PORTLAND (AP) — Portland’s first popularly-elected mayor in nearly 90 years has undergone cancer treatment. The city announced Thursday that Mayor Michael Brennan had successful surgery last weekend to remove a tumor from his small intestine. The tumor was discovered when Brennan sought treatment for abdominal pain. Brennan will get additional, non-invasive treatment for lesions […]

AUGUSTA (AP) — Closing arguments are scheduled in the arson trial of a 50-year-old man charged with burning down a topless coffee shop where his ex-girlfriend worked. Raymond Bellavance Jr.’s trial is entering its 10th day in Kennebec County Superior Court, where Justice Michaela Murphy will hear closing arguments today. Bellavance testified on his own […]

BOOTHBAY HARBOR (AP) — A coastal Maine ocean research laboratory is to receive a federal grant of more than $600,000. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins say the National Science Foundation has awarded the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in Boothbay Harbor a $603,631 grant to conduct biological oceanography research. The study will be in […]

AUGUSTA (AP) — During the past year, Maine had about 50 fatal crashes involving young drivers. Secretary of State Charlie Summers says that’s almost one crash involving someone between the ages of 16 and 24 per week, and it’s too many. Summers, the state’s chief motor vehicle official, announced on Thursday an effort to address […]

PRESQUE ISLE ( AP) — The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency is investigating a suspected methamphetamine lab in Presque Isle. Officials searched the Main Street apartment on Thursday. The occupants of the apartment were not home but have been interviewed by drug enforcement agents. Authorities say significant evidence of methamphetamine manufacturing has been found at the […]

SANFORD (AP) — Officials say a contractor escaped serious injury when the floor gave way while he was operating a small loader in a former mill building in Sanford. Assistant Fire Chief Steve Benotti says the man and the machine fell 18 feet into the basement. Co- workers tell the Portland Press Herald that the […]

Arrest Jonathan Brennan, 21, of 7 Bing Moore Road, Bowdoin, Nov. 23, 5:36 a.m., charged on a West Bath District Court warrant for theft and operating under the influence; also summonsed for operating after suspension, on Meadow Cross Road. Summons Anna L. Baxter-Selser, 43, of 90 Middlesex Road, Nov. 22, 1:52 p.m., charged with failing […]

Patten Free Library received a grant from the Alfred M. Senter Fund to purchase six iPads for use in an early literacy program. Beginning in February, library staff will offer small, supervised classes to preschoolers and their parents. Registration for the classes begins Jan. 11. “ We’re so excited by the opportunities that this generous […]

BATH — The following cases were closed in Sagadahoc County Superior Court between May 1 and May 31. David Spellman, 51, of Westbrook, May 4, 2010, protective order from harassment violation, jail 364 days; stalking — serious inconvenience or emotional distress, jail four years; in separate incident April 14, 2010, stalking — serious inconvenience or […]

The Topsham Planning Board is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the municipal building at 100 Main St. The only item on the meeting agenda is consideration of Lee Toyota’s request for an additional 25 percent increase in signage. The board also is scheduled to hold a workshop on the town’s sign ordinance.