STATEWIDE

Dole Food voluntarily recalls ‘American Blend’ salad mix

Dole Food Co. Inc. said it voluntarily recalled its “American Blend” salad mix in Maine and nine other states because of a possible health risk from listeria monocytogenes.

No illnesses have been reported in association with the recall. Dole said the recall was issued because a sample of the “American Blend” salad yielded a positive result for listeria in a sample test by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

The recalled product is “Dole American Blend” salad in 12-ounce bags, coded A275208A or B with a “use by” date of Oct. 17. Consumers with questions may call the Dole Food Co. Consumer Response Center at (800) 356-3111.

PORTLAND

Somali money handler guilty of evading cash reporting law

A Somali businessman has been convicted in U.S. District Court on 55 counts of breaking down more than a half-million dollars in cash transactions into smaller amounts to evade federal cash transaction reporting requirements. U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II said Habib Munye, 51, of Portland could face 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000 on each count.

Munye was a licensed money transmitter who was the local agent for Dahabshil — an international money transfer company. Authorities said Munye “structured” cash transactions, including the purchase of money orders and cash deposits, to avoid the federal law that requires financial institutions to report receiving more than $10,000 in cash from a customer.

Former governor candidate supports gay-marriage law

Steve Abbott, a former candidate for Maine governor and the current athletic director at the University of Maine, said Thursday that he’s joining other prominent Republicans who support the same-gender marriage proposal on the Nov. 6 ballot.

He joins other new members of Republicans United for Marriage, including Ken Mehlman, former chairman of the Republican National Committee, and Kenneth Lindell, a former state representative from Frankfort. Republican state Rep. Stacey Fitts of Pittsfield has announced in TV ads that he will vote for the measure. Fitts voted against gay marriage in 2009 but says he has since changed his mind.

Mercy Hospital seeks permit to fill wetlands in expansion

Mercy Hospital is seeking a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers related to its plan to expand its hospital complex on the Fore River Parkway.

Mercy said it aims to fill about 3.5 acres of freshwater wetland adjacent to the Fore River to complete the expansion of the medical complex. The expansion will include the addition of 250,000 square feet of space for the emergency department, an expanded acute care center, hospital support services and medical office space.

To compensate for the project’s impact on aquatic resources, Mercy proposes an $834,156 contribution to the Maine Natural Resource Mitigation Fund, according to the Army Corps of Engineers.

Plan for jetport taxi permits delayed until next month

Taxi drivers will have to wait until next month to learn how a committee wants to restrict permits to pick up passengers at the Portland International Jetport.

The City Council’s Transportation, Energy and Sustainability Committee delayed its recommendation for reducing the number of taxis at the airport for lack of a quorum on Wednesday, said Councilor David Marshall, who leads the committee.

Marshall said Councilor Cheryl Leeman did not attend and Councilor John Anton left before the agenda item was taken up, leaving only him and Councilor Kevin Donoghue.

All cab drivers can drop passengers off at the airport and pick them up if they are called, but only a portion hold special permits to wait for passengers by the curb.

BANGOR

Other department to handle internal probe of detective

Bangor’s interim police chief says Brewer police will conduct the internal affairs investigation of a Bangor detective accused of driving drunk on duty. Lt. Peter Arno told the Bangor Daily News that the Bangor department will continue to investigate the criminal part of the case against Detective Erik Tall.

The internal affairs investigation is a non-criminal probe into wrongdoing by an employee.

Tall was arrested Oct. 3 after officers were tipped that he had been drinking and checked on him. Police said Tall’s blood alcohol level was 0.13 percent, above the state’s limit of 0.08 percent for driving.

BRISTOL

Resident investigating shots in woods gets shot himself

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is investigating what led up to a man being shot Thursday morning in woods near his home on Upper Round Pond Road. Lt. Rand Maker said the man, who is not being identified, heard several gunshots in a wooded area near his home around 10:30 a.m.

When he went into the woods to investigate, he was shot, according to a statement issued by police. The man was taken by ambulance to Miles Memorial Hospital and was said to be in stable condition.

“I think we do know what happened but we don’t want to speculate,” Maker said. “I can say that it was not intentional.” He declined to provide further.