Maine

Service, not ideology, is why I’m running for the Maine House | Opinion

Published

5 months ago

November 14, 2025

Service, not ideology, is why I’m running for the Maine House | Opinion

Corey Bouchard is a Democratic candidate for the Maine House of Representatives in District 88.

As an Army veteran, I was taught that effective leadership is defined not by how loudly you speak, but by the tangible results you achieve. Our community in Maine House District 88 deserves a representative who is focused on solutions, fiscal discipline and the hard work of lowering costs for working families — not advancing an extreme, divisive ideology.

That is why I am running for the Maine House, and why the current direction under my opponent, Rep. Quentin Chapman, must change.

We face serious challenges in Maine: a crippling workforce shortage, high energy costs and a community struggling with the opioid crisis. These problems demand sober, strategic action. Unfortunately, Rep. Chapman’s record demonstrates a troubling priority: consistently putting his personal ideological agenda ahead of pragmatic solutions.

Rep. Chapman has shown where his focus lies through his votes and the legislation he chooses to sponsor.

While working families desperately need relief, Rep. Chapman has spent his time supporting measures that divide our community and waste legislative energy. For example, in a vote that demonstrates a fundamental neglect for the safety of our most vulnerable, Rep. Chapman voted against the bill that increased punishment for doxxing a child. This type of action signals a clear failure to prioritize basic public safety.

Even more concerning is his dedication to advancing radical social positions. He actively sponsored LD 1230, “An Act to Abolish the 72-hour Waiting Period for a Gun Purchase,” demonstrating a commitment to eroding common-sense safety measures that are proven to reduce impulse violence and suicide. This divisive posturing does not make our streets safer or our economy stronger. It simply serves to alienate segments of our community and distract the Legislature from its core mission.

His record further underscores this ideological commitment. This is not the voice of service; it is the voice of exclusion. We need a representative committed to the constitutional principle that the rule of law applies equally to all Mainers, without exception.

My approach is rooted in discipline and facts, not chaos and rhetoric. I am running because I believe in a Maine where governance is about common sense and accountability. My policy agenda focuses on core principles that will benefit everyone in District 88:

Workforce investment: I support universal voluntary pre-K for 3- and 4-year-olds as the smartest long-term economic investment to address our workforce crisis.
Small business support: We need a Small Business Apprenticeship Tax Credit to reward local companies for closing the skills gap and creating jobs.
Honoring veterans: We must cut bureaucratic red tape by implementing MOC reciprocity to ensure veterans and their spouses can work in Maine immediately upon moving here.
Affordable energy: We must reduce heating bills through long-term infrastructure. I will expand weatherization tax rebates for low- and middle-income families, providing relief that pays for itself.
Health care transparency: We need a competitive marketplace. I will fight for pharmacy benefit manager reform and a Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act to stop secretive price-gouging by middlemen.
Smarter public safety: We must fund Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRTs) to free up our police officers to focus on violent crime, reducing unnecessary emergency room visits and incarceration costs.
Taxpayer protection: I support the Government Contract Transparency Act to ensure public money is not subsidizing corporate negligence or low wages.
Political accountability: I advocate for State House leadership term limits to prevent entrenchment and ensure a continuous influx of new ideas and better representation.
Equality under the law: I will fight for a state constitutional amendment to explicitly secure non-discrimination protections for all Mainers because equality is a founding constitutional principle.

My campaign is a mission for common sense. We cannot afford another term of a representative who prioritizes national political theater over the pressing needs of our neighbors. The stakes are too high.

I urge the voters of District 88 to choose service and solutions over ideology and division. Send a representative to Augusta — like me — who will put the dignity of every Mainer and the health of our economy first.

Source link

Maine

Wet, cooler today; rain & snow impacts across Maine

Published

9 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Wet, cooler today; rain & snow impacts across Maine

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – Good morning and Happy Sunday everyone. Skies are cloudy with fog across much of Maine this morning. Rain has entered locations along the interstate and to the northwest. Temperatures vary from the upper 30s to mid 40s. Winds are out of the SE between about 5-15 mph.

Today will be a wet and impactful day with rain and even snow anticipated as a large cold front passes through Maine. Skies will be cloudy with plenty of fog lasting through the morning. Rain will expand across the interstate by the late morning hours, reaching Downeast locations by midday/the early afternoon.

By the early to midafternoon, temperatures will start to drop across northwestern locations as the cold front passes through Maine. This will result in rain turning over to mixed precipitation and eventually snow across the Western Mountains, Moosehead region, and Northern Maine. Rain will continue steadily and at times heavily across the foothills, Interstate, Coast, and Downeast. A few thunderstorms are even possible closer to the coast.

Snow will expand across areas to the northwest of the interstate this evening, reaching all the way down to Interior Midcoast communities, the Bangor region, and Interior Downeast areas by sunset and into the start of the night. Precipitation will taper off across Western Maine shortly after sunset, before exiting the entire state around midnight tonight. High temps today will vary from the low 40s to low 50s with SSE to NW gusts reaching 20-25 mph.

WABI Weather 4/19/26 AM(WABI)

Snowfall totals will vary under 2 inches across Western, Northern, and Interior Downeast locations. However, a few pockets of 2-4 inches are possible, mostly in higher elevations across the mountains. Rainfall totals will accumulate around a half inch to three quarters of an inch when all is said and done.

Precipitation will be out of Maine by midnight tonight, with cloudy conditions giving way to mostly clear skies by sunrise. Lows overnight will dip back below freezing across much of the state, from the low 20s to mid 30s tonight, so cover up any plants or flowers outside. WNW gusts will reach 20-25 mph. A Small Craft Advisory is expected offshore.

Skies will be partly to mostly sunny across the interstate and coast on Monday morning. However, by the late morning to midday hours, clouds will build with a few scattered rain and snow showers in spots. Conditions will remain on the cloudier side in the afternoon before clearing up around sunset into the start of Monday night. Highs will be chilly on Monday, from the low 30s to upper 40s. WNW to SW gusts will be a bit breezy, reaching 20-25 mph, which will add to the wind chill factor.

High pressure will build on Monday night, remaining overhead on Tuesday. Skies will be sunny in the morning, becoming partly to mostly sunny in the afternoon. Highs will remain cool, in the 40s across the board with North to SW gusts only reaching 15-20 mph.

A weaker low-pressure system could bring showers across Maine on Wednesday and Thursday. There is a bit of model uncertainty on exactly when it will impact Maine. The GFS has impacts on Wednesday, while the EURO, GRAF, and GDPS models have most of the impacts on Thursday. We will continue to monitor this system and potential impacts. All it looks to provide as of now are cloudier skies and rain showers, with some snow shower chances farther to the North.

By Friday and Saturday, conditions are trending on the drier side with sunshine and average temperatures returning to the forecast.

SUNDAY: Highs from low 40s to low 50s. Cloudy with AM fog. Rain becoming widespread throughout the day, turning over to snow to the north & west during PM. SSE to NW gusts reach 20-25 mph.

MONDAY: Highs from low 30s to upper 40s. Partly to mostly sunny early. Developing clouds with scattered rain/snow showers by midday/afternoon. WNW to SW gusts reach 20-25 mph.

TUESDAY: Highs throughout the 40s. Sunnier AM. Partly to mostly sunny PM. North to SW gusts reach 15-20 mph.

WEDNESDAY: Highs from low 40s to low 50s. Mostly cloudy with a few rain showers. Few AM snow showers possible North. SSE to SSW gusts reach 20-25 mph.

THURSDAY: Highs from mid 40s to mid 50s. Cloudier skies with rain showers possible. Some AM snow showers possible North. NW gusts reach 20-25 mph.

FRIDAY: Highs from upper 40s to mid 50s. Partly cloudy. NNW gusts reach 20 mph.

Source link

Maine

18 jaw-dropping views from Katahdin to help you plan for warmer weather

Published

21 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

18 jaw-dropping views from Katahdin to help you plan for warmer weather

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in September 2022.

When it comes to Maine hiking, summiting Katahdin is the ultimate achievement.

Maine’s tallest mountain stands at 5,269 feet, and there are a number of different trails hikers can take to get up and down Katahdin. And while some are harder than others, none are easy.

But the views are incredible.

Whether it’s the rugged terrain of the Knife Edge or the vast landscape of the 200,000 acres that compose Baxter State Park below, here’s a look at what it’s like to climb Katahdin.

Hunt Trail

Hunt Trail traces the edge of a ridge on the west side of Katahdin known as Hunt Spur. Credit: Aislinn Sarnacki / BDN

Katahdin Stream Falls is one of the many scenic highlights of Katahdin’s Hunt Trail. It’s located about a mile from the trailhead at Katahdin Stream Campground. Credit: Aislinn Sarnacki / BDN

Abol Trail

Chimney Pond Trail

Cathedral Trail

Saddle Trail

Northwest Basin Trail

Knife Edge

Hikers on the Knife Edge of Katahdin have few options for getting off trail to relieve themselves of human waste. Above treeline, Leave No Trace principles recommend planning ahead to avoid the necessity of going to the bathroom in fragile alpine areas, or getting off trail as far as possible to relieve themselves on rock or gravel. Credit: Courtesy of Brad Viles

Tablelands

South Peak

Hamlin Peak

Source link

Maine

Maine Township Residents OK Purchase Of Building For Food Pantry – Journal & Topics Media Group

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Maine Township Residents OK Purchase Of Building For Food Pantry – Journal & Topics Media Group

Maine Township residents vote in support of purchasing building for the relocation of the township food pantry.

A proposal for Maine Township to purchase a building at 9850 Milwaukee Ave. in Glenview to move its popular and growing food pantry received strong approval at the township’s Annual Meeting held last week at the Town Hall on Ballard Road.
More than 100 residents attended the meeting where they approved buying the property for $1,429,000. The 3,000 sq. ft. building, which is located within the township, had been the home of a local restaurant. It is currently vacant.
In March, Supervisor Kim Jones explained that the food pantry needs more space for food and to accommodate clients who need food. “We’ve totally outgrown it,” said Jones at the time. “We’ve been looking for more than a year.”
Following last week’s meeting, Jones said about the vote, “That magical moment really encapsulated the strong support system that’s been built from neighbors helping neighbors throughout our community. The food pantry has grown in leaps and bounds throughout the last five years thanks to the dedicated work of its staff, volunteers and the public.”
Des Plaines City Clerk Dominik Bronakowski served as ceremonial moderator for the event.
Jones also recognized a number of employees and officials who currently serve the township. They included Assessor Susan Moylan-Krey and MaineStay Youth and Family Services Director Richard Lyon for their 20 years of service to Maine. Assistant Director of MaineStreamers, Therese Tully was recognized for her 25 years of service.
The meeting also recognized former Des Plaines Self-Help Closet and Pantry Director Debbie Walusiak who was presented the Sgt. Karen Lader Good Citizen Award for her more than 20 years of service to the Des Plaines community.
“Debbie is an exceptional community leader and volunteer,” said township Clerk Pete Gialamas whose office runs the annual award program. “Her work with the Des Plaines community, particularly her leadership navigating the Self-Help Closet and Pantry’s 2020 move to a larger location in the midst of the COVID pandemic really shows the depth and resolve of that leadership and dedication to service.”
In 2011, the clerk’s office instituted the award in honor of Lader, a resident of Des Plaines and a 15-year veteran of the Cook County Sheriff’s Police who lost her battle with cancer in 2010. She was deeply involved with the township’s Neighborhood Watch program and active in Maine’s National Night Out Against Crime event held each August. She also worked on Special Olympics and animal rescue.

If you like this story, you can get a whole lot more practically every day of the week by subscribing to journal-topics.com. Click here to choose your preference of either print or online, or call 847-299-5511.

Source link