Judge: Some Cutler Files can be released

PORTLAND (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that some documents related to a political attack website created during last year’s gubernatorial campaign can be made public.

The Cutler Files website was active last year from about Aug. 30 through the election on Nov. 2.

The website took aim at independent candidate Eliot Cutler.

Dennis Bailey, a political operative for a rival candidate, has admitted playing a role in the site’s creation and was fined $200 by the state election commission. He is appealing. He says he is protected by free speech rights.

High court upholds lawsuit’s dismissal

PORTLAND ( AP) — Maine’s highest court has upheld a lower court’s decision to dismiss a slander lawsuit filed against Washington County Sheriff Donnie Smith.

The Supreme Judicial Court found Tuesday that Smith was immune from the lawsuit because the sheriff acted in his capacity as an elected official when he ended the department’s relationship with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and criticized the off-duty behavior of agent Larry Hilderbrand.

Hilderbrand, who was seen in a video showing his badge and drinking beer, sued in February 2010. He was disciplined but not criminally charged.

Man refuses to leave stranger’s home

RANDOLPH (AP) — Police have charged a man they say entered a stranger’s home in the early morning hours, fell asleep in a living room chair and refused to leave even after a resident pointed a gun at him and told him to get out.

State police say 39-year-old John Rastelli of Augusta was charged with violating conditions of release and criminal trespassing after entering the Randolph home through an unlocked door last week.

Police tell the Kennebec Journal that Rastelli appeared drunk when confronted by a 56- year- old woman and her armed 34- year-old son at about 3 a.m. last Friday.

Rastelli insisted he was in a friend’s home and refused repeated orders to leave.

Two men rob credit union in Portland

PORTLAND (AP) — Portland police say the most recent bank robbery in the city may be connected to suspicious activity at two other city banks.

Authorities say two men entered the University Credit Union at about 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday and handed a teller a note demanding cash.

The men, with their faces concealed by hooded sweat shirts, were given an undisclosed amount of cash and fled on foot.

No weapon was shown.

The men were described as being young and black, with thin builds and speaking a foreign language.

Student accused of online threats

BANGOR (AP) — A Bucksport high school student is facing charges of stalking and threatening a teenage girl online.

Police say 18-year-old Carl Astbury, a senior at John Bapst Memorial High School, was arrested Wednesday for using a computer to stalk a fellow student.

He is charged with felony sexual exploitation of a minor, as well as a misdemeanor for stalking and terrorizing.

Police started investigating after being contacted by the female student, who is under 18.

Police say Astbury demanded personal photos of the girl “or else.” He did not specify what that meant but police say it was “clearly a threat.”

Bangor police seek robber of hotel

BANGOR (AP) — Police are searching for a suspect who used a handgun to rob the Fairfield Inn in Bangor.

Police say the suspect in the Wednesday night robbery is a white male, about 5-feet, 8- inches tall.

The clerk in the 9:30 p.m. robbery gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of cash.

The suspect fled on foot.

Trooper put on leave following DUI arrest

PORTLAND ( AP) — A Maine State Police trooper has been put on paid leave following his arrest for driving drunk on the Maine Turnpike.

A Department of Public Safety official said Sgt. Robin Parker, of Sanford, was charged with drunken driving after being pulled over on the Maine Turnpike in Gray.

Spokesman Steve McCausland told the Portland Press Herald that Parker was in his personal vehicle at the time of his arrest, but wouldn’t say if he submitted to a blood alcohol content test.

Parker joined the state police in 1994.

Boy hit by vehicle while going to bus

WINDHAM (AP) — Police say an 11- year- old boy has been hospitalized after he was hit by a sport utility vehicle as he crossed a road to get onto his school bus.

Windham police say 22- year- old Ryan Boucher of Lewiston failed to stop for the bus, which had its emergency lights flashing, on Route 115 shortly before 7 a.m. Thursday.

Sgt. David Thomas says the boy, Xin Lao Chen, was taken to Maine Medical Center, where he was reported to be in stable condition.

Thomas said charges will likely be filed following an investigation and a review by the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office.

Gov. LePage seeks heat backup plan

AUGUSTA ( AP) — Gov. Paul LePage is asking two Maine agencies to develop a contingency plan to provide Mainers with heating assistance by next Tuesday.

LePage on Thursday asked the Maine State Housing Authority and Efficiency Maine Trust to develop a contingency plan to address the unmet needs should Congress fail to appropriate sufficient funds for the Low- Income Heating Assistance Program this winter season.

The governor’s request came as states got an additional $845 million in home heating aid. The government allotted $6.2 million more for Maine, which brings Maine’s current total to roughly $30 million, compared to last year’s $56.5 million.

Students disciplined for drinking party

BANGOR (AP) — Bangor High School officials say they’ve suspended 28 students from extra- and co-curricular activities for two weeks for being at an overnight drinking party last weekend.

Superintendent Betsy Webb said the school’s principal, vice principal and athletic director chose to give out the maximum penalty allowed under school policies.

The Bangor Daily News said the drinking party took place at a camp in Lincoln on Saturday, and that police issued summonses to 31 15- and 16-year-old students for illegal possession of alcohol. One student was issued a summons for marijuana possession.