Panelists discuss health care

NORWAY — A panel of speakers said Tuesday that proposed federal health care reform would have both potential benefits and drawbacks to the state.

The forum was sponsored by Western Maine Health and the Oxford County Chamber of Commerce. Joel Allumbaugh, CEO of National Worksite Benefit Group, said about 80 percent of Americans are "reasonably happy" with their health insurance, but two-thirds favor health care reform.

Jay's newest officer pursues his goal of a career in law enforcement

JAY — The town's newest police officer said he finds being on the streets a little different than what he studied, but he's enjoying the career he's always wanted.

Nicholas Gulliver, 22, of Jay started this month. He fills the position held by Drew Hufnagel, police Chief Larry White said.

"The department made a good choice," White said. "He's a team player and we're pleased to have him on board. He has the inner drive to succeed in his law enforcement career."

Homeowners go all out for Halloween

WILTON — With an address of 13 Cemetery Road, Ed and Trish Leahy couldn't help but develop a tradition of decorating their yard for Halloween.

"It's not a good Easter address," Ed Leahy said Tuesday at his tombstone-covered East Wilton yard.

Living in the home since the mid-1980s the couple have seen many young children come back to trick-or-treat each year, and now they come back with their children, he said.

Residents warned of telephone scam

WILTON — Police are warning residents about fraudulent telephone calls from Canada in which the caller pretends to be a grandchild of local residents, and asks them to send money.

Chief Dennis Brown said his department had gotten six complaints of such calls in recent weeks, and some residents have fallen for the scam. The caller often knows the name of the person on the other end of the line, Brown said.

Farmington renters getting solar heated water

FARMINGTON — Eight large, dark panels sit atop the slanted roof of Monique Apartments, gathering the warmth of the sun's rays to heat water for the 11 apartments at Church and High streets.

The German-made Buderus solar panels should provide 80 percent of the building's hot water needs each year, said Philip Maurais, owner of A Maurais & Son Plumbing & Heating in Jay, who installed the system for building owner William Marceau.

Police, volunteer reach out to residents with phone calls

WILTON — Responding to the isolation some older residents feel, Police Chief Dennis Brown and volunteer Kathy Shepard of Wilton are starting a new program that reaches out to those residents.

"It's something I've been thinking about for a long time," Brown told selectmen last week adding that sometimes when police respond to a call it's the first contact for that person.

Likewise, Shepard had learned of other towns that have set up a program where volunteers call the elderly to check on them.

County to respond to land records request

FARMINGTON — A response to a public records request by a business is expected from the county's attorney before Thursday, the date the business gave for some contact or a response or it will make an appeal to the Maine Superior Court.

 

MacImage of Maine LLC plans to expand its www.RegistryofDeeds.com Web site to provide access to all land records in Maine. The company's Freedom of Access Act request is for inspection and copying of all electronic land records in the possession of or under the control of the county's registry of deeds.

Brick repair for County Courthouse

Ann Bryant/Sun Journal 

The north side of the brick Franklin County Courthouse in Farmington received some needed repair work Monday, said Randy Adams of Adams Masonry. He used an electrical tool to turn the mortar between the bricks into red dust. Because the sun doesn't normally shine on the north end, some of the bricks needed to be replaced, patched and the mortar redone, he said of the long, slow process.

 

Franklin County arrest log

FARMINGTON — The following arrests were recently logged at Franklin County Detention Center:

• Ernest Nault, 39, Farmington, failure to appear, Oct. 21, no bail listed, released to Somerset, Farmington Police Department.

• Andrew Iverson, 40, Jay, domestic assault, Oct. 22, $3,000 unsecured, court appearance Dec. 17, Jay Police Department.

• Caleb Hupper, 19, New Vineyard, probation hold, Oct. 22, no bail listed, Franklin County Sheriff's Department.

Cold case thaws in ice cream shop burglary

RANGELEY — A 2006 burglary of an ice cream shop was solved last week when a suspect in an unrelated matter confessed to the crime, said Rangeley Police Chief Dennis Leahy Monday.

Not only did Tucker Blythe, 19, of Rangeley confess "out of the blue" while being questioned about another matter, but he named four other individuals involved, he said.

Municipal agenda

Franklin

Jay: Selectmen, 7 p.m., Town Office

New Vineyard: Selectmen, 6 p.m., Town Office

Oxford Hills

Bethel: SAD 44 public hearing on gym/theater vote, 7 p.m., Telstar Regional High School

River Valley

Dixfield: Selectmen, 5 p.m., Town Office

Dixfield: Western Foothills RSU 10 board, 6:30 p.m., Dirigo High School

Peru: Selectmen, 6 p.m., Town Office

County officials have right to charge town for dispatch services

LIVERMORE FALLS — The Androscoggin County Commission has the right to charge the town to take over dispatch services from Nov. 23 to Dec. 31.

Each county that has a communications center may set up its own system of how it wants to enter into service agreements for providing dispatch services for law enforcement, fire and rescue calls and to charge for those services if it chooses to do so.

Woman hurt after SUV lands in pond

WILTON — A woman was injured early Friday after her sport utility vehicle left Lake Road and ended up partially submerged in Wilson Pond, near Bass Park.

Police officers Timothy Coombs and Rick Billian and firefighters responded to the 2:26 a.m. accident and found the owner of the vehicle had been helped out by a passer-by, Coombs said Friday.

Kelly St. Pierre, 20, of Wilton, was taken to Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington, Coombs said.

Seized animals found in Murphy's house, barn, yard

NEW SHARON — State animal welfare agents seized about 40 animals found mostly in the kitchen and living room at a New Sharon woman's residence on Oct. 15, according to an inventory list filed with the state's search warrant.

Carol Murphy, 65, was prohibited by the state from having animals, after a Franklin County jury found her guilty of cruelty to animals and possessing animals without a permit in 2005. The state seized nearly 70 animals from Murphy's 248 Lane Road property in that case.

Warrants issued in chase

FARMINGTON — Warrants were issued Friday for the arrest of two men believed to be responsible for a series of vehicle thefts and police chases in Farmington and Temple that left a Wilton police officer injured earlier in the week.

Police from several agencies were searching for 22-year-old Robert Charles LaCroix of Clinton Avenue, Winslow, and Jacob Hastings, 20, of Penn Avenue in Augusta.

Drive-up food donations to be accepted in Jay

JAY — The fourth Saturday in October is Make A Difference Day, America's largest volunteer day of doing good for your community.

The Ladies Auxiliary to VFW Post No. 3335 in Jay is taking part this year by collecting donations for the Tri-Town Ministerium food bank.

Homestead Farm Days Church hosting swap and sale of farm animals

FARMINGTON — Neighbors helping neighbors is what the Homestead Farm Days on Saturday is all about, organizer Pat Starbird said.

Families from around the state are expected to attend, bringing their animals and produce to swap, sell and show at Trinity United Methodist Church on Route 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. rain or shine.

The idea grew from a church yard sale in August. Starbird and another family brought chickens, ducks, roosters and rabbits to the sale and all but two roosters sold, she said.

Police continue investigation into car thefts

FARMINGTON — As police continued their investigation Thursday into the spree of car thefts Tuesday night, no arrests have been made but police have identified several people of interest, Lt. Niles Yeaton of the Franklin County Sheriff's Department said.

A break-in at Rick's Market in Wilton on Tuesday night is also believed to have ties to the car thefts, he said. A burglary suspect was caught on video as he smashed the front door and attempted to pry the cash register open before police arrived.

Mallett students learn about great fire of 1886 in Farmington

Ann Bryant/ Sun Journal

Third-graders at Mallett School and teacher Keith Martin look at photos of Farmington's first fire engine Thursday at the Farmington Historical Society's exhibit recognizing the 123 anniversary for the great fire of downtown  Farmington in 1886. Students and the public toured the exhibit set up at 186 Main St. It will be open from 1 to 6 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

 

 

Local harvest supper set for Saturday

NEW SHARON — An early Thanksgiving dinner of roast native turkey with all the trimmings, almost all of it grown or produced in Maine, will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Saturday at the Masonic Lodge's new hall on Route 2, just over the bridge from the village.

The supper is sponsored by the New Sharon Congregational Church UCC and proceeds will go to the church's general fund.

Scarecrows visit Phillips

Donna M. Perry/Sun Journal

This Scarecrow Reunion display seen in Phillips on Wednesday is sheltered from the rain.

Wilton Police investigate convenience store burglary

WILTON — Police on Wednesday were looking for a burglary suspect caught on video at Rick's Market on the corner of Routes 2 and 156, Police Chief Dennis Brown said.

Responding to a burglar alarm at the convenience store at 3:38 a.m. Wednesday, police found the glass on the front door broken, Brown said. The suspect apparently had tried to pry open the cash register. Store employees were checking to see whether anything else had been taken, he said later Wednesday. The store was closed at the time of the break-in.

Mayors to debate TABOR II, excise tax questions

FAYETTE — Mayors from Augusta and Waterville will debate TABOR II and the vehicle excise tax referendum issues at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Fayette Central School.

The debate is open to the public.

Augusta Mayor Roger Katz and Waterville Mayor Paul LePage will present their views on ballot Question 2, in regard to reducing the excise tax on new vehicles, and Question 4, pertaining to TABOR II, the spending cap for state and municipal governments.

Franklin County arrest log

FARMINGTON — The following arrests were recently logged at Franklin County Detention Center:

• Theodore E. Hastings, 50, Wilton, violating condition of release, Oct. 19, no bail listed, Wilton Police Department.

• Jessica Doherty, 21, Buxton, violating condition of release, Oct. 20, no bail listed, Maine State Police.

• Joel Flannagin, 27, Farmington, failure to appear, driving without license, possession of illegal drugs, Oct. 21, no bail listed, Maine State Police.

 

Police search for suspects in Farmington and Temple vehicle thefts

FARMINGTON — Police agencies are expected to meet Thursday morning to sort out the details of a wild night of vehicle thefts, police chases and a hit-and-run crash that left a Wilton officer injured, Farmington police Lt. Jack Peck said Wednesday.

Meanwhile, authorities were seeking those involved in the crime spree that began late Tuesday night, said Lt. Niles Yeaton of the Franklin County Sheriff's Department. Farmington police were searching for at least two white males believed to be in their 20s in connection with at least one of the thefts, Peck said.