GORHAM

Middle-school bomb threat follows message day earlier

A bomb threat against Gorham Middle School on Friday was determined not to be a credible threat, according to an email sent to parents from the school department.

Gorham police and fire officials responded to the written threat about 2 p.m. Friday, said a police dispatcher. It’s not clear where the threat was written.

A Portland police officer went to the school with a bomb-sniffing dog to check the building.

An announcement was made in the school that all after-school activities were canceled. All students who normally walk home were taken into the cafeteria. School buses left the campus with other students.

On Thursday, Gorham’s police and fire departments investigated a message written in a girls’ bathroom that said, “bomb? In the woods.”

A message sent to parents said that after investigation, police determined the message was not credible and posed no threat. No action was taken in that incident.

It’s not known whether the two incidents are related.

PORTLAND

Man with shoe camera who ‘stalked’ women sentenced

A Saco man who was accused of using a camera in his shoe to record videos looking up the skirts and dresses of women at Walmart in Scarborough and the Maine Mall in South Portland pleaded guilty Friday to two counts of violation of privacy.

William Tibbals, 31, of Pepperal Street was sentenced to eight months in jail and $200 in restitution for one woman’s therapy costs, after his plea in Cumberland County Unified Criminal Court.

As part of a plea agreement, two charges against Tibbals were dropped: one felony count of aggravated sexual aggression against a child under 12, punishable by up to five years in prison, and a misdemeanor charge of violation of privacy.

Assistant District Attorney William Barry asked the judge to give Tibbals a one-year jail sentence. Tibbals’ attorney, David Wayrens, sought a six-month jail term.

Barry said Tibbals used an iPod to record video through a hole in his shoe as he “stalked” women around the stores and stuck his foot between their legs. He recorded for 77 minutes at the Maine Mall on July 15 and 59 minutes at Walmart on July 16.

Police released images from Walmart surveillance cameras, and one of Tibbals’ co-workers recognized him, Barry said. Police found the videos from both locations on Tibbals’ computer when they searched his home in August.

BANGOR

Former student indicted in fatal stabbing of man

A former Eastern Maine Community College student has been indicted in connection with a fatal stabbing in Bangor earlier this month.

Akeem Harris, 23, of Amityville, N.Y., is accused of stabbing 30-year-old Thomas Taylor outside an apartment building April 9.

WABI-TV said Harris withdrew from the college in Bangor after the stabbing.

Police said he and Taylor fought in a parking lot of the Birch Circle Apartments where Taylor was found with a stab wound to the chest. He died later at a hospital.

BATH

Raid turned up pills, pot, 5-foot iguana, police say

Two Bath roommates face charges of possessing and growing marijuana — and one of them will have to register his 5-foot iguana — after a raid by police Thursday.

Police searched at 42 Windjammer Way at 3:24 p.m. after receiving a tip.

The search turned up marijuana plants, marijuana, Adderall pills, which are used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and the reptile.

Clancy Morton, 37, was charged with possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia and faces a June 18 court date in West Bath District Court. He also was ordered to register the iguana with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Joseph Reeve, 26, was issued a court summons on a charge of cultivating marijuana.

AUGUSTA

LePage signs bill shielding data of gun permit holders

A bill to keep under wraps the names and other identifying information about people with concealed-handgun permits will be signed into law, Gov. Paul LePage said Friday.

The bill was approved Thursday on lopsided votes in the state House and Senate. LePage himself has such a permit.

The bill, L.D. 345, sponsored by Rep. Corey Wilson, R-Augusta, finally passed the Senate and House on Thursday. The bill, which took effect after LePage’s signature, makes the names, addresses and birth dates of permit holders confidential. It allows for aggregate statistical data on permit holders, such as gender and town of residence, to be released.

The bill gained momentum from Maine’s gun-rights grassroots after a public-records request to the state from the Bangor Daily News for information on all permits was condemned by Republican lawmakers, including LePage. After that, a temporary law was passed making identifying information on permits confidential until April’s end. LePage’s signature on Friday shielded it permanently.

 

Waterville doctor cleared of malpractice on newborn

A jury has cleared a Waterville doctor of malpractice in connection with nerve damage in the arm of a baby she delivered.

Dr. Karen Bossie of Waterville Women’s Care was cleared Thursday after six-day trial in Kennebec County Superior Court.

Danielle Wentworth of Benton had sued Bossie on behalf of her daughter, who was born five years ago at MaineGeneral Medical Center.

Wentworth’s attorney told jurors that Bossie used too much traction in the delivery, which resulted in the girl suffering an injury to the nerves that control one arm.

Bossie’s attorney told jurors his client acted properly to deliver the baby during an obstetrical emergency.

A three-member medical malpractice screening panel had previously cleared Bossie of wrongdoing.

LIMESTONE

Science, math school ranks No. 1 in state, 13th in nation

The Maine School of Science and Mathematics in Limestone is the state’s top high school and one of the best in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report.

The annual ranking said the magnet school has a teacher-student ratio of 10 to 1, which is smaller than the Maine average, and 100 percent proficiency ratings for students in math and reading.

In addition, the school had a college readiness score of 100, meaning all students took and passed at least one Advanced Placement test, which can earn students college credits.

The magazine ranked the Maine School of Science and Mathematics 13th nationally.

The School for the Talented & Gifted in Dallas was ranked first nationally.

In Maine, Yarmouth High School was ranked second, followed by Falmouth High School, Cape Elizabeth High School and Wells High School.