“Current State Farm driving data and claims experience show a considerable decline in miles driven and fewer accidents,” said Matt Hodson, Vice President – Agency/Sales. “As a result, we’re looking for ways to continue supporting our Maine customers while we monitor and adjust to trends.”

Customer rate reductions will vary based on their individual renewals. Customers are encouraged to visit with their State Farm agent about individual policies, coverage and any opportunities for discounts, including Drive Safe & Save.

The last auto rate change in Maine was a decrease of 5.5 percent in September of 2018. Combined, the two auto rate decreases will save Maine customers $10.9 million.

“We’re always evaluating how we can best serve our customers and are very pleased to be able to offer this rate decrease in Maine ,” said State Farm Senior Vice President Chris Schell. “Lower than expected expenses and losses were important factors, among many, that supported our decision to make this rate change.”

Overall changes in premiums for individual motorists will vary depending on the specific details of an individual customer’s policy and chosen coverages. The effective date for new and renewal business is June 10, 2019. Maine customers with questions can contact their local State Farm agent to discuss their individual situation.

In addition to this rate reduction, State Farm agents are able to review with new and existing customers the many opportunities for additional discounts that may apply to an individual’s unique circumstances. A rate decrease, combined with discounts, offers exceptional long-term value to State Farm customers.

State Farm sponsored assist patrols in 18 states help keep the nation’s highest-trafficked roadways safe and clear. They reduce congestion, help stranded motorists, and provide traffic control and safety at incident scenes.

Safety patrols are operated by state departments of transportation and toll road authorities. They are known by a variety of names in 40 states. Their free services include changing flat tires, providing a jump-start or small amount of gasoline, and minor safety repairs.

“The safety patrols embody our ‘good neighbor’ philosophy and underscore our commitment to auto safety,” said Ed Gold, advertising director. “They help people recover from the unexpected, which is the heart of the State Farm mission.”

State Farm sponsorship helps increase coverage areas and raises awareness about the patrols. This helps the motoring public feel more secure when traveling the nation’s interstate system. Sponsored highway signs mark coverage areas. The bright red State Farm reflective markings also improve patrol vehicle visibility.

State Farm sponsors the safety patrols in Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

State Farm has been committed to roadway safety since its founding in 1922. The company seeks to increase the safety of all drivers and passengers from infancy to the driver’s seat.

*Safety Service Patrol Priorities and Best Practices: USDOT Federal Highway Federal Highway Administration, April 2017

“The company’s current financial strength is allowing us to pass along a rate reduction to our Maine customers," said State Farm Senior Vice President Chris Schell. “We continually evaluate how we can best serve our customers and are very pleased to be able to offer this rate decrease in Maine”.

Overall changes in premiums for individual motorists will vary depending on the specific details of an individual customer’s policy and chosen coverages. The effective date for new and renewal business is September 10, 2018. Maine customers with questions can contact their local State Farm agent to discuss their individual situation.

In addition to this rate reduction, State Farm agents are able to review with new and existing customers the many opportunities for additional discounts that may apply to an individual’s unique circumstances. A rate decrease combined with discounts offers an exceptional long-term value to State Farm customers.

Career paths can take unplanned twists and turns…for canines too.

This was the case for three sisters – Duchess, Darby and Pearl. Paws with a Cause (PAWS) bred the sisters to be Assistance Dogs.

The road to careers for the adorable, feisty sisters began with separation at eight weeks and placement in loving foster homes for a year.

The pups were homeschooled to learn basic commands, tasks and obedience. They got to show off their skills to their friends in weekly classes at PAWS. But, it was not all work, there was plenty of time to play for the high energy siblings.

As they approached their second birthdays, the girls returned together at PAWS for more training. They worked hard, but had fun learning advanced tasks like retrieving, picking up objects and opening doors. Like all young adults, the sisters had to master their classes so they could one day become Assistance Dogs.

But, it turned out the three girls, with their rambunctious natures and joy for everything, just weren’t suited for this line of work. Fortunately, PAWS prepared for this with a Plan B.

The Nose Knows

Once again, the girls went their separate ways to explore new career paths. Pearl moved to a foster home in Maine to learn how to detect bed bugs. But after several months, she discovered bed bugs weren’t her calling. Her real talent was sniffing out accelerants.

Meanwhile, at their foster home in Indiana, Duchess and Darby made the same discovery. Three sisters with the same gift!

Supported by State Farm, the girls happily reunited in August 2015 for four weeks of formal Arson Dog training in Alfred, Maine. It was there they became canine crime fighters and found their forever partners.

Graduation was a proud, joyful day for the sisters, even though it meant they would be leaving each other permanently. The girls are living their happily ever after’s in neighboring states.

• Fire Marshal Ben Gouldman & Duchess (Stafford, Virginia)

• Lt. Brian Dalrymple & Pearl (Richmond, Virginia)

• Fire Marshal Danny Hill & K9 Darby (New Bern, North Carolina)

PAWS can’t accomplish their work without help. Because of the increasing demand for Assistance Dogs, PAWS has a foster program for individuals interested in caring for and training a puppy, with the ultimate satisfaction of returning the dog to PAWS to become an Assistance dog. If you want more information regarding the foster puppy program, please visit www.pawswithacause.org.

Julia Sleeper learned of the negative stigma associated with the “tree streets” in Lewiston, ME, when a college professor advised her not to visit that section of town. People there were considered dangerous.

However, Julia did not listen to her professor’s warning. What Julia found were low-income residents, looking to improve their lives and the lives of their children.

In 2005, Julia began an outreach program, helping local students with homework. As needs grew beyond homework assistance, a group of individuals discussed the possibility of starting a summer youth program. In July 2011, Tree Street Youth Center opened to provide low-income youth the opportunity to learn and grow in a nurturing environment.

As the Center’s initiatives increased, so did the need of financial support. In early 2013, Julia submitted an application for the State Farm Neighborhood Assist grant program. Out of 3,000 applicants, the Center was selected as one of the Top 200. With the help of the community and Lewiston agent Lisa Laliberte, the Center received enough votes in the crowdsourced program to win one of 40 $25,000 grants.

“What I have learned from the grant program is it is not the size of the community, but rather, the size of the heart of the community that makes winning a grant possible,” said Laliberte. “Neighborhood Assist empowers individuals to identify issues in their communities and provides funding to help create a positive impact.”

Each day, the Center serves between 120-150 youth grades K-12. Nearly all youth at the Center live at or below the poverty level. Services include academic/tutoring support, safe space mentoring, arts and cultural enrichment, leadership programs and college prep support. So far this academic year (Since September 2014) they have served 365 different youth with new students joining weekly.

“Since receiving funding from State Farm we were able to double our enrichment class offering, while providing both volunteers and staff with proper supplies and space,” said Sleeper.

All enrichment classes are offered to youth at no cost to families and are open to all students at the Center.