WASHINGTON, D.C.
Supreme Court declines to block Maine finance law

The U.S. Supreme Court has turned down a request to block key portions of a Maine campaign finance law that provides matching funds for candidates and a $750 limit on contributions to candidates for governor.

The court acted Friday on a challenge from the Respect Maine Political Action Committee and state Republican state Rep. Andre Cushing III of Hampden.

Earlier this year, the justices intervened in a similar dispute over matching funds for candidates in Arizona.

Justices Samuel Alito and Antonin Scalia said they would have blocked Maine’s provision on giving taxpayers’ money to some candidates.

Delegation applauds ruling on harm to paper industry

Maine’s congressional delegation is applauding the International Trade Commission’s finding that the U.S. paper industry is being hurt by subsidized coated paper imports from China and Indonesia.

In a unanimous vote, the commission concluded that material harm is being caused by the dumping of coated paper and subsidies provided to paper producers in those countries.

Maine’s delegation says the ruling is an important step forward in ending some of the inequitable trade practices.

Sen. Olympia Snowe said the panel need look no further than Maine’s idle mills for proof of damage the subsidies have inflicted on the U.S. paper industry.

Sen. Susan Collins said Maine’s paper makers can compete on a level playing field, and more steps must be taken to ensure that happens.

HARRISON
Police investigate actions of teen driver in fatal accident

Police are investigating the actions of a teenager who was driving a vehicle that was involved in a fatal crash Thursday night in Harrison.

Excessive speed may have contributed to the crash that killed Thomas McLendon, 18, of Oxford, according to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.

McLendon was a rear-seat passenger and one of four people in a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer that veered off a curve on Waterford Road around 8:20 p.m.

The vehicle crashed into several trees.

A second passenger, Jacob Hill, 20, of Waterford, suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken by helicopter to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston.

He was listed in serious condition Friday afternoon.

A third passenger, Timothy Coffin, 21, of Waterford, was taken to Bridgton Hospital with serious injuries.

The driver was a teenage girl, whose name and address have not been released.

She is the subject of a criminal investigation into the crash, Capt. Jeff Davis said in a press release.

The driver also was taken to Bridgton Hospital, with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

An accident reconstruction team from the Windham Police Department is assisting the sheriff’s office with the investigation.

BANGOR
Jury set for Biddeford man accused in killing of two

A jury has been chosen for the trial of a Biddeford man who is accused of killing two people in a confrontation outside his home last year.

Opening statements in Rory Holland’s murder trial are expected to start Monday in Bangor, where a judge moved the trial at the request of defense lawyers.

Holland, 54, is charged in the shooting deaths of 19-year-old Gage Greene and 21-year-old Derek Greene early on June 30, 2009.

Prosecutors say Holland pulled a handgun from his waistband and gunned down the brothers after Gage Greene pushed him. Holland says he feared for his life and fired in self-defense.

PORTLAND
Forum to discuss how education can end poverty

A panel of top education officials will discuss how education can help end poverty in Maine during a public forum on Monday.

The forum, from noon to 1:15 p.m. in the Rines Auditorium of the Portland Public Library, will be free and open to the public.

Panelists will include Maine’s interim Education Commissioner Angela Faherty; University of Maine System Chancellor Richard Pattenaude; Glenn Cummings, former speaker of the Maine House and deputy assistant secretary of education in the Obama administration; and Ethan Strimling, chief executive officer of LearningWorks, a nonprofit that serves youths and low-income families.

LearningWorks is organizing the panel and a series of community conversations about poverty and other issues.

Sponsors include Mercy Hospital, Maine Medical Center, Verrill Dana and Bangor Savings Bank. For more information or to register, call 775-0105.

Environmental group gives Hannah Pingree top award

House Speaker Hannah Pingree is the recipient of a top award from Maine’s largest environmental advocacy organization.

The Natural Resources Council of Maine presented Pingree with its 2010 Environmental Award on Thursday in Portland.

The council gives the award each year to a person or group that has made a difference in protecting Maine’s environment.

Executive Director Brownie Carson said Pingree has successfully advocated for bills that improve Maine’s water and air quality, promote the use of clean energy, conserve lands and protect people’s health.

Carson called Pingree a “true champion” for Maine’s people and environment.

BOSTON
Appeals court says Maine trapping rules will stand

An appeals court has upheld a federal judge’s decision to let Maine’s trapping rules remain in effect despite complaints that they harm Canada lynx.

The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston issued its ruling this week.

The Animal Welfare Institute and the Wildlife Alliance of Maine had sought a permanent injunction to force the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to change its trapping rules.

The two groups say fish and game regulators have abdicated their duty to enforce the Endangered Species Act. The Canada lynx is designated as threatened under the federal law.

Maine wildlife biologists say only two lynx have died after being caught in traps set for other animals since 1999. Maine’s general trapping season begins on Oct. 31.

WINDHAM
Playhouse maker plans ‘Makeover’ viewing party

A Maine manufacturer of children’s playhouses will make a third appearance on ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” at 8 p.m. Sunday.

Windham-based Kids Crooked House, which makes quirky, custom outdoor structures for kids, built a four-structure backyard “crooked playland” at a home outside Allentown, Pa.

Kids Crooked plans a viewing party at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Foreside Tavern in Falmouth.

Sam Pfeifle, Kids Crooked communications director said Kids Crooked isn’t paid for its involvement with the show. He said the lumber used to build the structures was donated by Maine’s New England Building Materials.