Bangor Daily News

Leads Sought in Possible Child Abduction Attempt

SHERMAN - Investigators with the Aroostook County Sheriff's Department on Tuesday were investigating a possible child abduction attempt that happened Sunday. No leads had been uncovered by Tuesday afternoon.

Husband Gets 12 Years in Wife's Slaying

BANGOR - A Superior Court judge late Tuesday afternoon sentenced a red-faced and weeping Jeremy Hart, 35, of LaGrange to 15 years in prison with all but 12 years suspended for killing his wife during a drug-fueled party at the their home nearly a year ago. Presiding in Penobscot County Superior Court, Justice William Anderson also sentenced Hart to four years of probation and ordered him to pay $1,721 in restitution to the Victim's Compensation Fund, which paid out funds to assist his childre...

Oxford Casino Question Defeated Opponents Hold Steady Late Lead

A $184 million casino and resort proposed for western Maine was defeated Tuesday despite a high-profile push by backers in recent weeks. With 79 percent of precincts reporting, opposition to the controversial Oxford casino was holding steady at roughly 54 percent.

Courts

Lincoln District Court Cases June 17-Sept. 4

Hermon Rejects Center, Charter Amendment

HERMON - The nays had it. Residents voted in large numbers Tuesday not to amend the town charter to allow them to fire the town manager themselves and not to build a pricey new community center.

Sads 38, 48 Leaning Toward Consolidation

Though the final results of the school consolidation vote weren't available by early Wednesday, it squeaked by in the SAD 38 towns of Etna and Dixmont, and passed in two of the six SAD 48 towns, too. Based on those early reports, SAD 48 Superintendent William Braun said late Tuesday night that he believed it is very likely that two administrative districts will consolidate into one.

Piscataquis County to Aid Wharf Restoration

DOVER-FOXCROFT - Piscataquis County commissioners agreed Tuesday to include $4,713 in the next Unorganized Territory budget as a contribution for the rehabilitation of the Greenville Junction Wharf. The town of Greenville has been planning for several years to rehabilitate the rotting wharf used by residents and visitors alike, and now have the project in the works. Since 15.49 percent of the acreage at the wharf is in Unorganized Territory, town officials felt the county should help with the...

Palmer, Nealley and Bronson Elected to Bangor City Council Voters Overturn Controversial Howard Street Left-Turn Ban 5,460-2,121

BANGOR - Gerry Palmer was re-elected to the Bangor City Council on Tuesday joining former councilor David Nealley and newcomer Rick Bronson. City voters also overturned a somewhat controversial ban on left turns to and from Howard Street by a substantial margin, 5,460 to 2,121.

Dover-Foxcroft Water District Customers Nix Debt Limit Hike

DOVER-FOXCROFT - Customers of the Dover-Foxcroft Water District on Tuesday defeated a move to increase the district's debt limit from $1.5 million to $3.5 million. The vote was 647 against and 579 for the referendum question.

Ferris Re-Elected to Third Term On Brewer Council

BREWER - By a margin of 187 votes, Joseph Ferris earned another three-year term on the Brewer City Council, defeating Gail Kelly, a former councilor and mayor, according to unofficial election results supplied by the city Tuesday night. "It was close, very close, but I'm pleased," Ferris said after the votes were tallied. "I wanted another term and Gail is a very formidable candidate and very capable. But I'm happy with that."

Holden Offers Parcel Acquired Through Lien

HOLDEN - Town officials are selling a parcel along the railroad tracks west of Old Fisher Road that was acquired through tax lien, and those interested in buying the land have until Thursday to submit their sealed bids. Bids must be marked with the words "sealed bid" and have Map 9, Lot 13 listed clearly on the envelope. Inside, a fixed maximum amount must be listed, and a certified check or postal money order for 10 percent of the bid price must be enclosed.

Clukey, Brawn Chosen for Council in Dexter

DEXTER - David Clukey and incumbent Roger Brawn were elected Tuesday to the two three-year positions on the Town Council. The voting results during the municipal election were as follows: Brawn, 810; Clukey, 792; David Giles, 649; Peter Haskell, 634; and Ella Munday, 526.

Military News

Air Force Airman Heather A. Perez has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. She is the granddaughter of Wallace Mays of Americus, Ga., and the daughter of Kimberly Perez of Spring Street, Dover-Foxcroft.

Old Town to Weigh City Hall Alternatives

OLD TOWN- The City Council on Monday night stepped back from a proposal to construct a new $2.8 million City Hall. Instead the council directed City Manager Peggy Daigle to revisit and present information on other available options, including renovation of the Erland Sleight Building on lower Main Street or continuing to lease space for city administration.

Man Falls From Tree While Hunting Deer

A St. Albans hunter, who had climbed a tree Monday afternoon to get a better look at a couple of deer he was hunting, fell and broke a bone in his lower back, Game Warden Aaron Cross said Tuesday. Brian Gervais, 31, was hunting alone on his aunt's property in the woods off Nokomis Road in St. Albans when the incident occurred just after 3 p.m. Gervais was carrying a cell phone and he called his aunt after the fall. She called 911.

Millinocket Historical Society Calendar for Sale

The Millinocket Historical Society is now selling its 2009 calendars for $8.50 each, reports MHS member Trudy Wyman. The calendar's theme is Millinocket People and Places: 1930s and 1940s, and the calendars may be purchased at the MHS Museum from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursdays or at Pangburn's IGA, Millinocket Floral, Levasseur's and Magic City Mini Golf.

Water Projects Bond Too Close to Call

Late returns showed Mainers narrowly favoring a $3.4 million bond issue to support drinking water programs, to support the construction of wastewater treatment facilities and to leverage $17 million in other funds. With 79 percent of precincts reporting, the measure was passing by 51 percent to 49 percent.

Glenburn Looks to Attract Businesses

Glenburn officials will meet with an economic development consultant on Thursday to discuss opportunities for attracting new businesses and to assess housing needs within the town. Glenburn is in the midst of examining whether the community wants to increase the size of its business community and, if so, what type of businesses the town should target, according to Town Manager Michael Crooker.

Courts

Belfast District Court Cases Oct. 27-31, 2008

Orland Residents Keep School Choice in Close Balloting

ORLAND - In a close contest, residents on Tuesday rejected a proposal to eliminate high school choice. The vote was 671-644 against the proposal, which was presented to the town by a petition after the Orland School Committee voted earlier this year to retain high school choice when the school becomes part of a proposed regional school unit with the schools in Bucksport, Verona Island and Prospect.