CAPE ELIZABETH

Fox killed after attacks in park was rabid, tests show

The gray fox that was killed after it attacked a 3-year-old boy and his mother at a state park on Thursday was rabid, the Maine Department of Conservation said Friday.

Officials tested the fox’s carcass for rabies because of its aggressive behavior in attacking the boy and his mother and a park ranger at Two Lights State Park.

The mother and son sought refuge in a bathroom while an unarmed ranger used a weed trimmer to scare away the fox.

The episode began when the fox nipped at a ranger. After running off, the fox reappeared at the park’s playground, where it bit the boy on the hand and leg before going after his mother.

The park was evacuated before the fox was located and killed.

It was the second animal found to be rabid this year in Cape Elizabeth, according to Corey Hamilton, the animal control officer for South Portland and Cape Elizabeth. The first rabid animal also was a fox. A total of 26 rabid animals have been found in Maine this year.

PORTLAND

Condition of man dragged by SUV improves to serious

The condition of a man who was injured when he was dragged by a sport utility vehicle after Portland’s July Fourth fireworks has been upgraded from critical to serious.

The change in the status of Steven Makris, 39, reported by a spokeswoman at Maine Medical Center, indicates that his condition has stabilized. He was in critical condition in the days after the incident.

Police say Jason Beaudoin, 34, of Portland backed into Makris’ parked car intentionally. Makris, a resident of Pelham, N.H., confronted Beaudoin, who sped off. Makris initially held on to the SUV, witnesses said, then fell to the ground, hitting his head.

Police waited at Beaudoin’s house until he returned at 6 a.m. Tuesday. Police say information from the case will be presented to prosecutors.

Grand jury indicts uncle accused of reckless gun use

A Naples man who allegedly shot his nephew in the forehead with a pellet gun has been indicted by a Cumberland County grand jury.

The grand jury indicted Daniel McGill, 26, on charges of elevated aggravated assault, aggravated assault, assault on an officer and reckless conduct with a weapon.

Sheriff’s deputies arrested McGill on May 19. They said he had been drinking and handling the gun carelessly. The .177-caliber gun was loaded with pointed pellets.

McGill told deputies that he was shooting at squirrels and the gun was across his lap when it fired.

A pellet lodged in the front of 9-year-old Gavin Gilmore’s brain. Surgeons removed the pellet, authorities said.

McGill got into an altercation with the investigating deputy, police say.

Principal of Lyman Moore announces he’s retiring

Lee Crocker, the principal of Lyman Moore Middle School, is retiring.

Crocker, who has worked for the Portland school system for 37 years, sent out an email to parents on Thursday announcing his decision.

School officials said they don’t expect to announce a decision on an interim principal or plans for a permanent replacement until next week.

Before moving to Lyman Moore, Crocker was assistant principal at Portland High School.

AUGUSTA

State BEP approves casino developers’ financial plan

The Oxford casino’s financial plan now has approval from Maine’s Board of Environmental Protection, which cleared the way for the project’s backers to complete paperwork for the casino next week.

The board said Thursday that the casino’s investors had demonstrated financial capacity to complete the project. The board had ordered work on the site stopped until a financial plan could be approved.

The BEP has given Black Bear Entertainment, which won voter approval to develop the casino, until September to show there’s enough water at the site to supply the casino development’s needs.

Much of the site has been cleared of trees, and the investors are working with the state transportation department to install traffic lights in the area.

State DEP chief applying new rule-managing power

Maine’s new law aimed at streamlining regulations is starting to affect the Department of Environmental Protection.

Under the law, which was approved nearly unanimously by the Legislature during the session that ended last week, the department’s commissioner is authorized to manage environmental rule making that is considered routine and technical.

The change, which took effect Wednesday, speeds up a rule-making process that was managed previously by the Board of Environmental Protection. The BEP will continue to weigh in on rules that are considered major and must meet legislative approval.

Meanwhile, the DEP staff has been reviewing the agency’s 200 or so rules and has identified some that are obsolete or need revision. New rule proposals require a science-based approach and a regulatory impact analysis.

BANGOR

Singers arrested at border released, warned by judge

A Canadian folk singer and her backup vocalist have been allowed to return to Canada with a warning to have proper visas next time they come to the U.S.

Michele Marie Bahrynowski, who performs under the name Michelle Joly, and Carrie Ann Sadler, both of Red Deer, Alberta, were arrested Tuesday at a Calais border crossing. They were sentenced on Friday to time served and the judge barred them from re-entering the U.S. for five years.

Federal officials say the two were turned away from one border crossing because they didn’t have necessary work or performance visas. They tried to cross again the next day at a different crossing, telling border agents they were coming to the U.S. to visit friends.

GARDINER

Maine investigators help crush green-energy scam

Maine Securities Administrator Judith Shaw says state investigators aided in the case that led to a conviction in a green-energy scam.

Shaw said Friday that James Rivera was convicted of 10 counts of wire fraud and one count of mail fraud in federal court in California. The fraud related to a phony wind power scheme that scammed dozens of investors, including several in Maine, out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The scam operated under various company names, including “Apostles, Inc.” and “Almighty Wind.” The case against Rivera began in California in 2009. Information provided by Maine’s Office of Securities was used in the case.

Several Mainers had complained, including one couple who lost $30,000 in the scheme.

MADAWASKA

State planner named for 2014 Acadian Congress

A businesswoman from northern Maine will coordinate planning for the 2014 World Acadian Congress.

Lorraine Pelletier of St. Agatha began her duties July 1 as Maine regional coordinator for the huge event that will come to northern Maine, northwestern New Brunswick and southeastern Quebec in three years. Pelletier has been an account executive for WAGM-TV (Channel 8) in Presque Isle for the past 13 years.

Her Acadian Congress duties include working with the regional committee to organize community activities in Maine and leading efforts to encourage communities and residents to host family reunions in the region.

The celebration, traditionally held over two and a half weeks in August every five years, generates millions of dollars in economic activity.