Alex Barber
Somerset Bureau
- 207.990.8275
- abarber@bangordailynews.com
Bangor Marine wants to memorialize fallen soldiers with stones placed on Mt. Katahdin
BANGOR, Maine — U.S. Marine Corps Maj. David Cote said he always wanted to do something to memorialize Mainers who died in combat. With Memorial Day approaching, he now has a plan. Cote, a 1997 Bangor High School graduate, is organizing an effort to have families or representatives of fallen ...
Central High principal placed on administrative leave with pay after police charges
CORINTH, Maine — Central High School Principal Garry Spencer has been placed on administrative leave with pay, according to RSU 64 Superintendent Daniel Higgins. “[Spencer will be on administrative leave] until my investigation is completed and the findings are determined,” Higgins said on Monday. Higgins said last week that he ...
Since 1971, seven Maine children reported missing have not been found
BANGOR, Maine — Dozens of children are reported missing every month in the state, but almost all are found or return on their own within a couple of days or even hours, Maine Public Safety spokesman Stephen McCausland said Friday. Only about once a decade does a child go missing ...
Motley Crue concertgoer accused of criminal threatening arrested
BANGOR, Maine — An intoxicated Bucksport man was arrested before a Motley Crue concert after allegedly showing a local television reporter what looked like the butt of a gun in his waistband, according to police. Sherman Watt, 49, was arrested and charged with criminal threatening, a Class D misdemeanor, on ...
Lawyer: Farmer hopeful of keeping homemade trout pond
WATERVILLE, Maine — The attorney for a Clinton man accused of creating an illegal trout pond said he believes his client and the state can avoid a trial. Richard Lary, 68, was in Waterville District Court on Thursday for his initial appearance regarding a land use citation and complaint from ...
Conduct of Central High principal under investigation by Corinth area superintendent
CORINTH, Maine — RSU 64 Superintendent Daniel Higgins said Thursday he has begun an investigation into the alleged illegal conduct of Central High School principal Garry Spencer. Spencer, 56, of Old Town, is facing charges of leaving the scene of a property damage accident and filing a false report, Old ...
Central High principal charged with leaving accident, filing false report
OLD TOWN, Maine — A high school principal who panicked after crashing into a parked vehicle abandoned his car and later reported it stolen, according to police. Garry Spencer, 56, of Old Town, principal of Central High School of Corinth, is facing charges of leaving the scene of a property ...
Dexter schools add new anti-hazing rules after football players suspended, charged with assault
DEXTER, Maine — The SAD 46 board of directors have implemented new policies regarding hazing and overnight activities in the wake of several hazing incidents during a lockdown event at Dexter Regional High School last fall. During an overnight event for the high school’s football team on Nov. 16 and ...
Bowerbank man turns in teen son to police after finding stolen property, including weapons
BOWERBANK, Maine — A father called police after finding property in the woods he believed his son stole. A man found several items in the woods in Bowerbank on Sunday including flashlights, machetes, knives, powdered foods, a tarp and a .22 caliber revolver, Sgt. Michael Gould of the Piscataquis County ...
LaGrange teen allegedly shoots at home with stolen rifle, police say
LAGRANGE, Maine — After a fight with his family, a 17-year-old male left his house and allegedly fired a stolen rifle at the home, according to police. The teen, who is not being named because he’s a juvenile, allegedly stole a .22 caliber Marlin rifle from a residence on the ...
Newport fire crews stop blaze in home down the street from station
NEWPORT, Maine — A house fire located down the street from the fire station was brought under control in 10 minutes on Monday. Newport EMS Director Amanda Chretien said the Newport Fire Department received a call of a fire at 61 Water St. at about 2:30 p.m. It was extinguished ...
Orono takes out loan to build parking facility near proposed credit union building
ORONO, Maine — Orono’s town council unanimously approved a proposed $2 million loan to construct a public parking facility at the Main Street and Bennoch Road intersection. The area known as the Katahdin Redevelopment Site once contained the Katahdin Building, which stood at the intersection of Main Street and Bennoch ...
Greenville’s Louis Hilton remembered for philanthropy, love of hometown
GREENVILLE, Maine — Louis O. Hilton, who contributed greatly to the Greenville area, is being remembered fondly by the community following his recent death in Florida. Hilton, 80, died on May 6 after a short hospital stay in Palm Beach, Fla., according to the Palm Beach Daily News. “I’ve known ...
Brewer shoe manufacturer acquired by Berkshire Hathaway company
BREWER, Maine — Justin Brands Inc. announced on Thursday the acquisition of Brewer-based Highland Shoe Co. LLC. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed, but all 35 employees will be retained at the Brewer company, said Megan Force, communications manager for Justin Brands Inc. The deal, which includes the ...
Peter Vigue says he supports decision to kill east-west highway study
PITTSFIELD, Maine — Cianbro Corp. CEO Peter Vigue said Wednesday he supported the decision of the Legislature’s Transportation Committee to repeal a feasibility study for the proposed east-west highway. The leading proponent of the proposed highway said the project can still move forward despite the committee’s action. “The study [by ...
Man struck, killed in Orono crash was paving company worker
ORONO, Maine — A 56-year-old man died Tuesday evening after being struck by a vehicle, according to police. Richard Thibodeau, whose last known address was in Carmel, was struck by a vehicle at 161 Forest Ave. at 7:02 p.m., said Orono police Sgt. Scott Wilcox. Thibodeau was taken by the ...
Couple accused of stealing $500 worth of Walmart merchandise with four children in tow
SKOWHEGAN, Maine — A man and a woman were arrested over the weekend for attempting to steal more than $500 worth of merchandise from Walmart while accompanied by four children, according to police. Evelyn Thompson, 41, of Skowhegan and Douglas Hutchins, 49, of Bingham were stopped by loss prevention personnel ...
Clinton couple sentenced to 15 days in jail in animal cruelty case that ended in neglected poodle being euthanized
SKOWHEGAN, Maine — A husband and wife who left their dog behind in Skowhegan when they moved to Clinton were each sentenced Monday to 15 days in jail for animal cruelty. Paul and Christina Laudieri, both 44, pleaded guilty in Somerset County Superior Court to the Class D charge of ...
Dexter schools looking to lend its curriculum to Chinese schools
DEXTER, Maine — This school year, Dexter started its international student program and brought six students from China to Dexter Regional High School. SAD 46 is looking to take it one step further next year. Superintendent Kevin Jordan said SAD 46, with its partner Global Study Connections based in Dover-Foxcroft, ...
Police: Westbrook man arrested after allegedly assaulting Stormtrooper, Ghostbuster during Free Comic Book Day
PORTLAND, Maine — A Westbrook man was Tasered by police on Saturday after allegedly assaulting a man dressed as a Stormtrooper and another man dressed as a Ghostbuster. Adam Barnes, 31, was arrested on State Street after assaulting two people in costume and threatening police, said Portland police Lt. Gary ...
LePage fails to surprise on Medicaid expansion
We don’t understand female politicians
The cost of requiring more renewable power
Maine Sports Hall of Fame revokes Dana Wilson’s 2012 induction
Retiring Hermon High School athletic administrator Soucy maintains love of sports
Rask gives Bruins 2-1 series lead
Pats’ Hernandez questioned in homicide case
Saying goodbye to our Pakistani daughter