AUGUSTA (AP) – Gov. John Baldacci tapped a top aide Thursday to fill a vacancy of Maine’s three-member Public Utilities Commission.

Kurt Adams, the nominee, has been the governor’s chief legal counsel.

If confirmed by the Maine Senate, Adams would replace Thomas Welch, who wrapped up a second term as chairman of the regulatory panel on April 1.

Sen. John Kerry has knee surgery

WASHINGTON (AP) – Sen. John Kerry, whose sailboarding and skiing trips were campaign fodder during last year’s presidential race, is recuperating from knee surgery.

The Massachusetts Democrat, who is in Rome for the funeral of Pope John Paul II, had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee during the recent congressional recess and will be on crutches for a couple of weeks to keep weight off his knee, said his spokeswoman April Boyd.

Boyd said it was an outpatient procedure to repair cartilage in his knee, which was damaged by “years of soccer, hockey and marathon running.”

Kerry ran unsuccessfully for president in 2004.

Students rescued after losing way

WATERVILLE VALLEY, N.H. (AP) – Four Plymouth State University students were rescued after they lost their way hiking on Mount Osceola.

The hikers called for help using a cell phone and they were found two hours later Wednesday.

The group had wandered about five miles away from their car when firefighters and volunteers found them.

No one was injured.

Abduction case sentence delayed

FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) – The sentencing of a man who pleaded guilty to abducting and robbing the wife of U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire has been postponed until June 3.

Michael Pierre, 27, of Upper Marlboro, Md., was to have been sentenced Thursday in Fairfax Circuit Court but the date was changed.

Two men invaded the Gregg home in McLean, Va., in October 2003 and forced Kathleen Gregg at knifepoint to drive to a bank and withdraw money.

She ran away after handing over the cash.

The other man, Christopher Forbes, pleaded guilty in February and is serving a 15-year prison term.

Prosecutors said Kathleen Gregg told police she tried to run as the men entered her house but they tackled her. She said Pierre told her to give them what they wanted or they would rape and kill her.