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

Dispatches

From staff and new services

PORTLAND

Diocese starts support group for ‘same-sex attraction’

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland is starting a support group for “persons with same-sex attraction.”

Bishop Richard Malone announced Thursday that a local chapter of Courage, a worldwide spiritual support group, is being set up in Maine. Kevin Martin, a priest who serves St. Michael Parish in Augusta, has been appointed to serve as the Catholic chaplain for the ministry.

The support group will offer “hope and encouragement to men and women who desire to live in accordance with the church’s teaching on homosexuality,” said the bishop’s press release.

“Specifically, that the dignity and identity of every person is not determined by their sexual attractions, but by their relationship with the Lord and their striving to live the virtues of faith, hope and charity.”

The support group will practice a policy of anonymity and confidentiality and be open to people of all faiths.

The locations of local chapters will be disclosed only to those who plan to participate.

Poll: Maine consumers feel better about economy

A new poll shows Mainers are feeling better about the economy.

The poll released Thursday by Market Decisions of Portland says Maine consumers turned optimistic about the economy in January, with consumer sentiment rising 12 percent from the previous quarter.

Market Decisions President Curtis Mildner cautions that one quarter’s results do not make a trend, but he says it’s hard to ignore the survey’s evidence showing improved consumer mood.

Forty percent of those polled say now is a good time to make a major purchase, a 33 percent increase.

The percentage of Mainers who say they’re worse off than one year ago dropped from 49 to 40 percent.

The phone survey of 402 Mainers 18 and over was conducted Jan. 11-19. It has a 5 percentage point margin of error.

CAPE ELIZABETH

Beach to Beacon registration available online next month

Organizers of one of Maine’s most popular road races, the TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10-kilometer race, say they’ll begin accepting registrations next month.

This will mark the 15th year for the popular event, founded by Olympic gold medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson. This year’s race will be held on Aug. 4 in Cape Elizabeth.

Registrations will be accepted starting March 14 for Cape Elizabeth residents, then on March 15 will open up for all other racers through March 22. Runners will continue to register at the race website, www.beach2beacon.org.

A lottery with an expanded 1,850 slots will take place March 15-22.

AUGUSTA

LePage seeks more financial disclosure from state officials

A published report has prompted Gov. Paul LePage to submit a bill calling for more financial disclosures from public officials.

The bill would require legislators, executive branch officials and constitutional officers to report whether they or family members who hold executive or management-level positions outside of state government were paid more than $1,000 by the state.

The bill is prompted by a recent report by the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, which said that from 2003 to 2010 the state paid nearly $235 million to organizations run by state officials or their spouses.

LePage says it’s reasonable to ask elected leaders to disclose who is paying them.

His bill is sponsored by the Legislature’s presiding officers, Senate President Kevin Raye and House Speaker Robert Nutting, both Republicans.

Tests show improvement in students’ math and reading

Maine’s Department of Education says new test scores show students improved slightly in reading and more significantly in math.

Scores from the latest New England Common Assessment Program tests, taken in October, also show a slight decrease in writing.

Education officials say the test is one of several measures of performance. The state is planning to retire the New England Common Assessment Program after 2013.

In its place, Maine will administer a new, more sophisticated assessment system starting in the 2014-15 school year.

The new tests will assess students on the new Common Core State Standards in math and English language arts, adopted by Maine and 44 other states within the last two years.

LePage wants state’s digital learning network to grow

Gov. Paul LePage has ordered the state Department of Education to develop a plan for expanding digital learning opportunities for Maine students.

Wednesday’s executive order coincided with national Digital Learning Day, which highlights technology and digital media in education.

LePage says students need to gain the skills essential to succeed in the 21st century economy.

His executive order directs the Education Department to consult students, parents, educators, technology experts and others in crafting a plan for expanding access to digital learning statewide.

Man convicted of coffee shop arson asks judge for new trial

Lawyers for a Winthrop man convicted of burning down a Vassalboro coffee shop where waitresses served topless have asked a judge for a new trial.

In his motion, an attorney for Raymond Bellavance Jr. listed several reasons his client deserved a new trial, including the arrest of a key witness four days after the verdict.

The lawyer also reiterated objections made at trial and overruled.

Prosecutors tell the Bangor Daily News all the issues other than the witness’s arrest were dealt with properly during the trial.

Authorities say that Bellavance, 50, was jealous because his girlfriend worked at the shop and he thought she was in a relationship with the owner. He has denied starting the fire.

The judge is expected to rule by the end of the month.

BANGOR

Conn. man pleads guilty to attack with Molotov cocktail

A Connecticut man has pleaded guilty to charges in connection with a Molotov cocktail attack on a Maine home.

Alex Glossian of Meriden, Conn. pleaded guilty in federal court in Bangor on Wednesday to possession of an unregistered destructive device.

Prosecutors say Glossian, 25, and another person made Molotov cocktails out of 40-ounce beer bottles and gasoline and on June 2, 2010, lit them and threw them through the window of a home on Indian Island.

One ignited after shattering a bedroom window and caused extensive damage to the home. The second was recovered intact by investigators.

No one was hurt.

Glossian faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 at sentencing, which has not been scheduled.

WATERVILLE

Canceled winter carnival won’t be rescheduled

City officials have canceled a winter carnival scheduled for this weekend because there’s hardly any snow.

Parks & Recreation Director Matt Skehan says there’s been no lack of support for the carnival scheduled for Saturday at Quarry Road Recreation Area, but with the lack of snow, it’s just not feasible.

He tells the Morning Sentinel the event will not be rescheduled for this winter, but will return the first Saturday of February next year.

He says the recreation area is still open and the trails are being groomed, but it would not be appropriate to bring novice skiers to the festival.

Skehan says organizers are disappointed it had to be canceled.

LEWISTON

Turnpike authority buying property for parking lot

The Maine Turnpike Authority is expected to close this week on the purchase of a closed motel in Lewiston that will be knocked down to create a park-and-ride lot with at least 75 spots.

Executive Director Peter Mills says the purchase is part of a $24 million project to overhaul Exit 80.
Mills tells the Sun Journal the MTA has the former motel under contract for $400,000.

The coming work at Exit 80 is a four-part, multi-year project that includes new ramps.

Mills says the MTA is studying whether to knock down half of the hotel and find a buyer for the 42-room half-hotel left behind, or knock it all down to create 150 parking spaces. He’s in favor of the latter option.