Covers towns roughly within 50 miles of Augusta.

MDEA activates anonymous drug tip hotline

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Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigations many times start with a tip from the public and now the agency has a new way for citizens to forward those tips, and do so anonymously. MDEA Director Roy McKinney said the agency gets an average of two dozen tips a month from concerned Maine citizens about suspected drug activity and many of those tips results in seizures of drugs and arrests.

Developed by tip411, the Maine DEA app is available for download free via the Google Play Store, iTunes App Store, or by visiting the MDEA’s website at www.maine.gov/dps/mdea.

“Someone dies every day in Maine from a drug overdose and all communities are affected by drug use and abuse. Our partnering with tip411 brings a new investigate tool to forward information to us,” McKinney said.

The new Maine DEA app enables the public to share an anonymous tip with members of MDEA and allows agents to respond back for more information, all as an anonymous two-way conversation.

The Maine DEA app and tip411 texts utilize technology that removes all identifying information before agents see the tip, and there is no way to identify the sender.

Maine residents without a smartphone can also share information with MDEA by sending an anonymous text tip via their cell phone by texting keyword MDEA and their message/tip to 847411 (tip411). Anonymous web tips can also be submitted through the agency’s website.

MDEA’s telephones are another way to forward tips – the MDEA tip hotline – 800-452-6457, or an urgent tip can be phoned into the Maine Department of Public Safety’s communications center in Augusta – 800-452-4664.

BBBS recruiting new volunteers

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Husson University student and Big Sister Mikhaila Necevski, left, and her Little Sister Savannah Dube enjoy coloring, making clay sculptures and playing jump rope as part of their new match through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine.

January is National Mentoring Month, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine is celebrating its mentors (Bigs) and recruiting new volunteers to become Big Brothers and Big Sisters to over 100 children waiting to be matched.

Every January, the news is full of the same stories of people trying to eat healthier or hit the gym more often. This year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine (BBBSMM) is changing that story by asking: What if this year, you could resolve to do something more important, more impactful? What if you could make a resolution worth keeping, one that inspires more resolutions? In 2019, the agency is asking people to resolve to become a Big Brother or Big Sister.

“Bettering yourself in the new year is a great goal,” said Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine Executive Director Gwendolyn Hudson, “and we know people are also thinking about how to better their community and how to make sure that when they reflect on the past year, they know they made a difference.”

According to Hudson, more than 100 youth in the agency’s 7-county service area from eastern and central Maine to the midcoast and Androscoggin County, are waiting to be matched with a mentor. “The only way to ensure they have someone to inspire them to reach their potential is for more adults to step up and volunteer to become Bigs,” she said, adding that becoming a mentor means committing to spending a couple of hours a week with a young person doing things that you love to do, like playing basketball, visiting the library, taking a walk or learning how to cook. “A small investment of time can have a big impact on a child.”

Community residents can learn more about local Littles waiting and how to become a mentor by following BBBS of Mid-Maine’s weekly “Waiting Wednesday” Facebook posts, sponsored by Hannaford Supermarkets. Throughout the month, BBBS is encouraging followers to tag a friend who would be a great Big Brother or Big Sister, using the hashtag #TheBigResolution. To learn more about becoming a Big or other volunteer opportunities, visit bbbsmidmaine.org, email info@bbbsmidmaine.org or call 207-236-BBBS.

WGN back

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Charter Communications director of government affairs Shelley Winchenbach, locally known as Spectrum, has reported that they have reached an agreement with Tribune Broadcasting to provide WGN America and multiple local ABC, CBS, FOX and CW, and digital multicast channel affiliate stations to customers. They announced that they have reached a fair agreement and appreciated subscribers’ support and patience.

CMYHA Tier III Squirt travel team

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Members of the Central Maine Youth Hockey Association Squirt Tier III travel team include, front, left to right, Cody Sack, Caleb Morgan. Second row, Kash Pollard, Joshua Hitchings, Chase Sack, Peyton Gifford, Parker Doucette. Third row, William Owen Beale Tate, Grady Tibbetts, William Flood, Baylon Walther, Nolan Dow. Back, coaches Peter Sack, Peter Tibbetts and Kevin Pollard. (Photo by Central Maine Photography staff)

CMYHA Tier IV Squirt travel team

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Members of the Central Maine Youth Hockey Association Squirt Tier IV travel team include, front, left to right, Liam Hague and Corey Scott Jr., Second row, Conner Mushero, Lucas Churchill, Gavin Mushero, Caden Giroux, Chloe Scott and Kadence Fogg. Third row, Callum Goldsmith, Madelyn Martin, Lucas Fisher, Abigail Webb, Landen Parker and Johnathan Smith. Back, coaches Josh Giroux, Arthur Churchill and Ryan Parker. (Photo by Central Maine Photography staff)

Central Maine Squares to hold open house

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Bob Brown, of Newport, president; Becky Potter, of Fairfield, treasurer; Jeff Howes, of Pittsfield, vice president and Karen Cunningham, of Pittsfield, secretary (Contributed photo)

On Tuesday, January 15, the Central Maine Square Dance Club of Watervillle will host an open house at their weekly workshop for the purpose of attracting new students for their beginner lessons of square dancing.

The club looks forward to doing this at this time of year because they know that the holidays are over and people are now looking for something to do. It’s an opportunity to get out of the house for a couple hours a week, do something fun and rewarding, meet new people, and get a little exercise at the same time.

Club president Bob Brown, of Newport, says it’s all very casual and low key. An evening of learning to square dance with your spouse, partner, or best friend is just what the doctor ordered. Getting another couple or two to join you only adds to the fun.

This night along with the following Tuesday night will be free for beginners and after that the cost is $5 per person per lesson. Much less than the cost of going to the movies. Also, due to the season everything is weather permitting. So, for more info, call Bob @ 447-0094 or Cindy @ 631-8816.

WGN no longer available on Spectrum cable

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Charter Communications, locally known as Spectrum, has been in discussions with Tribune Broadcasting, the owner of WGN America to renew our carriage agreement. At 5 p.m., Eastern Time, on Wednesday, January 2, 2019, Spectrum’s agreement to carry Tribune’s channels expired. As a result, WGN America and all associated Video On Demand content are no longer available to Spectrum customers.

According to Shelley Winchenbach, director of government affairs Charter Communications, “Tribune asked for a dramatic increase in fees (200 percent) which we believe is completely unjustified. We regret the impact of Tribune’s decision, and we remain optimistic that this matter will be resolved quickly so our customers can again receive Tribune programming.”

For more information please visit www.tribunefairdeal.com.

Kennebec Historical Society Holds Annual Victorian Tea

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On Sunday, December 9, the Kennebec Historical Society’s Augusta headquarters was filled with holiday cheer as dozens of people enjoyed tea, baked goods, and live piano music. A dedicated team of volunteers spent hours planning, decorating, and baking for the event, which was open to the public.

Square dancers elect officers

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Bob Brown, of Newport, president; Becky Potter, of Fairfield, treasurer; Jeff Howes, of Pittsfield, vice president and Karen Cunningham, of Pittsfield, secretary (Contributed photo)

The Central Maine Square Dance Club of Waterville recently held its annual business meeting with its election of officers. Elected were Bob Brown, of Newport, president; Becky Potter, of Fairfield, treasurer; Jeff Howes, of Pittsfield, vice president and Karen Cunningham, of Pittsfield, secretary. Beginner classes will be held in January. Contact Bob at 447-0094 or Cindy at 631-8816.

Learning the game of hockey

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Photo by Mark Huard, Owner Central Maine Photography

The Central Maine Youth Hockey Association Learn to Play program is helping youngsters learn how to skate and play. The program takes place at Colby College, in Waterville, and has been a great success for upcoming hockey players in Central Maine.

Photo by Mark Huard, Owner Central Maine Photography