Central Maine News: Midstate Berkshire Laid off 70 + Consolidating Locations

These are some of the stories central Maine is talking about today.

An outburst by a former Democratic lawmaker caused Gov. Paul LePage to abruptly end a town hall meeting on his budget. LePage visited Thornton Academy on Thursday evening to discuss his plan to overhaul the state's tax code. But the event came to an abrupt end after former Biddeford mayor and state lawmaker Joanne Twomey began shouting at the governor during the question-and-answer session. Twomey approached the stage on which LePage was sitting and flipped a jar of Vaseline in his direction. She was escorted out of the town hall by security.  She defended herself saying she doesn't agree with the governor's budget because she believes it shifts the burden from the wealthy onto the poor. (AP)

Fees at Acadia National Park are going up this season. After a six-year moratorium, the federal government is increasing the price of admission at some of its public lands and raising the fees charged for camping, boating, and other activities. Effective May 1, Acadia National Park anticipates that the fee for a seven-day vehicle park pass will increase from $20 to $25; the annual park pass will increase from $40 to $50; and a seven-day individual pass will increase from $5 to $12. A spokeswoman says camping fees will go up but are not yet final. Only about a third of the 400-plus properties within the National Park Service system charge an entrance fee. Acadia officials say the fee increases will help offset costs of running the park. (AP)

The Maine House and Senate are at odds over whether Maine should prohibit people under the age of 18 from indoor tanning. The Democratic-led House voted 87-59 to give initial approval to the bill. The Republican-led Senate voted 18-17 in favor of rejecting the bill. It faces further votes in both chambers. Supporters of the measure say the dangers of tanning are clear, noting that the FDS now requires tanning beds to have labels warning against their use by minors. But opponents say that government doesn't need to act as parent. A similar bill vetoed in 2013 by Gov. Paul LePage, who called it government overreach. (AP)

Weather forecasters who're keeping an eye on Maine's frozen rivers say there's an above-normal threat of flooding and ice jams for most of the state over the next few weeks. Officials told the River Flow Advisory Commission that temperatures approaching 60 today, followed by rain overnight, could cause problems over the weekend. Heavy rainfall is the biggest factor when it comes to spring flooding and ice jams on rivers. But the melting snowpack and ice are big contributors. The snowpack is deeper than normal for early April, thanks to colder-than-normal temperatures. (AP)

A Republican Maine senator says he will again push for a "religious freedom" measure similar to those that have caused uproar in the Midwest. Sen. David Burns has said he will move forward with the proposal that has sparked fierce criticism in Indiana and Arkansas from people who say it would allow discrimination against gays and lesbians. The bill is not yet printed but he says it's similar to one he introduced last year that was killed by the Democratic-led Legislature. The bills support says it's based on a federal law that hasn't had negative ramifications. (AP)

Midstate Berkshire has laid off 70 employees.  The Waterville and Winslow manufacturing company made the announcement yesterday. According to the KJ, the precision parts manufacturer said the layoffs were a reaction to a downturn in the company’s three major markets, oil and gas, power generation and defense. The company intends to consolidate its operations at the Winslow plant. The layoffs represent about 30% of the company’s workforce. (centralmaine.com)