SKOWHEGAN — A Lewiston man was arrested on drug charges Wednesday afternoon as he was walking down the street, police said.

BELGRADE — Kennebec Valley Gas Co. is proposing to build extra distribution lines off its planned natural gas pipeline in areas of town where there are at least 40 houses or businesses to tap in.

STRONG — Voters on Tuesday approved the 2012-13 School Administrative District 58 budget, which will increase the overall amount district towns pay in school taxes by 2.1 percent, or $83,950.

FARMINGTON — A former Jay Elementary School employee faces multiple charges after police accused him of sexually abusing two children younger than age 12 within the last six years, which is after he retired from his job at the school, according to police and school district officials.

AUGUSTA — With hopes of rebuilding a deer herd that has shrunk sharply in parts of the state, Gov. Paul LePage has signed legislation to implement strategies that include restoring habitats that shelter the animals in the winter and thinning out the population of their main predator, the coyote.

AUGUSTA — County officials who gathered at the State House on Wednesday expecting a debate over a recent decision by two jails to quit taking inmates from other counties will have to wait at least another week.

IN BELGRADE, Wednesday at 12:05 a.m., a report of a suspicious vehicle was investigated on Augusta Road.