Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

1:32 AM

In Maine visit, Romney takes jabs at Obama

On the eve of Maine caucuses, the candidate promises a return to 'conservative principles'.

1:00 AM

Maine GOP leader: Winner gets boost

The caucuses will give a lift to Romney or Paul, Charlie Webster says.

1:00 AM

Wealthy financier invests in Maine papers

S. Donald Sussman, a prominent Maine philanthropist, will have an equity stake in MaineToday Media and a seat on its board.

1:34 AM

Newspaper’s citizen-investor walks a fine line

Can a donor with such prominent political ties make it work? He can if the journalism – done ‘without fear or favor’ – comes first, experts say.

1:00 AM

AG says treasurer can't run businesses

Bruce Poliquin may own businesses, but others must manage them, the attorney general writes in a letter.

12:45 AM

Decampment: Occupy tents gone, but protest survives

City workers move in to Lincoln Park, filling Dumpsters with the remains of the campers' four-month stay.

12:45 AM

Diocese calls contraception plan 'first step'

It wants to analyze an exemption for religious-affiliated employers.

1:00 AM

Obama's Maine visit will include South Portland fundraiser

1:00 AM

Study buddies

USM fashions new spaces that connect students to resources and encourage collaborative learning

1:00 AM

Former podiatrist appears in court

John Perry pleads not guilty to drug and health-care fraud charges arising from alleged writing of illegal prescriptions.

12:00 AM

Breaking the ice on a new Hallowell arena

A groundbreaking is scheduled for next week following last winter's collapse of the old structure's roof.

1:00 AM

Bowdoin's museum chief is leaving job

Kevin Salatino is credited with bringing in exceptional exhibitions, including an Edward Hopper show.

1:00 AM

Fishermen say cod cuts would devastate fishery

Gulf of Maine fishermen get a partial reprieve this year, but likely face substantial cuts in 2013.

12:03 AM

Augusta residents fight aquaculture proposal

One neighbor says he dreads the prospect of 'the smell of dead fish wafting through the air.'

12:55 AM

Local/Region Dispatches

1:00 AM

Teen shoots himself in school cafeteria

Authorities say 14-year-old Hunter Mack had been upset over a 'relationship issue' with a girl.

1:00 AM

Feature Obituary: Sonny Noel, 87, one of state's most respected baseball umpires

1:00 AM

Boston TV, radio host Maynard dies at 82

Dave Maynard was also known for his fundraising campaigns for Children's Hospital in Boston.

Yesterday at 3:59 PM

Obama to change birth-control rule

After weeks of growing controversy, President Barack Obama announced a compromise Friday that will protect religious liberty but also ensure that women have free access to birth control.

Yesterday at 11:16 PM

Live Blog: Mitt Romney comes to Maine

Mitt Romney spoke in Portland on Friday, hoping to fend off a challenge from Rep. Ron Paul in Saturday's Maine Republican causes.

Yesterday at 4:29 PM

US defense chief seeks new probe into Marines, Nazi controversy

The Marines say they thought the "SS" in the shape of white lightning bolts was a nod to sniper scouts – not a symbol of Hitler's notorious SS unit.

Yesterday at 4:21 PM

Maine logging company fined $35,000 for violations

The Maine Forest Service says a Madison logging company has agreed to pay a $35,000 fine for violating the state's clear-cutting laws.

Yesterday at 3:54 PM

Occupy Maine going . . . going . . .

Portland public services crews accompanied by four police officers arrived at Lincoln Park at 1 p.m. today to complete the dismantling of the Occupy Maine encampment.

Yesterday at 5:34 PM

State budget available online

The budget is necessary to fill a hole at the Department of Health and Human Services.

Yesterday at 8:58 AM

Fugitive from 1993 heist finally arrested

After nearly two decades as a fugitive, a British man suspected of stealing $1.5 million from an armored car has been captured in Missouri.

Yesterday at 2:00 PM

Boy, 7, killed in camper fire in Corinth

Christian Rand was staying home from school when a fire swept through the camper trailer this morning. His parents were away at the time of the fire.

Yesterday at 9:03 AM

Corrupt former turnpike chief facing jail time

Paul Violette pleaded guilty to stealing more than $150,000 in the form of credit card charges and gift cards for personal use. He has 60 days of freedom left.

Yesterday at 8:50 AM

Bill Nemitz: Foreclosure exposer gets his reward

Tom Cox of Portland knew he was onto something in June 2010 when a GMAC employee admitted that, no, he didn't read the thousands of foreclosure documents he signed each day...

Yesterday at 9:06 AM

10 states freed of No Child Left Behind

It could be the beginning of the end for No Child Left Behind.

Yesterday at 4:07 PM

Boy, 2 men plucked from ocean in dramatic rescue

It was their first time crossing the ocean, but the three from Edmonton, Canada, were experienced sailors and had come equipped.

Yesterday at 1:54 PM

Russian officer convicted of being CIA spy

Lt. Col. Vladimir Nesterets reportedly pleaded guilty to passing on classified information in exchange for money.

Yesterday at 12:45 PM

Ex-Portland podiatrist pleads not guilty to drug, fraud charges

John Perry is accused of writing illegal prescriptions at bars and a strip club and charging some people at least $500 for an oxycodone prescription.

Yesterday at 6:47 AM

Dispatches

Cape seventh-grader spells 21 words to win county bee / Man going to jail for perjury tied to worker's comp checks / Portland man sentenced in theft of goods from Walmart / . . . and more news from around Maine.

Yesterday at 3:38 PM

Bowdoin Museum director takes West Coast job

Kevin Salatino will leave the Brunswick college this summer to become the director of art collections at The Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, Calif.

Yesterday at 10:49 AM

Police Beat

The latest police log from your area.

Yesterday at 10:48 PM

Romney and Paul: Not allies but not foes, either