Maine news, sports, weather from Waterville Morning Sentinel

January 15

Teachers press Augusta legislator to improve governor's tone on school issues

AUGUSTA — Local teachers and administrators said Tuesday they are frustrated by a perceived lack of respect from Gov. Paul LePage, and they asked their local state representative to do something about it.

January 16

Waterville on hook for $1.7 million under governor's proposed revenue-sharing cut, mayor says

WATERVILLE — City officials said Tuesday that Waterville would lose $1.7 million if Gov. Paul LePage's proposal to suspend state revenue sharing temporarily goes into effect.

January 15

Ellis wins vacant Winthrop Town Council seat in special election Tuesday

WINTHROP — Don Ellis, a young service-industry worker, won a seat on the Winthrop Town Council in a special election Tuesday.

January 15

Chelsea man seeks police aid, gets arrested instead

WATERVILLE — A construction worker with a warrant out for his arrest was nabbed Monday at the site of the new police station after he locked himself out of his vehicle and called police for help.

January 15

Slipped sandal costs Waterville burglar nine months behind bars

AUGUSTA — A flip-flop sandal left behind by a burglar who broke into a Dunkin' Donuts shop in Waterville last April helped police identify the suspect as Jessica J. Savage.

January 15

Farmington selectmen discuss personnel matter behind closed doors

FARMINGTON — The Board of Selectmen held a closed-door meeting Tuesday night to discuss a personnel matter with the town attorney, Frank Underkuffler.

January 15

Feds plan 'seed money' loans to help small farms start business

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — With interest in locally grown food soaring, the federal government said Tuesday it has created a small loan program to help community farmers who might not be able to borrow money from banks.

January 17

Pet rabbit, precious memories saved from Augusta fire scene

AUGUSTA — Robin Bailey heard something scurrying around.

January 15

Fairfield Town Council to plan goals at Wednesday meeting

FAIRFIELD — The outcome of a goal-setting discussion at tonight's Town Council meeting is likely to have a large impact on what the town government will tackle for the rest of 2013.

January 15

Morning Sentinel area police log, Jan. 15, 2013

IN CLINTON, Monday at 6:28 p.m., criminal mischief was investigated on Johnson Flat Road.

January 15

Topless coffee shop arsonist appeals conviction to Maine's top court

Man serving 30-year sentence maintains innocence in 2009 fire, claims he was denied a fair trial

January 15

Augusta legislators cosponsor ban on school superintendent residency requirements

AUGUSTA -- Three Augusta-area legislators have signed on to a new bill that would prohibit cities and towns from requiring superintendents to live in their own school district.

January 15

Fast-spreading fire stymies Madison woman's effort to save her home Monday

MADISON -- A mother of five risked her life Monday to try to save her home, but she was driven outdoors quickly by flames and shattering glass.

January 16

Skowhegan stands to lose $1.7 million in revenue sharing under LePage budget plan, town manager says

SKOWHEGAN -- Offering an example of the woes communities would face if the Legislature backs Gov. Paul LePage's two-year, $6.2 billion state budget proposal, Skowhegan's town manager said his town could lose almost $1.7 million in state funding.

January 15

Fairfield, Pan Am eyes closing railroad crossings, using federal money to fix others

FAIRFIELD -- The state is preparing cost estimates for the possible closure of one or two of six railroad crossings on town-owned roads.

January 15

NRA shooting game no longer for preschoolers

The gun group changed its age recommendation for the highly violent game from 4 years old to at least 12 years old.

January 15

Search for Rangeley Lake snowmobilers on hold until ice hardens

The Maine Warden Service may have to wait until next month to use an underwater vehicle to resume the search for three snowmobilers believed to have died in Rangeley Lake last month.

January 16

LePage wants to pay off hospital debt

He says if the Legislature approves his plan, then he will issue the $105 million in voter-approved bonds.

January 15

NYPD looks to GPS bottles to combat pharmacy robberies

The devices will be provided by Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer of OxyContin, and a private firm will initially monitor them, police said.

January 15

Quebec man sentenced for illegal gun purchase in Augusta

A Quebec man will spend more than a year in prison after he lied to purchase firearms in Augusta last year, authorities said.

January 16

Former Gov. Baldacci may seek third term

The former Democratic governor says he would consider running to end the ‘negativism’ of Paul LePage.

January 15

Maine home heating oil up 2 cents a gallon

The Governor's Energy Office advised residents to prepare for bitterly cold temperatures later this week and make sure they have adequate fuel.

January 15

Maine pilot unhurt as plane flips after landing

The Winthrop aviator credits his training for being able to get out of the 1946 Aeronca Champion 7AC.

January 16

Hurricane Sandy bill shortchanges Northeastern fishermen

Republicans in the House remove funding for New England's disaster-designated fishing industry before the bill passes.

January 15

Study: Parental generosity puts damper on college grades

The study suggests students with some of their own "skin in the game" may work harder.

January 16

Attorney in Kennebunk prostitution case asks to quit

With Mark Strong Sr.’s trial scheduled to start Tuesday, Daniel Lilley says his client can no longer afford to pay him.

January 15

Shipyard worker receives electrical shock

A spokeswoman for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard says an investigation is under way.

January 16

Maine 13-year-old charged following school death threat

Police say the student scratched a message into the school's bathroom wall, which "stated that people would be killed" and "had a specific date."

January 15

USM to give $1.3 million to new students

Students must be in the top 30 percent of their high school class and meet other eligibility requirements.

January 15

Amid gun debate, weapons show opens in Vegas

The Newtown, Conn.-based National Shooting Sports Foundation is hosting the convention that's expected to draw tens of thousands of manufacturers and enthusiasts.

January 15

Livermore Falls teen involved in crash dies

Megan Baril, 17, was a passenger in a car that struck a utility pole on Sunday.

January 15

Mainers warned to stay away from 'flood' cars

That used car you have your eye on? It may have spent up to a week under sea water.

January 15

Bulger says let jury decide immunity claim

The mobster, charged in connection with 19 slayings, has claimed he was granted immunity by a former U.S. attorney who has since died.

January 15

Man charged with OUI with kids in car held on bail

James Labonte faces several charges, including operating under the influence, eluding police and endangering the life of a child.

January 15

Mass. principal suspended for 'Terminator' spoof video

The video – a way for the new principal to introduce himself to students – shows him walking through an empty school dressed like the Arnold Schwarzenegger's famous character.

January 15

LePage to unveil plan to repay hospitals

The state owes Maine hospitals $484 million in unpaid MaineCare payments that date to 2009.

January 15

Maine casino seeks OK for Pai Gow poker

Oxford Casino wants to offer the Chinese poker game played with dominoes.

January 15

South span of new Maine-NH bridge put in place

The new span is transported by barge from the State Pier in Portsmouth onto rebuilt piers in the Piscataqua River.