2 people arrested after 4-hour manhunt

WOODSTOCK (AP) — Law enforcement officials have taken a Maine man and his girlfriend into custody after a four- hour manhunt in the woods in Woodstock in western Maine. The state police tactical team was dispatched to assist the Oxford County Sheriff ’s Department after Joseph Cox allegedly attacked a family member late Tuesday morning and then fled into the woods with a weapon. The sheriff ’s department said Cox and his girlfriend, Shannon Young of Bangor, were arrested after they knocked on a door and the homeowners alerted police. Cox had a pellet gun with him.

Director of state museum to retire

AUGUSTA ( AP) — The longtime director of the Maine State Museum in Augusta is retiring.

Joseph Phillips will have served as director for 20 years when he steps down in the spring.

During his tenure, achievements included conservation of the state’s fragile collection of military flags, excavation of the 1607 Popham Colony site in Phippsburg, and construction of a 5,600-square-foot “At Home in Maine” exhibit on domestic life.

The Maine State Museum Commission will commence a national search for a replacement.

Enforcement urged on aircraft rule

PORTLAND ( AP) — Sen. Olympia Snowe wants to ensure that the operator of federally subsidized passenger air service in northern Maine doesn’t scrimp on the aircraft.

The Republican sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood asking him to enforce a minimum requirement of 15-passenger aircraft under the Essential Air Service program.

The department had requested bids from airlines interested in providing service to the Northern Maine Regional Airport in Presque Isle after Colgan Air said it planned to end its service.

Ex-teacher denies child porn charge

AUGUSTA ( AP) — A former middle school teacher from Monmouth has pleaded not guilty to having child pornography on his schoolissued laptop.

Christopher Brown entered his plea in Kennebec County Superior Court on Tuesday to a charge of possession of sexually explicit materials of children under age 12. He was freed on $3,000 bail.

The 55-year-old Brown was placed on administrative leave from his job at Monmouth Middle School and has since retired.

Eatery owner accused of taking $52,000

BAR HARBOR (AP) — Bar Harbor police have arrested a restaurant owner accused of stealing more than $52,000 by writing fraudulent checks.

Authorities say 41-year-old Jennifer Lozano was arrested on charges of theft by deception and negotiating a worthless instrument.

Lozano is the owner of the Parkside Restaurant and the Best of Bar Harbor store.

Police say Lozano stole the funds late last month by writing several bad checks for several thousand dollars each with one bank account, depositing them in a checking account at a second bank, and then quickly withdrawing the unsupported funds from the second bank.

Town eyes expanding no-whistle zone

FALMOUTH ( AP) — The town of Falmouth is moving to expand its no-whistle zone before the Amtrak Downeaster extends passenger train service from Portland to Freeport and Brunswick next year.

The Town Council heard this week from several residents who live near railroad crossings who support an expanded no-whistle zone.

The council will vote Dec. 12 on a proposal to spend as much as $ 137,000 to make safety improvements at four crossings in town so trains would not blow whistles except in emergencies.

Wildlife experts probe baby tern deaths

ROCKLAND ( AP) — Wildlife biologists say a change in diet caused by either climate change or overfishing may be to blame for an unusually high number of baby seabird deaths along the Gulf of Maine.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service researchers say in a typical year about half of the tern chicks born on Maine islands die. This year about two-thirds of the chicks died, many of starvation.

Terns usually give their chicks a herring- rich diet. But observers noted this year that adults were giving the baby birds more butterfish, which are wider and difficult for young birds to swallow. The adults were also feeding their young more insects.

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