RUMFORD – Verso Paper Corp. announced Wednesday that it reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, allowing it to move forward with its acquisition of NewPage Holdings Inc. for approximately $1.4 billion. The merger, originally announced on Jan. 6, 2014, had been held up due to an antitrust review by the U.S. Department […]
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Posted inMaine
Maine’s DHHS Commissioner urges AG action on welfare drug-test law
AUGUSTA — Maine’s commissioner for the state Department of Health and Human Services said Monday she is still waiting on the state’s top lawyer before moving forward on a law that’s nearly three years old. A federal law passed in 1996 prohibits distributing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families to individuals who have been previously convicted […]
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Posted inRiver Valley
Canadian paper company to purchase NewPage in Rumford
RUMFORD — A Canadian paper company is buying the Rumford Paper Company and a second NewPage mill for $74 million in cash. Catalyst Paper Holdings, based in British Columbia, announced the transaction. In addition to Rumford, Catalyst also will buy a NewPage paper mill in Biron, Wis. NewPage employs about 800 people at its Rumford […]
Posted inOxford Hills, River Valley, The Franklin Journal
Region 9 prepares for the beginning of new school year
MEXICO — About 150 high school students have enrolled in one of the 10 vocational programs at the Region 9 School of Applied Technology and several more spots are available. Director Brenda Gammon said the certified nursing assistant program is full and has a waiting list, but slots are available is all others, particularly for […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Oxford Hills
Man facing drug charges accused of assaulting witness
PARIS — Police said a man accused of manufacturing and selling methamphetamine was arrested Tuesday on a charge of attacking a witness who gave evidence against him. Rodney Levesque, 35, of Hunts Corner Road in Albany Township, was arrested in Bethel on Aug. 12 by an Oxford County Sheriff’s deputy on charges of tampering with a […]
Posted inLocal Sports
American Legion: Bessey gets Frank with defense to top Locke Mills
Frank found a groove after a rocky first inning and shut Locke Mills down with the help of some excellent glove work by his teammates for the complete game six-hitter. “The defense was solid,” Frank said. “Ty (Martin) at third was really good. Martin made several fine plays on an array of grounders, bouncers, choppers […]
Posted inFranklin, The Franklin Journal
Early plans for Farmington park taking shape
FARMINGTON — A preliminary sketch of a proposed park for the former town garage lot has, so far, received nods of approval. But there’s still work to do before any decision is made on whether it’s adopted. The Board of Selectmen seemed to like it, Town Manager Richard Davis said. But it didn’t make a […]
Posted inFranklin
Phillips man pleads guilty in plea agreement
FARMINGTON — A Phillips man pleaded guilty to a felony charge of gross sexual assault as part of a plea agreement Friday in Franklin County Superior Court. Robert Parker Jr., 44, also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a child as part of the agreement which dismissed eight other charges. […]
Posted inMaine
Who’s really ripping ME off?
AUGUSTA — Early last year, the national media turned its gaze to Maine and the tawdry story of a Zumba-instructor-turned-prostitute in the affluent seacoast village of Kennebunkport. The exploits of Alexis Wright, including the fact that she managed a client list of more than 100 people and often secretly videotaped her encounters with her customers, […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Mainers lose millions annually to scams, Maine’s attorney general says
BANGOR — When people talk about the elderly being gullible or prey to scam artists, Francine Wickes counts herself out. A retired occupational therapist and English as a second language teacher, the 85-year-old Bangor resident lived for many years in Indonesia and parts of Europe and doesn’t mind being described as worldly and wary. But […]