Week of December 14, 2017

Opiates in Central Maine: Not just a National Crisis

With words like ‘epidemic,’ ‘crisis,’ and ‘national emergency,’ the opioid problem has been in the news a lot lately. But how is this important issue impacting our local communities here in Central Maine?

That’s the question I set out to answer.

I started by contacting an old friend of mine. Jared Mills was a year ahead of me at Winslow High School, graduating in 1992. Now he serves as the Deputy Chief of Police for Augusta. He told me something I’d hear a lot in the succeeding weeks: The opioid issue really is a problem. It is a crisis, and we need to do something about it now…. [read more…]

Your Local News

Selectmen to hear CEO, act on ongoing town land use violations

VASSALBORO — Vassalboro selectmen are scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, with an agenda that includes discussions with Codes Officer Richard Dolby. Dolby has drafted revisions to the Building Permit Ordinance (last revised in 2012), which need selectmen’s review and ultimate approval by voters. He is also scheduled to talk about two ongoing violations of town land use ordinances….

Committee recommends new forklift, pre-crusher compactor for transfer station

CHINA — China selectmen spent their Dec. 11 meeting looking ahead, including considering a Transfer Station Committee recommendation to buy equipment. Committee members recommended replacing the forklift and adding a new pre-crusher compactor in the 2018-19 fiscal year….

China TIF committee agrees on two motions

CHINA — China’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Committee members agreed unanimously on two motions at their Dec. 4 meeting, including, conditionally, a recommendation to town selectmen. The recommendation to selectmen is to ask voters to appropriate $20,000 in TIF funds for the China LakeSmart program….

Erskine Academy’s Winter Concert scheduled for Dec. 20

SOUTH CHINA — Erskine Academy’s annual Winter Concert will be Wednesday, December 20, at 6:30 p.m., in the James V. Nelson Gymnasium. The concert is free; however, donations are gladly accepted….

Vassalboro Planners approve new business, home

VASSALBORO — Vassalboro Planning Board members approved both applications on their Dec. 5 agenda, allowing a new business on Riverside Drive and a new house on Webber Pond Road. Troy LaBreck is leasing the Getchell building at 2252 Riverside Drive, at the Alpine Street intersection, to run a business repairing motorcycles, snowmobiles, four-wheelers and similar sports machines….

Crockett elected Kennebec Historical Society president

AUGUSTA — Patsy Garside Crockett was elected president of the Kennebec Historical Society at the groups annual meeting, held at the Maine State Library. Society members re-elected were Vice President Bruce Kirkham, Secretary Emily Schroeder, Treasurer Ernest Plummer and board of directors members Stefanie Barley, Richard Bridges and Anne Cough. Also, John Lawrence and outgoing president Kent London were elected to the board….

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Whitefield Lions host Christmas for Kids

WHITEFIELD – Whitefield Lions club hosted their annual Christmas for Kids party Sunday, December 10. A lunch of hot dogs, chips, and punch was served, followed by cookies and ice cream. Santa stopped by for a visit and kids clamored to tell him what they want for Christmas. Requests ranged from Lego sets to a puppy….

Clinton elementary students hold drive for homeless shelter

CLINTON – The Clinton Elementary School Student Council recently led a school-wide drive for warm winter hats, scarves and mittens and/or money for the Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter. Their “Hats for the Homeless” drive netted $181 and approximately 150 warm winter items….

Give Us Your Best Shot!

BUSY WITH THE CAMERA: Michael Bilinsky, of China Village, was busy with his camera when he snapped these three photos recently….

Colby College students perform at ‘Jazz at Lincoln Center’

WATERVILLE – Student musicians and actors from Colby College, in Waterville, performed at ‘Jazz at Lincoln Center’ on December 6 as part of the college’s New York campaign launch celebration. Kaylee Pomelow, of Canaan, was part of a group that performed selections from Lost With You for alumni and friends of the college at the event….

Obituaries – week of December 14, 2017

WEEKS MILLS – George E. Oliver, 70, passed away on Friday, December 8, 2017, at home, following a year long battle with brain cancer. George was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, on May 8, 1947, the oldest son of Ernest Page and Juliette (Fotel) Oliver Sr. …. and 11 others…

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Town Line Original Columnists

Roland D. HalleeSCORES & OUTDOORS: Bird disappearance is phenomenon that exists nationwide

by Roland D. Hallee | Two months after writing an article about the lack of song birds in our area, the feedback continues to pour in from all over the country, not to mention from friends and acquaintances whenever the subject surfaces. Everyone has also commented on the extremely large number of crows that have emerged in our area….

Dan CassidyINside the OUTside: Quarry Road celebrates opening day

by Dan Cassidy | Friends of Quarry Road, in Waterville, held its Opening Day Dedication of the Harold Alfond Snowmaking Center and Donor Recognition Sunday. Races for kids and men and women were held for Middle School races on 2.4 km, and all others over a 4.8 km course….

TRAINING YOUR PERFORMANCE DOGTRAINING YOUR PERFORMANCE DOG: Obedience training never ends

by Carolyn Fuhrer | It is generally accepted that a skill that is not maintained will gradually diminish. It doesn’t matter if you are referring to a performance dog or a pet dog. If obedience skills that a dog has been taught are not practiced and a consistent requirement of performance adhered to, these skills will gradually diminish in accuracy and reliability….

Peter CatesREVIEW POTPOURRI: Pop Artists

by Peter Cates | My first encounter with the music of Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) occurred during the spring of 1963, when I was 11. That year RCA Victor had developed the Dynagroove recording process, initially releasing 10 LPs with both mono and stereo editions, and touting the en hancement as the great est ad vance in sound since the electrical microphone in 1924 during the 78 days….

Marilyn Rogers-Bull & PercySolon & Beyond

by Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy | Good morning, dear friends. Don’t worry, be happy! Would like to inform all of you that town meeting is coming up and that nomination papers are available at the Solon Town Office. The following positions are elected during the annual town meeting on March 3, 2018. Qualifying signatures must come from registered voters in the town of Solon. All nomination papers must be returned to the town clerk by the end of business day, January 3,2018….

Katie Ouilette WallsIf Walls Could Talk

by Katie Ouilette | WALLS, I am thrilled that you talked to our faithful readers for December 7. Our apologies must be extended to faithful readers who sought us for a couple weeks, because we lost our power. Frankly. we surely know what our neighboring states have gone through. True, we didn’t have a hurricane, as they did, but we sure had wind! Well, faithful readers, WALLS will now catch you up on news that hasn’t been written yet….

I’m Just Curious: Words

by Debbie Walker | This afternoon has been just wonderful with our first and second graders. I’m not exaggerating. When you introduce words to a child (18 of them) and they get excited about what they can do with these words, their teacher and I couldn’t help but get excited. You see we are word lovers as well….

For Your Health: Tackling Depression Can Lead To A Happier New Year

(NAPSI) — As cheerful and joyous as the New Year can be, it can also be a trigger for stress and depression for some people—but there is hope. There are many resources for people who feel wrung out ringing in the New Year. For example, Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) can help. MFTs are licensed mental health professionals who work with individuals, couples (married or not), families of all types, and groups to cure or relieve mental, emotional and relational concerns of all kinds….