ROCKLAND — Dennis Dechaine was sentenced Tuesday to three months of imprisonment for misdemeanor drug possession in connection with a 2010 overdose at the Maine State Prison.

A state lawmaker’s refusal to say whether he will run for re-election despite the Maine Democratic Party’s call for him to drop out has created a dilemma for the party.

Maine’s crime rate rose more than 5 percent in 2011, taking the second jump in as many years and the largest increase since 1975, in contrast to national trends.

PORTLAND — Three years ago, Dan Fuentes tried selling coffee at the Lobby Café on Congress Street out of paper cups, thinking it would increase his business with environmentally minded customers.

PORTLAND — Brooke Hidell, of Casco, has lived near the Crooked River for much of his life. He has fished and taught others to fish there. He understands the river’s role as a feeder into Sebago Lake, the main source of drinking water for residents of Greater Portland.

OAKLAND — More employees are likely to lose their jobs in Oakland-based Regional School Unit 18 as officials develop alternatives to the proposed budget rejected at the polls last week.

FARMINGDALE — Two longtime community volunteers are vying for one Farmingdale Board of Selectmen seat that’s on the election ballot Friday.