Maine news, sports, weather from Waterville Morning Sentinel

January 23

State General Assistance funding might run dry

Gov. LePage's proposed $10.1 million cap for the current fiscal year could leave funding "a couple months short," says the director of DHHS' Office of Family Independence.

January 22

Fayette voters reject purchase of $6,000 high resolution photos

FAYETTE -- Residents rejected spending $6,000 for high-resolution photos of the town's topography at a special town meeting Tuesday night, at Fayette Central School.

January 22

Morning Sentinel area police log, Jan. 22, 2013

WATERVILLE — Police and rescue workers responded to Oak Street around 3 p.m. Tuesday after a man attempted suicide by jumping off a third floor balcony, according to Deputy Police Chief Charles Rumsey.

January 22

Waterville District Court, Decc. 3 - 14, 2012

WATERVILLE -- The following cases, listed alphabetically A-J, were closed from Dec. 3 to Dec. 14, 2012, in Waterville District Court.

January 22

LePage budget would raise Farmington property tax rate, officials say

FARMINGTON -- Farmington selectmen voiced concern Tuesday that Gov. Paul LePage's proposed budget would tighten an already stretched town budget and lead to an increased tax rate.

January 22

Augusta Planning Board approves exterior of new $55 million courthouse

AUGUSTA -- Justice will be served within similar, if not quite the same shade, gray walls at the expanded Kennebec County Courthouse.

January 22

Eliot Cutler makes overtures at 2014 gubernatorial run

AUGUSTA -- Former independent gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler may take the first step toward a second bid for the Blaine House later this week.

January 22

Bill would allow schools to arm teachers

Sen. David Burns, a Washington County Republican and a retired Maine State Police trooper, believes schools are "soft targets" for crazed gunmen because they know none of the teachers are armed.

January 23

School board considers Waterville schools tech-budget hike

WATERVILLE -- If you don't invest in education, eventually it'll catch up with you and cost a bundle.

January 22

Farmington police seek alleged flatscreen TV bandit

FARMINGTON -- Police continue to search for a man believed to have walked out of Walmart with a 60-inch television.

January 22

Oakland council to consider Belgrade's renewed call on neighbors to battle milfoil

OAKLAND -- Battling invasive milfoil in the Belgrade Lakes is too big of a job for one town, according to a letter to be discussed at the Town Council meeting tonight.

January 22

MaineToday Media sues state over 911 emergency call transcripts

MaineToday Media is challenging what it considers a blanket policy by the state Attorney General's Office of withholding transcripts of 911 calls connected to open criminal investigations.

January 24

Colby ski event promises big stage for Waterville's Quarry Road Recreation Area, big dollars for business

WATERVILLE -- Call it a ski boost. This weekend, area hotels and restaurants will get an economic jolt when 200 college athletes, their families and fans arrive for the Colby Carnival Nordic 2013 cross country skiing event.

January 22

Transient charged with string of Waterville burglaries

WATERVILLE -- A man arrested earlier this month in connection with a burglary at the Ken-A-Set thrift store is now charged with three prior burglaries at the store as well as at three other downtown locations.

January 22

Chimney ashes may be to blame for fire in New Portland home Tuesday

NEW PORTLAND -- Photo albums and a few other items are all that is left after a family of four lost their home to fire Tuesday morning.

January 22

Skaters take to the ice at Gardiner's Waterfront Park

GARDINER -- Area ice skaters have been taking advantage of the Waterfront Park's public rink this winter, thanks to a collaboration between volunteers from local churches and the city.

January 22

Ken-A-Set burglar faces 12 felony charges

WATERVILLE — A man arrested Jan. 10 for burglarizing the Ken-A-Set thrift store is now charged with three prior burglaries at the store, as well as break-ins at Burger King, the Waterville Main Street office and Uptown Style.

January 23

Augusta CVS robbed for third time in a year

The suspect escaped with undisclosed amount of prescription drugs, say police.

January 22

Poll: Many say let illegal immigrants stay in US

More than 6 in 10 Americans now favor allowing illegal immigrants to eventually become U.S. citizens, a major increase in support from several years ago.

January 22

NFL looking into Brady's slide into Ravens player

The Patriots' QB could be subject to a fine if the league believes his contact with Ravens safety Ed Reed violated any rules.

January 22

Authorities: Fight led to Texas college shooting

Three people were hit with bullets, and a fourth person appeared to suffer a heart attack during the chaos.

January 22

Significant changes in store for this year's tax season

The fiscal cliff deal took care of some longstanding tax hassles, and preserved key credits and deductions for most.

January 22

40 years after Roe v. Wade, abortion foes march on

Much to the dismay of abortion-rights advocates, a wave of Republican governors and GOP-controlled Legislatures have enacted new restrictions on abortion providers.

January 22

Cutler may take step toward governor run

The independent plans 'something' this week. Separately, a poll indicates he'd be a spoiler in a three-way race.

January 22

Whale sighting in Cape Cod Bay concerns scientists

Experts say it's highly unusual to see the endangered right whales off the coast of Massachusetts at this time of year.

January 22

Nebraska governor OKs Keystone XL route

The Republican governor sent a letter to President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton saying he would allow the pipeline to proceed through his state.

January 22

Somerset County police logs

Tuesday's police beat

January 22

Mass. nanny held on $500K bail in child's death

Authorities say the 34-year-old nanny was caring for the baby alone the day she was hospitalized. The child was declared brain dead two days later.

January 22

Patriots' Derrick Martin victim of home-invasion robbery

Police say robbers forced their way into Martin's home Sunday night when there was at least one adult and several children there.

January 23

Kennebunk prostitution jury pool quizzed in secret

The Press Herald files an objection with the court, saying the judge's decision violates the First and Sixth Amendments.

January 22

NH trial begins in international custody case

Ismail Yaman claims his ex-wife, Linda, defied a Turkish family court's decision granting him custody of the children and fled the country with them in 2007.

January 22

Maine man claims Walmart discriminated against him

The Lisbon man alleges his supervisor at a Lewiston Walmart treated him less favorably than workers who were not black.

January 22

Chinese factory workers revolt over strict new rules

The rules included two-minute bathroom breaks and fines for being late.

January 22

Study: High school grad rate highest since 1976

Officials say the steady rise of students completing their education is a reflection of the struggling economy and a greater competition for jobs.

January 22

Obama embarks on first working day of 2nd term

Among the challenges ahead, will be three fiscal deadlines that demand cooperation with the Congress, including raising the debt ceiling.

January 22

EPA: Toxic chemical releases are down in region

The EPA's latest Toxic Release Inventory shows a decrease of 1.7 million pounds.

January 22

Sen. King to hold first 'Capitol Coffee' session

The weekly session will give constituents the opportunity to meet and speak with the senator.

January 22

Maine activists urge limits on campaign spending

They beckon Maine legislators to endorse an amendment against the Citizens United decision.

January 23

Sheriff: NM teen planned more shootings

The teenager describes to a detective how he shot his parents and siblings, and planned to go to a Wal-Mart and randomly shoot more people.