Firefighters and nervous residents initially feared that today’s fire was the fifth in a string of suspicious fires and that the arsonist had expanded his targeted territory.

Residents watch for unusual activity after a fire burns a garage and damages vehicles at a house where the owner was away.

Even before today, someone had set three arson fires in last two weeks, which destroyed a vacant home as well as a building owned by the Gorham snowmobile club.

For the man who dined on frog legs and enjoyed fancy hotels and casino outings, prison will be a change. Dress is casual. There is no spa.

In a letter to the court, which will be presented at Paul Violette’s sentencing today, the former state legislator says he takes full responsibility for his actions.

Extra police staffing cost South Portland $8,000 and Portland nearly $21,000 for overtime. And even though Obama’s visit was a campaign fundraising event, the campaign does not cover the departments’ overtime costs.