Staff photo by David Leaming

WOODS WORKERS: George Carter brings his mules Silver and Olivia to a stop while hauling logs in the woods off the Town Farm Road in North Anson on Tuesday. Carter says he and his clients prefer the mules over heavy equipment because they cause less damage to woodlots.

Rapist seeks to overturn convictions
AUGUSTA -- Rapist and kidnapper Albert F. Dumas was back in court on Tuesday, calling his trial a "freak show" and asking a judge to vacate his convictions.

Cuts to services on table
AUGUSTA -- Services will be cut as the state looks for ways to balance the budget, Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Brenda Harvey said Tuesday.

School consolidation foes vent to panel
AUGUSTA -- Some of the staunchest opponents of Maine's school district consolidation mandate had a chance Tuesday to tell lawmakers what should be changed about the law.

Fairfield's economic development planner resigns
FAIRFIELD -- Joshua Reny, the town's economic and community development planner, will leave his job Nov. 25 to do extended training with the Air National Guard.

Franklin County collects from energy firm
FARMINGTON -- Franklin County has received its first payment of $58,210 from TransCanada as part of a tax-break deal struck with the Canadian energy giant building 44 wind turbines in the unorganized territory of Kibby and Skinner Townships near the Canadian border.

Police Log
IN BENTON, Monday at 12:18 p.m., a vehicle accident with personal injury was reported on Neck Road.

Districts to resume merger talks
MADISON -- The Madison-based School Administrative District 59 board voted unanimously Monday night to resume consolidation talks with Pittsfield-based SAD 53.

Washed-out portion of road to be fixed
NORRIDGEWOCK -- Selectmen will decide tonight which contractor to award a bid to fix the portion of Sandy River Road that was washed away by heavy rains this summer.

Library hosts open house
NORRIDGEWOCK -- The public is invited to an open house and a meet-and-greet with the new librarian Thursday at the Norridgewock Free Public Library.

SAD 74 schools start vaccination clinics
NORTH ANSON -- The school district that serves the towns of Anson, North Anson, Solon, New Portland and Embden will hold clinics for influenza immunizations tomorrow and Tuesday.

PICKUP, SEMI IN COLLISION
THE FORKS -- The passenger in a southbound pickup truck was taken to a Bangor hospital Monday night after the driver reportedly passed a tractor-trailer and cut back into the travel lane too quickly, police said Tuesday.

WATERVILLE Renewals of dispatch contracts given OK
WATERVILLE -- City councilors on Tuesday voted to renew contracts for emergency and fire dispatch services with five area towns.

Sweet treats now made in former shirt factory
WATERVILLE -- It was the blueberry chocolate bark that got Leeanne Hewey to bite.

WATERVILLE: Santa Claus again coming to town
WATERVILLE -- Lots of holiday lights, music, dancing and colorful floats will usher in the holiday season Nov. 27 as the Parade of Lights marches through downtown.

NEWS FROM THE PREVIOUS WEEK