When the pantry needed $150,000 to build a new home, volunteers thought the support would come from the rich and wealthy. They were wrong.

Cole Smith, a student at Oakland’s Messalonskee Middle School, has been recognized as an academic standout by Johns Hopkins University.

Charged with robbing widow of her jewelry, he says, “It was Christmastime and I couldn’t get the kids nothing.”

Samantha Wright, 38, died at the scene of the accident after her northbound 1999 Dodge minivan was hit by a southbound van that crossed the center line, police say.

Unprecedented demand has taxed fuel deliveries and social service agencies, leaving even those with emergencies without fuel.

Stephen Frappier, 27 and Melissa Burgess, 26, are accused of stealing a widow’s jewelry, including her engagement and wedding rings, on Christmas Eve.

The loss of a farm house on Hutchins Road is the latest in a cluster of house fires following extreme weather and power outages, officials said.

Pet owners asked to take precautions as National Weather Service predicts up to 8 inches of snow, wind chills of minus 35 by Friday morning.