WARREN

Authorities seek escapee from low-security center

Maine corrections officials say a 20-year-old inmate escaped from the low-security Bolduc Correctional Facility in Warren.

Officials said Brian Floyd escaped about 10 p.m. Friday.

Floyd is white, 5-foot-10, 165 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes. He’s from the Belfast area and started his sentence with the Department of Corrections in June for theft. Floyd was due to be released in May 2015.

The Department of Corrections is working with state and local police in an effort to locate Floyd.

The Bolduc Correctional Facility houses prisoners with three years or less on their sentence and focuses on reintegrating prisoners back into the community through work release and community restitution.

SOUTH PORTLAND

Man questioned by police after series of car break-ins

Police questioned and released a “person of interest” Saturday in several South Portland car break-ins, including the theft of a loaded handgun from a Cumberland County sheriff deputy’s vehicle Friday morning.

South Portland police said Portland police found a 21-year-old man who was questioned about the car break-ins, which occurred early Friday near the Ferry Village section of South Portland.

Among the cars broken into was a sheriff deputy’s vehicle, and the deputy’s loaded handgun, his badge and several credit cards were stolen.

Police circulated a grainy picture which they said showed a suspect trying to use a stolen credit card at a Portland ATM a few hours after the break-ins.

Cumberland County Chief Deputy Sheriff Naldo Gagnon said Saturday that he doesn’t believe it was a violation of department policy for the deputy to leave the loaded handgun in his car at the end of his shift, although Gagnon said he would review the policy Monday to be sure.

He declined to name the deputy whose car was broken into.

Gagnon said he has on occasion left his own gun in his car, particularly when he is on call and may need to leave in a hurry. He said he didn’t know if the deputy in South Portland was on call Friday.

Gagnon also said that a deputy’s house was broken into more than a year ago and a safe containing the deputy’s gun was stolen, which he said illustrated that a gun locked away in a house is not necessarily safer than a gun in a car. The gun stolen from the house has not been recovered, he said.

AUGUSTA

Governor praises students’ efforts to prevent violence

Gov. Paul LePage says he was impressed by his visit to central Maine’s Erskine Academy.

The governor took his anti-domestic violence message during the last week to the South China high school. In his weekly radio address, LePage recalled Erskine students telling him what they’re doing to prevent violence. The students have created groups that address bullying and domestic violence and try to stop both from happening in their community. LePage said “it was truly inspirational.”

In the Democratic response, Sen. Justin Alfond of Portland said LePage administration policies are undermining public education.

Alfond said the schools are underfunded, and LePage has cut millions of dollars in critical investments for HeadStart and other pre-K programs.

UNITY

Common Ground Fair ends scheduled events Sunday

The Common Ground Country Fair is in its last day Sunday.

The signature celebration of organic farming, food, rural living and sustainability opened Friday in Unity. More than 750 events were on this year’s three-day fair schedule.

The fair, sponsored by Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, blends the traditions of an agricultural harvest celebration with modern innovations that embrace sustainable rural living and communities.

Events include livestock shows, exhibition hall judging, live music and contra dance workshops, talks and demonstrations on topics in farming, organic gardening and lawn care. Also included are seed saving, cooking with local foods, energy-efficient building technologies, and environmental, health and social issues.

— From staff and news services