Roger Michaud: Thoughts on Maine’s other deadly crisis

I read the Jan. 12 article, “2020 will likely set new record for most drug overdose deaths in Maine,” regarding the number of opioid overdose deaths over the last three quarters of 2020. In just nine months, 317 people died. With the focus and energy spent on COVID, the reality is that more Mainers died […]

Cartoon for Friday, Jan. 15

Community briefs for Friday, Jan. 15

Tri-Town Penguins Snowmobile Club to meet DURHAM — The Tri-Town Penguins Snowmobile Club of Durham, Freeport and Pownal will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, at the Durham Masonic Lodge, Route 136. Masks and social distancing are required. New members are always welcome. For more information, contact Duncan Daly at 207-865-6188/207-713-3116 or Mike Sikorski […]

Cal Thomas: Free speech is being tested again

The late writer Nat Hentoff, in addition to being an authority on the history of jazz, was also a fierce defender of the right to free speech. He once told me the answer to speech you don’t like is not less speech, but more speech. Banning offensive speech encourages radicals in their extremism. We no longer talk to each other. Too many read and listen only to what supports their point of view and demeans people who believe differently. This is unhealthy for a free society.

Kevin Landry: Freedom of speech ‘under assault’

During World War I, many journalists were imprisoned for speaking against the conflict. During the 1950s, an anti-communist virulence emerged with the McCarthy witch hunt. Today, freedom of speech is under assault again. Where will this lead us? On Monday, Jan. 18, we celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. These are […]

Frank Kieliszek: Sen. Collins owes apology to Mainers

Susan Collins owes us all an apology. More than a week after a riot at the Capitol, she and the Republican Party have never decried Donald Trump. She tolerated his run for president in 2016. She refused to convict him at his impeachment trial, telling us he “has learned his lesson.” She has colluded with […]

In rebuttal: Peter Lavallee: Congress followed appropriate protocols

This is just more of the cancel culture that is taking place in America by many. Just because Marc Jalbert – in his letter published Jan. 12 in the Sun Journal – disagrees with our elected officials for objecting to electoral votes, he feels they should be somehow removed from office. What they did was […]

SeniorsPlus announces January online education classes

LEWISTON — SeniorsPlus has announced its online education center classes for January. Due to the pandemic and CDC guidelines, all classes are held virtually. Classes and workshops are free, unless noted. Register by emailing edcenter@seniorsplus.org or calling 207-795-4010 or 1-800-427-1241. For more information, visit seniorsplus.org/education-center. Classes Zoom 101: Using Video Technology to Stay Connected: From […]

Central Maine Community College announces fall dean’s list

AUBURN — Interim President Betsy Libby of Central Maine Community College has announced the dean’s list for the fall 2020 semester. Students on the president’s list earned a semester grade point average (GPA) of 3.9 or higher (on a 4.0 scale). High honors denote a minimum GPA of 3.6 and honors recognizes those with a […]

Jon Oplinger: Moderate Republicans should go their own way

Now that an albatross sporting a blond comb-over hangs from the neck of the Republican Party, isn’t it time for moderate politicians in the Grand Old Party to set themselves apart? To be sure, Republican moderates are few, but by virtue of integrity and rationality they are an important part of American politics. Accordingly, it […]