THE CONVERSATION — When the Federal Reserve convenes at the end of January 2023 to set interest rates, it will be guided by one key bit of data: the U.S. inflation rate. The problem is, that stat ignores a sizable chunk of the country – rural America. Currently sitting at 6.5%, the rate of inflation is still high, […]

A few weeks ago, a two-car motor vehicle accident in Woolwich tragically resulted in a fatality to one driver and serious injuries to the other driver. Woolwich Emergency Medical Services as well as several other services responded to the horrific scene and the Sagadahoc Sheriff’s Office is investigating the accident. Because of the townspeople’s decision […]

Maine taxpayers won the lottery. When the Maine Megabucks winner receives the $1.35 billion payout, Maine could receive as much as $96.4 million in taxes. Unlike other billionaires, the winner will have to pay most state and federal taxes before they get their money. The wealthiest taxpayers do everything they can to evade paying taxes. […]

Five years ago, I wrote a piece about two fine gentlemen who had lived to the ripe old age of 103, entitled, “A Pair of 103s.” One of them, Stewart Gillespie, Jr., died a few months later. The other one, Don Goode (my sister-in-law’s father) died last March, just before his 108th birthday. Don savored […]

Groundhog Day cannot come soon enough. It’s the thick of winter. Cabin fever is setting in. Incivility is worse than ever. A delightful, silly diversion is what we need about now, and Punxsutawney Phil has been delivering needed joy this time of year since 1887. As you know, every Feb. 2, on Groundhog Day, Phil […]