DEAR SUN SPOTS: I never miss your column and look forward to it each day. You certainly help many people with difficult problems. It truly amazes me the wealth of information you can give.

My request is fairly simple, but I’m having conflicting answers, so I will ask an expert.

What procedure must I follow to obtain a photo ID that I can present for the purpose of writing personal checks? I no longer drive or use a credit card. — No Name, Gray

ANSWER: Sun Spots is pleased to tell you that you do not have to drive to get a Maine state ID. The rules for this are online at http://tinyurl.com/23wbd7y.

According to the website, you need two forms of ID from among the following: adoption papers, baptismal records, birth certificate, certificate of marriage, citizenship papers, concealed weapons permit, copy of marital application, court order, divorce papers, draft card, driver education card, driver’s license, driver’s permit, medical record from doctor/hospital, military dependent ID card, military discharge/separation (DD214), military ID card, parent/guardian (must appear in person and prove his/her identity; applies only to minors), passport, school records/transcript (certified), Social Security card or unemployment card.

One of these must include your date of birth; the other your signature. 

State identification cards are issued at all motor vehicle branch offices and mobile unit locations. The fee is $5.

For more information you can call the Bureau of Motor Vehicles at 624-9000.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: My brother broke the protection from abuse order my mother had against him. I know that he went to court for that in October. I was wondering if you have any information on how they charged him at the court date.

I know that in the past you have had information on when he was arrested and what bail was and also what he was arrested for. If you have any of this information, I would greatly appreciate it so that I can put my mother’s thoughts at ease.

Thanks for your time. — No Name via e-mail

ANSWER: There are different procedures involved in the way the Sun Journal reports criminal justice. Each day the crime reporter collects from local authorities charges made against individuals for certain crimes and lists them in the police log. If a crime is large enough, say homicide, a reporter will follow the court process.

But for most cases the results are printed in a court log on the Matters of Record page. It often takes a while, however, for these logs to move from the courts to the pages of the newspapers.

You don’t need to wait. Court proceedings are public, and you can obtain them yourself at the courthouse. The clerk of courts where your brother’s case was adjudicated can provide you with the most recent information.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: For the fourth year, the Turner Public Library is sponsoring an ongoing silent auction of exceptional items, including an overnight getaway at a historic old hotel in New Hampshire, hockey tickets, artwork including a special water color, jams, jellies, organic beef and numerous handmade items — truly something for everyone’s Christmas shopping list.

All will be on display for bidding at the library in the Leavitt Institute Building at 98 Matthews Way, Turner, from Nov. 11 through Dec. 11 every Tuesday and Thursday from 12 to 7 p.m. and every Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Please call me at 225-3501 for further information on this event. — Joan, [email protected]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: This week the Root Cellar, 89 Birch St., Lewiston, 782-3659, is looking for donations of gently worn winter clothes, footwear, coats and other outerwear for the free clothing distribution on Friday, Nov. 5, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Please drop off your donations from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Heather, [email protected]

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be e-mailed to [email protected].