Kennebec Journal

AUGUSTA - A bill modeled after a Portland ordinance that limits smoking on restaurant decks and patios is on its way to the Maine House with a committee's endorsement. Rep. Joan Cohen's bill has received the support of a majority of the Health and Human Services Committee...

More Mainers are buckling up while behind the wheel. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seat belt use in Maine rose to 83 percent of drivers last year. That was up from 79.8 percent in 2007. Five years ago, Maine's seat belt use was about 72 percent...

The federal government plans to announce new restrictions for the New England groundfish fleet this afternoon...

SKOWHEGAN -- The National Weather Service has posted a flood watch along the Kennebec River in Skowhegan...

Cheri Honkala, national coordinator of the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign, said today that her visit to several cities and towns in Maine is designed to spark a movement among the poor and homeless...

The State of Maine Sportsman's Show continues today with several events, including a speech by best-selling author Kate Braestrup and a presentation by Denny Corriveau, New England's WildCheff. The 29th annual show is being held at the Augusta Civic Center. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m...

FARMINGTON -- A Waterford man accused of using counterfeit checks to buy thousands of dollars worth of items from businesses across central Maine is facing multiple charges of forgery and theft by deception...

WATERVILLE -- The city that's home to the Maine International Film Festival is preparing to welcome a new festival devoted to film. Five independent movies that were recently released will be screened April 17-19 at Railroad Square Cinema as part of the inaugural Lumina Festival in Waterville...

AUGUSTA -- Barring any April snowstorms, Augusta Schools' last day of classes is June 17...

WATERVILLE — Police on Wednesday arrested another adult and juvenile and charged both with arson and burglary in connection with a fire March 19 in the former Boys & Girls Club building on Main Place.Joseph Church, 20, of Fairfield, turned himself in to the Police Department at about 5 p.m. ...

AUGUSTA -- The consolidation struggles of Burnham, Detroit and Pittsfield made their way to the Legislature in hearings Wednesday...

TURNER -- State officials are investigating allegations of animal cruelty at Maine's largest egg farm, Quality Egg in Turner. Assistant District Attorney Andrew Robinson confirmed that a search warrant was executed by officials of the state's animal cruelty program and state police...

EMBDEN -- Firefighters from area towns on Sunday morning responded to a house fire on Crosstown Road.At 11:45 a.m., fire officials said the fire was out, but no more information was available...

CHELSEA -- Nomination papers will be available on Monday for the June 23 municipal elections. The papers must be returned by 4 p.m. May 8. Positions available are: one three-year term for selectperson and one five-year term for the Planning Board. Five slots are open for the Appeals Board...