AUGUSTA

LePage moves to boost domestic violence efforts

Gov. Paul LePage is directing $10,000 from a state contingency fund to help complete a memorial for murder victims. The Republican governor announced the donation during a ceremony at the State House on Wednesday.

LePage is also declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The groundbreaking for the Maine Murder Victims’ Memorial was Sunday at the Catholic Holy Family Cemetery in Augusta. LePage has made domestic violence awareness a key issue in his administration since taking office. On Wednesday, LePage urged Maine men to continue fighting to eradicate domestic-abuse violence against women.

The governor’s office says that six of the 17 homicides that have taken place in Maine this year have been related to domestic violence.

OLD ORCHARD BEACH

Town allows Kate’s Butter to stay for four more months

Kate’s Homemade Butter has been allowed to stay in business in Old Orchard Beach for four more months.

The town council Tuesday night voted to allow the growing business – it has operated in a residential neighborhood for 30 years – to stay until Feb. 1, rather than enforce a Sept. 30 deadline to shut down.

As the business has grown to the production of about 1 million pounds of butter per year, so have the complaints from neighbors about large trucks and other inconveniences.

Kate’s intends to move to a larger facility in Arundel, but construction delays have prevented the relocation.

WGME-TV reports that the council unanimously approved the extension as long as the company abides by certain conditions, including regular progress reports and strict truck traffic times.

BATH

Girl, 11, charged with felony over bomb note at school

Bath police have charged an 11-year-old Bath girl with terrorizing – a class C felony – as the result of their investigation into a bomb threat at Bath Middle School.

Lt. Robert Savary said officials had to evacuate staff and students from the middle school on Sept. 23 after a note indicating there was a bomb inside the school was found on a bathroom wall.

School officials worked with the police department in trying to identify a potential suspect.

The girl was charged Tuesday and released to the custody of her parents. Due to her age, her name will not be released.