AUGUSTA

2nd District newspapers endorse Raye over Michaud

Two newspapers are throwing their editorial support behind the Republican candidate in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District race.

The Bangor Daily News and Lewiston Sun Journal published editorials Friday endorsing Kevin Raye over the five-term Democratic Rep. Mike Michaud.

The Sun Journal said it’s time for a change in representation in the 2nd District and Michaud “has adopted a low-key profile on everything but veterans’ issues.” It called Raye “a consensus-builder and doer.”

The Bangor Daily News said having someone in the majority party in the U.S. House “will improve the odds that legislation benefiting Maine will pass.”

 

Maine and New Brunswick seek common energy goals

Gov. Paul LePage’s top energy adviser says Maine and New Brunswick are moving closer to achieving their common energy goals.

Ken Fletcher, director of the Governor’s Energy Office, said Friday that the state and its neighboring Canadian province gained ground in Thursday’s N2 International Exchange Forum in Saint John, New Brunswick.

Fletcher said the two governments discussed their common interests such as exporting energy to states in southern New England, and keeping energy costs down. The energy and construction industries were also represented at the forum.

Fletcher, who accompanied LePage at the Canadian meetings, says the two sides are moving closer to concrete action on their common goals.

PORTLAND

PACTS road, transit projects picked, funded for 2014-15

Funding authorities have identified 44 road and transit projects that will be done in Greater Portland in 2014 and 2015 with $11.5 million in state and federal money, the Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System said Friday.

The projects were selected through a year-long technical review led by PACTS staff members in collaboration with the Maine Department of Transportation, consulting engineers and representatives of 15 municipalities in the region.

Cities and towns will contribute an additional $2.1 million to the projects.

The list includes $1.5 million for improvements to Woodfords Corner in Portland, $677,000 for recreational pathway improvements in Portland and South Portland, $300,000 for the Casco Bay Island Transit District and $210,000 to design a roundabout at routes 1 and 88 in Yarmouth.

Projects in Biddeford will include $1.2 million to rebuild Main Street from Route 1 to west of Railroad Avenue and $1.2 million for traffic signal coordination at 10 intersections.

 

Pollock being featured in seafood promotion

Atlantic pollock is being featured at Maine restaurants and retailers for the next 10 days as part of an initiative to promote underutilized seafood species found in the Gulf of Maine.

A total of 29 restaurants, retailers and institutions are taking part in the promotion, which began Friday and runs through Nov. 4.

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute’s Out of the Blue campaign aims to raise public awareness and demand for lesser-known and underutilized fish. This is the fourth promotion since the program launched in June, with previous campaigns featuring redfish, whiting and mackerel.

The institute says Atlantic Pollock is a member of the cod family but with darker meat and a delicate flavor.

For a list of participating restaurants and retailers, people can visit www.gmri.org.

LEWISTON

New Bates College president invokes Jobs at inaugural

Bates College’s new president quoted the late Steve Jobs as she was inaugurated Friday, reminding those assembled that time is limited “so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”

Clayton Spencer, 57, was installed Friday as the eighth president since the college was founded in 1855, telling a crowd of 2,500 that “likewise we don’t have time to waste” and the college stands ready “to challenge ourselves and to engage the world.”

Her father, a former president of Davidson College in North Carolina, watched along with her mother, her brother and sister, and her daughter and son.

MILLINOCKET

Town vote to ax health plan affirmed by Supreme Court

Maine’s highest court has upheld a Millinocket Town Council vote to eliminate lifelong life and group hospitalization insurance coverage for 29 town workers and retirees.

The Supreme Judicial Court on Thursday affirmed the town’s opposition to a class-action lawsuit.

Citing rising costs, the council voted 7-0 in May 2009 to end the free health care benefits paid to the retirees. Since 1999, the town’s portion of retiree health benefits had increased from as little as $282.40 a month in 1999 to $599.44 a month in 2009, under a typical plan.

In their appeal, the workers and retirees argued that the council vote was a breach of contract.

Current council Chairman John Davis, who was not on the council in 2009, told the Bangor Daily News the decision is “bittersweet.”

BANGOR

School maintenance chief gets six months for thefts

A former high-ranking official with the Hermon School Department has been sentenced to six months in jail after pleading guilty to stealing more than $28,000 from the department.

Larry Dearborn, the former director of maintenance, facilities and transportation waived indictment and pleaded guilty Thursday at the Penobscot Judicial Center to Class C theft.

Dearborn, 44, was also ordered to complete restitution payments. Most of the money has already been repaid.

Prosecutors say Dearborn used his position with the school department to purchase items for personal and business use between September 2007 and January 2012.

The Bangor Daily News reported that his purchases included car parts and furnaces. Dearborn would purchase the parts using school funds, then bill customers whose cars or furnaces he repaired for the parts and labor.