Drug arrests made in Norway

NORWAY — Two people were arrested on drug trafficking charges Tuesday after months of investigation by the Norway Police Department.

Molly J. Groves, 20, of Norway Center Road in Norway was charged with two counts of aggravated drug trafficking and one count of possession of hypodermic needles. Josiah James Heath, 31, of Oxford Street in Paris was charged with one count each of aggravated drug trafficking and possession of hypodermic needles. Both remained at the Oxford County Jail on Thursday afternoon.

No date

PARIS — The Wind Energy Education Forum will take place from 7 to 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at the Four Seasons Function Center. The date was omitted from an article on B1 in Wednesday's Oxford Hills edition. It was a reporting error. 

Wrong attribution

BETHEL — A quote in a story on B1 of Wednesday's River Valley and Oxford Hills editions was incorrectly attributed to Geoff Hole, attorney for Town Manager Jim Doar. It should have been attributed to Selectman Chairman Stanley Howe. It was an editing error.

One step closer; kiosk raised at park

BRIDGTON — With the squeaking sound of wood rubbing wood and a couple of cheers, one more element of the Pondicherry Park project settled into place Wednesday.

Several volunteers showed up outside what will be the park's main entrance on Depot Street to help assemble a post-and-beam information kiosk. Within an hour, the components had been put together to form the framework of a structure.

SWOAM giving instruction on GPS

WATERFORD — The western Maine chapter of the Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine will offer GPS instruction from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 17, at the home of Gary Hill on Sawin Hill Road.

Merle Ring of the Maine Forest Service will talk about basic global positioning system, how it works, how GPS receivers operate and things the average user/landowner can do with GPS. Part of the meeting will be devoted to using GPS in the field.

Window seat

M. Dirk Langeveld/Sun Journal

Trouble, an 11-year-old Jack Russell terrier, checks out pedestrians and traffic on Main Street in Norway from the window of 100 Aker Wood Frame Shop on Tuesday.

School officials take second look at biomass project

OXFORD — School officials are re-examining plans to build a biomass boiler at the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School despite the current low cost of heating oil.

"It's a very worthwhile project. But how can we do it with oil at $2 a gallon?" Superintendent Mark Eastman asked Tuesday.

Lake Umbagog refuge adds 3,177 acres; Part of 5,016-acre Mollidgewock Brook lands

UPTON — More than 3,000 acres of heavily logged forest within the 5,016-acre Mollidgewock Brook property have been added to the Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge in western Maine and northern New Hampshire, according to The Trust for Public Land.

Mollidgewock Brook, which is more than 12 miles long, flows west out of Mollidgewock Pond in Upton to Errol, N.H., where it meets the Androscoggin River.

Forum to discuss wind projects

PARIS — A forum scheduled for next week will feature several representatives from proposed wind farm projects in the Oxford Hills.

The Wind Energy Educational Forum will take place from 7 to 9 a.m. at Four Seasons Function Center on Route 26. Town Manager David Holt of Norway will moderate the forum, which is sponsored by the Western Maine Economic Development Council. The event is free and includes a continental breakfast.

Grass races return to Casco this weekend

CASCO — Snow has arrived early this year, but the snowmobiles competing in this weekend's events can still expect to race on grass.

Northeast Grass Drags, of Colebrook, N.H., will host the snowmobile and ATV racing events on Saturday and Sunday at Dingley Field on Route 302. Saturday will also feature snowmobile, ATV, and dirt bike stunt performances by the professional group RaveX.

Both professional and amateur races run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. Each day will also have registration between 8:30 and 10 a.m. and a driver meeting at 10:30 a.m.

Oxford manager defends police chief against former officer

OXFORD — A former reserve officer with the Oxford Police Department has accused the police chief of unethical behavior, and says he intends to take the matter to court. The town manager denies any misconduct in the department.

Chris Knight, who works as a dispatcher with the Oxford County Regional Communications Center in Paris, said he was suspended from the Oxford Police Department earlier this year for working two hours over his scheduled shift to finish reports. Knight said he successfully appealed the suspension, but was fired last week by Chief Jon Tibbetts.

Oxford County arrest log

PARIS — The following arrests were recorded at the Oxford County Jail:

Shawn Michael Milliken, 36, of Topsham, Oct. 9, Portland District Court warrant for failure to appear in court on a motion to enforce payment of restitution, $100 bail, Norway Police Department.

Tyler J. Rioux, 19, of Norway, Oct. 11, possession of an illegal drug, violation of bail conditions, no bail listed as of Oct. 12, Maine State Police.

Cyebo A. Barker, 38, of Paris, Oct. 11, obstructing a report of a crime, $100 bail, Paris Police Department.

The Way I See It: Month of flux can't make up its mind

It's that time of the year when we're in weather flux. We're having pleasant days and cold nights. That means we're also in clothing flux, too.

I start the morning in a sweater, turtleneck and light jacket and by noon I have to shed a few garments. By late afternoon I have to layer up again. That's a bit of a pain.

This week's meetings

Tuesday

Casco: Selectmen, 7 p.m., Central Fire Station

Hartford: Cemetery Committee, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall

Paris: Planning Board, 7 p.m., Town Office

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

Woodstock: SAD 44 Board of Directors, 7 p.m., Woodstock Elementary School

Wednesday

Casco: Planning Board, 7 p.m., Central Fire Station

Buckfield: Road Committee, 6:30 p.m., Municipal Center

Fryeburg: SAD 72 Board of Directors, 7 p.m., Molly Ockett Middle School

Otisfield Town House boundaries to be marked

Leslie H. Dixon/Sun Journal

The porch on 1905 Town House on Bell Hill in Otisfield will be stabalized with a new foundation under the entire building.

Harvest dinner at Hebron school

 HEBRON — Teachers at the Hebron Station School are sponsoring a harvest dinner on Oct. 23 to raise money for their scholarship program.

"The teachers started a scholarship and they're always brainstorming ways to raise money," Principal Tiffany Karnes said.

The event, which will be held at the school from 5 to 7 p.m., will feature spaghetti, desserts and appetizers made from locally-grown produce.

Cole named next Oxford County administrator

PARIS — A former Bethel town manager will become the new administrator for Oxford County, after a unanimous vote by a selection committee.

Scott Cole, 48, of Bethel was chosen to succeed Carole Fulton, who has held the position for more than 25 years and will retire at the end of the year.

David Duguay, chairman of the Oxford County commissioners, said Cole will begin orientation for the position immediately. Duguay said the intent of the commissioners was to have someone chosen in time to take part in the county budget process.

Fryeburg Fair brings visitors from nation, world

FRYEBURG — "Fryeburg Fair is a national treasure. Don't change anything."

Those words from a Havelock, New Brunswick, competitor in the draft horse show summed up the feeling of many who visited Maine's largest fair last week. The Claude Thorne family has been showing its horses at Fryeburg for many years.

Oxford County arrest log

PARIS — The following arrests were recorded at the Oxford County Jail:

Charles L. Gannon, 38, of Byron, Oct. 5, operating after suspension, violation of bail conditions, no bail listed as of Oct. 9, Mexico Police Department.

David M. Ferren, 21, of Fryeburg, Oct. 5, Bridgton District Court warrant for unpaid fines for criminal mischief, $1,720 bail, Fryeburg Police Department.

Jacki L. Beall, 29, of Paris, Oct. 5, obstructing a public way, $1,500 unsecured bail, Oxford County Sheriff's Office.

Town House added to historic register

ALBANY TOWNSHIP - Dozens of township residents got together last week to celebrate the inclusion of the Albany Town House on the National Register of Historic Places and the major restoration work recently completed.

Built in the mid-19th century, New England-styled building has served as a town office and voting place for most of its more than 150 years.

Cole named county administrator in Oxford

PARIS  — A former Bethel town manager has been chosen to be the new administrator for Oxford County.

Oxford County Commission Chairman David Duguay said Scott Cole will begin orientation on Oct. 13 to replace county administrator Carole Mahoney Fulton, who is retiring at the end of the year.

Cole was unanimously selected by a five-member panel consisting of the commissioners, Fulton, and Oxford County Sheriff Wayne Gallant.

Cole has worked in public administration for 18 years, including 10 years as town manager of Bethel.

Selectmen mull Scribners Mill Bridge plight

OTISFIELD — Selectmen say they will ask Harrison Town Manager Brad Plante this week what he thinks can be done to maintain the rundown Scribners Mill Bridge, but they have little choice but to assume the bridge is currently safe.

Earlier this year, state Department of Transportation officials said the 73-year-old Scribners Mill Bridge that crosses the Crooked River at the Otisfield/Harrison town line had deficiencies and would be closed if it was found to be unsafe.

Oxford crash shakes driver

OXFORD — An Oxford driver was shaken up when her sport utility vehicle went through an intersection, crossed Route 121 and struck a utility pole late Friday afternoon.

Rachel G. Brousseau, 49, told police she blacked out as she approached a stop sign on Skeetfield Road, Sgt. Rickie Jack said Friday night.The 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer sailed through the intersection near the Anderson-Staples American Legion Hall and went straight across the state highway and hit the pole, he said.

Her passenger, Betty Chaffee, 48, also of Oxford, was not hurt.

Record attendance set at fair

FRYEBURG — Fryeburg Fair recorded its first record day in three years Thursday.

Barry Emery, ticket superintendent here for the past 34 years, reported daily paid attendance of 20,483 on the fifth day of the fair, beating that day's record of 19,764 set in 2001.

The last time the fair saw a record day came on Tuesday, Senior Citizens Day, in 2006. That mark of 17,014 was the only record set that year. This year, 13,636 paid to attend the fair on Senior Citizens Day, a time when seniors are admitted free.

Gingerbread House owner says time is ticking

NORWAY — The owner of the Gingerbread House on Main Street warned task force members Friday that time is running out to raise the $100,000 necessary to move the building.

"Time is not infinite," Ed Snook, chief financial officer for C's Inc., owner of the building, told the Gingerbread House Task Force members.