News

Facing deep cuts, fishermen & politicians demand disaster relief

Submitted by Krister Rollins, smiling politely

Monday, April 29th, 2013, 6:45pm

BOSTON, Massachusetts (NEWS CENTER) - Fishermen from Maine and the rest of New England are calling new federal fishing quotas "a disaster", and say many of them will be put out of work. Their target is new quotas for cod and flounder, which go into effect this week. The cod quota will cut the catch in the Gulf of Maine by 77%, and reduce it by more than 50% on Georges Bank.

That's why fishermen gathered in Boston Monday to demand help from Washington. Fishermen, fishing businesses and politicians called on the U.S. Congress to provide disaster relief for the New England groundfish industry. They say fishermen need financial help to keep them going until fish stocks recover.

Jackie Odell, executive director of the Northeast Seafood Coalition, said "The hardships the fishery will face after May first is unimaginable, we need help."

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Coalitions unite to combat teen substance abuse

Submitted by Tim Goff on Monday, April 29th, 5:52 pm

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- "Parents are the most important factor in a teen's decision making," stated Jo Morrissey, a member of 21 Reasons, an organization dedicated to preventing underage drinking. "We want parents to know that they are not alone and they are not the only parent who feels that way."

With prom and graduation season fast approaching, several substance abuse prevention coalitions in Cumberland County have joined forces to help parents keep their kids safe and sober.

"Our five substance abuse prevention coalitions have had to develop a campaign centered on one simple goal, to increase parents' comfort to reach out and talk to each other about what can be sensitive and awkward - teen substance abuse," Morrissey explained.

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Pepsi Co. refreshes Clifford Park in Biddeford

Submitted by Around Town Web... on Sunday, April 28th, 6:29 pm

BIDDEFORD, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- It's not often you see families in a park doing yard work... But the folks from Pepsi Company in southern Maine are handing the city of Biddeford a refreshment.

The project is called Pepsi Supports Surrounding Towns... and its employee-organized volunteer projects reach across the nation.

"You're talking like 500 different facilities," says Pepsi Account Manager, Jeff Paradis. "Just basically doing something nice for their neighbors."

Paradis is a Biddeford resident and proposed the project idea to Pepsi he says, because there wasn't a place in more need than Clifford Park.

"There's campfires out there where people have had parties. There's broken glass from beer bottles," says Paradis. "There's a needle. It's definitely been a haven for things that shouldn't be happening in a park."

Pepsi Sales Manager Angela Quintal says the project is rewarding for both the staff and the community.

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Workforce committee tours Biddeford mill

Submitted by Mike Kmack on Friday, April 26th, 6:34 am

BIDDEFORD, Maine (AP) - A legislative panel that's tasked with cultivating a skilled workforce and helping Maine's small businesses is holding a listening session and tour in Biddeford.

The Joint Select Committee on Maine's Workforce and Economic Future will tour the city's North Dam mill on Friday. The redeveloped mill has more than 80 businesses, as well as residential units and commercial and event space.

The committee will also hear from business, community and downtown leaders on their thoughts on workforce training and how to strengthen Maine's downtown districts. A public hearing will be held at 4 p.m.

Friday's stop in Biddeford is the committee's third and final road trip. Its first stop was in Bangor and Orono, with a second stop in Belfast.

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Mainers risk lives to help fallen, injured in bomb blast

Submitted by Tim Goff on Tuesday, April 16th, 5:52 pm

OGUNQUIT, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- John Mixon is a veteran of Vietnam, as well as the Boston Marathon - having run the race roughly 25 times in his life. On Monday, Mixon was sitting in the VIP stands near the finish line with family members of fallen soldiers and supporters of Maine's annual Run for the Fallen when the unthinkable happened.

"We weren't really there to watch the elite guys, we were there to watch the guys for Run for the Fallen," explained Mixon, who was anticipating the arrival of the second of five runners representing the organization and wearing a shirt in honor of a military member from Maine killed in combat.

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Stranded surfer rescued in Biddeford

Submitted by Max Cole on Sunday, April 14th, 1:54 pm

BIDDEFORD, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- A surfer who became stranded off Fortunes Rocks Beach in Biddeford Saturday afternoon had to be rescued when he became stuck in riptide.

Biddeford Fire Department Captain John Pothier said the surfer, who is a juvenile, was caught in riptide while surfing and called back to shore where his parents were for help.

Fire officials arrived on scene just before 2 p.m. They called for assistance from a nearby Scarborough Fire Department marine unit.

Several firefighters on scene were equipped with survival suits and were prepared to go in the water, but Pothier said another surfer was also on scene at the time, and went out to assist the stranded surfer back to shore.

He arrived safely back on shore to meet his parents, and was treated on scene by rescue personnel. He didn't suffer any injuries, and did not require transportation to the hospital.

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General Dynamics laying off 110 workers in Saco

Submitted by Max Cole on Thursday, April 11th, 7:43 pm

SACO, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- General Dynamics has announced it is laying off 110 workers later this year at its facility in Saco.

Karl Johnson, a spokesperson for General Dynamics' Armament and Technical Products division, said the company has notified the employees about the layoffs which are set to go into effect between June 14 and July 1.

Johnson said the primary reason for the layoffs is the sharp decline in U.S. Army demand for heavy machine guns and automatic grenade launchers as the military withdraws troops from Afghanistan and Iraq.

The layoffs include both salaried and hourly positions, and they are all involved with the production of the heavy machine guns and automatic grenade launchers.

Saco Mayor Mark Johnston said company management contacted him Thursday morning about the layoffs, and he said the news is difficult to take for a community that has been hit hard with job losses over the last year.

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