BUXTON 

Police arrest man wanted in robbery of Family Dollar

The suspect in a robbery earlier this month at Family Dollar in Westbrook was arrested Friday in Buxton.

Officers from Buxton and Gorham arrested Jason A. Gardiner, 32, said Westbrook police, who on Thursday put out a call for the public’s help.

Westbrook police Lt. Michael Nugent said information generated from the department’s news release and Facebook posting led to the arrest.

Gardiner is the suspect in a May 14 robbery of Family Dollar and theft of cash from a charity jar at Dunkin’ Donuts, both on Main Street.

WINDHAM

Council again nixes raises for nonunion town workers

For the third year, Windham’s budget calls for no raises for nonunion town employees.

The Town Council decided Thursday night to cut proposed cost-of-living and step increases for nonunion employees, before approving a $13.8 million budget that won’t raise the tax rate.

Residents will vote on the 2011-12 budget at town meeting June 18.

The council restored funding for library staffing and scholarships to the recreation department’s summer camp.

The budget approved by the council is $400,000 less than that proposed by the town manager.

SACO

Johnston announces run for mayor in November

Mark Johnston, owner of Vic & Whit’s on Main Street, has announced that he will run again for mayor. Johnston has been the city’s mayor previously, serving for 12 years, in addition to his one term as a city councilor.

Two-term Mayor Ron Michaud will not seek re-election.

Jeff Christenbury, a former councilor for Ward 4, is the only other candidate for mayor. Voters will elect a mayor for a two-year term in November.

GORHAM

Founder’s festival marks 275th anniversary of town

The town is celebrating the 275th anniversary of its founding with a four-day festival that opened Friday afternoon with amusement park rides and musical acts.

Official opening ceremonies for the Gorham Founder’s Festival are scheduled for 9 a.m. today.

The festival will end Monday with a Memorial Day parade at 11 a.m.

For more information and a schedule of events, visit www. gorhamfoundersfestival.com.

BANGOR

Snowe’s office evacuated over suspicious package

Officials said Sen. Olympia Snowe’s office in the Margaret Chase Smith Federal Building was evacuated Friday.

Spokesman Ken Lundberg said a suspicious package was found in the day’s mail. He declined to say why the packages was deemed suspicious.

AUBURN

Dad, son plead not guilty to hunting, drug charges

A father and son from Turner have pleaded not guilty to dozens of hunting and drug charges.

Everett H. Leonard, 59, and his son Everett T. Leonard entered their pleas Thursday in Androscoggin County Superior Court. They face a total of 35 charges of illegal hunting, drug trafficking, criminal trespass and indecent conduct.

The Sun Journal of Lewiston said the Leonards, along with two other Maine men, also face numerous charges in Pennsylvania, where they are accused of illegally killing as many as 30 deer.

When the Leonards were arrested earlier this year, officials said they seized hundreds of pounds of deer meat, firearms, antlers, bows and arrows and spotlights.

AUGUSTA

Garland lawmaker taken to psychiatric hospital

A Maine lawmaker accused of pointing a loaded gun at a man outside a Dunkin’ Donuts has been transferred to a psychiatric hospital.

Kennebec County Sheriff Randy Liberty said Rep. Frederick Ladd Wintle of Garland was examined at the jail on Monday and, as a result of the examination, was transferred to a facility in southern Maine.

Wintle was arrested last weekend and his bail was set at $3,500. Bail conditions forbid him from returning to the State House without express permission from House Speaker Robert Nutting.

Extra police patrols start, continue through summer

There will be extra state police troopers on the roads in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont over the Memorial Day weekend looking for drunk and aggressive drivers.

The additional police patrols will continue through the summer. Officials said the federal Bureau of Highway Safety has funneled money to Maine State Police and several local departments for speed and drunken-driving enforcement efforts through Labor Day.

Most state workers receive last of 20 unpaid days off

Most Maine state employees got another unpaid day off Friday, giving them an extra-long Memorial Day weekend.

Most state offices were closed as a cost-saving measure adopted two years ago to help balance the budget. It was the last of 20 state government closure days put in place over the past two years to save money.

Game wardens, state troopers, rangers and others whose jobs are deemed essential were on duty Friday, and state parks, historic sites and campgrounds remained open.

HARMONY

Missing woman, 85, found safe, not far from her home

Officials say an 85-year-old woman reported missing in the town of Harmony has been found safe.

A pilot for the Maine Warden Service spotted Idyllene Warren just before 8 a.m. Thursday lying on a rocky hedgerow not far from her Brown Road home.

She was hospitalized in Skowhegan for evaluation where she was listed in fair condition Thursday evening.

The warden service began a ground and air search around 11 p.m. Wednesday after a relative reported Warren missing.