Bill to repay hospitals, expand Medicaid passes House

Submitted by Sarah Delage on Tuesday, May 21st, 11:59 pm

AUGUSTA, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- On a largely party-line vote, the Maine House has given initial approval to a controversial bill that would repay hundreds of millions of dollars the state owes to hospitals, and at the same time expand Medicaid by accepting more federal dollars.

The House vote Tuesday evening was 87 to 57, with one Democrat siding with the minority. The vote came after a divisive and partisan battle over medicaid expansion, and specifically, over whether that issue should be tied to the bill to repay the state's share of the $484 million hospital debt. Republicans and the governor want the two issues dealt with separately.

Democrats say providing medicaid to nearly 70 thousand new Mainers will prevent them from going to the emergency room for treatment, which they say becomes more expensive in the long run.

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Maine’s Credit Unions Help End Hunger in Maine

Submitted by tbrewster, Community Content Provider

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013, 12:11pm

On Thursday, May 16, the Maine Credit Unions' Campaign for Ending Hunger, which has raised and contributed more than $4.8 million to help end hunger in Maine, distributed five checks for $300 each to the Agencies on Aging Meals on Wheels' programs in Maine in recognition of National Older Americans Month in Maine.

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Habibi - a graphic novel

Submitted by The Page Turner, Community Blogger

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013, 9:04am

If they are this marvelous, I could get hooked on graphic novels.

Habibi is the first "serious" graphic novel I've ever read. It took Craig Thompson seven years to research it, learn to read and write Arabic, and then to develop and illustrate both the plot and all the magnificent art in this book. Habibi is a fairy tale, incorporating the fantasy of the 1,001 Nights, the mystery of The Prophet's mystical experiences. But it also follows the struggles of two children - survivors. It is a parable of the evils we are committing upon the world, causing destruction through our own selfish foolishness. It is a story of cruelty and abuse, especially sexual abuse, and also about the redemptive power of love.

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Pigs rooting in the earth!

Submitted by Nate, Community Blogger & Farm Geek

Monday, May 20th, 2013, 9:59am

One of the neatest things to see is when pigs really get their snouts down deep into the dirt and root around for food. They're looking for roots, grubs, bugs, anything they can find. They really are like little plows! In fact people have known for a long time that the best way to prepare land for a garden is to let pigs trample around in it first!

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Committee questions Mayhew about letter

Submitted by Sarah Delage on Monday, May 20th, 9:43 am

AUGUSTA, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- The commissioner of the Department of Health and Human services went before the Appropriations Committee Sunday to discuss a letter she sent to Governor LePage.

The letter states that the department will run out of money on June 10th if a budget is not passed by May 28th.

Governor LePage sent a letter that same day to democratic leaders in the legislature, accusing the party of using strong-arm tactics that have delayed the budget process.

The Appropriations Committee questioned Commissioner Mayhew about the letters to try to come to some kind of resolution and ensure DHHS can fund its programs. Republicans on the committee expressed their gratitude to Mayhew for making the fast-approaching deadline clear.

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Merge Your Google+ Profile and Your YouTube Channel

Submitted by mmullen, Community Web Producer

Sunday, May 19th, 2013, 10:47am

Google+ and YouTube recently announced that you can merge your business YouTube channel and your Google+ page.
Once the pages are merged:

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Construction begins for EMS Memorial in Augusta

Submitted by Around Town Web... on Saturday, May 18th, 7:51 pm

AUGUSTA, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- By the end of this summer, there will be a new memorial between the law enforcement and firefighters memorials in Augusta -- this one, to honor Maine's EMS professionals.

The Maine Emergency Medical Services board held its annual Awards Ceremony Saturday, and broke ground for the new EMS Memorial and Education Site on State Street.

The memorial includes a "Star of Life" in the center, which is the EMS symbol, illuminated granite posts to recnogize current and fallen EMS professionals, and audio component with information on fallen Maine EMS workers, and benches for reflection.

There will also be educational information about Maine's EMS system.

The Maine EMS Board has raised $100 thousand for the first phase of construction, which will be complete by the end of the summer.

They need an additional $200 thousand to complete the second phase.

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