Staff photo by David Leaming

UP AND AWAY: Larry Dunphy, of Embden, flies his powered parachute over North Anson on Thursday before landing at the Whispering Pines airport. Dunphy said it was a good day for flying, although quite windy the higher he flew.

ELECTION FUND CAUSES CONCERN
AUGUSTA -- At least three candidates for governor are worried the state's public financing system will run out of money in the midst of their campaigns.

Ethics panel to probe gay-marriage foes' fundraising practices
AUGUSTA -- State ethics commission staff will soon begin an investigation into the fundraising practices of a group that contributed at least $1.6 million to defeat gay marriage in Maine.

POLICE
AVON -- A reported theft of guns and cash last Sunday from a home on Rangeley Road in Avon has turned out to be false, according to police.

Film about troop greeters not among Oscar finalists
BANGOR -- The documentary film about the Bangor International Airport troop greeters already has won plenty of prizes and awards, but an Oscar will not be one of them.

Wrestling event tonight to help Meals on Wheels
FAIRFIELD -- Independent Wrestling Entertainment returns to the Community Center in Fairfield tonight, with a pro wrestling fundraiser to benefit the Eastern Area Agency on Aging's Meals on Wheels program.

Panel OKs consolidation proposal for SADs 13, 74
In a milestone for Bingham- and North Anson-based school districts, the committee charged with designing a consolidation plan approved the plan unanimously Wednesday night.

Youths challenge recent changes to 'Sesame Street'
It's one thing for a youngster to be told to eat his or her vegetables.

Swine flu vaccine lacking for many in key groups
Maine has received far fewer than half the number of H1N1 flu vaccine doses it was told to expect just three months ago and is now seeing shortfalls in weekly shipments, leaving a large part of its at-risk population unprotected.

Students saw gun in bag of teacher's aide
PORTLAND -- The handgun that a teacher's aide brought into the Riverton Community School on Wednesday wasn't loaded, said detectives who are investigating the incident.

Witnesses to Portland shooting admit to lying to police about seeing victim with knife
PORTLAND -- Two witnesses to a shooting in the Old Port last year lied to police about what happened.

SOMERSET COUNTY Last of fair robbery trio sentenced
SKOWHEGAN -- The last of three young men charged in connection with an armed robbery at the Skowhegan State Fair in 2008 has been sentenced to serve 16 months in prison.

Collins, panel probe background of Fort Hood shootings
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Sen. Susan Collins wanted to know if 13 people died at Fort Hood earlier this month because someone failed to "connect the dots." U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., wanted to know if "political correctness" prevented the Army from identifying Army psychiatrist Maj. Nidal Hasan as a potential threat to his fellow soldiers.

WATERVILLE Petition seeks to revoke TIF of housing plan Neighbors say they didn't know it was to aid low-income people
WATERVILLE -- Petitioners are seeking to overturn City Council approval of a tax break for the Gilman Street housing project.

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