BATH

Repairs by volunteer allows couple to stay in their home

A husband and wife who were ordered out of their home because city officials judged that it was dangerous are being allowed to stay because of the generosity of others.

The city ordered Alan and Yvonne Orchard to vacate their home in December because of a hole in the roof and a structurally unsound foundation. The city even found them an apartment.

Russell DuPree of Freeport heard about the Orchards’ predicament and set about fixing the house. He patched the hole and shored up the foundation.

An engineer determined that the building was safe.

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The order to vacate was rescinded in Sagadahoc County court last month. The City Council is expected to do the same Wednesday.

Yvonne Orchard told The Times Record that she and her husband are “happy and relieved.”

ROCKLAND

Man sentenced to 10 years for sexually assaulting girl

A Rockland man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for sexually assaulting a 3-year-old girl.

Ryan Withee was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to gross sexual assault and unlawful sexual contact in Knox County Superior Court.

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WABI-TV reported that Withee, 32, was arrested last year after the girl complained to relatives that Withee had hurt her.

Prosecutors said that in addition to the prison term, Withee will be on probation for 25 years after his release.

WAYNE

Prosecutors drop assault charge against Wayne man

Prosecutors have dropped charges against a Wayne man accused of sexually assaulting a 6-year-old boy because of “insufficient evidence.”

The Franklin County prosecutor’s office last month filed a dismissal of the charge against Mark Kimball, 61.

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Kimball’s attorney told the Kennebec Journal that the allegation of sexual assault was part of an effort by the boy’s mother to extort money from Kimball.

The attorney said that the boy’s mother attacked Kimball, cutting his hand. When Kimball reported that attack to police, the woman made up the assault.

FAIRFIELD

Police seek suspect in theft of $2,100 in cash from church

Police are looking for a thief who walked into a Fairfield church in broad daylight and walked out with more than $2,000 in cash.

Sgt. Paul St. Amand said that a woman went into the Fairfield United Methodist Church about 10:20 a.m. Monday and asked to speak to the pastor.

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When the man at the reception desk left to call the pastor on his cellphone, about $2,100 in a paper bank envelope on the desk was stolen.

St. Amand told the Morning Sentinel that the woman is described by church officials as black, about 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall and weighing 180 to 200 pounds.

Police say the suspect drove away in a dark-colored Dodge SUV with a male passenger.

 


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