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

March 21

High-speed chase leads to crash in Portland

The driver, who was hospitalized, faces a number of criminal charges related to the 110-mph chase.

March 21

Ex-QB Bledsoe: Lift wine shipment ban

The former quarterback, now a winemaker, makes his case to lawmakers.

March 21

Work on gas lines to snarl Old Port

Businesses welcome the upgrade as well as Unitil's plan to finish by Memorial Day.

March 22

Low blow quickly ends Maine fighter's prime-time match

Home boy Marcus Davis brings Waachiim Spiritwolf to his knees, but illegally, the ruling goes.

March 21

Voter ID law repeal rejected in N.H. House

But legislation is passed to prevent tighter rules from taking effect until a probe of the last election is complete.

March 22

Maine couple share their drama

Two directors at the high school theater festival this weekend will root for more than their own students.

March 21

Patriots' secondary seemingly sounder with Wilson

The five-time Pro Bowl safety should complement Aqib Talib in the defensive backfield.

March 21

Palmyra couple charged in 2007 home fire

They're charged with causing the fire to collect insurance, but it's not clear what sparked the investigation five years after the incident.

March 21

Colorado joins states with civil unions for gay couples

Gov. John Hickenlooper signs the bill as dozens of gay couples look on during a ceremony at the History Colorado Center near the Capitol.

March 21

Pingree backs bill legalizing marijuana

The measure would control the drug at the federal level similar to the way alcohol is regulated.

March 21

22 years later, judge frees man convicted of killing NY rabbi

Prosecutors say they "no longer have sufficient evidence to prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt."

March 21

Vatican's communications site runs Batman story

Vatican officials say an "internal system failure" resulted in the story being posted on the website.

March 21

Vt. oil bill delayed after complaining law firm letter

A letter from the law firm Downs Rachlin Martin says the bill would discriminate against the company that owns the pipeline and may be illegal.

March 21

Warm spring, continued drought predicted for US

The forecast also calls for little relief for the drought-stricken Midwest and Southwest.

March 21

LePage: Gas project excludes workers

But the company planning to build a pipeline takes issue with claims about its labor agreement.

March 23

Panel tables bill to make Maine gun data private

Republicans criticize the delay, but the committee chair says it's needed to consider a proposed compromise.

March 21

Biden reiterates call for assault weapon ban

The vice president said today that the White House is still pushing for the measure.

March 21

Waynflete student wins Poetry Out Loud contest

Dyer Rhoads will represent Maine at the National Poetry Out Loud Finals on April 28-30 in Washington, D.C.

March 21

Freeport elects Sarah Tracy to town council

Tracy, an attorney and frequent volunteer, won with nearly 70 percent of the vote.

March 22

Prospects dim for massive Westbrook shopping project

Plans to build the state's largest shopping center appear unlikely as the land heads to auction.

March 22

Deaths of sex offenders take turn to bizarre

The convicted rapist who killed himself on I-95 and admitted killing a former roommate was also a suspect in a new case.

March 21

Government funding bill sails through House

The measure would fund the day-to-day operating budgets of every Cabinet agency through Sept. 30. It leaves in place automatic spending cuts of 5 percent to domestic programs and 8 percent to the Pentagon.

March 21

Portland police seek 2 in pellet-gun shooting of cab driver

The driver was hit in the face and neck with either BBs or pellets. He was treated by rescue workers at the scene but was not taken to the hospital.

March 21

Beal named Gatorade boys' basketball player of the year

The Jonesport-Beals High School guard/forward was recently named the state's Mr. Basketball.

March 22

Strong jailed 20 days in Zumba prostitution case

His key involvement warrants time, the judge says, despite genuine remorse and an emotional plea from his wife.

March 22

Income tax bill targets wealthiest in Maine

Rep. Seth Berry calls for a ‘fairness’ tax on some high earners to align their rate with what most Mainers pay.

March 21

In Maine feud over dirt road, medieval-style ax is brandished

A member of a Renaissance and Middle Ages re-enactment group is accused of threatening a neighbor in Sumner.

March 21

Universe is a little older than scientists had thought

Findings from a European satellite show the cosmos is expanding more slowly than had been believed.

March 21

York County pantry supplier in danger of closing

York County Food Rescue is being evicted from its current space in Sanford and will shut down unless it finds 4,000-square feet of new space.

March 21

No one hurt as small plane flips in Newburgh

The plane was taxiing on the runway when one of its skis snagged in the snow, causing the flip, police say.

March 21

Influential pediatricians group backs gay marriage

Kids fare just as well in gay or straight families when they are nurturing and financially and emotionally stable, the American Academy of Pediatrics says.

March 21

Obama preaches peace in Middle East

He prods both Israelis and Palestinians to resume talks, telling young people 'Peace is possible.'

March 21

Shipyard workers protest cuts

Civilian defense employees expect furlough notices in two weeks.

March 21

Two-day summer yoga festival planned in Portland

YogaFest co-founder Justine Carlisle says her goal is to generate a sense of togetherness and to raise awareness about the physical and mental benefits of yoga.

March 21

This just in: Mass. guv was joking

An off-the-cuff joke by Gov. Deval Patrick about seeking a third term in office sparked a brief firestorm online.

March 21

VA official grilled on vets' wait for help

Maine is doing much better than the VA overall, which needs on average 279 days to process a disability claim.

March 21

Report gives man's motive in I-95 standoff, homicide

Before killing himself, a man said he killed a rapist to stop him from molesting children, according to an affidavit.

March 21

Webcam keeps eye on nesting Maine peregrines

Still endangered in Maine, the species is recovering from devastating effects of DDT in the 1960s.

March 21

Local & State Dispatches

Three Mainers recommended for federal judgeship / Man who escaped cruiser while handcuffed now in custody / Driver stopped with fake plate 'of very poor quality' ... and more news from around the state.

March 21

Maine officials seeking pepper-spray video leak

The Department of Corrections wants to know how the media obtained video and documents about how a prison captain pepper-sprayed a restrained inmate.

March 21

Portland panel unanimously recommends roundabouts

The city has been studying ways to improve mobility and safety at the six-legged intersection near USM and the UMaine law school for more than a year.

March 21

Portland cab driver shot, robbed with pellet gun

The driver is duped into giving a man a ride to Cumberland Avenue where his accomplice robs him at gunpoint.

March 20

Freeport voters elect a new town councilor

Sarah Tracy, a lawyer, defeats Joyce Clarkson-Veilleux to win the seat vacated earlier this year.