COLUMBIA

Newspaper carrier calls 911, alerts family to house fire

Fire officials say a newspaper carrier called 911 and awakened a family after noticing their home was on fire during his morning route.

No one was injured in the fire early Thursday at a trailer in Columbia — the four people inside made it out in time. The Bangor Daily News reported its carrier called 911 at about 5:30 a.m.

Fire officials said the fire appears to have started near a wood stove.

AVON

Driver, 38, who lost control while passing dies in crash

State police say a driver was killed in a collision on Route 4 in Avon. Sgt. Aaron Hayden said Carlton Haggan of Strong was traveling north and lost control of his car at about 5:45 a.m. Thursday.

Hayden said Haggan’s car bounced off the side of the second of two cars he was passing, left the road and hit a utility pole, shearing it in half.

Haggan, 38, was ejected from the car. He was declared dead at the scene. Hayden told the Bangor Daily News that roads were icy in the early morning hours

PALERMO

Town will vote on whether to pursue RSU withdrawal

With residents worried by loss of local control and a coming tax hike, Palermo could become the third town to seek withdrawal from Regional School Unit 12.

Residents will vote at a special town meeting on Dec. 5, whether to appropriate $15,000 and create a committee that would negotiate a withdrawal agreement with RSU 12.

Westport Island and Wiscasset approved similar measures in June, and committees in those towns have drawn up proposals to leave RSU 12, which also includes Alna, Chelsea, Somerville, Whitefield and Windsor.

A hearing is set for 9 a.m. Saturday at the Town Office for residents to learn more about the vote and the findings of a committee.

— From staff and news services