POLAND

Mother and two children left homeless by noon fire

A mother and her two children were left homeless Sunday when fire swept through their house at 31 Harris Hill Road.

Poland Fire Chief Mark Bosse said the family was not home when a neighbor reported seeing heavy black smoke pouring from the wood-framed, split-level residence around noon.

By the time firefighters arrived, the home was engulfed in flames and not much could be done to save the structure, Bosse said.

“The fire had a big jump start on us,” he said.

When the family arrived home later, Bosse said the mother became emotionally “overwhelmed” and had to be taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston.

Bosse said the family – who is not being identified – is staying with relatives. They lost everything, including their dog, and they did not have renter’s insurance.

An electrical malfunction may have been to blame for the fire, Bosse said, but the cause remains under investigation.

STOCKTON SPRINGS

Teen found after spending night in 30-degree weather

Police have found a Stockton Springs teenager who was missing from his Waldo County home Saturday evening.

A news release Sunday said Adam Powell, 16, was found by a friend on a road in Stockton Springs after spending the night in 30-degree weather. Medical personnel examined him and determined he was in good condition.

The news release didn’t make clear why Powell decided to leave his home at 99 Harris Road in Stockton Springs. The Maine Warden Service and Maine State Police didn’t immediately return phone calls seeking details about the case.

PORTLAND

Wildlife officials offer tips for viewing moose in spring

With spring upon us, Maine wildlife officials are offering moose-viewing tips to the public.

May and June are typically the prime months to see moose browsing at roadsides or feeding at lakes and ponds with their young. With 29,000 moose, Maine has the country’s largest moose population outside of Alaska.

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife said the best times of day to see moose are at dawn or dusk because the animals spend the warmest part of the day in the woods.

The department said that if you spot a moose while driving, it’s OK to pull over and watch, but keep your distance because an adult moose may have young calves nearby and will fiercely protect them.

Signs of an angry moose include laid-back ears and hairs standing on end atop the hump at its shoulders.

AUGUSTA

CMP recognized with award for response to storm Irene

Maine’s largest utility is being recognized for its efforts in restoring power to hundreds of thousands of customers who were left in the dark by Tropical Storm Irene.

The Edison Electric Institute presented Central Maine Power Co. with its Emergency Recovery Award for its response in restoring electric service to 364,000 customers.

Tropical Storm Irene’s high winds and heavy rain knocked out power to homes and businesses and washed out bridges and roads when it rolled into Maine in late August.

CMP and other utilities received the awards last week at the institute’s spring CEO meeting in Washington.