Columbus
Sun Journal (New Bern, NC)
Franklin County commissioners vote to buy security equipment for courthouse
FARMINGTON — Franklin County commissioners voted Tuesday to go with A3 Communications Inc. to provide security equipment for the county Courthouse. The cost is $75,570.38 for a five-year contract and the money will come from a Building Reserve Account. The county will get an abatement of $8,000 from A3 Communications.
Lewiston council changes rule after mayor criticized for not making timely appointments
LEWISTON — The City Council broadened its authority to appoint residents to board and committees after Mayor Carl Sheline received criticism for not making appointments in a timely manner. The rule change means councilors can make appointments to all boards and committees if the mayor fails to within 60...
Phillips woman gets time-served for federal gun crime
BANGOR — A Phillips woman was sentenced Tuesday to the two-and-a-half months she spent in federal custody awaiting sentencing for having lied when she bought two guns in 2021. Deidra Messer, 36, had pleaded guilty in September 2023 to making false statements during the purchase of a firearm. On...
Maine CDC reports rabies found in a skunk in Sabattus
SABATTUS — The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued a warning to the town Tuesday morning about a case of rabies in the area. The letter, addressed to the town manager, said the CDC detected rabies in a skunk Friday. The letter did not specify where the skunk was found, only that residents should avoid touching wild animals and that all domesticated animals should be up to date on their rabies vaccines.
Hamblin ‘Ham’ Allen recognized as oldest resident of Jay
JAY — Town Manager Shiloh LaFreniere presented her grandfather, Hamblin “Ham” Allen, with the town’s replica of the Boston Post Cane during a celebration Monday at the Town Office. Allen, 102, is the oldest resident of Jay. More than 30 people, including family and friends, turned...
Sebago Lake property owner to pay over $650,000 in shoreland zoning violations settlement
RAYMOND — The Select Board on Monday revealed details of a $650,000 settlement in one of the biggest shoreland zoning violations cases in the town’s recent history. The settlement with Auburn businessman Donald Buteau and his real estate holding company, Management Controls, was more than two years in the making. The settlement also includes contractors Q-Team Tree Service of Naples; Durant Excavating and Big Lake Marine, both of Windham; and Robert Durant of Casco.
Eclipse watchers become traffic watchers on clogged Maine roads
RANGELEY – It didn’t take long after the post-eclipse sunshine returned Monday afternoon for rural roads in western and northern Maine to fill with bumper-to-bumper traffic for hours. It took an hour and a half to drive between the Height of Land overlook on Route 17 and downtown...
Deputies arrest Waterville area man in Buckfield stabbing after 30-minute search
BUCKFIELD — A man from the Waterville area was arrested Monday night in the stabbing of a Buckfield man. Abdul-Rashad Bilal, 27, was arrested following a brief search after an incident on Sodom Road, said Oxford County Chief Deputy James Urquhart. The sheriff’s office received a called at 9:23...
Maine got lucky with Monday’s solar eclipse
RANGELEY — Sometimes the awesome wonder of the world can leave anyone paying attention speechless. But the thousands of people watching Monday’s total eclipse of the sun at Lakeside Park knew just what to say as a midday darkness descended: “Oooooh” or perhaps “aaaaaah.”. There...
Amid the eclipse craze, some opted to watch much closer to their home in Lewiston-Auburn
LEWISTON — While tens of thousands ventured across the state Monday for a glimpse of the total solar eclipse, some decided to stay close to home for the celestial show. The Lewiston-Auburn area had an eclipse viewing of about 98% totality, giving the midafternoon a late evening glow at the height of it. On the banks of the Androscoggin River, birds took flight as strange shadows formed from the crescent-shaped sun escaping total cover from the moon.
Auburn man denies arsons, including Dunkin’ shop
LEWISTON — An Auburn man accused of setting three fires in October at three locations, including a Dunkin’ donuts shop, denied all six related charges on Monday. Johnny D. Briggs Jr., 53, pleaded not guilty to four counts of felony arson. Each count is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000.
Police identify body found Wednesday in river in Lisbon
LISBON — Police identified a man found dead Wednesday morning in the Androscoggin River, according to a news release Monday evening. He was Leo Copp Jr., 34, of Lewiston, Lisbon Police Chief Ryan McGee said. “There were no injuries identified which would indicate that foul play is suspected at...
Two seeking a 2-year selectman’s post in Livermore Falls
LIVERMORE FALLS — Two residents are seeking election to a two-year term on the Select Board. Another selectman’s position is uncontested. The annual town meeting referendum is from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, at the Fire Department, 15 Park St. Selectman William Kenniston is seeking...
Oxford County Commissioners Steven Merrill and David Duguay stepping down
PARIS — For the first time in 20 years, the Oxford County Commission will have a change in leadership. Steven Merrill of Norway and David Duguay of Byron are not running for reelection. Merrill is stepping down after serving for 30 years, while Duguay is leaving after 20 years...
New Portland couple plan to develop a vacant house in Livermore Falls into a sober living facility
LIVERMORE FALLS — A New Portland couple is proposing to turn a vacant house at 80 Park St. into a sober living house for those who have alcohol and substance abuse disorder. Janine White, a nurse practitioner at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington, and her husband, Ken White, owner of Bianco Co., a construction property management company, are proposing The Emery Recovery House for the house.
Lewiston driver and passenger injured in Avon crash
AVON — Two people were injured Monday when the pickup truck they were in went off state Route 4, struck a utility pole and went down a steep riverbed embankment, stopping just short of water. Driver Carey Craig, 46, of Lewiston and an unidentified passenger were the only occupants...
Maine set to welcome the darkness of first total solar eclipse since 1963
The moon is expected to be a black disc in the Monday afternoon sky as it moves in front of the sun in Maine’s first total solar eclipse in more than 60 years. Many of the state’s communities are now national, if not global, destinations for the astronomical event that experts say will enter Maine in the upper corner of Oxford County and leave the United States near Houlton in Aroostook County.
Sun Journal (New Bern, NC)
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