Snowmobile Trail Fund Stickers now Available at at Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Store.

 

01/15/2016 07:01 AM EST Snowmobile Trail Fund Sticker now Available! Show your support for Maine’s snowmobile trail system by purchasing a Snowmobile Trail Fund Sticker. Stickers are available for purchase: Online at the IF&W store – Snowmobile Trail Fund From snowmobile registration agents statewide At time of or after snowmobile registration Proceeds from each Trail Supporter sticker, less a $2 administrative charge, will be transferred directly to the Snowmobile Program to support the trail fund. The colorful stickers are available in three levels of support: $25, $50 and $100.

Obituary: Evelyn May Weeden

Evelyn May Weeden
(June 6, 1922 - January 14, 2016)

         

Dover, NH Evelyn M. Weeden, age 93, of County Farm Cross Road, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 14, 2016, at Watson Fields in Dover. She was born June 6, 1922 in Dover, to Fred and Mary (Jackson) Haigh. Evelyn was a seamstress, she made a lot of her own clothes and clothes for her girls. Most of all, she was a loving wife and mother. In her life, she was very involved in the church scene, teaching Sunday School, a self taught piano and organ player, she enjoyed playing in church for many years. She was employed at places in Dover, including Sawyers Mills, W.T. Grants and Moore Business Forms, where she retired at age 62. Survived by her son: Alfred W. Weeden, Jr. and wife Nancy Weeden, her daughter: Jane and husband William Crosby, her son: Thomas and wife Roxanne Weeden, 9 grandchildren and many great and great great grandchildren. Predeceased by her husband of 73 years: Alfred W. Weeden, Sr. and a daughter: Evelyn Bateman. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, January 17, 2016 from 2-4pm at Milton Assembly of God Church, 370 White Mountain Highway in Milton, NH, with a Celebration of Life at 4pm with her son Pastor Alfred Weeden, Jr., officiating. Interment will be private at Forest Glade Cemetery in Somersworth. Arrangements by Peaslee Funeral Home in Farmington.

Lebanon Fire and EMS releases 2015 Fire and EMS Call Log.

Chief Daniel Meehan of the Lebanon Fire and EMS Department has released the yearly Fire and EMS call logs for 2015.

2015 EMS Calls

Dispatch Reason	# of Times
Abdominal Pain / Problems	16
Chest Pain (Non-Traumatic)	22
Choking	1
Convulsions / Seizures	12
Diabetic Problems	8
Drowning (Near) / Diving / Scuba Accident	1
Falls	49
Headache	5
Heart Problems / A.I.C.D.	6
Allergies (Reactions) / Envenomations (Stings,Bees)	1
Hemorrhage / Lacerations	7
Overdose / Poisoning (Ingestion)	15
Psychiatric / Abnormal Behavior / Suicide Attempt	14
Sick Person	37
Stab / Gunshot / Penetrating Trauma	4
Stroke (CVA) / Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)	5
Traffic / Transportation Incident	112
Animal Bites / Attacks	3
Traumatic Injury	8
Unconscious / Fainting (Near)	10
Unknown Problem (Man Down)	4
Assault / Sexual Assault	6
Back Pain (Non-Traumatic/Non-Recent Trauma)	6
Breathing Problems	35
Burns (Scalds) / Explosions (Blast)	1
Carbon Monoxide / Inhalation / HAZMAT / CBRNE	7
Cardiac or Respiratory Arrest / Death	5
Medical Alarm	3
Other	24
Patient Assist / Lifting Assist	9
Stand By (Fire, Law, etc)	13
Total	449
2014 EMS Calls total calls 397

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015 year Fire Dept. Calls

 

2015 Fire Calls

MVA                                     71

Public Assist                         8      

Structure Fire                       8

Wires Down                         19

Mutual Aid                            31

Alarm Fire                             13

Alarm CO                              7

Car Fire                                 3

Assist EMS                           18

Unauthorized Burning       13

Chimney Fire                       5

Assist MSP                             2

Smoke investigation           5

Brush Fire                           8

Good Intent                        5

Gas Spill                               1

Acetylene tank fire            1

Chemical Spill                   2

 

Total 220

Governor LePage Honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

01/15/2016 03:56 PM EST

 AUGUSTA - Governor Paul R. LePage will mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day by attending the 25th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Breakfast in Waterville on Monday, Jan. 18. Additionally, Governor LePage has signed a proclamation declaring Monday as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.

"On this day our state and nation remembers the life and work of a man who dedicated his life to ensure civil rights for all Americans," Governor LePage said. "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was committed to advancing equality, social justice and opportunity for all, and his teachings can continue to guide and inspire us in addressing the challenges of today."

"As we remember Dr. King, we are reminded of the many opportunities we have as Americans to give back to our communities on this holiday and make an ongoing commitment to service throughout the year." This is the 25th year of the event, which is sponsored by the Waterville Rotary Club and Spectrum Generations. Governor LePage, who is a Rotarian, has attended the annual Waterville event for many years.

The Pleasant Street Methodist Church Choir and George Mitchell School students will perform music at the celebration. Allecia Reid, PH. D. William and Margaret Montgoris Assistant Professor of Psychology, Colby College, will be the guest speaker. Reid received her Ph.D. in psychology from Arizona State University. She held postdoctoral research positions at Yale University and Brown University before coming to Colby College in 2013. Dr. Reid lives in Oakland, Maine with her husband and two children.

Proclamation language is as follows:

WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. devoted his life to advancing equality, social justice and opportunity for all, and challenged all Americans to participate in the never-ending work of building a more perfect union; and

WHEREAS, Dr. King's teachings can continue to guide and inspire us in addressing challenges in our communities; and

WHEREAS, the King Holiday and Service Act, enacted in 1994, designated the King Holiday as a national day of volunteer service and charged the Corporation for National and Community Services with leading the effort that has inspired millions of Americans to serve their neighbors and communities on the King Holiday; and

WHEREAS, serving on the King Holiday is an appropriate way to honor Dr. King, meet local and national needs, bring our citizens together, and strengthen our communities and nation; and

WHEREAS, the King Day of Service is the only federal holiday commemorated as a national day of service, and offers an opportunity for Americans to give back to their communities on the holiday and make an ongoing commitment to service throughout the year; and

WHEREAS, King Day of Service projects are being organized by a wide range of non-profits in the State of Maine.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, PAUL R. LEPAGE, Governor of the State of Maine, proclaim January 18, 2016, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday as The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service

throughout the State of Maine, and call upon the people of Maine to pay tribute to the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through participation in community service projects on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and throughout the year.

$250,000 in Agricultural Development Grants Announced by Commissioner Walt Whitcomb

 

AUGUSTA CIVIC CENTER – Commissioner Walt Whitcomb announced eight (8) Agricultural Development Grant Program awards totaling nearly $250,000 at the Maine Agricultural Trades Show today. The projects address needs in the agricultural industry for development of livestock processing; improved utilization and profitability of Maine grown crops; product enhancements for nutrition and/or food safety; and alternative markets or diversification including merchandising, farm stands, rural tours and educational opportunities.

“Maine has the most farms and the greatest diversity of food production in New England,” said Governor Paul R. LePage. “The potential to produce and sell Maine products is even greater when you consider Maine’s reputation for quality and the growing interest in locally grown foods. The investments being announced today strengthen Maine agriculture and will help farmers and producers realize their full economic potential.” 

Commissioner Walt Whitcomb highlighted the efforts of the review committee and its careful selection of projects from dozens of competitive applications.

“Selected proposals incorporated one or more of four priorities: development of livestock processing; improved utilization and profitability of Maine grown crops; product enhancements for nutrition and/or food safety; and alternative markets or diversification including merchandising, farm stands, rural tours and educational opportunities,” said Whitcomb. “We congratulate the grantees and look forward to successful implementation of their projects.”

The preliminary selections were chosen by a review committee from 30 qualified proposals submitted in response to a formal Request For Proposals (RFP). Out of the total thirty (30) qualified proposals received and reviewed by a committee in a competitive review process, eight (8) projects have been tentatively identified pending approval by the State of Maine Purchases Division and the successful completion of a State of Maine contract. These projects have been identified as:

• Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (Wiscasset) - Ethnic Produce: Crop Diversification for Maine Farmers to Reach New Markets
• Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine (Orono) - 2016 Wild Blueberry Metro Marketing Program
• Lakeside Family Farm (Newport) - Farm-to-Workplace: Bringing More Maine Food to Maine People
• Bartlettyarns, Inc. (Harmony) - Commercial Wool Baler
• Apple Ridge Farms, Inc. (Appleton) - New Technology Vinegar Acetator
• Aroostook Hops, LLC (Westfield) - Creating a hop pelletizing facility to produce Maine-grown and pelletized hops
• Appleton Creamery (Appleton) - Appleton Cheese Trail
• LaJoie Growers, LLC (Van Buren) - Diversifying Farm Products with Cold Storage Capacity

Agricultural Development Grant Program

In 2014, the Legislature approved Department language that improved access to the Agricultural Development Fund. The Department identified the agricultural industry need for accelerating new market development, adoption of improved technology and promotion of agricultural products produced in Maine.  

The Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may allocate the grant funds among projects involving market research, market promotion, or a combination of those activities for the purpose of expanding existing markets and developing new markets for agricultural products produced in Maine; or for testing and demonstrating new technologies related to the production, storage or processing of State agricultural products.

It is anticipated that another Agricultural Development Fund RFP will be released in the future.

Governor LePage Issues Emergency Declaration to Assist Mainers to Keep Warm

01/13/2016 02:39 PM EST

 AUGUSTA - Governor Paul R. LePage has signed an Emergency Proclamation allowing Maine fuel transport and delivery trucks to drive additional hours to ensure timely heating fuel deliveries during the cold winter weather.

"The declaration allows heating fuel to be delivered to Maine families when they need it most," Governor LePage said. "Keeping homes warm is critical to protect the public health and safety of Mainers."

Heating fuel and bulk petroleum products in Maine continue to be in great demand due to a number of factors, including cold winter weather and regional and national storage and supply issues. Much of the heating fuels and bulk petroleum products are being delivered from outside of the State of Maine, which adds to the delivery time.

The Governor's proclamation waives U.S. Department of Transportation rules and extends the hours of service for heating fuel transport and delivery trucks within the State of Maine through February 11, 2016.

The Declaration language is as follows:

Governor's Emergency Proclamation for US-DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Hours of Service Waiver

WHEREAS, heating fuel and bulk petroleum products in Maine continue to be in great demand due to a number of factors, including cold winter weather; and

WHEREAS, much of the heating fuels and bulk petroleum products are being delivered from outside of the State of Maine, adding to delivery time; and

WHEREAS, homes and businesses alike are impacted; and

WHEREAS, federal motor carrier safety regulations determine the number of hours the drivers of heating fuel and bulk petroleum delivery and transport vehicles may operate; and

WHEREAS, many drivers in the State will shortly be approaching their federal limit on hours of operation and may have to cease delivery of heating fuel and bulk petroleum fuels; and

WHEREAS, these conditions threaten essential public health and safety services and endanger public property if heating fuels and bulk petroleum products cannot be transported or delivered within the State of Maine; and

WHEREAS, the declaration of a State of Emergency will facilitate the granting of a waiver from the U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, pursuant to 49 CFR part 390.23 to allow relief from 49 CFR parts 390 through 399, specifically 49 CFR part 395 Hours of Service of Drivers, and subject to the limitations described below, and therefore allow heating fuels, specifically fuel oil, propane and natural gas delivery and transport drivers to operate additional hours; and

WHEREAS, motor carriers that are not directly supporting fuel delivery in the State of Maine, or that have an Out-Of-Service Order in effect may not take advantage of the relief from regulation that such a declaration provides under 49 CFR 390.23,

NOW THEREFORE, I, Paul R. LePage, Governor of the State of Maine, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of Maine, find that these conditions constitute a civil emergency under 37-B M.R.S.A. section 742, and for the purpose pursuant to 49 CFR part 390.23 of facilitating a waiver to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, specifically 49 CFR part 395 Hours of Service of Drivers, do hereby declare that a State of Emergency within Maine for heating fuel and bulk petroleum delivery drivers as of January 12, 2016 through February 11, 2016.

Pursuant to this declaration, I hereby order the following:

1. No motor carrier operating under the terms of this emergency declaration shall require or allow an ill or fatigued driver to operate a motor vehicle. A driver who notifies a motor carrier that he or she needs immediate rest shall be given a least ten (10) consecutive hours off-duty before the driver is required to return to service.

2. Drivers operating under this proclamation shall carry a copy of the proclamation with them as evidence of their direct support to the State of Maine during this emergency period.

Paul R. LePage Governor

Obituary: Daryl Ray Curtner

Daryl Ray Curtner
June 3, 1971 - December 24, 2015

ROCHESTER – Daryl Ray Curtner, 44, passed away as a result of injuries he received when he was struck by a car crossing the road, during foggy conditions in Epsom, N.H., on Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, 2015. Daryl was born in Portsmouth, N.H., on June 3, 1971, to Patsy L. Curtner (French) and Charles R. Curtner. The fourth child, youngest and only son. Daryl was a born "tinkerer" at the age of eight he was repairing bicycles of friends and dirt bikes of older boys in Maple Haven where he grew up. His warm, loving heart was extended to many. He excelled and was promoted at many places of employment during his life. Daryl was preceded in death by Patsy Curtner (1998) and Charles Curtner (2014). He leaves behind sisters: Veronica Terrio of Dover, N.H., Rhonda Walmsley of Rochester, N.H., Karen Gagnon of Lebanon, Maine. His only son, Jordan Paul Tobin, of Dover, N.H. Nephews and Nieces: Blaine Eaton of Rochester, N.H., Christopher Walmsley of Kalamazoo, Mich., Chandra Walmsley of Dover, N.H., and Collin Walmsley of Honolulu, H.I. An Uncle: Justin French of Virginia and many cousins. Daryl was married, but separated, to Christina Curtner (Powers). He was a loved Step-Dad to: Felicia, Dallas, Tiffany, and Jason Powers along with Brian, Brandon, and Cody Tobin. Special friends and loved ones: Gail, Kyla, Christie, Sherry, John, Charlotte, Katera, Chantel, Candace, Melanie, Beth, Michelle and many more. Revelations 21:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. Daryl you are not struggling or suffering now, but you are so loved and will be so missed. We will look forward to seeing you again one day. Our hearts and prayers go out to the driver of the vehicle. SERVICES: No public funeral services will be held. Donations to help with final services can be sent to Rhonda Walmsley, 9 Darby Lane, Rochester, N.H., 03839. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/fosters/obituary.aspx?n=daryl-ray-curtner&pid=177263986#sthash.sTjhcuY5.dpuf