RUMFORD – The SAD 43 board has agreed to pursue the acquisition of a parcel of land and associated buildings.

Although no formal vote was taken following a 20-minute closed session, Curriculum Coordinator Gloria Jenkins said the board was “receptive” to the idea.

Superintendent James Hodgkin had said that although he can’t disclose the land owner or location of the parcel and buildings, the acquisition could fit into regionalization discussions with neighboring school districts.

These discussions, held during the past few months, seek to find ways to provide broader and less costly services for the districts. One idea is to create a central location for a common bus garage to be shared by the area’s districts.

Minot:

Expansion at school supported

MINOT – School Committee officials said they support a parent group’s efforts to push forward a $2 million expansion at the Minot Consolidated School and that they have no problems with selectmen dealing directly with a parent group.

Selectmen Dean Campbell and Steve French told the School Committee that their board had received a draft copy of a petition that would place the expansion plan on the March town meeting warrant.

Selectmen were asked to determine whether the petition’s wording passed legal muster.

“We are feeling stuck in the middle. If you folks aren’t thoroughly behind us, we want to know,” Campbell said.

Turner:

Stolen car found on frozen river

TURNER – A car reported stolen was found on the ice after being driven across the frozen Androscoggin River Wednesday morning.

Androscoggin Sheriff’s Sgt. Dan McGinley said investigators believe the car was driven onto the river at the boat launch on Center Bridge Road on the Turner side of the river.

The car struck the bank on the other side of the river before being abandoned, ac cording to McGinley.

Lewiston:

Warren man’s charges reduced

LEWISTON – Charges were reduced Tuesday against one of two suspects nabbed a day earlier in a stick-up at a Lisbon Street pharmacy.

Originally arrested for robbery, 35-year-old Stephen Peterson was charged instead with hindering apprehension.

Police believe the Warren man waited in the car while Asa Troy Thorn, 30, went into Rite-Aid and demanded OxyContin from a store clerk.

The two men drove away from the scene moments before police arrived at the scene, according to witnesses. Investigators believe Peterson may have driven the getaway car at some point during their escape.

The pair was caught when a police officer pulled over the vehicle at Ferry and Apple roads minutes after the heist was reported.

Auburn:

Homeowner, neighbor douse small fire

AUBURN – A homeowner and her neighbor fought a small Hotel Road fire with an extinguisher Monday, helping to douse the fire before firefighters arrived.

No one was hurt and “minimal damage” resulted in the blaze at 253 Hotel Road, Fire Investigator Gary Simard said.

Reported to emergency workers at 1:27 p.m., the fire broke out in a second floor wall. Homeowner Gerry Brushwein said plumbers had been working in the same spot earlier in the day, soldering a heating pipe.

A neighbor who saw the smoke called for help and came over with an extinguisher.