News Notes

The U.S. Army Concert Band and Soldiers’ Chorus are the oldest and largest of the U.S. Army Field Band’s performing component.

Photo: U.S. Army

Compiled by Carolyn Cadigan

Then it’s hi! hi! hey! The Army’s on its way: The Sanford Performing Arts Center will host the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldier’s Chorus on April 14 at 3 pm. The 60-member band and 29-member chorus have performed in all 50 states and in 30 foreign countries. Tickets for this event are free but must be reserved in advance. FMI, go here.

Property fraud on the rise in York County: Sheriff William King is warning residents about a growing problem of fraud in which scammers use fake or stolen identification to sell land they don’t own. “In York County, there have been 12 separate occasions where a seller impersonator tried to sell a victim’s land,” King said this week. However, York County is not alone. Property fraud is occurring in other Maine counties as well. To combat fraud, a bill has been introduced in the State House that would require identity verification before a deed can be transferred. The bill would also raise deed fraud to a felony, make it easier for property owners to nullify a fraudulent sale, and call for the creation of a campaign to raise awareness of the issue among real estate agents and registrars of deeds throughout the state. Property owners can help themselves by signing up for the free Property Fraud Alert service offered by the Registry of Deeds in York County. The service sends an email notification to the property owner when a document is recorded at the registry with the owner’s name. To sign up, go here.

Making difficult days a little brighter: Grahamtastic Connection, a nonprofit based in Springvale, brings joy to children battling cancer and other serious illnesses. To help it carry out its mission, the organization is grateful for any donations they receive from their Amazon Wishlist. To see what is needed, go here.

Tranchemontagne discusses cannabis industry involvement on podcast: Peter Tranchemontagne, Sanford city councilor and co-founder of licensed caregiver Uncle Pete’s Re-Leaf, appeared on Chris Tash Pawtcast last month. The Pawtcast is a podcast that focuses on cannabis lifestyle and culture. Tranchemontagne, appearing in the podcast as a private citizen (not representing the city), discusses his work supporting the legalization of cannabis in Maine, helping organize the Maine Cannabis Union and fighting to amend current cannabis laws in the state. See the podcast here.