AUGUSTA — Several people were sentenced Wednesday and Thursday in Kennebec County Superior Court:

* Joseph M. Johnson, 32, of Augusta, disorderly conduct June 27 in Augusta; $500 fine.

* Kenneth Joseph Maker II, 24, of Augusta, trafficking in prison contraband June 4 in Augusta; $400 fine.

* Justin Andrew Thomas, 23, of Waterville, burglary and theft by unauthorized taking Sept. 6 in Waterville; one-year jail sentence.

* Keith A. Wilde, 46, of Smithfield, operating while license suspended or revoked April 19 in Oakland; $500 fine.

Applications soughtfor judge openings

AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage’s Judicial Selection Committee is accepting applications for candidates interested in serving as a District Court judge.

There are two District Court vacancies to be filled. One vacancy was created by John O’Neil’s confirmation to the Superior Court. The second vacancy will be created by the retirement of Judge Joseph Field.

One of the two vacancies must be filled by a resident of the Eleventh District, which encompasses Oxford County. The person selected to fill the second vacancy will likely be assigned to District Courts in Augusta, Waterville, Skowhegan and Newport.

The committee will accept applications until Oct. 24. Application materials can be found online at www.maine.gov/governor/lepage/cabinet/appointments/process.shtml

Community colleges’enrollment increases

AUGUSTA — Enrollment in Maine’s community colleges grew by 769 students since last fall — a 4.3 percent increase, the Maine Community College System said in a news release.

Since making the transition from technical to community colleges in 2003, the seven colleges have seen enrollment grow 83 percent, from 10,127 to 18,548.

MCCS President John Fitzsimmons noted the central role the community colleges are playing in expanding access to higher education for Maine people, but cautioned that the colleges are unable to serve all those who seek to enroll.

“Demand for all of our programs, particularly the trade and occupational offerings, remains strong, but the colleges lack the capacity to serve many more students,” he said. “As a result, enrollment growth is slowing.”

Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield had the largest enrollment growth this fall, 6.5 percent.

Hertler new memberof cancer board

FALMOUTH — Dr. Andrew Hertler, of Augusta, is one of several new Maine Cancer Foundation board members serving three-year terms though June 30, 2014.

Hertler, a medical oncologist and hematologist, is medical director of MaineGeneral’s Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care in Augusta and provides cancer care at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington.

For more information, visit www.mainecancer.org/board/of/directors.

Gardiner finalistfor growth grant

GARDINER — The city is one of five New England finalists for the 2011 Orton Family Foundation Heart and Soul grant.

Nate Rudy, the city’s director for economic and community development, said Gardiner was chosen after applying in July.

He said the Orton Family Foundation, based in Vermont and Colorado, helps small cities and towns achieve a better future by “implementing visions and land-use regulations based on broadly held values and a strong community identity.”

“The fact that we are finalists for this prestigious grant shows me that Gardiner’s community is eager to work together and harness our potential for economic and community growth,” Rudy said.

The foundation expects to name the selected communities by the end of this year.

Pratt & Whitneydonates to colleges

AUGUSTA — Pratt & Whitney has donated $100,000 to The Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges to help York County employers have access to a highly skilled manufacturing work force.

The donation will be used to develop an integrated manufacturing program at York County Community College in Wells that will include classroom training space, machine tool equipment and a CAD/CAM computer laboratory.

Michael Papp, general manager of the Pratt & Whitney North Berwick parts center, said a combination of new government and private contracts, together with the looming retirements of many of its workers, means the factory could hire 300 new workers between now and 2016.

Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. company.

Grants to fund

seven projects

U.S. Sens. Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins, both R-Maine, announced $399,000 in federal funding for the Maine Department of Agriculture to fund seven projects in the state.

The award will be used to help organizations audit costs, get guidance on new FDA rules and conduct integrated pest management practices with potatoes and blueberries.

Compiled from staff reports