CONNOR — A man was arrested after discovering a methamphetamine lab in a remote area in the town of Connor in Aroostook County, said drug agents.

Officials said Friday that 34-year-old Jason Sirois of Van Buren has been charged with trafficking in methamphetamine.

Agents with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency were investigating an April 16 incident where a garbage disposal employee had inhaled fumes from meth lab materials that had been thrown away in a commercial Dumpster when they identified Sirois as a suspect.

They placed him and some of his associates under surveillance and learned that he was traveling to a remote area in Connor.

Agents said they found an active meth manufacturing operation in the area on Thursday and arrested Sirois when he approached the site Thursday night.

King under attack for ‘Hardball’ exchange

PORTLAND — Independent Senate candidate Angus King is under fire for telling MSNBC’s Chris Matthews that he would consider forgoing committee assignments to ensure there’s no allegiance to either party.

During Thursday night’s television exchange on “Hardball with Chris Matthews,” Matthews asked if King would give up committee assignments from the major parties to ensure an independent voice.

King replied, “This is absolutely an option.”

Republican candidate William Schneider attacked King for the remarks, saying much of the Senate’s work is done in committees and that giving up assignments would make him “half a senator.”

King said Friday that he won’t be bought by either party with committee assignments, but that he “will not do anything to compromise what’s in the best interests of Maine.”

Police: Teen steals 2 bottles in one day

RUMFORD — A Rumford teenager got away with stealing a bottle of rum from a supermarket the first time, police said, but he wasn’t so lucky when he returned 90 minutes later to help himself to a second bottle.

Police said 19-year-old Allan Hussian was spotted Wednesday by store workers leaving the store with a 750 ml bottle of Captain Morgan. Police searched the area but couldn’t find the suspect.

About an hour and a half later, a store manager called police again, telling them the suspect had returned for more rum and left without paying.

This time the suspect was caught.

Hussian was charged with theft and possession of alcohol by a minor.

Police told the Sun Journal that Hussian told them he stole the liquor because he was bored.

Stonington, former manager settle suit

STONINGTON — Officials in the town of Stonington have agreed to settle a federal discrimination lawsuit with a former town manager who accused selectmen of refusing to consider his requests for “reasonable accommodations” for an injured back.

The terms of the proposed settlement between former manager Howard Willinghan and the town are sealed and head off a trial scheduled to start next month.

A town lawyer told the Bangor Daily News that both sides are satisfied with the deal, which awaits finalization.

Willinghan’s lawsuit filed in the fall of 2007 alleged selectmen forced him to resign several weeks after he had informed them about serious back problems. He claimed the town was unwilling to accommodate his disability while he sought additional treatment.

The town acknowledges no wrongdoing.

Compiled from wire reports

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