Central Maine News: Gov to Tap Maple Tree to Kick off Maine’s Maple Season

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

Lawmakers are trying to prevent Gov. Paul LePage's administration from introducing keno to Maine. The state's lottery commission plans to offer keno at sites like restaurants and bars this spring. But lawmakers on the Veterans and Legal Affairs say they should be able to weigh in on whether Maine should add keno, which they say would significantly expand gambling in the state. LePage's administration says it has the authority to introduce keno, which it says is similar to other lottery games the state already offers. (AP/centralmaine.com)

A Maine state senator has apologized for a Facebook post that suggests that President Barack Obama's family members are part of the Islamic State group. Republican Sen. Michael Willette shared a photo of Obama that pretended to use the president's words, saying of the Islamic State group, "I'll deal with them at the family reunion." Willette apologized and called it an "error in judgment." He said in a statement that he "fell into the trap" of posting something before thinking about it. (AP)
A Maine legislative committee is conducting a public hearing on bills that looks to expand passenger train travel. The Transportation Committee will hold the hearing at 1 p.m. Tuesday. One of the bills would fund a plan for commuter rail service between Portland and the Lewiston area. The other promises to provide communities with tools to fund local transportation including rail. A  group of advocates in favor of more rail transportation will hold a news conference about the bills at 12:30 p.m. at the statehouse.(AP)

Maine state police say state troopers have cited more than 1,000 drivers for texting and distracted driving during a six-month crackdown. State police say efforts to curb distracted driving will continue throughout 2015. The state police chief, says his department has received federal grants totaling nearly $300,000 to step up enforcement against distracted driving. The money is paying for overtime for troopers. The fine for distracted driving is $119, while the fine for a first offense of texting is $310. (AP)

Gov. Paul LePage is preparing to highlight the beginning of maple syrup season. The governor will tap a maple tree on the Blaine House lawn on Tuesday to mark the occasion. He'll be joined by maple syrup producers. The state is gearing up for Maine Maple Syrup Sunday, which is coming up on March 22. During that event, which is held every year on the fourth Sunday in March, sugarhouses across Maine offer free demonstrations and samples. About 100 sugarhouses are expected to participate this year, which will be the event's 32nd anniversary. (AP)

A bill making it easier for law enforcement to charge people who are using fireworks without regard for their neighbors or neighborhoods gained surprising support from a Maine fireworks retailer Monday. According to the Sun Journal LD302 gained the support of Phillip Silverman, a regional manager for Phantom Fireworks, which operates stores in Holden and Scarborough. Silverman told the Legislatures Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee the bill made sense because it allows police and other law enforcement officers to consider each fireworks complaint on a case-by-case basis. (Sun Journal)

The Coast Guard plans to break up ice on the Kennebec River during the week of March 23. It is to reduce the risk of ice jamming and flooding as snow and ice melts. According to the KJ, the River Flow Advisory Commission last week said there is an above-normal risk of flooding near the end of March for rivers and streams in central, coastal and southern Maine. Models showing temperatures warming in late March with possible rainfall and up to 3 feet of snow still on the ground in some places increase the risk of flooding. (centralmaine.com)