Court denies Irving challenge

PORTLAND (AP) – Maine’s highest court on Tuesday sided with the state in a tax dispute involving Irving Pulp & Paper Ltd.

The Canadian-owned company had challenged the State Tax Assessor’s decision which held it accountable for nearly $827,000 in taxes and interest for the 1995 through 1999 tax years.

At issue were the formulas used to calculate Irving’s corporate income tax liability.

Doctor to plead guilty to biting

LANCASTER, N.H. (AP) -A 35-year-old doctor accused of biting off part of a man’s ear is expected to plead guilty to a misdemeanor later this month.

Stephen Regan, of Lancaster, initially faced a variety of charges stemming from the November 2004 incident, including second-degree assault, a felony. But according to court records, he instead will plead guilty to a lesser charge of simple assault, a misdemeanor.

Regan, a family practitioner, was accused of biting off part of Stephen Hammond’s ear during an altercation at Hammond’s home.

Ex-worker guilty in Timberland theft

BRENTWOOD, N.H. (AP) – A former Timberland employee has pleaded guilty to stealing thousands of dollars from the Stratham-based company.

Amy Bertelsen, 32, of Beaverton, Ore., will serve less than a year in jail under a suspended sentence that will begin in October.

Assistant Rockingham County Attorney Jerome Blanchard said Bertelsen also was ordered to repay $50,000 to the company.

Bertelsen was a marketing manager at Timberland in 2003 and 2004. She admitted to stealing $5,000 in Best Buy gift certificates and as much as $50,000 in American Express checks.