 season. Tickets are subject to availability.
Remaining 2015 Season Monday Games:

 May 11 @ 6:00 PM vs. Trenton
May 25 @ 1:00 PM vs. Reading
June 29 @ 7:00 PM vs. Reading
July 13 @ 12:00 PM vs. Binghamton
July 20 @ 7:00 PM vs. Trenton
August 24 @ 7:00 PM vs. New Hampshire
September 7 @ 1:00 PM vs. New Britain Rock Cats

A travel mug will be included in the first 250 packages purchased. The first 25 tickets purchased will receive a free sunless visit at Sun Tan City. In addition, events will be scheduled pregame during each MOMday game.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Information from http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20150330&content_id=43380540&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_t546&sid=t546

Selectmen's Meeting Agenda 5/4/15

MAY 4, 2015
SELECTMEN’S MEETING AGENDA:


4:00 PM Tom Torno – Roads Supervisor

4:15 PM Sue Collins – Paperwork/discussion
5:00 PM Chief Dan Meehan

Troop 369 Completes NY West Point Camporee Weekend like a BOSS!!

 

Thanks to Lebanon Boy Scout Troop 369

for sharing their photos with us all!!!

GREAT JOB Boys and Leaders!!!

Over 200 Scout Troops were on hand for the weekend.

Lebanon Troop 369 took 2nd Place at the Weapons Site!!!
Thank you to Norm Sirois, Scout Leader
and all the Scout Parents who made this trip a GREAT success!!
Your town is PROUD of you!!
 

 

 

Scouts learning how to secure a landing site.

 

Troop 369 at the Weapons Site.

 

Lebanon Troop 369 at the Fitness Site.

 

Lebanon Boy Scouts on the Zodiac water craft.

 

So proud of our Scouts and their 2nd place Achievement in Weapons!!

All photos courtesy of Sherry Lord...

Maine's Turkey Hunting Season Begins Today, Monday May 4th.

 

 

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) -- Maine's spring wild turkey hunting season is getting underway across the state.
The turkey hunt begins on Monday and lasts until June 6. Hunters are limited to one bearded turkey in several wildlife management districts located in far northern and western Maine. Hunters in more than 20 other wildlife management districts around the state can take two bearded wild turkeys.
Turkey hunters in parts of far northern Maine are also restricted to certain weeks of the season based on their year of birth. The state advises hunters to contact state hunting regulators about their assigned weeks. The split season is similar to one that was in place prior to 2007.
Maine hunters can take turkeys via bow and arrow, shotgun or crossbow.

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Portland Firefighters Discuss Preventing Gill Fires a WCSH6 News Center Post.

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- A two-alarm fire in Gorham Saturday burned a garage down. Officials said the cause of that fire was a propane powered grill. Witnesses said they heard several explosions before firefighters arrived on scene.
As the weather warms up, firefighters said these types of fires become more common. Lieutenant Robb Couture of the South Portland Fire Department spoke with us today about how you can prevent grill fires.
For a propane grill, Couture recommended checking the tubes that lead into the burner, as well as the opening of the propane tank, for blockage from bugs or food grease.
A licensed fill station will not fill a propane tank that's expired, which is 12 years from its inspection date.
Once the tube is connected to the propane tank, Couture said to spray it with a mixture of water and soap. If bubbles form, that's an indication that propane is leaking.
When it comes to charcoal grills, Couture recommended checking the bottom for rust and holes where charcoal could fall out, and when you are done grilling, he said to place the charcoal in a metal bucket and store the bucket on a surface that is not combustible.
"We recommend that people are 20 feet away from buildings with either style of grill, and we also like people to know that it's important what's overhead and also what's underneath your grill," he said. "You don't want it on any combustible surface, such as a wood porch, deck, anything like that, and it's also important to be aware of overhangs."

You can LIKE WCSH6 News Center on Facebook at...... https://www.facebook.com/wcsh6

Or link to this article on their website here.........
http://www.wcsh6.com/story/news/2015/05/03/firefighters-discuss-preventing-grill-fires/26833227/

Welch's Hardware Announces This Week's Specials!!

 

Welch's Hardware Seed Potatoes are In!!

4 Varieties Available

Also offering Onion Starts in Yellow or Red

 

This Week's Special

While they Last

Rubber Stall Mats

These stall mats are better quality than the big box stores, textured on one side and grooved on the other to help wick away moisture, and a full 3/4 inch thick (big box stores are usually 1/2 inch thick)

ONLY $35.99 each!!

 

 

Stop in and see Butch, Nancy,

Tony, Scott or Matthew

at

Welch's Hardware

Route 202 in Lebanon, ME

for all your Home, Farm and Garden needs!!

(207)-457-1106