Maine news, sports, weather from Waterville Morning Sentinel

January 1

Mexico standoff ends in arrest

Police took a man into custody Tuesday night after a standoff that lasted more than two hours on Brown Street.

January 2

Bright spots in Maine's economy mask challenges ahead

The state is poorly positioned in growing industries and needs help from a strong national recovery.

January 1

Morning Sentinel area police log, Jan. 1, 2013

IN CLINTON, Monday at 9:02 p.m., a fireworks complaint was reported on Battle Ridge Road.

January 1

Family Violence Project recognized for community service by Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce

AUGUSTA -- The Family Violence Project carefully tracks the number of victims it serves, but just as important is something that can't be counted: abuse averted by education and prevention efforts.

January 1

Augusta swears in city councilors, school board members, mayor on Thursday

AUGUSTA -- City councilors, school board members and Mayor William Stokes will be sworn in to office in an inauguration ceremony Thursday, to be followed by a brief council business meeting.

January 1

Region's residents look forward to professionally, personally prosperous 2013

Tom Bolster is looking forward to a healthy 2013, both in his personal life and for his business.

January 1

LePage readies package of welfare reform bills

The LePage administration appears ready to challenge the new Democratic-controlled Legislature with several bills intended to reform Maine's welfare system.

January 1

Skowhegan District Court, Nov. 26 to 30, 2012

SKOWHEGAN -- The following cases were closed from Nov. 26 to 30, 2012, in Skowhegan District Court.

January 1

Waterville baker appreciative of benefits of a blessed life

WATERVILLE -- Sharalyn Albertson put the finishing touches on a platter of champagne-flavored cupcakes Monday morning inside her new bakery on Silver Street.

January 1

Region's first New Year's baby born at Inland Hospital in Waterville

WATERVILLE -- It's a boy.

January 1

Waterville businessman, governor was an outspoken conservative, too, 100 years ago

AUGUSTA -- Republican Gov. William T. Haines told lawmakers 100 years ago today that they should stand firm on state-level Prohibition, and that they should make every day count.

January 1

Waterville City Council to consider permit conditions on troublesome taverns

WATERVILLE -- City councilors tonight will continue discussing how best to help decrease night fights, vandalism and other alcohol-related problems occurring downtown.

January 2

Alan Kelley retires as Somerset, Kennebec counties district attorney

AUGUSTA -- After 33 years on the job, the last 12 months as acting district attorney in Kennebec and Somerset counties, prosecutor Alan Kelley retired Monday from his state job.

January 1

Farmington District Court

Holly Jean Witham, 51, Skowhegan, driving to endanger, Oct. 9, 2012, in Farmington; $575 fine, 30-day license suspension. OUI -- no test, one prior, Oct. 9, 2012, in Farmington; dismissed.

January 2

Congress approves new taxes on richest in 'fiscal cliff' deal

The drawn-out 'fiscal cliff' drama ends as the House of Representatives postpones automatic spending cuts and signs off on higher tax rates for the wealthy.

January 1

F. Lee Bailey denied bid to practice law in Maine

The Maine Board of Bar Examiners rules that Bailey hadn't demonstrated that he possesses "the requisite honesty and integrity."

January 1

Maine pharmacy robberies doubled in 2012

The troubling trend came in a year that otherwise was relatively safe, says a Maine State Police spokesman.

January 1

Winter fishing season kicks off in Maine

Besides ice fishing, the state now allows fishermen to cast their rods in open waters of lakes, ponds and streams during the winter.

January 1

Bomb threat forces Portland bus, train station to close

Police charge a Portland man with terrorizing after the threat forced a four-hour shutdown and bus cancellations.

January 1

Members-only pot clubs springing up in Colo.

The private pot dens began popping up less than a month after Colorado's governor signed into law a constitutional amendment allowing recreational pot use.

January 1

Bill to avert 'fiscal cliff' heads to House

The measure ensures that lawmakers will have to revisit difficult budget questions in just a few weeks, as relief from painful spending cuts expires and the government requires an increase in its borrowing cap.

January 1

Snowe, Collins support 'fiscal cliff' compromise in early-morning vote

Like many of their colleagues, the two Maine senators said the final package was far from perfect but, most importantly, avoided tax hikes on the middle class.