PORTLAND

N.H. man, 45, gets 15 years for two Maine bank heists

A New Hampshire man has been sentenced to more than 15 years in federal prison for bank robbery, interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle and interstate transportation of stolen property.

U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen imposed the 188-month sentence Friday on Bernie Subocz, 45, of Manchester, N.H.

He was accused of a pair of bank robberies in Wells and York in November 2011. He pleaded guilty.

Another Manchester resident, Christie Hendrix, 34, was sentenced previously to 22 months for stealing a car and using it as the getaway vehicle in the York robbery.

Torresen imposed a harsher-than-normal sentence on Subocz, based on a criminal history that she described as one of the worst she had seen.

MONROE

Body recovered after fire thought to be occupant’s

Fire officials say a body has been recovered following a house fire in the Waldo County town of Monroe.

The state Fire Marshal’s Office said the body is believed to be that of the occupant, Randy Oliver, 56, but the state Medical Examiner’s Office will examine the body and confirm the identification.

The fire was reported Thursday night, and the body was recovered Friday morning in rubble that had collapsed into the basement.

Investigators said it’s unlikely the fire’s cause will be determined because of the extensive damage.

BANGOR

Ex-treasurer pleads guilty to bilking two nonprofits

The former treasurer of the Bangor-Breakfast Kiwanis Club and Greater Bangor 4th of July Corp. has pleaded guilty to stealing about $140,000 from the organizations over several years.

Bruce Fowle pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of theft in a Bangor courtroom.

Authorities said Fowle, 62, had been stealing from the organizations for several years, and an investigation began last August when members of the organizations realized money was missing.

The Greater Bangor 4th of July Corp. raises money for the city’s annual fireworks display.

Fowle is no longer involved with either group. WABI-TV reported that he pledged in court to repay the money.

He will be sentenced at a future date.

LEWISTON

Mayor appoints first Somali to position on school board

Lewiston has long had a significant Somali population, and now Maine’s second-largest city has its first Somali school committee member.

Zam Zam Mohamud cast her first votes this week following her appointment by Mayor Robert Macdonald to complete the term of a member who resigned.

Mohamud, 38, told the Sun Journal that she intends to serve out the term that expires in January and might seek election.

She’s no stranger to the city’s schools. She was an engaged and active parent during the education of her own children, both of whom are now in college.

She said serving on the school board is a way for her to give back to the community that provided her children with a good education.

She’s been a U.S. citizen since 2006.

MEXICO

Teen riding on roof injured when car flips and pins him

Authorities say a Dixfield teenager is expected to survive after riding on the roof of a car that flipped and pinned him underneath.

Police said the teen was on the roof of the car in Mexico about 4:30 p.m. Thursday when the 15-year-old driver lost control on a dirt road.

Rumford Deputy Fire Chief Richard Coulombe told the Sun Journal that the driver backed toward a curve, got into the soft shoulder on the outside of the curve and flipped the car over, landing upside down in a drainage ditch.

The teen on the roof had one leg pinned.

Firefighters from several departments lifted the vehicle so ambulance crews could free the boy.

He was taken to the hospital with injuries not considered life threatening. No names were released.

BAR HARBOR

Acadia opens main road to vehicles following delay

Acadia National Park has opened the entire Park Loop Road to vehicles.

The 27-mile road, the main road through the park, opened Friday after a monthlong delay because of federal budget cuts.

Acadia officials announced in March that the Park Loop Road, the Hulls Cove Visitors Center and the Cadillac Mountain summit road would open a month later than their usual mid-April openings because of the series of automatic spending cuts known as “sequestration.”

The Cadillac Mountain summit road opened on May 11, and the visitor center is set to open on Sunday.

The park’s hiking trails are all open except for where peregrine falcons are exhibiting nesting behavior.

PROSPECT

Bridge observatory opening for seventh season Saturday

The only bridge observatory in the United States is opening for the season this weekend, offering 360-degree views of the Penobscot Bay islands, surrounding towns and even Mount Katahdin.

The Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory opens for its seventh season on Saturday. The sightseeing tower is high on top of the western tower of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge that links Prospect and Verona Island over the Penobscot River.

This year’s opening was delayed because of the demolition of the old Waldo-Hancock Bridge, which was shut down when the Penobscot Narrows Bridge opened in December 2006.

The 42-story-high observatory will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until June 30. It will be open until 6 p.m. from July 1 to Aug. 31.