WATERVILLE

Woman dies in apartment fire that started in her trash can

A Waterville woman died early Saturday in a fire at her apartment on Silver Place, officials said.

Firefighters were called to the four-unit apartment house about 2:30 a.m. and found the first-floor apartment filled with smoke and flames, said Steve McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety.

When firefighters entered the apartment, they found the body of Janet York, 55, in her bed.

Six other occupants of the building escaped without injury. The building’s smoke detectors were working, McCausland said.

Investigators from the state Fire Marshal’s Office said the fire started in a trash can in York’s living room.

LEBANON

ATV driver, passenger hurt in early-morning accident

The York County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an ATV accident early Saturday that hospitalized two people.

According to the Lebanon Rescue Department, two riders apparently were thrown from their four-wheeler, which then rolled on top of them. The accident at the corner of Jim Grant Road and Emmons Lane happened about 1:20 a.m.

The 33-year-old male driver was found unconscious in the road with serious injuries. The passenger, a 44-year-old woman, was found shortly afterward. Identities were not available early Saturday.

Neither rider was wearing a helmet, rescue personnel said. 

OWLS HEAD

Three fishermen rescued after boat sinks off Rockland

The Coast Guard is investigating the sinking of a commercial fishing vessel Friday night off Rockland in which three fishermen were rescued.

Rescuers and a good Samaritan responded following a distress call from the 38-foot Miss Jill.

Coast Guard Sector Northern New England received a mayday call that the vessel was sinking at 8:40 p.m. and three mariners were abandoning ship and getting into a life raft.

Rescuers from Coast Guard Station Rockland launched a 47-foot motor lifeboat to the last reported location east of Owls Head State Park. An alert was issued, calling on any boats in the vicinity to provide assistance.

The 30-foot fishing vessel Rising Sun was nearby and picked up the three crew members from their life raft.

“It’s fortunate the Rising Sun crew was close by to assist the mariners,” said Chris Berry, a civilian search-and-rescue coordinator for the Coast Guard. “This shows the great camaraderie of a tight-knit maritime community.”

Miss Jill sank in 400 feet of water. Seas were calm and winds were light at the time of the accident.

AUGUSTA

Officials say ice in Maine may not be safe for fishing

Winter fishing season has began in Maine, but officials are warning anglers that the ice may not be safe.

New Year’s Day kicked off Maine’s ice fishing season. For the first time, the state is also allowing fishermen to cast into open water on lakes, ponds and streams during the winter. State regulations were changed last spring to allow for open-water casting.

Wildlife officials said late ice formation and early ice-out will no longer keep people from fishing.

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has produced an online magazine on its www.maine.gov/ifw/website that describes the different winter fishing rules around the state. 

Baldacci thanks state residents in final weekly radio address

Gov. John Baldacci said farewell in his final weekly gubernatorial radio address Saturday.

Baldacci gave thanks to Maine residents for their support, kindness and trust during his eight years as governor. He said that being governor was “a privilege and an honor.”

Baldacci will step down this week when Republican Gov.-elect Paul LePage takes office.

Baldacci, a Democrat, said he wishes the best for the new governor, his team and the new Legislature as they chart a new course for Maine.

In the Republican response, Rep. Kathy Chase of Wells said that if her party could make a New Year’s resolution, it would be to devote its energies to bringing a lasting economic revival in Maine.