SunJournal.com Top Stories

In wake of fires, city sees housing efforts paying off

Scott Taylor, Staff Writer — Sat, 25 May 2013 03:25:00 +0000

LEWISTON — As work continues to lock up and block vacant downtown tenements and the City Council looks to demolish 12 more buildings this year, city officials say the effort is making a difference. "I'm feeling very positive," Jeff Baril, Lewiston's liaison police and code enforcemen...

After vote on gay youth, Scouts face more turmoil

David Crary, The Associated Press — Sat, 25 May 2013 03:15:00 +0000

In this Monday, Feb. 4, 2013 photo provided by the family, Wes Comer holds the Boy Scout uniform of his son, Isaiah, outside their home in Knoxville, Tenn. Comer, whose family attends an Apostolic Pentecostal church which considers homosexuality sinful, had been wrestling with whether to pull his...

After vote on gay youth, Scouts face more turmoil

David Crary, The Associated Press — Sat, 25 May 2013 03:15:00 +0000

Obama's drone rules leave unanswered questions

Julie Pace, Associated Press White House Correspondent — Sat, 25 May 2013 03:13:00 +0000

President Barack Obama talks about national security, Thursday, May 23, 2013, at the National Defense University at Fort McNair in Washington. Declaring America at a "crossroads" in the fight against terrorism, the president Barack revealed clearer guidelines for the use of deadly drone strikes, ...

Obama's drone rules leave unanswered questions

Julie Pace, Associated Press White House Correspondent — Sat, 25 May 2013 03:13:00 +0000

SAD 15 budget gets voter approval

Sat, 25 May 2013 01:30:34 +0000

GRAY — About 80 voters in Gray and New Gloucester approved a $22.29 million budget for SAD 15 during a meeting Thursday at Gray-New Gloucester High School. The budget, which is a more than $1.14 million increase over this year's, will go to a referendum June 11 in both towns. ...

St. Dom's graduates 55

Mark LaFlamme, Staff Writer — Sat, 25 May 2013 01:20:32 +0000

AUBURN — By the time Principal Donald Fournier was finished with his commencement speech Friday night at Saint Dominic Academy, even the most casual observer got a sense that he knew every single teenager in cap and gown. There's Austin Christopher, for instance, a hockey goalie, ten...

St. Dom's graduates 55

Mark LaFlamme, Staff Writer — Sat, 25 May 2013 01:20:32 +0000

Dixfield voters OK lower town office budget

Matthew Daigle, Staff Writer — Sat, 25 May 2013 00:30:00 +0000

DIXFIELD — Voters at the annual town meeting Thursday passed a budget for personnel and operation of the town office that is slightly less than last year. Former Town Manager Eugene Skibitsky said cuts were primarily made in personnel services and utilities, bringing the Executive De...

Maine official: State funding for a new Edward Little 'isn't hopeless'

Bonnie Washuk, Staff Writer — Sat, 25 May 2013 00:20:43 +0000

AUGUSTA — When it comes to building a new Edward Little High School, patience could pay off. For the past year, Auburn officials have said state funding for a new high school wasn't a possibility. The School Committee has asked the City Council to approve a referendum in Febru...

"Historic" energy bill clears legislative committee, 12-1

Scott Thistle, State Politics Editor — Fri, 24 May 2013 23:57:00 +0000

AUGUSTA — A bill aimed at lowering the costs of energy while dramatically changing the way Mainers consume it vaulted out of a key legislative committee on a 12-1 vote Friday. The vote came after months of hearings, negotiations, compromises and outright wrangling among Democrats, Re...

"Historic" energy bill clears legislative committee, 12-1

Scott Thistle, State Politics Editor — Fri, 24 May 2013 23:57:00 +0000

Legion provides new flags for local healthcare centers

Ann Bryant, Staff Writer — Fri, 24 May 2013 23:30:00 +0000

FARMINGTON — American Legion Post 28 members remembered the veterans living in two local rehabilitation and living centers Friday when they replaced flags for each. While Charles Bennett, district adjutant, was in Florida this winter, he was invited by another American Legion Post to...

Councilors debate whether airport best spot for Twin Cities passenger trains

Scott Taylor, Staff Writer — Fri, 24 May 2013 23:15:00 +0000

AUBURN — City councilors are picking sides on the issue of whether Lewiston-Auburn rail service, if built, should go downtown or stop at the Auburn Lewiston Municipal Airport. Councilors last week added an amendment to the city budget saying a downtown location is the favorite spot f...

Homes in Minot and Mechanic Falls burned; man in custody

Staff Report — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:00:00 +0000

MINOT — Authorities said a local man who held police at bay in a December armed standoff at his Verrill Road home burned down his house Friday, as well as the mobile home belonging to his estranged wife, before leading police on two high-speed chases. Michael Callahan, 44, was taken ...

LePage signs law to set grading system for maple syrup

The Associated Press — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:40:00 +0000

AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine is one of the nation's top maple syrup-producing states, and Gov. Paul LePage has signed a bill to change the way the sweet product is graded. LePage on Thursday put his name on a bill that replaces Maine's existing maple syrup grading system with one proposed by...

Maine’s beer industry continues to brew double-digit growth

Bill Trotter, Bangor Daily News — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:31:00 +0000

It’s not unusual for people who enjoy the taste of beer to envy those who make their living brewing malt-flavored alcoholic beverages. Based on the overall growth of Maine breweries last year, even people who don’t enjoy the flavor of beer might wish they were in the Maine beer...

Maine’s beer industry continues to brew double-digit growth

Bill Trotter, Bangor Daily News — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:31:00 +0000

Lewiston's Memorial Day Parade cancelled

Russ Dillingham, Chief Photographer — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:15:00 +0000

Robert Rich, a U.S. Navy veteran of Auburn, is reflected in some of the memorial stones at Veterans Memorial Park in Lewiston on Friday morning during an impromptu Memorial Day ceremony. Saturday's parade was canceled because of the wet-weather forecast. A brief wreath-laying ceremony and a few s...

Memorial Day event moved to Friday in Twin Cities

Fri, 24 May 2013 14:40:25 +0000

LEWISTON — The L-A Veterans Council has canceled Saturday's Memorial Day parade and dedication ceremony due to weather. The Council, in cooperation with Schooner Estates, held a brief dedication ceremony at Veterans Park on Friday at 11:30 a.m. to place wreaths on memorial stones.