Mrs. Claus and Santa Claus wave at spectators Saturday as they ride down Water Street on the Gardiner Fire Department's Ladder 1 truck in Gardiner.
Lilliana Richards, 3, ponders what she would like for Christmas while sitting on Santa's lap in Kringleville in Waterville on Sunday. Kringleville with Santa will open 1-4 p.m. on Dec. 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23, and 5:30-8 p.m. on Dec. 20.
Senior Fire Investigator Ken MacMaster, center, of the state Fire Marshal's Office, speaks with property owner Roland Hallee, left, on Monday outside Hallee's duplex at 34 Green St. in Waterville. Other investigators and Waterville fire Capt. John Gromek, right, were at the scene to determine cause of fire late Saturday evening.
Amy Kercsmar plays her harp Sunday to the delight of Elsa Acerbo, her son Seneca and others who attended the third annual Unity Yuletide Tree Lighting and Christmas celebration at the Unity Elementary School on Sunday. Two hundred people who attended the event, sponsored by Unity Business Exchange group, watched the tree lighting, visited with Santa, and enjoyed food, music, dancing, singing.
Chief Justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court Leigh Saufley administers the oath of office to senators on Wednesday at the Maine State House in Augusta.The governor usually conducts the swearing in, but Gov. Paul LePage wasn't able to attend because he was having back surgery.
House Republican leader Rep. Kathleen Dillingham, R-Oxford, holds up a piece of a shattered gavel that hit her when Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, pounded it on Wednesday at the Maine State House in Augusta. Several small pieces of it landed in the northwest corner of the House chamber.
Rep. Kathleen Dillingham, R-Oxford, got a souvenir of her first day as House Republican leader when this piece of a shattered gavel hit her when Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, pounded it on Wednesday at the Maine State House in Augusta. Several small pieces of it landed in the northwest corner of the House chamber.
Tucker Hamner, left, sits on the lap of his grandmother, Rep. Josanne Dolloff, R-Rumford, during the first day of new legislative session on Wednesday at the Maine State House in Augusta. Both chambers were filled with family and friends who had come watch the newly elected members be sworn in.
After being sworn in, Secretary of the Senate Darek Grant shakes with Sen. Brownie Carson, D-Harpswell, as he walks to front to take up his duties on Wednesday at the Maine State House in Augusta.
Attorney Walt McKee with his client, Andrea Balcer during Balcer's sentencing on Tuesday at the Capital Judicial Center in Augusta.
Maine State Police bomb technician Benjamin Sweeney escorts a robot into the Post Office at the Muskie Building in Augusta Monday after an unattended package was discovered inside. Homeland security, postal inspectors, Augusta police and security officers evacuated the federal office building until the state police bomb squad could determine if the contents of the package presented a threat.
Assistant Director of Elections Heidi Peckham, left, and Tom Bull move carts of ballot boxes to bring more into recount room.
Firefighters use tools to get to hot spots on the second floor of the home of Francis and Marlene Plourde on Bass Road in Madison. The home was destroyed by fire on Wednesday, Nov. 28.
Local & State 
