PORTLAND

King Middle School librarian earns national recognition

Kelley McDaniel, librarian at King Middle School, has won a 2010 “I Love My Librarian” award from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the American Library Association and The New York Times.

McDaniel is one of 10 librarians nationally who are being recognized for service to their communities. Each winner will receive a $5,000 prize and be honored at a reception Thursday hosted by The New York Times in New York City. More than 1,400 librarians were nominated.

During her 10 years at King, McDaniel has created many innovative programs to encourage a love of reading, including author teas, read-a-thons, Thanks-A-Latte Days and Harry Potter sleepovers.

“Kelley has made our library a valuable resource to all,” said King Principal Michael McCarthy. “She tirelessly searches for resources to enhance learning expeditions. She has created a school library which is not only a place to find and read books, but also a place to eat, sleep and dance with them.”

McDaniel received the 2005 Walter J. Taranko Library Media Specialist of the Year Award from the Maine Association of School Libraries. She has raised more than $25,000 in grants for library-related projects since 1999.

Teachers’ topic for tonight? Using technology in class

The city’s public schools will host a Teacher Topic Night tonight that will focus on the use of technology in the classroom.

The free forum will be held at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria at Deering High School on Stevens Avenue.

Teachers, parents and other interested community members are invited to attend.

Teachers will share how they use technology with their students.

Participants are encouraged to bring laptop computers. There will be an opportunity for small group discussions.

USM seeks applicants for new nursing doctoral program

The University of Southern Maine is accepting applications for a new nursing practice doctoral program that’s starting next fall.

The program will be the first of its kind in northern New England at a time when a doctorate of nursing practice is becoming an increasingly popular and sought after credential, said USM spokesman Robert Caswell.

University of Maine System trustees approved the program in September.

The number of U.S. students enrolled in nursing practice doctoral programs increased from 3,415 in 2008 to 5,165 in 2009, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

The number of nursing practice doctoral programs has increased from 17 in 2006 to 120 today. Another 161 institutions are considering or planning similar programs.

A doctorate of nursing practice is expected to be a required credential for all advanced practice nurses by 2015, according to the nursing college association.

A doctorate of nursing practice provides advanced leadership and management skills needed as a part of day-to-day operations in healthcare delivery, unlike a doctorate of nursing, which trains students for careers in research.

USM’s nursing program is the largest in Maine, with 441 undergraduate students and 120 master’s degree students.

BANGOR

Police seize ‘Toys for Tots’ found in home of volunteer

Bangor police say charges are pending against a “Toys for Tots” volunteer after police seized thousands of dollars’ worth of new toys from his home.

Police said Wednesday they have identified at least one male suspect but would not release his name until the investigation is complete.

Authorities say they went to the man’s home on Wednesday after receiving a tip and found several boxes of new toys that were supposed to be distributed to children and families in need.

AUGUSTA

Baldacci accepts invitation to LePage’s inauguration

Maine Gov.-elect Paul LePage says Gov. John Baldacci has agreed to attend the Republican’s inauguration next month.

In a brief interview after Cabinet announcements Wednesday, LePage said the outgoing Democratic governor had invited him to a Blaine House luncheon earlier in the day. He said the two didn’t discuss politics or governing much, but talked more about the history of the governor’s mansion and their families.

LePage also said he asked Baldacci, a Democrat, to break with tradition and attend his inauguration in early January and Baldacci accepted. LePage also said Baldacci had “offered to do anything he can” to make the transition easier and has been very cordial.

LePage declines public funds for gubernatorial transition

Gov.-elect Paul LePage’s transition effort is turning down public money for its work and continues to collect private donations.

John McGough, LePage’s chief of staff, says the transition team is not accepting the $5,000 authorized in state funds because of the difficult economic times. Private donations have ranged from $50 to the maximum the effort is accepting, $9,500.

Non-tax-deductible donations from individuals, businesses and associations help fund the professional staff and overhead required to manage the transfer of power, as well as LePage’s Jan. 5 inauguration.

The transition team says all contributions will be publicly disclosed.

Maine’s own Moxie makes a splash in Sunshine State

There’s good news for Maine snowbirds: The state’s signature drink — Moxie — is now being distributed across Florida.

Designated the official soft drink of Maine, Moxie was invented in 1876 by Dr. Augusten Thompson of Union, who touted its alleged health benefits. New Englanders developed a taste for the quirky bittersweet soda, and there’s an annual Moxie festival held in Lisbon.

Cornucopia Beverages of Bedford, N.H., owns the rights to the brand and has granted distribution in Florida to Florida Micro Beverage Distributors.

YARMOUTH

Firefighters’ training session helps prevent ‘major fire’

A timely fire department training session may have saved a duplex from sustaining severe damage Wednesday night.

Fire Chief Byron Fairbanks said more than a dozen volunteer firefighters were attending a training session at the town’s fire station when they got a report that a building at 109 Bridge St. was on fire.

The crews arrived around 8 p.m. and were able to prevent the fire from spreading through the six-family duplex. Most of the damage was confined to the exterior of the first floor. Two families had to find temporary lodging.

“We were able to get right on it, but if this call had come in at 2 a.m. we would have had a major fire on our hands,” Fairbanks said.

SANFORD

‘Stubborn fire’ subdued after firefighters remove roof

Sanford firefighters had to remove a metal roof in order to bring a building fire under control Wednesday night.

Lt. Scott Lizotte said the fire damaged a duplex at 22 Mill St., but no injuries were reported.

“It was a stubborn fire because of the roof,” Lizotte said.

The fire was reported at 5:44 p.m.