ALFRED

Driver speeding before crash is convicted of manslaughter

A Sanford man has been convicted of manslaughter and several other charges for causing a traffic accident in town that killed one person and sent five to the hospital.

The Journal Tribune reported that a York County Superior Court judge found Zachary Bubar, 24, guilty on all nine counts after a two-day trial last week. Sentencing has not been scheduled.

Authorities said Bubar was driving a car that crashed into a van in July 2010. Police said Bubar was speeding when he pulled into the northbound lane around a car that was signaling to make a right turn and slammed into a van headed north.

Shawn Beaulieu of Sanford was in the front passenger seat of Bubar’s vehicle. He was taken to the hospital, where he died.

SOUTH PORTLAND

SMCC to offer some classes that begin at 7 or 7:30 a.m.

Some classes will start extra early at Southern Maine Community College in the spring 2013 semester. The school will offer 10 classes with start times of 7 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.

The college said the added flexibility in the schedule is designed to serve two purposes.

One is to provide more options for the college’s increasingly diverse student population, many of whom are working professionals or have family demands.

The other is to help ease traffic congestion on Broadway, the main South Portland artery to SMCC, during the morning commute.

LEWISTON

More doctors asking patients to sign drug-test agreement

More Maine doctors and hospitals are asking patients to sign a controlled-substances agreement that allows them to request blood or urine samples in an effort to fight the state’s prescription drug abuse problem.

Patients who don’t sign likely won’t get prescriptions, and those who fail tests face serious consequences, including scrutiny by law enforcement.

In 2010, the Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine and other medical groups created a set of 14 terms that they suggested be used by medical professionals in the controlled-substances contract.

Gordon Smith, executive vice president of the Maine Medical Association, told the Sun Journal that the contracts and drug-testing stipulation can help start potentially uncomfortable conversations between doctors and patients about addiction.

Maine has the highest per-capita rate of opiate addiction in the nation.

ORIENT

Driver burned during crash is listed in critical condition

Maine State Police say a man whose pickup truck crashed into trees and caught fire was hospitalized in critical condition.

Police said Micah Bartlett, 46, of Orient was driving east Sunday night on the Number 9 road in Orient when his truck went off the road, rolled and hit the trees. A passer-by arriving at the scene said Bartlett was out of the vehicle and was on fire.

Bartlett suffered burns to about 70 percent of his body. He was hospitalized at Massachusetts General Hospital.

AUGUSTA

Recounts confirm Democrats won in two House districts

Maine election officials have completed recounts confirming the winners in two races for the state House of Representatives.

Secretary of State Charlie Summers said Monday that in the House District 137 race in Biddeford and Kennebunkport, Democrat Alan Casavant of Biddeford remained the winner over Republican William Guay of Kennebunkport, by 15 votes.

Democrat Brian Jones of Freedom remained the winner over Republican Ryan Harmon of Palermo in the race in House District 45. The final tally was 2,253 votes to 2,222.

Nine candidate recounts have now been completed, with five more to go.

BANGOR

Body, drug paraphernalia found in van in hospital lot

Police are investigating the death of a man who was found in an idling van in a hospital parking lot.

Police said a security guard at St. Joseph’s Hospital noticed the van shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday, looked inside and saw the body.

Detectives said drug paraphernalia was found in the van, and they’re investigating whether drugs played a role in the death.

Officials said the man has not yet been positively identified.