PORTLAND

Lincoln County qualifies for federal tropical storm aid

Officials say Lincoln County is now eligible for federal aid for damage caused by Tropical storm Irene.

The funds can help communities cover the costs of responding to the storm, repairing damage to roads and bridges and debris removal.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said Lincoln County is the fourth in Maine to receive assistance for communities. The others are Franklin, Oxford and York counties.

Police looking for suspect in Friday night CVS robbery

Police are searching for a man who robbed a pharmacy Friday night.

The man is suspected of robbing the CVS Pharmacy at 449 Forest Ave. and leaving with prescription medications.

The man walked into the drugstore shortly after 8 p.m. and demanded prescription drugs. He is described as 25 years old and about 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a thin build.

The man left the pharmacy on foot with an undisclosed amount of medications. The suspect did not display a weapon, and no injuries occurred during the incident.

Portland Police are investigating, and anyone with information is asked to call 874-8533. People can also provide information anonymously by visiting www.portland-police.com or text messaging the keyword “GOTCHA” plus their message to 274637.

BIDDEFORD

Chalk on the Walk Festival put off until next Saturday

Organizers have postponed the seventh annual Chalk on the Walk Festival because of damp weather.

The festival is hosted annually by the downtown revitalization nonprofit organization Heart of Biddeford. It draws artists to the city to create chalk drawings up and down Main Street and closes off City Square for children and families to create a chalk mural.

This year’s event included a 5K road race that was held Saturday morning despite the weather.

The festival has been rescheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 1.

SCARBOROUGH

Series of walks raising funds for Alzheimer’s care, study

Multiple walks took place Saturday to raise funds for and awareness of Alzheimer’s disease.

Augusta, Bar Harbor, Calais, Farmington, Lincoln, Portland, Rockland and Wells were all sites for Saturday’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

More walks hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association are scheduled for Oct. 1 in Bangor, Fort Kent, Lewiston, Sanford and Topsham.

Organizers estimate that the state’s 13 walks will draw 2,500 participants.

“There has never been a greater need for the citizens of Maine to join in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease by participating in Walk to End Alzheimer’s,” said Sarah Stepp, development director for the Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, which is based in Scarborough.

“Funds raised will provide care and support services to Maine residents living with Alzheimer’s, while also contributing to advancing critically needed research.”

Nearly 37,000 families in Maine are affected by Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia.

Walk participants will learn about the disease and how to get involved with the cause, from advocacy opportunities to the latest research and clinical trials.

Individual walks will kick off at various times Oct. 1. For more information or to register, call 800-272-3900 or visit www.alz.org/walk and click on Maine to learn about each event.

BANGOR

Newspaper announces buyouts, possible layoffs

The Bangor Daily News announced a reduction in staff Thursday.

The company is offering voluntary buyouts for up to 30 employees, with the possibility of layoffs after that.

Todd Benoit, director of news and new media for the company, told MPBN on Friday that it is unlikely 30 jobs will be lost because the company may replace some essential positions after employees take buyouts.

The memo to Bangor Daily News staff said, in part, “as our industry continues to change demanding new skills for our employees and new directions for newspapers, we must undertake a broad restructuring to help us become more productive and effective.”

The company also cited a loss in advertising, which has translated into a drop in revenue, as a reason for the job cuts.

The deadline for the paper’s employees to express interest in a buyout is Oct. 3.

UNITY

Organic farming group’s annual fair wraps up today

The Common Ground Country Fair continues today in Unity. Gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. today, the last day of the three-day event. The fair goes on rain or shine.

Sponsored by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, the fair features exhibits and demonstrations relating to organic gardening. Livestock, certification, processing and marketing topics are also part of the fair.

There’s a children’s area, country store, live entertainment, folk arts and demonstrations in low impact forestry, Maine Indian basket making and stone working.

CASTINE

Maine Maritime Academy offers homecoming events

Maine Maritime Academy alumni from throughout the country are returning to campus this weekend.

For this year’s homecoming, which started Friday and concludes today, reunion classes from 1946 and every five years after that through 2006 are being honored.

Saturday’s events included a special “Eight Bells” Memorial Service honoring deceased members of the Class of 1961.

A special program highlighted recent developments at the academy and featured new teaching technology and laboratories.

This year’s celebration also includes a Homecoming Festival featuring a marketplace and auto display.

— From staff and news services