News from June 14, 2012

June 14, 2012

Heavily used Interstate 295 ramps to close tonight

The ramps must be closed to allow for crews to repair the Interstate 295 bridges over Forest Avenue and Preble Street

June 15, 2012

Rift with Snowe could cost Summers

The Republican’s decision not to back the senator amid tea party attacks in 2011 may hurt his bid to succeed her.

June 14, 2012

Dem drops out of Maine House District 57 race

Rep. Maeghan Maloney says she will devote her energy to running for district attorney in Kennebec and Somerset counties.

June 14, 2012

King presents bipartisan list of supporters

Angus King's county campaign chairs include prominent partisans and independents.

June 14, 2012

Bids for Downeaster layover facility higher than expected

The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority was seeking about $10 million from state and federal sources to pay for the Brunswick facility. But the bids ranged from $12.2 million to $20 million.

June 14, 2012

Maine lawmaker to serve six months for forgery

Republican David Burns, who represented House District 138 for little more than a year, is also ordered to pay $2,384 in restitution.

June 15, 2012

Two teens charged with torching Standish church Several photos included in this story

The 114-year-old Richville Chapel is destroyed along with pews from the late 1800s.

June 14, 2012

Experts differ on DNA in Dechaine case

Testimony today focused on how likely contamination was responsible for unknown male DNA on Sarah Cherry's fingernail clipping.

June 14, 2012

Police: Driver exceeded limit by 100 mph in Bath crash

Joseph Boyington, 22, was driving his Acura 135 mph in the passing lane of Route 1 north in Bath – an area where the posted speed limit is 35 mph.

June 14, 2012

Maine's high court rules Pike quarry agreement flawed

Artel Inc. and Smiling Hill Farm partially win their appeal of an agreement reached among Pike Industries, Idexx Laboratories and the city of Westbrook.

June 14, 2012

CDC: Motorcycle helmet laws reduce deaths

On average, about five times as many bikers without helmets die in states with less restrictive laws.

June 14, 2012

Waterville police arrest man in stabbing case

Charles Bellows, 20, is charged with stabbing another man twice in the back on April 8.

June 14, 2012

Amazing Kreskin endorses Maine candidate for US Senate

However, the famous mentalist's endorsement did not include a prediction that Steve Woods will win.

June 14, 2012

State to make up shortfall to lawyers for indigents

An emergency infusion of just over $900,000 means the state can pay attorneys’ bills going back to May 10.

June 14, 2012

Court says Scouts' abuse files public record

The files contain accusations against Scout leaders that ranged from child abuse to lesser offenses that would prohibit them from working in the Scouts.

June 14, 2012

'Do you want to allow same-sex couples to marry?'

That's the wording proposed by Maine's Secretary of State for the November ballot, and the public now has 30 days to comment.

June 14, 2012

Falling boulder risk forcing major closures at Yosemite

"There are no absolutely safe areas in Yosemite Valley," says a park geologist.

June 14, 2012

US unemployment aid applications rise to 386K



June 14, 2012

Fungi causing white pine damage in region

The U.S. Forest Service is working with state forestry departments in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont to assess the impact on tree growth.

June 14, 2012

Ariz. asks for haikus to promote dust storm safety

Transportation officials encourage Twitter users to tweet haikus around the theme safe driving in haboobs – severe dust storms that hit Phoenix in the summer.

June 14, 2012

Tree worker electrocuted in crane accident in NH

Officials say the worker was standing with his hand on a wood chipper 20 feet from the crane when it touched a power line..

June 14, 2012

Officer: Sandusky should have been charged in 1998

Earlier today, the alleged victim in that 1998 encounter described Sandusky lathering him up and lifting him under a showerhead to rinse his hair.

June 14, 2012

Egypt's highest court orders parliament dissolved

The Supreme Constitutional Court rules that a third of the legislature was elected illegally, "and, consequently, it does not legally stand."

June 14, 2012

I-295 northbound in Portland reopens after crash

The tractor-trailer and car involved in the crash were removed at about noon, and the northbound lanes were reopened.

June 14, 2012

Cheaper gas lowers measure of US consumer prices

Gas prices have tumbled 40 cents after peaking April 6. Prices at the pump averaged $3.54 yesterday, according to AAA. That's down 19 cents from a month earlier.

June 14, 2012

Body of Capt. John Brainard, killed in Afghanistan, comes home

Brainard, from Newport, died last month when the helicopter he was piloting went down in Afghanistan.

June 14, 2012

Classic car auction draws nearly $10M in NH

One car, a rare 1936 Ford Model 48 Cabriolet, sells for $396,000.

June 14, 2012

Armstrong considering 'all options' after doping charge Video clip included

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency says it has blood samples that are consistent with drug use and more than 10 former Armstrong teammates and support personnel who say they saw him use drugs or talk about using them.

June 14, 2012

Bangor police make arrest in hit-and-run death

Police say 51-year-old Patricia Giles of Brewer was arrested Wednesday night.

June 14, 2012

Dueling speeches: Obama, Romney go at it in Ohio

The two offer vastly different visions of how to speed up America's economic recovery.

June 14, 2012

Maine home of Matt Stairs robbed

Among the items reportedly stolen were the former major league baseball player's National League and American League championship rings.

June 14, 2012

3rd suspect pleads guilty in Lewiston pot robbery

Prosecutors say 22-year-old Derrick McDuffy was one of three men who kicked in a couple's front door and robbed a man of his medical marijuana at gunpoint.

June 14, 2012

Families from unsafe Augusta building find housing

Three families displaced when their apartment building was abruptly declared unfit to live in have found new lodgings with help from the city and others.

June 14, 2012

Waterville police: Women rob cabbie, break into apartment

Two women allegedly robbed a cab driver Wednesday, broke into an apartment and then fled down a Waterville street before being nabbed by police.

June 14, 2012

Study: Cougars again spreading across Midwest

Researchers say the study poses fresh questions about how humans and livestock can co-exist with the re-emerging predators.

June 14, 2012

New Maine academy holds inaugural graduation

The Maine Academy of Natural Sciences in Hinckley opened in September 2011 as Maine's first high school to focus on the natural sciences.

June 14, 2012

Federal charges dropped against John Edwards



June 14, 2012

5 Maine charter school applications under review

With the June 29 deadline approaching for proposals, nine letters of intent have been filed to the schools.

June 14, 2012

Hundreds of Vietnam vets to march in Waterville today

The event will feature guest speakers, a 21-gun salute and the playing of taps in recognition of those who were lost in the war.

June 25, 2012

Westbrook school administrator placed on leave

The high school's assistant principal, Howard Jack, who was recently criticized over bullying, is being investigated.

June 14, 2012

Feature obituary: Daniel H. Fifield Jr., 'stood up for anything smaller than him'



June 14, 2012

Meet your trillions of passengers: Scientists map microbes in the human body

Some are good, some bad, and scientists are looking at how they keep us healthy.

June 14, 2012

Election 2012: King offer to shun super PACs dies quickly Video clip included

 His chief rivals for Senate resist his idea for a pact on third-party spending.

June 14, 2012

Dispatches

Man dies from injuries after motorcycle hits fence / Aroostook County man sentenced for drug use, sale / Man held on sex charges involving 7-year-old boy . . . and more Maine news.

June 14, 2012

Arena plan centers on premium seating

The committee overseeing the civic center renovation settles on the location of luxury suites and seats.

June 14, 2012

Defeat of budget adds to turmoil in RSU 23

School officials regroup, and some Saco residents say the vote indicates an interest in withdrawing.

June 14, 2012

Watch your language in Middleborough



June 14, 2012

Dechaine witness: Test more for DNA

 That could clarify whether thumbnail DNA evidence came from contamination during the autopsy, he says.

June 14, 2012

Election Dispatches



June 14, 2012

NH hospital: Employee using drugs likely spread hepatitis

Exeter Hospital says an employee using a syringe to inject himself with medication meant for patients and then re-using the syringe on patients probably caused the outbreak that infected 20 people.

June 14, 2012

Landesman: Make artwork controversial

 The chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts tours Maine, meeting artists, educators and officials.

June 14, 2012

Election 2012: Money wasn't key factor in primary wins

One candidate's timing with his funds helped, but for most the cost-per-vote didn't translate into success.

June 14, 2012

Enterverge awards honor, nurture young entrepreneurs

Winners include the owners of a food truck, a wallet maker, and a marketing firm.

June 14, 2012

Election 2012: In tight Courtney win, Calder makes his mark Several photos included in this story

The Republicans express unity after the engineer nearly upset the legislator in the 1st District primary.

June 14, 2012

Two seeking TIFs told to redo terms

The developers are seeking the tax breaks for their India Street neighborhood condos, apartments and offices.

June 14, 2012

NCAA penalizes UNE for violating financial aid rules

 NCAA officials reprimand the Division III school for using scholarship funds to entice hockey players.

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