SANFORD — A DNA sample entered into a national database matched a 2008 cold case crime here, and now a Sanford man who is already serving time in federal prison for bank robbery also faces gross sexual assault, kidnapping and other charges. A York County Grand Jury on Wednesday handed up a four-count indictment against […]

Valarie Hale stands atop her treadmill at her home in Shapleigh on Monday. Hale, who has a lung disease called Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, is coordinating Team Alpha-1 for the annual Trek Across Maine bicycle ride, which raises money for the Maine Lung Association. (JEFF LAGASSE/Journal Tribune)

SHAPLEIGH — Make no mistake about it, Valarie Hale is a fighter. Every day, she fights to win ”“ to take that next step on the treadmill, to do research and keep herself up-to-date about her disease, to take that next breath. On first glance, Hale looks healthy and hearty. Listen to how she breathes, […]

ALFRED — The daughter of the Saco woman who was struck by a vehicle and killed in a Main Street crosswalk last year has filed a civil suit against the man charged with manslaughter in her death. Walter Fleury, 67, of Old Orchard Beach, was indicted on a manslaughter charge in October ”“ to which […]

Priscille Nadeau of Biddeford discusses her cookie choice with The Sweet Specialist Dee Weaver at the Winter Farmer’s Market in Biddeford Saturday. The Winter Farmer’s Market in Biddeford is situated in the old Pepperell Mill’s first outlet store at 100 Main St., which now houses a museum featuring some of the equipment and other mill […]

BIDDEFORD — The Winter Farmer’s Market drew a steady crowd Saturday morning, adding credence to the thought that these days, people like to buy foodstuffs and other items produced locally and directly from the farmer, the baker or the chef. Winter markets are a growing trend ”“ no pun intended. According to the U.S. Department […]

Diane Raychard, 52, of Lyman never thought she’d be a college student. “I thought I missed the boat on that one,” she said. Raychard began working at WestPoint Home factory in Biddeford right after high school. Over the years she worked her way up to the job of quality control manager. “I was happy at […]

BIDDEFORD — On Wednesday, the School Committee discussed the pros and cons of cutting stipend positions in order to save teaching positions. In the end, committee members voted to allow school administrators to decide which positions to cut, as part of an effort to trim $1.4 million from the proposed 2012 fiscal year school budget. […]

Below: Liis Nigell, left, students services coordinator for Saco’s Adult Learning Center, stands next to Raychard outside the learning center’s entrance on Wednesday. Raychard benefited from the learning center’s college readiness programs and is currently attending classes at York County Community College in Wells. -JEFF LAGASSE/Journal Tribune

Junko Dochtermann rocks her child, Julia, on a rocking horse Wednesday at the home of her in-laws in Alfred. The Dochtermanns were living in Japan at the time of the earthquake and tsunami and are mulling their options for the future. (JEFF LAGASSE/Journal Tribune)