BANGOR

Man sentenced to 40 years for killing couple in 2009

A Maine man convicted of murder and manslaughter in the killings of a husband and wife in Webster Plantation has been sentenced to 40 years in prison.

Nathaneal Nightingale of Burlington was convicted of manslaughter in the death of Michael Miller and murder in the death of Michael’s wife, Valerie. WABI-TV reported today that Nightingale was sentenced to 40 years for murder with a concurrent 15 years for manslaughter.

Nightingale told police in a confession played for jurors that he went to the victims’ home to pawn his stepfather’s handgun and accidentally shot Michael Miller on Nov. 28, 2009. He said he then shot Valerie Miller out of “desperation.” Both died from gunshot wounds to the head.

SCARBOROUGH

Two injured in collision after squirrel distracts driver

Two people were taken to the hospital Tuesday morning after a crash at Burnham and Broad Turn Road.

Madeline Weyer, 21, of Hollis was driving north on Burnham Road at 8:15 a.m. when a squirrel darted in front of her Ford Ranger. She looked in her rearview mirror to see if she had hit the creature and didn’t see the stop sign at Broad Turn Road, police said.

The pickup collided with a Jeep Cherokee driven by Dana Doliber, 64, of Sanford, who was driving east. The collision rolled the Jeep into a ditch, police said.

Doliber and his wife, Jean Doliber, 56, were taken to a hospital by ambulance.

BIDDEFORD

Television, radio ads urge ‘yes’ votes for two racinos

Backers of a proposal seeking voter approval for racinos in Biddeford and Washington County have launched their first TV and radio ads.

The ads urge people to vote yes on Question 2 on the Nov. 8 ballot, saying harness racing tracks with slot machines will bring hundreds of good-paying jobs to southern and eastern Maine.

Ocean Properties Ltd. and Scarborough Downs racetrack are proposing a $120 million development called Biddeford Downs with a track, hotel and entertainment complex. They say jobs will average $35,000 a year with health care and other benefits.

The Washington County racino would be run by the Passamaquoddy Tribe.

FALMOUTH

Residents in survey support sidewalks, prudent spending

Residents want more sidewalks and trails for biking and walking, but they don’t want to expand municipal services, according to the 2011 Comprehensive Plan Survey.

The results of the six-week survey, conducted online and in writing in May and June, were presented to the Town Council on Monday. The data will be used to update the town’s comprehensive plan.

The survey tallied 1,077 responses. Assuming each response is unique, the results represent about 10 percent of the town’s population.

Respondents said they want the town to prudently manage taxes and spending for infrastructure and schools. They also want to manage economic growth to preserve Falmouth’s small-town feel.

They want to pursue development of a town center, possibly near Route 1, to create a stronger sense of community. They also want to develop smaller zoning districts that more closely relate to current neighborhoods and allow small-scale commercial development such as corner stores.

Read complete survey results posted on the Long Range Planning Advisory Committee’s page on the town’s website, www.town.falmouth.me.us.

PORTLAND

Grant will help get housing for people with AIDS, HIV

The Frannie Peabody Center will receive a $930,000 grant award to create a housing plan for Mainers with HIV and AIDS.

The service organization will use the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant to work in collaboration with the Portland, Sanford and Bangor housing authorities. They will create a statewide housing plan that integrates mainstream housing, medical and case management services for individuals with HIV and AIDS.

The grant through HUD’s Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program will support a three-year demonstration project.

“Housing can often be a life-saving factor in the lives of people with HIV/AIDS,” Jennifer Putnam, director of programs at the Frannie Peabody Center, said in a statement. “And to have the opportunity to remove some of the barriers is a remarkable achievement for people living with HIV/AIDS in Maine.”

The Frannie Peabody Center is one of seven nationwide recipients for the award. It has offices in Cumberland and York counties and serves more than 400 people with HIV or AIDS.