TV stations to air analog longer

BANGOR (AP) – Two Bangor TV stations say they’ll broadcast in analog until June, the federal government’s new deadline to switch over to digital.

WLBZ-2 in Bangor said Friday it will operate both analog and digital television signals until June 12. General Manager Judy Horan said that even though keeping both signals active will add costs to the station’s budget, it was an easy decision because many people are still getting ready for the switch.

WABI-5 said it would also operate on both analog and digital signals. But WVII-7 plans to make the switch to digital Feb. 17 and abandon analog. In southern Maine, five of Portland’s seven TV stations likely will have made the switch to digital broadcasting by the original Feb. 17 deadline.

Charges upgraded in plow shooting

LaGRANGE (AP) – A 34-year-old man is now facing attempted elevated aggravated assault charges after allegedly firing his rifle at a man who was plowing his mother’s driveway. The charges have been upgraded since Timothy Turner of LaGrange was first arrested Jan. 20.

State police say the 36-year-old victim, who they aren’t naming, was plowing Turner’s mother’s driveway before dawn Jan. 19 when shots rang out. Two bullets went into the truck’s windshield, one hit the radiator and another bullet punctured a tire.

Police said the driver and his 22-year-old passenger had to jump out of the way of flying bullets and are surprised no one was hit. State Trooper Christopher Foxworthy said the scene “was just madness.”

Lawmaker raises may be delayed

AUGUSTA (AP) – A Republican Senate leader has put in bills to suspend cost-of-living raises for Maine legislators.

Senate Minority Leader Kevin Raye says it’s inappropriate for the Legislature to accept a cost-of-living adjustment in these difficult times.

Lawmakers are due to get the increases this year and next. Raye has bills suspending the increases for each year. After a 3.7 percent adjustment, each lawmaker will get $13,526 for this year’s six-month session. If they give up their raises for next year, it would save an estimated $40,000.