News from June 27, 2012

June 27, 2012

Authorities find dead sailor on boat in Rockland

The sailboat had collided with a couple of other boats, the Coast Guard says.

June 27, 2012

Deering principal named Portland's acting superintendent

Ira Waltz will stay on through Aug. 31 or until a new superintendent is hired.

June 27, 2012

Munjoy Hill group to discuss concert details

Representatives from the city and the State Theater, which is promoting the Mumford & Sons’ concert, are invited to Thursday’s meeting.

June 27, 2012

Health care countdown: Who wins, loses – pays?

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule today.

June 27, 2012

Tests find only marijuana in face-chewer's system



June 27, 2012

Avoid Congress Street on your morning commute Thursday

Two lanes of traffic will remain open but there could be delays

June 27, 2012

Two men arrested after confrontation in Raymond

The suspects became violent after going to a garage to collect a debt owed to them by the owner, police say.

June 27, 2012

Woman charged with stealing from nonprofit

Police say the employee diverted more than $56,000 in donations.

June 27, 2012

Propane rail terminal under construction in Biddeford

A Minnesota company is building a propane rail terminal in the Biddeford Industrial Park.

June 27, 2012

New Veterans Bridge to open Thursday following ceremony

First Lady Ann LePage, the Federal Highway Administrator and the Maine Department of Transportation Commissioner are among those who plan to attend.

June 27, 2012

Ortiz homers again, Sox pound Blue Jays 10-4

The Red Sox scored six runs in the first inning and David Ortiz hit his 399th career homer, as Boston won for its ninth time in 11 games.

June 27, 2012

Crash critically injures motorcyclist, slows Jetport traffic

The man was riding a Harley Davidson inbound on Johnson Road when it appears a Toyota Avalon tried to make a U-turn in front of him, causing the collision.

June 27, 2012

New Portland school struggles with overcrowding

 To avoid large classes, officials are inviting parents to try to out-of-neighborhood placement at Longfellow Elementary or East End Community School.

June 27, 2012

Barney Frank: I wish I could marry in Maine

In two weeks, retiring congressman and leading gay-rights activist Barney Frank will marry his partner Jim Ready, of Ogunquit, in Massachusetts. Then, he’ll work to ensure that same-sex nuptials are legal in Maine.

June 27, 2012

Maine sports Hall-of-Famer indicted on child-porn charge

61-year-old Dana Wilson, of Brewer, who once averaged 35 points per game for Husson University, was indicted Wednesday by a Penobscot County grand jury.

June 27, 2012

Humans believed to be in cargo containers docked in NJ

Dock workers rushed to unload stacked containers inside a cargo ship in New Jersey on Wednesday after Coast Guard officials heard knocking from inside one of the boxes.

June 27, 2012

5-year-old Maine boy's hand severed in freak accident

Surgeons in Boston are attempting to reattach a 5-year-old Maine boy's hand after he lost it in a freak accident.

June 27, 2012

Polls: Obama leads in key swing states

But the numbers are within the margin of error in national surveys, meaning the race is essentially a tossup.

June 27, 2012

Lawmakers reach tentative deal on highways, student loans

Congressional leaders have tentatively agreed on a two-year bill to overhaul federal highway programs that drops a requirement that the government approve the Keystone XL oil pipeline.

June 27, 2012

Lovefest no more: Woods goes after Angus King

U.S. Senate candidate Steve Woods says King would have to be "kidnapped by aliens" or "tortured" before joining Republicans.

June 27, 2012

Maine community colleges reject tuition increase

System President John Fitzsimmons said there are 100 reasons to raise tuition but one overriding reason not to.

June 27, 2012

Local officers lift weights, raise cash for charity

Cumberland County Sheriff's Office corrections officer Cory Stone earned overall champion honors when he bench-pressed 325 pounds.

June 27, 2012

Celtics coach has another job at Thursday's draft

Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers has been excused from the team's draft room this year so he can concentrate on more important matters.

June 27, 2012

Portland man pleads guilty to threatening to kill LePage

Michael Thomas, 52, also threatened to kill Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Rep. Steve King of Iowa.

June 27, 2012

Eastland Hotel evicts last low-income residents

 The remaining residents living in low-income rental units in the Eastland Hotel have 90 days to move out to allow for a major renovation that could include a new ballroom in Congress Plaza.

June 27, 2012

Civic Center panel endorses plan for luxury suites

Marketing consultants say "stacking" the suites on the west end of the renovated Portland arena will give ticket-holders excellent views of concerts and other performances.

June 27, 2012

Preschooler playing with matches starts Westbrook fire

The fire that destroyed a three-unit apartment building at 689 Main St. an injured one person Tuesday night was started by a young child, fire officials said.

June 27, 2012

Personal income up 2.3 percent in Maine

Since the first quarter of 2007, personal income in Maine has risen 12.3 percent.

June 27, 2012

House will go ahead with contempt vote for Fast and Furious

The Obama administration and House Republicans refused to find a middle ground in a dispute over documents related to a botched gun-tracking operation, and the GOP plunged ahead with plans for precedent-setting votes Thursday.

June 27, 2012

4 dead, 130 rescued from capsizing off Aussie isle

The crowded boat was full of asylum seekers hoping to find safety in Australia.

June 27, 2012

HD web cams offer close-up views of Maine puffins

Seal Island has the largest puffin colony in the U.S., and now you can watch them playing, nesting and basking in the sun.

June 27, 2012

Christian group backs away from gay 'cure'

The best-known Christian ministry dedicated to helping people repress same-sex attraction is trying to distance its from the idea that gay people's sexual orientation can be permanently changed.

June 27, 2012

Killington ski resort, skier reach settlement

A Vermont ski resort has reached a settlement with a skier who said it was at fault for his injuries on a trail and during a rescue.

June 27, 2012

NH race walker, 48, hopes to make it to Olympics

Joanne Dow says she's racing against women that are her daughter's age, but she wants one more chance to win an Olympic medal before retiring from the sport.

June 27, 2012

Bridal registry reflects Sen. Susan Collins' practical side

Red and white kitchen towels, a lemon-yellow hand mixer and a gas grill are among items the Maine senator and her fiancé hope to receive.

June 27, 2012

Biddeford overwhelmingly rejects school budget

Biddeford voters say a $32.9 million school budget is too high, meaning the School Committee and City Council must go back to work.

June 27, 2012

Got a smartphone? Use it to register your car.

Rapid Renewal, Maine's online vehicle registration service, is offered in 161 towns and cities.

June 27, 2012

Massive Colorado fire too dangerous to assess damage Several photos included in this story

"It was like looking at the worst movie set you could imagine," Gov. John Hickenlooper said after flying over the 9-square-mile fire.

June 27, 2012

Avalanche risk too high to retrieve Mainer's body

Nick Hal, of Patten, fell 2,500 feet on Mount Rainier last Thursday while trying to rescue four climbers from Waco, Texas.

June 27, 2012

Judge halts sales of Samsung's Galaxy tablet

Apple has accused Samsung of illegally copying the design of its iPad, and it appears Apple may win the case.

June 27, 2012

Photo: Unfazed by the the rain

The pouring rain did not stop these kids including Luke Carey as he breaks free with ball during practice at the Challenger Sports soccer program Tuesday.

June 27, 2012

Syria: TV station attacked, 7 staffers killed

Gunmen raided the headquarters of a pro-government Syrian TV station early Wednesday, killing seven employees, kidnapping others and demolishing buildings, officials said.

June 27, 2012

Damage from weekend Maine storm may top $4M

The head of the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway says it will cost $500,000 to fix tracks wiped out by the flooding.

June 27, 2012

State may pursue legal action against Augusta developer

The state may initiate legal action against a developer who bought the Kennebec Arsenal in 2007 but has yet to do anything with the property, the Bureau of General Services said Tuesday.

June 27, 2012

Casey Anthony's attorney doubted her mental health

The Florida mother who was acquitted last year of murdering her 2-year-old daughter had mental health issues that contributed to her habitual lying, according to her lead attorney.

June 27, 2012

Birth mom: I raised questions about Jerry Sandusky Video clip included

Nearly two decades before Matt Sandusky's blockbuster allegation that he was sexually abused by his adoptive father, his biological mother raised questions about their relationship.

June 27, 2012

Maine flag lowered to remember former soldier

Ben Worster, 29, attended Gorham High School, and later was awarded numerous honors and medals during his Army tour in Iraq.

June 27, 2012

Mass. fishermen drop lawsuit aimed at Cape Wind

The fishermen argued the wind farm will make navigation more risky, but now say they will work with the developers on ways to co-exist.

June 27, 2012

Teen kicks off 50-state climbing tour in Maine

The youngest person to ever climb Mount Everest climbed Maine's highest peak Tuesday to kick off his latest expedition. Next up: New Hampshire and Vermont.

June 27, 2012

Calling actors for 'Lost on a Mountain in Maine' movie

Filmmaker Ryan Cook is looking for a brave, determined boy to portray iconic Mainer Donn Fendler on the big screen.

June 27, 2012

Bill Nemitz: Referendum too crucial for words



June 27, 2012

Maine warden in domestic violence case asks for jury trial

Charles Later, chief pilot for the service, pleads not guilty and waives arraignment.

June 27, 2012

Photo: Training for a cause



June 27, 2012

Photo: Three rare lobsters



June 27, 2012

Saco residents to vote on plan to withdraw from school unit

A second vote on the RSU 23 budget also will take place on July 31.

June 27, 2012

Maine legislator asking for review of toll hikes

She calls the plan excessive and unfair, but the watchdog office already has a full plate.

June 27, 2012

Despite risk of Maine challenge, wind power deal gets made

An appeal claims it breaks a law against owning both transmission and generation infrastructure.

June 27, 2012

Pike Industries halts blasting until vacated deal reviewed

The quarry's right to proceed is in question after justices negate a three-way consent agreement.

June 27, 2012

Granite sculpture 'Tidal Moon' to welcome Maine travelers

 A gift from the collection of William and Mary Louise Hamill, the 14-foot piece by Maine sculptor Jesse Salisbury will be displayed at the Jetport.

June 27, 2012

For juvenile inmates nationwide, ruling offers shred of hope

The ban on mandatory life sentences for juveniles could affect more than 2,000.

June 27, 2012

Closing of Casey cuts Maine foster care services

 A foundation plans to shut down Casey Family Services, affecting 92 kids and putting pressure on a vulnerable system.

June 27, 2012

Maine secretary of state to keep job, campaign

 Responding to criticism, Charlie Summers says many others have done both, and that he has taken steps to avoid election conflicts.

June 27, 2012

U.S. Senate leaders reach deal on student loans

If approved by Congress, the agreement would freeze interest rates on federal loans, set to double this weekend, for a year.

June 27, 2012

Freeport manager search narrowed to two

The Town Council will interview both candidates on July 9, and residents can meet them on July 12.

June 27, 2012

Scarborough and Saco seek new turnpike interchange

To ease traffic on routes 1 and 112, they are funding a study to persuade turnpike officials of the need.

June 27, 2012

Portland board approves plan for dental school

Construction will begin on UNE's campus on Stevens Avenue as soon as the city issues building permits.

June 27, 2012

Eight charged in OxyContin scheme that spread to Maine

Two of the suspects also are accused of bringing cocaine and heroin from New York to Maine.

June 27, 2012

Five Portland fire chief finalists to be interviewed this week

Cutting costs and department diversity will be among the new chief's priorities.

June 28, 2012

No Poliquin penalty as land shifted out of tax program

Georgetown selectmen allow the state treasurer to put his property in a less-generous tax abatement program and avoid penalties.

June 27, 2012

Westbrook fire injures one, damages building

It takes firefighters an hour and a half to extinguish the blaze at 691 Main St.

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