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Maine Dept. of Corrections lends helping hand to local V.E.T.S. program

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Maine Dept. of Corrections lends helping hand to local V.E.T.S. program


In  2021, three local veterans began V.E.T.S., Inc. to assist homeless veterans finding emergency shelter. At the time, founder Ed Harmon reported there was a need for 101 temporary shelters for Maine veterans. V.E.T.S., Inc. has built 27 temporary shelters. Now, Harmon estimates the need is 288. 

In effort to meet the increasing veterans’ homeless crisis, V.E.T.S., Inc. and Maine Department of Corrections are joining forces to build more campers for needy veterans. On Jan. 23, five Mountain View Corrections Center residents arrived in Boothbay to learn about transforming trailers into temporary shelters. The joint venture began after Harmon had a conversation with Maine Department of Corrections Commissioner Randall Liberty. “He’s a veteran, and he wanted to help,” Harmon said.

The cooperative venture began with several Maine prison officials visiting Harmon’s Boothbay location. Paul Moulton, the Mountain View Correction Center trade supervisor, was one of the visitors. Mountain View Correctional Facility in Charleston is a medium and minimum security/pre-release facility with a capacity of 448 adult male residents. Residents have five years or less left on their sentence. Moulton believed his program would be a good fit for providing labor in the homeless veterans’ program. “He (Liberty) asked us if we (Mountain View) could come down, and take a look at it,” Moulton said. “After coming down, we wanted to become a part of this.”

V.E.T.S., Inc. spent Jan. 23 training the five Mountain View residents in converting the empty trailers into livable temporary shelter campers. Under Mountain View’s apprentice carpenter program, residents earn time off their sentence by participating in the program. Following the training, V.E.T.S., Inc. sent two trailers to the correctional center.

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Since 2021, it’s been Harmon’s volunteers who have provided the labor. The mini-mobile centers have been placed around Maine so homeless veterans will have a temporary home while waiting for more permanent housing. Harmon reports it often takes two to 14 days to process government paperwork in placing a homeless vet with a more permanent space. V.E.T.S., Inc. began building mobile units equipped with a bed, eating table, work counter, microwave oven, mini refrigerator, chair, nightstand, lights and a heater. 

V.E.T.S., Inc. volunteers convert the trailer into a camper by installing windows, heating and insulation. Harmon estimates it takes two men 16 weeks to build four temporary shelters. “If you have a team of five then you can build then all that much faster,” he said.  

Harmon sees the temporary shelter as second chance for veterans to get back on their feet. He sees the carpentry apprenticeship as providing the same for Mountain View residents. “Once they get out, they will need a job. This will give them a skill,” he said. “I will have no problem in contacting employers about how they put their heart and soul into this project. People need a second chance, and these workers deserve a second chance.”

Harmon didn’t want to respond to why he thought state and federal agencies didn’t do more to assist homeless veterans. Instead, he praised Liberty for his leadership. “He is doing something, and it’s an important role in this,” he said. 

In recent months, V.E.T.S., Inc. began building larger campers. They started building single, and later double occupancy units. Now, some campers are built for as many as four so families can remain together. “No one knows all the reasons for homeless vets. What we know there are hundreds living on the streets. If you are sleeping on the ground when it’s 20F are you going to spend the next day looking for a warm place to sleep or a job?” he said. “The choice is pretty simple.”

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Hidden Gem Maine Japanese Restaurant Serves Sushi, Appetizers on Huge Wooden Boats

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Hidden Gem Maine Japanese Restaurant Serves Sushi, Appetizers on Huge Wooden Boats


How far would you be willing to travel for delicious food or a unique experience? What about both?

There’s a restaurant in Lincoln, Maine, called Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express that you might want to consider visiting.

This small eatery specializes in express-style Japanese dining, boasting a 4.7/5 on Google, but it’s the visually mesmerizing and delicious super-sized sushi and appetizer platter boats that truly stand out.

Sushi Boat at Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express in Lincoln, Maine

Sure, Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express has a variety of foods to choose from when you’re feeling hungry, and there’s even some Chinese and Thai options as well.

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But there’s something about ordering a meal that comes served up on a large wooden boat that sets the tone for a truly one-of-a-kind meal.

The Lincoln restaurant has that in both its sushi boat and Tokyo boat.

Let’s just say they are a feast for the eyes and mouth.

Looking at Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express’ menu highlights its sushi boat options, either for one or two, at $86 or $99, respectively. So go big or go home, right?

When Did Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express Open in Lincoln, Maine?

Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express is a relatively new venture, having opened in 2024 in Lincoln.

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Right from its grand debut, the restaurant noted on its Facebook page that from “savory Hibachi and Teriyaki to Bento boxes and Sushi, every dish is crafted with fresh ingredients and mouthwatering flavors that will have you coming back for more.”

Not only was there a positive response from the outset, but that excitement for the restaurant has continued today, especially with the incredibly fun boat service loaded with food.

Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express

Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express

Here’s just a few recent reviews:

“Great food, friendly service fair prices! Worth the 70 mile round trip! Will be seeing us again!”

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“The portions are very generous, the food was very tasty and all ingredients were fresh and well prepared.”

“The man that was there running things and cooking was SO friendly and helpful and hospitable. He kept bringing things out for us to try and talked to us and treated us like family.”

READ MORE: Hit Up All 5 Maine Restaurants Featured on Guy Fieri’s ‘Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives’ for the Ultimate Road Trip

At the end of the day, you could order a normal plate of sushi, or you could go all in and get a super boat of it. Sounds like a drive to this hidden gem location for a special meal seems like an adventure worth setting sail for.

Hungry for some sushi?

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40 Maine Restaurants That are Worth a Long Drive to Get to

Thanks to our great listeners we were able to compile a list of many of Maine’s great restaurants, cafes, pubs and bakeries that are worth a long drive to get to.

These great spots can be found across the state and waiting for you to give them a try.

How many have you been to?

Gallery Credit: Chris Sedenka

These Are 14 Must-Visit Hidden Gem Destinations in Maine

Gallery Credit: Megan

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Maine Senate advances ‘right to repair’ electronics bill

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Maine Senate advances ‘right to repair’ electronics bill


AUGUSTA, Maine (WGME) — The Maine Senate is advancing a “right to repair” electronics bill.

The legislation aims to lower repair costs and reduce electronic waste by forcing manufacturers to share parts and repair tools with the public.

The bill faces more votes in the house and senate.

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Ten states have already passed electronic “right to repair” laws.



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NMCC Nursing Program Ranked No. 2 in Maine for 2025

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NMCC Nursing Program Ranked No. 2 in Maine for 2025


PRESQUE ISLE, Maine (WAGM) -Northern Maine Community College’s registered nursing program has been ranked No. 2 in Maine for 2025 by NursingExplorer.com, a national education resource that evaluates nursing programs based on graduate success on licensure examinations.

The NMCC program earned the recognition with a 96.60% weighted average pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses over the past three years, placing the college among the top-performing nursing programs in the state. The ranking comes as demand for qualified nurses remains strong across Maine, particularly in rural and northern communities.

“These results demonstrate the dedication of our students, faculty and clinical partners who work together to ensure graduates are prepared for the realities of today’s health care environment,” said Andrew Gagnon, RN, MSN, CCRN, NR-P, CHSE, department chair of nursing, EMS and allied health at Northern Maine Community College. “We are proud to see our program recognized for its consistent quality as we continue preparing nurses to serve communities across Aroostook County and throughout Maine.”

Maine is home to approximately 15 nursing education programs, with most concentrated in southern and central population centers such as Portland, Lewiston, Bangor and Augusta. This distribution can create access challenges for students in more rural regions, making northern training opportunities especially important for local workforce development.

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“Northern Maine Community College is proud to provide nursing education that meets the highest standards while remaining accessible to students in northern Maine,” said Doug Binsfeld, Ed.D., president of Northern Maine Community College. “Our graduates make a meaningful impact in rural communities and are equally prepared to pursue opportunities in larger health care settings across the state.”

Employment prospects for nurses in Maine remain favorable, driven by an aging population and ongoing workforce shortages. Maine’s participation in the Nurse Licensure Compact also allows licensed nurses to practice in more than 30 participating states, expanding career mobility and professional opportunities for graduates.

According to NursingExplorer.com, rankings are based on NCLEX pass-rate data collected over a three-year period. Results are weighted by the number of test takers in each cohort, with additional emphasis placed on more recent outcomes to reflect current program performance.



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