Central Maine News: May 15, 2015

These are some of the stories central Maine is talking about today.

Guilty. Former Auburn City Councilor, publisher of Lewiston Auburn Magazine and founder of the Lewiston Auburn Film Festival, pleaded guilty yesterday. John Shea of Auburn was indicted on 12 child pornography charges in November, eight months after he was arrested on possession of child pornography. (Sun-Journal)

The lawyer for Dennis Dechaine, convicted of killing a girl in 1988, says DNA evidence is sufficient to require a new trial. The prosecutor is accusing the defendant of "perpetrating a fraud" with his claims of innocence in the murder of Sarah Cherry. Lawyers clashed yesterday before the state supreme court over Dechaine's latest bid for a new trial. (AP)

Yesterday groundbreaking ceremonies were held for Augusta's Lithgow Public Library expansion. Demolition work will start Monday. Construction is expected to take about 18 months and will cost about $11 million. The library is now open at its new, temporary location at the Ballard Center (former MaineGeneral Hospital.) (KJ)

Maine scientists say they will release parasitic flies in an attempt to control damage to trees and shrubs by winter moths. The state Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry will release the flies beginning today on Peaks Island off Portland. Up to 2,000 flies will be released. (AP)

Maine lawmakers yesterday endorsed a bill to protect Obamacare subsidies. Nearly 67,000 Mainers receive premium assistance through the Affordable Care Act that could be eliminated, depending on a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. In a unanimous vote, the Legislature’s Insurance and Financial Services Committee endorsed the effort. (KJ)

Main Street in Rockport was closed for four hours yesterday morning after a dump truck rolled onto its side. The truck was fully loaded with gravel and went about a hundred feet before rolling. No one was hurt in the accident. (WABI)

The Biddeford city council will meet again next week to hear more comments about allegations of sexual abuse against former police officers. The meeting is prompted by a petition circulated by a resident about the response of city officials to the abuse allegations. The Maine attorney general's office is investigating the allegations against retired police officer Stephen Dodd. (AP)

Police are looking for a man who displayed a handgun and demanded money at the University Credit Union in Portland yesterday afternoon and then fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect was last seen running down Taft Avenue. No one was injured. (AP)

The 10th Northeast Livestock Expo is kicking off at the Windsor Fairgrounds today and runs through the weekend. The event showcases beef and dairy cattle, sheep, goats and rabbits. More than 1,200 kindergarteners through sixth graders will have class at the expo today. The entire event is open to the public and admission is free. (AP)