MAINE:
US-MISSING-MAINE-TEEN
Man charged in death of missing Maine teenager
BANGOR, Maine (AP) - A 20-year-old Maine man has been charged with murder in the death of a 15-year-old girl who was last seen more than a week ago, when she went to meet someone she befriended online.
Police say Kyle Dube, of Orono, was charged Tuesday in the death of Nichole Cable.
Police say a body found in the woods on Monday night is likely that of the high school student.
State police spokesman Steve McCausland says the state medical examiner's office will determine if the remains are those of Nichole.
Nichole's mother says her daughter was last seen May 12 when she went out to see someone she'd met on Facebook. Her mother didn't know who that person was. Maine law enforcement officials and hundreds of volunteers have been searching for her.
CHURCH ABUSE-MAINE
2 lawsuits filed against Maine Catholic church
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Two brothers are suing the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, saying church officials knew a priest was sexually abusing them and other children but failed to stop it.
In complaints in Cumberland County Superior Court, Jeffrey and Frederick Conroy say the late Father James Vallely abused them from approximately 1976 through approximately 1979, when they were altar boys at St. Michael's Parish in South Berwick.
Frederick Conroy is now 46 and lives in Massachusetts. Jeffrey Conroy is 45 and lives in Texas.
The suits seek unspecified damages on claims including fraudulent concealment, infliction of emotional distress and negligent supervision.
The diocese announced in 2005 that Vallely was among nine dead priests against whom child sexual abuse allegations had been validated.
A spokesman said the diocese doesn't comment on ongoing litigation.
LEPAGE-INCOME TAX
LePage: Eliminate Maine's income tax
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Gov. Paul LePage says he wants to completely eliminate Maine's income tax.
The Republican governor said Monday that if re-elected he would make eliminating the state income tax a goal. He also acknowledged that it would be difficult if the Legislature remains controlled by Democrats.
A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers has proposed overhauling the state's tax system. Their plan includes cutting the income tax in half to 4% while boosting the sales tax to 6%, with the goal of shifting the tax burden toward tourists.
LePage has publicly come out in opposition of that proposal.
LePage made his comments Monday at an appearance with author Travis Brown, who argues that states with income taxes lose population and wealth to states with no income taxes.
PSYCHOLOGIST-HEALTH CARE FRAUD
Maine psychologist pleads guilty to fraud
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - A Maine psychologist has pleaded guilty to defrauding insurance companies by submitting claims for counseling sessions that never happened.
Federal prosecutors said Carole Orem-Hough of South Portland billed insurance companies for two counseling sessions a week when she saw the patient once per week.
She told one patient that she double-billed Aetna because the company reimbursed her for about half of what she received from other companies.
The claims were submitted from September 2008 to September 2011. U.S. Attorney Thomas Delahanty said the fraud loss is over $69,000 and involved false claims with respect to almost 50 patients.
The 55-year-old Orem-Hough awaits sentencing.
TOWN WORKER-RETALIATION
State determines OOB employee retaliated against
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - The Maine Human Rights Commission has found that a former Old Orchard Beach town employee suffered discrimination and retaliation for reporting financial irregularities.
The commission on Monday recommended that Kelly Roy and the town seek an agreement that satisfies both sides.
The Portland Press Herald reports that without comment, the commission supported an investigator's finding that Roy was retaliated and discriminated against after she reported her concerns to her supervisor in early 2012.
Roy, the office manager for the Public Works Department, filed a complaint with the state last May, saying the retaliation came after she raised concerns about financial activities she believed were unlawful.
Roy voluntarily resigned earlier this year. Town officials denied her allegations but had no immediate comment on the commission's ruling.
NEW HAMPSHIRE:
NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY
NH marks presidential primary's 100th anniversary
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Defenders of New Hampshire's enviable role in presidential politics are paying tribute to the past while keeping an eye on the future.
Tuesday marks the 100th anniversary of the state law that led to the creation of the modern presidential primary. At a birthday celebration, Republican National Committeeman Steve Duprey says that other states have come to realize that the New Hampshire primary works because it lets the people decide.
Though the RNC has adopted penalties to protect early voting states, New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation status is not guaranteed - there's talk of Nevada and Arizona trying to move ahead in 2016.
New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner says he's "keeping an eye out" and plans to meet with other secretaries of state in July.
NH BUDGET
NH Senate panel rejects cigarette tax hike
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - The Senate's budget committee is saying no to a House-proposed 20-cent cigarette tax hike and delays in several business tax credits worth $53 million in revenue.
The Republican-controlled Finance Committee voted 4-2 on the proposals Tuesday. The committee is in the process of putting together the Senate's version of the $11 billion, 2-year budget for a vote by the chamber on June 6.
Chairman Chuck Morse released a list of suggested changes to the Department of Health and Human Services' budget that included smaller funding increases for services for the disabled and mentally ill.
That prompted a quick response from Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan, who called the funding levels "nothing short of devastating for the health and well-being of the people of New Hampshire."
HEPATITIS C OUTBREAK
Nurse sues hospital in NH hep C outbreak case
EXETER, N.H. (AP) - A former Exeter Hospital nurse and roommate of a technician accused of stealing drugs and infecting patients with hepatitis C has sued the hospital, saying she was wrongfully terminated.
Kerry Descoteau lived with David Kwiatkowski (kwiht-KOW'-skee) and worked with him at the cardiac catheterization laboratory.
In her lawsuit, filed last month in Rockingham Superior Court, Descoteau said she was questioned about her connection to Kwiatkowski and about a drug used during procedures. She was placed on administrative leave.
The suit says the state nursing board investigated and dismissed the complaint, but then the hospital fired her a week later, saying she "may have contributed" to the hepatitis C outbreak.
The Portsmouth Herald reports a lawyer for Exeter Hospital denies that it wrongfully terminated Descoteau.
Kwiatkowski faces trial in January.
MANCHESTER FATAL SHOOTING
NH shooting victim named, suspect search continues
MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) - Authorities have released the name of a man who was fatally shot over the weekend in Manchester, N.H.
The victim has been identified as 31-year-old Mark Donnelly of Manchester.
An autopsy shows he died from a single gunshot wound to the chest and the manner of death is homicide.
Donnelly was shot and killed shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday in the area of Pine and Prospect streets.
No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.
Police are seeking help from anyone who has information about the shooting.
NH TOURISM-MEMORIAL DAY
NH officials predict visitor and spending increase
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - New Hampshire tourism officials are predicting an increase in visitors and spending this Memorial Day weekend, though the outlook is not as optimistic as it was last year.
Citing a report by the Institute for New Hampshire Studies, tourism officials say they expect more than a half million visitors from out of state during the holiday weekend - a 1% increase over last year. They anticipate those visitors will spend upwards of $88 million - more than a 2% increase over last year.
Division of Travel and Tourism director Lori Harnois says many of the state's parks, attractions and businesses are opening for the season this weekend.
Last year officials predicted a 2% increase in visitors and a 5% increase in spending.
VERMONT:
VERMONT TEACHER KILLED
Vt. judge denies new lawyer bid in teacher killing
ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. (AP) - A Vermont judge says a couple charged with killing a popular St. Johnsbury teacher must keep their lawyers.
The judge made the ruling Tuesday after Patricia and Allen Prue appeared separately in court in St. Johnsbury and asked for new lawyers.
Patricia Prue told the judge that her lawyer, Marc Eagle, doesn't seem to have a defense for her.
Allen Prue says he feels his lawyer, Dan Maguire, doesn't keep him informed about the case.
Judge Mary Miles Teachout denied both requests.
The Prues have pleaded not guilty to charges they lured 33-year-old Melissa Jenkins from her Danville home in March 2012, killed her and then dumped her body in the Connecticut River.
Patricia Prue is due to go on trial this summer; Allen Prue early next year.
ABDUCTED GRANDMOTHER
Documents: 3 men had role in Vt. woman's abduction
BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) - Documents filed by the U.S. Attorney's office allege three men had a role in the 2010 abduction and killing of a Sheffield grandmother.
The three, who are related, are in federal or state custody on charges unrelated to the killing of 78-year-old Mary "Pat" O'Hagan. No one has been charged in connection with her death.
Hagan disappeared from her home in September 2010. Her body was found nearly a month later by hunters in a remote area 10 miles away.
The Burlington Free Press reports the court paperwork provides different reasons for the killing, such as robbery, and O'Hagan learning about meth being cooked at an abandoned home.
Lawyers for the men have declined to comment, or did not respond to messages seeking comment.
BANK BUILDING DONATED
Vt. bank donates historic building to 2 nonprofits
BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP) - A bank building that's been part of North Bennington, Vt., since 1864, has been donated to two nonprofit groups.
Merchants Bank says it is donating the building to the Fund for North Bennington and the Preservation Trust of Vermont.
The Bennington Banner reports bank CEO Michael Tuttle says the decision is bittersweet. The bank is opening a new branch two miles away.
The groups haven't decided how to use the building yet. It was built as the First National Bank of North Bennington in 1864.
GREEN MOUNTAIN CAMPSITES
Vermont campsites opening Friday
RUTLAND, Vt. (AP) - Forest officials are getting ready to open campsites in the Green Mountain National Forest in time for the Memorial Day weekend.
The U.S. Forest Service says forest roads and trails are in very good shape. They expect visits to be up from Vermont residents and from people in and around New England, due in part to high fuel costs.
Visitors are encouraged to bring head nets or an effective insect repellant to fight off the black fly and mosquito populations.
Campsites are opening Friday.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 | 
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WFFF. All Rights Reserved.
For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. WFFF FCC Public File • WVNY FCC Public File |
