Maine news, sports, weather from Waterville Morning Sentinel

February 20

Augusta council considering support for lighting on pétanque court

AUGUSTA — Ray Fecteau believes what’s good about playing the game of pétanque could be even better on a summer night, under the lights.

February 20

'3 million miles of quality service'

WATERVILLE — Delta Ambulance administrators have long regarded the company as invisible to the public in central Maine.

February 20

Former Mainer tackles 'Survivor'

"Survivor" is a game that can be physically taxing and psychologically ruthless.

February 20

Promotion of first female fire chief delayed in West Gardiner

WEST GARDINER -- Firefighter Vicki Dill is expected to take an oath soon to become the town's first female fire chief, but her promotion is revealing a rift among other firefighters who doubt her qualifications and dedication.

February 21

Bill would slow lawmakers' transition to lobbyists post-term

AUGUSTA -- Days after he resigned from his Maine Senate seat in 2011, David Trahan began lobbying his former colleagues on behalf of the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine.

February 20

Somerset County Jail sees changing of the guard

SKOWHEGAN -- The county's No. 2 jail administrator took over day-to-day operations of the jail Wednesday, a day after the top administrator's job was taken out of the budget to cut costs.

February 20

Cause of blaze at Sidney mobile home undetermined

SIDNEY -- The cause of a fire that destroyed a mobile home on West River Road on Tuesday remains unknown, according to state and local fire officials.

February 20

Proposed poker fundraiser bill killed in committee

The Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee on Wednesday killed a bill that would have allowed charitable groups to hire outside experts to run poker tournaments or other fundraisers.

February 20

Monmouth's Roadside Bakery & Cafe closes its doors

MONMOUTH -- After seven years of baking bread and simmering bacon at Main Street's Roadside Bakery & Cafe, owner Cheryl Souza is closing her doors.

February 20

Oakland woman arrested for repeatedly misusing 911

Police say the Oakland woman they arrested two weeks ago for repeatedly dialing 911 without a good reason was arrested again Tuesday for the same crime.

February 20

Town of Industry might require a buffer zone for wind power projects

INDUSTRY -- Citing possible noise or falling debris, town officials are proposing an ordinance that would mandate a buffer zone around any future wind power projects.

February 20

Former couple charged in theft of $4,000 worth of tools in Readfield

Two people are charged in connection with the theft of $4,000 worth of tools from a trailer in Readfield.

February 20

Local man confesses to growing pot at Augusta airport

AUGUSTA -- When authorities found 146 marijuana plants growing inside the secure, fenced-in area at the Augusta State Airport last summer, they set up a camera to find the illegal gardeners.

February 20

Skowhegan District Court, Jan. 14-18, 2013

SKOWHEGAN -- The following cases were closed from Jan. 14-18, 2013 in Skowhegan District Court.

February 20

Morning Sentinel police log, Feb. 21, 2013

BANGOR -- A Madison man made his first appearance in U.S. District Court last week on a charge of possession of child pornography.

February 21

Even dogs have rock stars

When David Rosenfelt goes to the PetSmart store in Augusta, they’re ready for him. After all, it takes a while to pile 300 pounds of kibble on a cart.

February 21

Maine prison captain charged with assaulting inmate

David Cutler, 54, allegedly tackled and assaulted a handcuffed prisoner. Cutler was arrested Wednesday.

February 20

Fayette selectmen sign agreement with Time Warner Cable

FAYETTE — Selectmen have signed an initial franchise agreement with Time Warner Cable that will bring cable service to the town starting from the southern end along Route 17.

February 20

Maine bill targets 'revolving door' between legislating, lobbying

The proposed law would bar members of the current and future Legislatures from serving as lobbyists until one year after their terms end.

February 20

Vt. House panel weighs penny-an-ounce soda tax

Supporters of the measure say the state needs the revenue to pay for health programs.

February 20

Hostess workers eligible for federal aid

Hostess employed about 500 workers in Maine, including 370 of them at the company's bakery in Biddeford.

February 20

Maine diocese hires new investigations officer

Michael Magalski will investigate complaints that have been filed against members of the clergy, employees and volunteers of the diocese.

February 20

King: Health care – not Medicare, Medicaid – killing us

Maine's junior senator is adamantly opposed to privatizing Social Security and Medicare vouchers.

February 20

Waterville and Clinton police logs, Feb.19 and 20

Threatening, fight, vehicle burglary

February 20

Maine teachers: Loosen restraint rule

The rule is too narrow and causes problems in classrooms, they say.

February 20

Farmington hospital to layoff 35-40 citing financial trouble

FARMINGTON -- Franklin Community Health Network will eliminate 35 to 40 positions because of mounting losses, according to its president and CEO, Rebecca Ryder.

February 21

Strong was smitten lover, not 'pimp,' lawyer says

During opening statements of the Kennebunk prostitution trial, Strong's lawyer says his client fell in love with Alexis Wright and tried to help her, but was not her "pimp," as police allege.

February 20

Fort Fairfield man dies in Presque Isle crash

The 22-year-old passenger in an SUV was killed when a logging truck hit the SUV from behind.

February 20

Utility pledges $40K for NH-Maine bridge lighting

More than $100,000 has now been raised toward the $200,000 goal of installing energy-efficient lighting on the new bridge.

February 20

Stanford first university to raise $1B in one year

In the 2012 fiscal year, roughly 3,500 U.S. colleges and universities raised $31 billion, 2.3 percent more than the previous year.

February 20

Cianbro exec: Maine east-west highway inevitable

Supporters say a privately built, toll-funded highway from Calais to Coburn Gore would be a huge boost to the state economy.

February 20

Maine bill seeks statewide system for early voting

The bill would allow statewide voting by absentee ballot for reasons other than the voter is absent or physically incapacitated.

February 20

Police add more confusion to Oscar Pistorius case

What was supposed to be a mere bail hearing almost resembled a full-blown trial for the amputee Olympian accused of murdering his girlfriend.

February 20

Rumford paper mill plans to lay off 45

NewPage Corp. says the layoffs will include both salaried and hourly workers and will take place over the next couple of months.

February 20

Rich-poor school spending divide hurts children, federal report finds

A group of leading education experts calls for a change in the way the nation's schools are funded.

February 20

3-D printers complicate attempts to control guns

The new technology can be used to create plastic rifle parts and ammunition magazines, a potentially easy way around restrictions.