CORINTH

Police probe man’s death, stabbing at wife’s home

Maine State Police are investigating the death of a Corinth man early Sunday at the home of his estranged wife.

Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the state Department of Public Safety, said late Sunday that no one had been charged in the death of Christopher Darner, 37.

McCausland said three other people who were inside the home at 87 Beans Mill Road “have fully cooperated” with police.

One of them, Kirt Damon Jr., 24, of Searsport, was treated for stab wounds and released from Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.

McCausland said Darner entered the home of his estranged wife, Miranda Darner, 22, around 2:30 a.m. Miranda Darner, who has not been living with her husband, had a court protection order against him.

Police identified a third person in the home as Zachary Joseph, 21, of Belfast. Miranda Darner and Joseph were not injured.

The state Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy on Darner’s body Monday.

SOUTH PORTLAND

Firefighters quickly put out blaze on building’s porch

A fire that broke out Sunday at 24 Liberty Lane is being blamed on improper disposal of smoking materials.

Lt. Robb Couture said residents reported smoke and flames coming from the third floor of the building around 3:22 p.m.

When crews arrived, they found smoke in a third-floor apartment and a small fire on the porch. The fire, which was quickly put out, was confined to the porch. No one was injured.

Couture said the fire is a reminder to the public to take precautions when disposing of cigarettes, and to use approved containers.

PITTSTON

Body recovered from river thought to be missing man

The body of a man pulled from the Kennebec River in the Pittston area is likely that of a central Maine resident who was reported missing a week ago, Maine State Police said Sunday.

Police are not releasing the man’s name until they contact the family, said Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the state Department of Public  Safety.

The body, which showed no signs of foul play in an autopsy earlier in the day, was found by residents of Smith Town Road on Saturday night, McCausland said.

A missing persons report was filed by the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office Sept. 11 on the man, who was in his 20s and last seen in Waterville.

ORONO

Delegation from Japan visits for tidal power conference

A delegation of scientists and industry officials from Japan is visiting the University of Maine for a three-day conference on tidal power.

The 11-member group is attending the Marine Energy International Symposium, which runs Monday through Wednesday. The conference is designed as a collaborative exchange between researchers in the Maine Tidal Power Initiative, which is based at the university, and various Japanese institutions.

The group also plans to travel to Eastport, the site of Ocean Renewable Power Co.’s tidal power generator that converts the energy of the tides into electricity.

PORTLAND

Wildlife biologists wrap up trapping for turtle study

Wildlife biologists in Maine are wrapping up the trapping portion of a two-year study to determine ways to better protect an endangered species of turtle.

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has captured and released more than 40 Blanding’s turtles in southern Maine to understand how they are affected by suburban development. The turtles, which live in the Upper Midwest and small sections of New England, are at risk from habitat loss and road mortality.

In a collaborative study with New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania, biologists in Maine have used baited traps in marshy areas, ponds and other areas where the turtles are likely to be.

The Blanding’s turtle is named after 19th century naturalist William Blanding, who identified the species.

Officials looking for photos to display on city website

Portland officials are looking for photos to display on the city’s newly redesigned website that capture the many aspects of Maine’s largest city.

The city is encouraging local professional and amateur photographers to submit photos that “capture the reasons why Portland is a special place to live, work and play.”

Photos will be displayed on the website along with captions with information about the photographer.

Photos can feature anything from architecture to people to culture and art. Submitted photos should be a minimum of 1280 x 1024 pixels and 72 dpi with no cropping or filters. The submission deadline is Sept. 27.

– From staff and news services