Centralmaine.com

CHINA — Residents will get a chance to weigh in on how boundaries for a commercial district along Route 3 should be defined at a public hearing Thursday.

PALERMO — The directors of the new Sheepscot Lake Association don’t want to tell swimmers what color bathing suits to wear, even if they had the authority.

WASHINGTON (AP) — After weeks of intense partisanship, President Barack Obama and congressional leaders made a last-minute stab at compromise Saturday night to avoid a government default threatened for early next week.

SKOWHEGAN — Donna Mionis was among friends Saturday at the 2011 Artisan Bread Fair at Skowhegan State Fairgrounds.

UNITY — The smell of chocolate-covered coconut candy and the giggles of girls drifted through the student center at Unity College. Budding dancers practiced ballet in a classroom transformed into a studio by a mat and mirrors on wheels. Outside, on a lawn underneath shade trees, an instructor and campers assumed yoga poses.

PORTLAND — Contrary to popular belief, freed sex offenders in Maine commit additional sex crimes at a much lower rate than other former inmates carry out non-sex crimes, according to a new statewide study.

AUGUSTA — At the Portland Fish Exchange, there’s a hint of politics in the air, from a recent visit by the state’s new top marine official to a political letter taped to the customer service window.