BRUNSWICK More than 1,000 people of all ages gathered Saturday afternoon on the Mall to usher in the holiday season, with the annual lighting of a Christmas tree and a visit by Santa Claus. Beginning at 2 p.m., the line of children waiting to see Santa grew steadily longer, as weather predictions of rain held […]

BRUNSWICK The state of Maine has reached a crisis point in hiring and maintaining enough direct support professionals to care for the number of individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism. Providers, such as the Brunswick-based Independence Association, are trying to head off yet another dangerous state-funding model for the sake of the safety and quality […]

TOPSHAM A Topsham police cruiser was struck by a van on Route 196 late Sunday morning. Maine State Police Sgt. Jason Madore said the Topsham cruiser was traveling north with lights and sirens on. The officer began to make a U-turn to get to respond to an emergency when the van behind him collided with […]

TOPSHAM Community Spay-Neuter Clinic invites pet owners to bring their dogs or cats to the clinic on Tuesday, Dec. 13 for a rabies clinic. Rabies vaccines will be offered for $15 and appointments are required. Owners can schedule appointments by calling (207) 721-8395. Maine state law requires that all dogs and cats be vaccinated against […]

WESTBROOK (AP) — Police are investigating the suspicious death of a woman who was found in her apartment in Westbrook over the weekend. Officers discovered 42- year-old Michelle Minor at the Brown Street residence around 8:20 a.m. Sunday. Local police say the circumstances appear to be suspicious. Maine State Police have taken over the case.

READFIELD (AP) — The former owners of a Maine manufacturing company have donated 342 acres of woodlands, streams and wetlands to a nonprofit organization dedicated to conservation efforts. The Kennebec Journal reports the owners of the Saunders Manufacturing Company, John Rosmarin, his wife, Lisa Rosmarin, and their two daughters, donated the forestland that borders the […]

AUGUSTA (AP) — The state ethics commission wants to tighten up Maine rules for publicly-funded candidates. Candidates who receive Maine clean election funds would no longer be able to make cash payments of more than $50 under the proposed rules. The state Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices wants to make candidates ineligible for […]

NAPLES (AP) — Authorities say two men are dead and a third wounded following shootings overnight in Casco and Naples. Police say 59-year-old Norman Strobel of Naples was shot and killed in a confrontation with Cumberland County Sheriff ’s deputies Saturday night at a mobile home in Naples. Deputies had been looking for Strobel after […]

AUGUSTA (AP) — A state commission is figuring out how to reform Maine’s formula for funding public education and improve student performance. The commission will meet Nov. 28 in Augusta as it prepares a report for lawmakers due in January. In past meetings, commissioners have discussed using a statewide, regional or county-level teacher contract, and […]