Bangor Daily News

Young Boy Killed in Dixmont Fire

DIXMONT - A young boy believed to be about 5 years old was killed in a mobile home fire in Dixmont late Friday night. A neighbor called 911 a little before 9 p.m. after a woman "came running and screeching that her babies were inside."

Grandfather Speaks Out in Domestic Violence Ads

AUGUSTA - A Dexter man whose 21-month-old grandson was murdered along with a 20-year-old babysitter nearly eight years ago is featured in a series of public service announcements designed to combat domestic-related gun violence. The three 30-second television ads are to be broadcast statewide for five weeks beginning this week, according to U.S. Attorney Paula D. Silsby.

Judge Orders Atwood's Bail in Murder Case

SKOWHEGAN - A judge set bail Friday for a man who is accused of murdering two Canaan women, including his wife. Shannon Atwood, 37, had been held without bail on the charges since he was arrested Feb. 27.

Bangor Forum Focuses On Brain Injury

BANGOR - "If you break an arm, you get a cast. But if you have a brain injury, no one can see it," Jim Carpenter said Friday. Speaking at the third annual conference of the Brain Injury Association of Maine at the Ramada Inn, the middle-aged Oakland resident told participants that an assault several years ago damaged his brain and changed his life forever.

24 Take Oath to Become Citizens During Bangor Court Ceremony

BANGOR - Even though he was born in the United States, Joseph Olanya held up his small right hand Friday to take the oath of citizenship. The 4-year-old boy simply was mimicking his mother, Opeyemi Olanya, 40, of Bangor.

Bail Set for Felon Accused of Selling Drugs in Bangor

BANGOR - Bail was set Friday at $50,000 cash or $100,000 surety for a felon arrested for allegedly selling cocaine to undercover Maine drug enforcement agents. But Tyrone Saunders, 37, of Brewer is not expected to be released any time soon.

Shelter Needs Thanksgiving Feast Volunteers

With members of the Brewer Eagles Club leading the way, plans are being made for the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter's annual Thanksgiving Day feast, for guests of the shelter and others, on Thursday, Nov. 22, at the Main Street facility in Bangor. And while many volunteers of years past will be returning, "there will be a need for some new faces, as well," reports shelter Executive Director Dennis Marble.

Searsport Man Wins Discrimination Suit

BANGOR - A jury has awarded a Searsport man $450,000 in compensatory and punitive damages after finding that his employer discriminated against him because of a physical disability. Ashley Rooney, 60, sued Sprague Energy Corp. of Searsport in early 2006 in U.S. District Court, alleging that the firm illegally placed him on indefinite leave in October 2004. The jury awarded him $300,000 in compensatory damages and $150,000 in punitive damages after a five-day trial.

East Millinocket Sees Tax Decrease

EAST MILLINOCKET - A property valuation increase of $538,238 and an $86,761 increase in state school funding helped town taxpayers see a slight decrease in their taxes, officials said Friday. The town's mill rate has dropped by 10 cents, from $21.56 per $1,000 of valuation last year to $21.46 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008 - not exactly a huge decrease, but substantial nonetheless, said Mark Scally, chairman of the Board of Selectmen.

Jail Personnel Cleared in Woman's Suicide

BANGOR - The state Department of Corrections has concluded that there were "no violations of standards" by Penobscot County Jail personnel in the handling of an inmate's suicide seven weeks ago. Michelle Mills, 38, of Southwest Harbor killed herself Sept. 12 in a jail cell while awaiting trial on a charge of murder in an elderly woman's 2006 slaying.

Operator of Tow Truck Avoids Injury in Crash

ORLAND - A tow truck driver from Trenton inadvertently rear- ended himself Friday when a pickup truck he was hauling bent a tow bar and broke loose. Mark Norwood, 40, who was driving a wrecker for Gas Inc. of Bar Harbor, was not injured in the accident, which occurred about 4:50 p.m. at a sharp curve near the intersection of U.S. Route 1 and East Toddy Way, according to Trooper Greg Mitchell of the Maine State Police. The stretch is known locally as Tall Pines.

Milbridge Driver Hurt in Crash Transferred

HARRINGTON - A Milbridge man involved in a truck accident was transferred Friday to a hospital in Bangor, according to state police. Stanley Beal, 19, was taken by ambulance to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor from Down East Community Hospital in Machias after a medical complication arose, Trooper Barry Curtis said.

Calais Turkey Drive Finishes Short of Goal

CALAIS - Last year organizers of the annual turkeyathon collected enough money to buy 1,200 turkeys for area food pantries. But not this year.

Rockland to Vote On 3 Bonds Totaling $4m

ROCKLAND - Voters will decide Tuesday on three city bonds totaling a little more than $4 million for a public works sand and salt shed, a new firetruck and an odor abatement project at the landfill. City Treasurer Susan J. St. Clair said the total outstanding bond obligation now is $4.44 million.

Rockland Forum Held for Council Candidate

ROCKLAND - A write-in candidate for the City Council took part in a one-person forum Thursday night sponsored by the local Homeowners' Association. Candidate Bentley Snow Davis, 37, who was invited to have her own forum after being denied a spot in a debate two weeks ago because she was not on the ballot, answered questions from the audience for an hour in the City Council room.

Arts Center Supporters Gear Up for Vote

HOULTON - For much of the year, members of the Houlton Community Arts Center Council have been in a four-town juggernaut to garner support for creation of an arts center at Houlton High School. While the campaign isn't over, the group hopes to win a major battle when voters go to the polls on Election Day.

Island Falls Man Wins Macy's Tree Contest

ISLAND FALLS - It's already shaping up to be a green Christmas for Mike McNally and his family. That's because McNally turned a 51-foot spruce tree growing right in his own backyard into a $1,000 gift card to Macy's in Boston.

Second Suspect in Surry Burglary Turns Himself in to Sheriff's Office

ELLSWORTH - A suspect who eluded police for nearly 20 hours after a burglary Thursday afternoon in Surry turned himself in on Friday. Chad Wascholl, 18, of Bucksport walked into the Hancock County Sheriff's Department in Ellsworth around noon Friday, at which point he was arrested and taken to the Hancock County Jail next door. Another suspect had been arrested Thursday.

Newport Road Access Hearing Postponed

BANGOR - A Superior Court hearing on a temporary restraining order obtained a week ago by the town of Newport on behalf of nearly 40 residents was postponed Friday. The hearing was set to allow the Whitaker family of Plymouth to present their case for closing the road. On Oct. 26, the family dug up the road, which provides 14 families access to their homes, after trying for years to work with the town on a solution, family representative Keith Whitaker has said.

Jacob Needs Structure, Activities

Jacob is a fun-loving, active child born in December 1998. Jacob enjoys outdoor activities including swimming, hiking and riding his bike. He loves to go out to eat with his foster family and is willing to try new things. Jacob has a wonderful collection of Pokemon cards and enjoys showing them off. Jacob attends public school. He receives special services in school to help him with his academics, as well as occupational and speech therapy. Jacob occasionally struggles with in his relations w...