River Valley
News and information about the River Valley area from the Sun Journal.
Students learn the ins and outs of firefighting
RUMFORD — High school students taking Region 9‘s debut Fire Science I course this fall looked skyward Friday afternoon at the aerial ladder they’d just climbed. Rumford firefighter Jeff Harren extended it to 100 feet and positioned it straight up, eliciting several wows from the teens who’d trained on it earlier when it was 80 […]
Wind power opponents say turbines not needed
RUMFORD — Those opposed to wind energy in western Maine have heard it all. They’ve been called tree huggers, hippies and fanatics, they said. Their hope is that people can see through the hype and find the reality of what they are trying to present. “What makes the sight of wind turbines on Maine mountains […]
Pump price war: Rumford station lowest in Maine
RUMFORD — A local gas station owner continued Friday to make waves in the unleaded gas sales market by undercutting his competitors. A price war that began Monday between Rick Breau, owner of Mountain Valley Variety on Hancock Street and other River Valley gas stations, led Breau to sell at $3.38 a gallon for regular […]
Rumford man acquitted in domestic violence case
PARIS — A Rumford man was found not guilty of domestic violence assault Friday after his two-day trial in Oxford County Superior Court. Larry J. Francis, 33, was acquitted of two charges that he assaulted a woman on Oct. 7 and 9, 2010. The jury deliberated for about half an hour before delivering both verdicts. […]
Oxford County arrest log
PARIS — The following arrests were logged at the Oxford County Jail: * Michael P. Higgins, 28, of Oxford, Sept. 21, burglary, theft and violation of bail condition, Oxford County Sheriff’s Office. * Pamela J. LaCombe, 39, of Norway, Sept. 21, furnishing a place for minors to consume alcohol, released on personal recognizance, Norway Police […]
Rumford selectmen continue work on wind ordinance
RUMFORD — Wind turbine sound, safety setbacks and operational licensing were the major topics discussed at Thursday night’s wind power ordinance workshop by selectmen. The board has until Sept. 29 to draft their third attempt at a wind ordinance, if it plans to present it to voters on the Nov. 8 ballot. If unable to […]
Construction continuing on Amato’s
RUMFORD — Construction on the new Amato’s restaurant on Route 2 in Rumford continues on schedule. Jim Knight of Rumford is the contractor. The 40-seat restaurant is expected to open in November and employ 15 to 20 people, co-owner David Duguay of Byron has said.
Local climber tops out on Matterhorn
After a rock-climbing fall in Bethel two years ago that shattered his foot and nearly took his life, Roger Beaudoin recently celebrated his recovery by climbing the Matterhorn in Switzerland. For more than 20 years, the famous peak has figured prominently in Beaudoin’s life. In 1988, Beaudoin, a native of Holyoke, Mass., was living in […]