Actress Valerie Harper hospitalized in Maine

OGUNQUIT (AP) — The Ogunquit Playhouse says actress Valerie Harper has been hospitalized after falling ill before a performance.

Playhouse officials said Harper, who has battled cancer, was taken to a local hospital Wednesday before the evening performance of “Nice Work If You Can Get It.”

A statement Thursday said she’s “resting comfortably and will remain in the hospital for observation for the time being.”

Bradford Kenney, executive artistic director, said the playhouse and its audiences are encouraged that she’s feeling better.

Harper, who’s 75, has been performing in the Ogunquit production as Millicent Winter along with Sally Struthers as Duchess Estonia Dulworth.

Harper has had a number of roles on Broadway, the big screen and TV. She’s well known for her role as Rhoda Morgenstern on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.”

Defendants in hayride crash plead not guilty

AUBURN (AP) — All three defendants in a fatal haunted hayride crash in Maine have pleaded not guilty in their first court appearance.

The driver, 55-year-old David Brown, of South Paris, and a farm mechanic, 38-year-old Phillip Theberge, of Norway, are charged with reckless conduct.

A Portland attorney represented Harvest Hill Farm of Mechanic Falls, which is charged with manslaughter, aggravated assault, driving to endanger and reckless conduct.

A judge on Thursday allowed Theberge and Brown to be released on personal recognizance, with no bail conditions. Farmer owner Peter Bolduc was not charged in the case, but the company that owns land where the haunted hayride occurred has filed for bankruptcy.

The haunted hayride accident in October killed a teenager and injured dozens of passengers.

Man charged with injuring son indicted

BANGOR (AP) — An Eddington man has been indicted on charges of aggravated assault and domestic violence assault on a child for allegedly injuring his baby son.

A Penobscot County grand jury indicted 24-yearold Morgan Gunnell on Wednesday.

According to court documents, Gunnell called 911 from his home on May 7 and reported that his then 6- month-old son was unresponsive. The child was taken to Eastern Maine Medical Center.

There, doctors discovered bruising on the baby’s brain from several separate instances of trauma, leading authorities to suspect abuse.

Gunnell’s attorney said his client did not harm the baby and the injuries were caused by a seizure.

Gunnell remains jailed on $20,000 bail.

Man pleads not guilty to murder in shooting

PORTLAND (AP) — A Maine man who was arrested in connection with a fatal shooting at a recording studio has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge.

Gang Deng Majok, of Saco, pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Cumberland County Unified Criminal Court in Portland.

He was indicted this month on charges of murder and elevated aggravated assault.

Police say the charges against 30-year-old Majok stem from the shooting death of 19-year-old Treyjon Arsenault in May. Police say Arsenault and another man were shot at Da Block Studios. The second victim is recovering.

Another man, 20-year-old Johnny Ouch, of Westbrook, was charged July 16 with murder and elevated aggravated assault in connection with Arsenault’s death.

One of Majok’s two attorneys says he can’t comment on the charges because he hasn’t seen the state’s evidence.

Hunger group holding hearing in Portland

PORTLAND (AP) — The group tasked with developing policies to reduce hunger across the country wants to hear from Maine residents.

The National Commission on Hunger is holding a public hearing in Portland at the University of Maine’s Lee Community Hall on Thursday. Members of the public are invited to bring their ideas for how to ensure all Americans have enough food. The hearing runs from 2-4 p.m.

Others expected to testify before the commission on Thursday include Maine Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew, Senate Democratic Leader Justin Alfond and Portland Mayor Michael Brennan.

The 10-member commission plans to submit its recommendations for reforms in public and private food assistance programs to Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture by October.

Sugarloaf to offer night skiing for event

CARRABASSET VALLEY (AP) — Maine’s tallest ski mountain is going to offer night skiing for the first time. But it’s for one night only.

Sugarloaf announced Wednesday that it’ll be lighting up the Whiffletree Trail for a 24-hour ski challenge fundraiser for WinterKids in March.

For the event, teams will see how many runs they can make during a 24-hour period.

WinterKids is a program that’s aimed at fighting childhood obesity and getting kids to develop healthy, lifelong habits through outdoor winter activities.

Tariff can be placed on some Canadian paper

MADISON (AP) — U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin says the International Trade Association has found in favor of Madison Paper in its claim that Canadian subsidies created an unfair advantage for competitors.

Starting as early as next week, a 20 percent tariff will be collected at the U.S. border for shipments of a type of paper manufactured at the Port Hawkesbury Paper Mill in Nova Scotia.

The Madison mill that employs 200 people has curtailed operations and furloughed workers, blaming high energy costs and subsidized imports from Canada. The mill makes “supercalendered” paper — a paper with a high-gloss finish.

Poliquin hailed the decision, which is subject to further review. He said Maine paper workers can compete with “anybody, anywhere” if they have a level playing field.

Man sentenced to life for killing grandmother

ALFRED (AP) — A judge has sentenced a Maine man to life in prison for brutally killing his grandmother.

Jurors last month found Derek Poulin guilty of murder and arson in the 2012 death of 61-year-old Patricia Noel, who was beaten with a golf club, stabbed about 70 times and set on fire in Old Orchard Beach.

The sentenced was imposed Wednesday in York County Superior Court.

Prosecutors say Poulin was angry because his grandmother asked him to move out. The defense contends investigators focused all their attention on the wrong man and never considered alternative suspects.

The defense says Poulin had a history of mental illness. He was committed to a state psychiatric hospital last year for an evaluation, and the judge ruled him competent to stand trial.