FARMINGTON — A Franklin County justice sentenced a Phillips woman Monday to six months of a three-year sentence for stealing $30,000 from Grant’s Kennebago Camps in Stetson Township. Following her release from the Department of Corrections, Deborah Lynn Vitrano, 36, will serve three years on probation and is required to pay restitution. Vitrano pleaded guilty […]
Franklin
News and information about Franklin County from the Sun Journal.
Sandy River Farms: Fewer cows, but farm milks on
FARMINGTON — In a single day last month, Bussie York’s wife, Brenda, was rushed to the hospital with a stroke, Sandy River Farms sold off 60 dairy cows and half a dozen Secret Service agents fanned out over his property for a visit by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. Perdue stood in York’s farm […]
Wilton course teaches basic handgun safety
Franklin County Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr. leads Josette Billian of Wilton through a series of drills during a basic handgun training course at Wilton Fish and Game Association on Oct. 20. (Dee Menear/Franklin Journal) WILTON — Fourteen people, each carrying a handgun, arrived at the Wilton Fish and Game Association on a recent Saturday morning. […]
Teacher's honor boosts students' work in Strong
STRONG — Students at Strong Elementary School are getting a boost preparing for National History Day competition from social studies teacher Crystal Polk, one of three from Maine chosen for graduate studies in history. As part of the honor, Polk may travel to Europe to visit many of World War I battle sites and historical […]
Prescription drug take-back day this Saturday
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at locations around Maine. Sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, the day aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible way of disposing of prescription drugs, while educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. Police […]
Former Jay man enters insanity plea, waives jury trial in murder case
FARMINGTON — A former Jay man charged in the death of his girlfriend last year pleaded not criminally responsible by reason of insanity and waived a jury trial Thursday at Franklin County Superior Court. James “Ted” Sweeney, 58, is accused of murder in the July 11, 2017, killing of Wendy Douglass, 51, while she slept […]
Police identify driver injured in Jay crash
Terrence Allison, 38, of Jay was injured Sunday night when his pickup truck left East Jay Road and hit a tree, according to police. Allison was treated at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. (Jay Police Department)
Camp owner burns hands quelling fire in Sandy River Plantation
SANDY RIVER PLANTATION — A Rhode Island man received minor burns to his hands Tuesday when he tried to put out a fire at his camp at 40 South Shore Drive, Rangeley Fire Rescue Chief Michael Bacon said Thursday. The fire started in the first-floor bathroom where David O’Brian was fixing a leak. Flames spread […]
Farmington selectmen approve 2.54 percent raise for employees
FARMINGTON — The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday night approved a 2.54 percent pay increase for town employees, which will go into effect after the town meeting in March. Town Manager Richard Davis said the increase will keep the town in line with the consumer price index, and does not apply to unionized employees, whose […]
New Vineyard boy, 5, moving forward after legs severed
FARMINGTON — Five-year-old Adam Mattson scooted out of his wheelchair Wednesday and moved himself to a bench seat at a table at the local McDonald’s to eat his lunch. The New Vineyard boy’s legs were severed in a bucket-loader accident Oct. 23, 2017. His mother’s boyfriend of many years, Sam Kennedy, and Adam were at […]