News from July 17, 2012

July 17, 2012

Police: 'Person of interest' in Portland shooting has neck tattoo

Investigators want to talk to a young Asian man who may have ties to the India Street neighborhood where last week's homicide took place.

July 17, 2012

Youkilis homers in Boston as White Sox win 7-5

Kevin Youkilis hit his first homer at Fenway Park as a visitor and Red Sox ace Jon Lester struggled again, allowing six runs in four innings.

July 18, 2012

Rankings put MMC at the top in Maine

U.S. News & World Report's high marks for the hospital in Portland contrast with recent safety ratings by Consumer Reports.

July 18, 2012

Rotten Tomatoes suspends comments on 'Dark Knight'

The aggregating website Rotten Tomatoes suspended user comments on movie reviews of "The Dark Knight Rises" after commenters reacted harshly to negative reviews of the film and made profane and threatening remarks about the critics who wrote them.

July 18, 2012

Snowe, Collins help GOP block Disclosure Act

The bill was an attempt to end anonymity for big-time donors who secretly influence elections.

July 17, 2012

Mass. to begin aerial spraying for mosquitoes

The spraying comes after a number of mosquito samples recently tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis, a potentially deadly disease for humans.

July 17, 2012

Sides talking, websites sparring, but WMTW still blacked out

The Time Warner-Hearst dispute over fees is similar to ones at DIRECTV and DISH Network.

July 17, 2012

Vt. GOP official sorry for Obama Facebook post

Rob Towle said Obama's 'stimulus package' includes cornbread, fried chicken coupons and a prayer rug — attacks that were widely interpreted as racist.

July 17, 2012

Biddeford votes to buy energy plant for $6.7 million

 The vote was met with cheers and applause by residents who support the purchase.

July 17, 2012

Oregon man recovering from rare case of the plague

One look at his hands shows why the plague is referred to as "Black Death."

July 17, 2012

PHOTO: Big splash coming

Jason Madore of Vassalboro jumps off a floating swim dock with three of his kids Sunday into Outlet Stream.

July 17, 2012

House GOP propose legislation to kill AmeriCorps

The legislation would all defund National Public Radio, public television and Planned Parenthood.

July 17, 2012

48 charged in massive Medicaid fraud case

The FBI seized 250,000 pills worth $16 million.

July 17, 2012

Woman charged with stalking Ex-Red Sox GM

44-year-old Kathleen Kearney tried to deliver a birthday present to Theo Epstein's young son at Epstein's Chicago home

July 17, 2012

Divers find 'nothing substantial' in search for Ayla Reynolds

The search, which began Tuesday morning, took place between two dams on the Kennebec River.

July 17, 2012

Photos of Ayla Reynolds search on Kennebec River



July 17, 2012

Small study: Drug may help stabilize Alzheimer's

In a possible major breakthrough, four patients who received the highest doses showed no decline of memory or cognition over a three-year period.

July 17, 2012

Charlie Sheen 'genuinely interested' in 'Idol' gig

He may not have music experience, but neither did Ellen DeGeneres before she was named a judge for season 9.

July 17, 2012

Maine court rejects preacher's appeal in kidnapping case

Maine's highest court has upheld the kidnapping convictions of a self-proclaimed preacher who hid his wife's children from their biological father.

July 18, 2012

Dashboard cam captures trooper's
split-second maneuvers

A video released by Maine State Police shows Trooper Doug Cropper using his vehicle to intentionally cause a crash to stop a wrong-way driver on June 29.

July 17, 2012

Malone to oversee Catholics in both Maine and Buffalo

The Pope's decision allows Bishop Richard Malone to continue overseeing the church's role in the upcoming Maine referendum on whether to legalize same-sex marriage.

July 17, 2012

Delta passenger thought needle was a toothpick

U.S. and European authorities are trying to determine how the needles got into meals served on at least four separate Delta flights.

July 17, 2012

Four women testify in growing Air Force sex scandal

Twelve instructors at Lackland Air Force Base are facing charges or being investigated.

July 17, 2012

Felon wounded in Portland shootout gets 18-year sentence

Arien L'Italien, who had 17 past criminal cases, is 'very violent,' the judge says.

July 17, 2012

Median list price of Portland homes rises nearly 3.5%

Portland was the 63rd most-searched market in the country in June, based on data released by Realtor.com.

July 17, 2012

Police hunt 'person of interest' in Portland homicide

The man appears on surveillance video from an area business recorded just before the shooting occurred.

July 17, 2012

Elder Bushes to skip GOP convention

A spokesman for former President George H.W. Bush says it will be the first time since 1976 that he won't attend the Republican Party gathering.

July 17, 2012

Lobstermen fishing again, but prices still rock bottom

A Maine Lobstermen's Association official says lobstermen are still getting only about $2 a pound for their catch.

July 17, 2012

Magazine ranks Portland 3rd in U.S. for raising families

The city is out-ranked only by Boston and Burlington, Vt., according to Parenting Magazine.

July 17, 2012

Portland seeks public input on municipal golf course

The city is looking for golfers to share their thoughts about course operations and offer suggestions for improvement. Non-golfers are also encouraged to offer ideas about off-season uses.

July 17, 2012

'Nothing substantial' found during river search for Ayla Reynolds Several photos included in this story

When asked what he meant by “substantial,” the Department of Public Safety spokesman skirted the question.

July 17, 2012

Mass. General named nation's top hospital

Maine Medical Center ranked No. 1 in Maine. U.S. News & World Report lists MMC among places “where other hospitals send the toughest cases.”

July 18, 2012

White House steps into Obama kiss diss controversy

When the Obamas appear on the scoreboard 'Kiss Cam' Monday night, Mrs. Obama is seen shaking her head 'no.'

July 17, 2012

Despite protests, Boy Scouts reaffirm ban on gays

An 11-member special committee "came to the conclusion that this policy is absolutely the best policy for the Boy Scouts."

July 17, 2012

Natural gas leak slows South Portland traffic

Police are directing traffic in the area and say that the work is expected to last until after 4 this afternoon.

July 17, 2012

Regulators OK Portland charter school for fall 2013 Video clip included

In a separate vote, the Maine Charter Commission approves the plan for a charter school in Cornville for 2012.

July 17, 2012

Fawn found stranded on Boston highway

DOT workers rescue fawn, feed it grass and give it water before turning it over to wildlife officials.

July 17, 2012

65-year-old man found dead in Bangor square

Emergency responders attempted to revive the man but he was pronounced dead at Pickering Square.

July 17, 2012

La. sheriff seeks answers in stolen car escape that ended in Maine

Officer uses Taser in arrest of escapee at Maine-Canada border crossing.

July 17, 2012

Cat makes 6-mile trek back to NH home

Former stray leaves Animal Rescue League and returns to Bedford home.

July 17, 2012

Utah man uses obit to confess crimes, misdemeanors

"As it turns out, I AM the guy who stole the safe from the Motor View Drive Inn back in June, 1971."

July 17, 2012

Romney on attack in Pa.; Obama collects Texas cash

Mitt Romney plans to campaign in the Pittsburgh area today, stepping up his criticism of Obama in a state that has proven to be a tough presidential battleground for the Republican Party.

July 17, 2012

NASA already cooking up Mars menu

A menu for a planned journey to Mars must sustain a group of six to eight astronauts for three years. One option under consideration is having the astronauts care for a "Martian greenhouse."

July 17, 2012

Toddler found unresponsive in NH pool dies

Police say the pool's safety fencing and gates were unsecured right before the 19-month-old was found.

July 17, 2012

Feds to lift turtle restrictions on scallop fleet

The booming scallop industry has developed a dredge that knocks turtles out of its way before the endangered animals get trapped.

July 17, 2012

Lewiston OKs sale of naming rights for athletic complex

The plan is part of an effort to raise $3.8 million to build a new complex without any taxpayer money.

July 17, 2012

Work on new NH-Maine bridge on schedule

The main contractor says all of the new foundations are expected to be completed in September.

July 17, 2012

Maine group to launch lobster promotion in August

With an abundance of lobster on the market, the campaign is designed to encourage consumers to eat more.

July 17, 2012

Police identify fatal crash victim as Blue Hill woman

The 47-year-old woman was a passenger in a pickup truck when it crashed on Saturday in Bucksport.

July 17, 2012

Portland council rejects limit on panhandling

 The new ordinance would have required panhandlers to move off the median strips of city streets.

July 17, 2012

Paterno's family to launch own probe

Joe Paterno Rejecting a recent report, they insist that the late Penn State coach did not protect a pedophile.

July 17, 2012

Relative tells authorities Zimmerman molested her

George Zimmerman The woman called police after George Zimmerman was charged with murder.

July 17, 2012

Dispatches

 Portland woman, 26, dies in one-car crash / Man celebrates 90th birthday by jumping from airplane / Trial begins for man accused of strangling ex-girlfriend ... and more news from around the state.

July 17, 2012

Drought grips much of U.S.

 Up to 20 percent of the corn crop could fail, food prices may rise -- and rain is not yet in the forecast.

July 17, 2012

Gardiner-area residents object to toll inequities

 A turnpike official signals the proposed increases may be adjusted when the authority decides Thursday.

July 17, 2012

NYC ban helps trim trans fat in restaurants

Researchers say New York's rules are working to cut back on consumption of the artery clogger.

July 17, 2012

Portland gives 162-year-old dam a checkup

20120716_Dam Inspectors look for damage and leaks in the old structure on the Stroudwater River.

July 17, 2012

Toddler burned in fire pit moves out of intensive care

The toddler is doing well, according to Lebanon officials.

Videos

Twiggy, the Water Skiing Squirrel
Sailor Surprises His Mom At Her CU
Official: ‘Amazing’ No One Was Kill