WASHINGTON — An Office of Personnel Management investigative official said Tuesday the agency entrusted with millions of personnel records has a history of failing to meet basic computer network security requirements. Michael Esser, assistant inspector general for audit, said in testimony prepared for delivery that for years many of the people running the agency’s information […]

BIDDEFORD — The City Council voted 5-3 Tuesday to reinstate municipal officers meetings before council meetings, which are held on the first and third Tuesday of each month. The council had voted on May 5 to move municipal officers meetings ”“ which allow the public to address the council on any matters, as opposed to […]

PORTLAND — In October 2013, there were two armed bank robberies one week apart in York County. One was at Kennebunk Savings Bank in Eliot, the other at Ocean Communities Federal Credit Union in Sanford. The two heists were described by U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine Thomas Delahanty II as “Bonnie and Clyde” […]

AMMAN, Jordan — For years, diabetic Shawkat al-Khalili ignored his doctor’s orders not to fast during the holy month of Ramadan when most of the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims abstain from food and water from sunrise to sunset. Islam exempts the sick from fasting, but the 70-year-old al-Khalili said he couldn’t bring himself to violate […]

SANFORD — For more than four decades, Gary Sullivan gave back to Sanford and Springvale ”“ the community where he was born and raised and where he and his wife, Lorraine, raised their children, Shawn and Kelly. After a seven-year battle against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known to most as ALS, Sullivan died in 2012. As […]

By KATHLEEN RONAYNE Associated Press CONCORD, N.H. — Domestic violence programs in New Hampshire could receive at least $45,000 in new state funding if lawmakers approve a bill increasing the marriage license fee and fining domestic violence offenders. “I would hate to see someone who is a victim of abuse get turned away or not get the services […]

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — President Nicolas Maduro says a recent meeting between Venezuelan and U.S. officials has opened an important channel that could lead toward restoration of full diplomatic relations. Maduro’s comments came Monday night following a weekend meeting in Haiti that included the head of Venezuela’s National Assembly and senior U.S. State Department official […]

By PHILIP MARCELO Associated Press BOSTON — A police chief in a small New England city combating its drug epidemic through a unique program that allows drug users to turn over their drugs and get immediate treatment said Tuesday that there’s been a strong early response. Gloucester police Chief Leonard Campanello said that 17 addicts […]