Will the Oxford Maine Casino be forced to shut down? (UPDATE)

Maine Superior Court nullifies Oxford Casino development permit

OXFORD — One year — nearly to the day — after the Maine Board of Environmental Protection issued a permit granting development of the Oxford Casino, the permit was nullified by Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy. 


 “The law is pretty clear that without a permit they can’t operate. And, presumably, if the department (DEP) doesn’t shut them down, the Gambling Control Board will.” 


According to the suit, “in its rush to permit the casino project, the applicant (BB Development) failed to conduct the studies necessary to affirmatively demonstrate that either Phase I or the full project proposal meets legal standards.” And, that rather than “correct these errors and omissions, the department (BEP) actually accelerated the permitting process,” granting the permit in “less than half of the 180-day statutory review period, despite ongoing staff concerns regarding the lack of data,” violating state law and its own rules in the process by not considering cumulative environmental impact of the entire project when complete.

Full Story 







UPDATE:

Maine's radio news team including news director, Dave Alpert; reporter, Ed Fairbanks and Augusta chief, Mal Leary have provided the following which you can hear:

The Oxford Casino will remain open, despite a court decision that nullifies its Department of Environmental Protection site permit.  The DEP says it will follow a judge's order and reopen the permit review process, but won't pursue closing down the casino. Attorney Stephen Hinchman, representing the Androscoggin River Alliance, which challenged the DEP's granting of the permit, says the DEP is now violating state law by allowing the casino to continue to operate.  Hear him.

CO shooting suspect seemingly aloof in court appearance

Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

In Maine? Take The Casco Bay Ferry to Peaks Island, Little Diamond Island, Great Diamond Island, Long Island, Chebeague Island, and Cliff Island.

Take The Casco Bay Ferry to Peaks Island, Little Diamond Island, Great Diamond Island, Long Island, Chebeague Island, and Cliff Island.

Coyote pups spotted in Weston MA backyard

Coyote Pups 7/20/2012

WESTON, Mass. -- A Weston family got a big surprise in their backyard when they looked outside and found a wandering pack of coyote pups.
Mom Jill Lenhardt couldn't believe it.
“When I first came home, they were here before I came home and Lisa, our babysitter, sent me a couple pictures over texts and I was like, ‘Stay inside!’” said Lenhardt.
One was even bold enough to venture up onto their deck.
“The far corner of the deck right outside. These guys saw them, the coyote, right there. Just right outside the family room just standing there and sitting around scratching himself,” Lenhardt said.
The kids were excited, snapping away some up close and personal pictures of the baby coyotes.
And even though they look cute and cuddly, there is still the element of danger.
“So then when I got home, I was looking at them I just thought they were really cute. Because they really are cute but we also have had a lot of conversations with the boys about safety,” Lenhardt said


Source: http://ow.ly/cpLOg

Maine lobstermen finding more odd colors in the catch

PORTLAND, Maine -- Reports of blue, orange, yellow and other odd-colored lobsters used to be a rarity.

But these days, it's common to hear several stories a month about a lobsterman bringing one of the quirky crustaceans to shore.

Scientists, lobstermen and dealers say more bizarrely hued lobsters are being caught.

One explanation for the rise is that the overall lobster harvest has soared in recent years, to more than 100 million pounds in Maine last year, making it likely that more unusual lobsters are being caught.

The popularity of cellphone cameras and social media has also made it easier to spread the word -- and photos -- about strange lobsters.

Normal lobsters are a mottled greenish-brown, but some come in a variety of colors because of genetic variations.