CHINA -- The School Committee holds what should be its final meeting, 6 p.m. Thursday at China Middle School.

The only business item on the advance agenda is acceptance of the resignation of eighth-grade teacher Nicole McKenney.

On July 1, China will become a member of Regional School Unit 18 and decisions will be made by a regional board of representatives from Belgrade, China, Oakland, Rome and Sidney.

Farm market offers food stamp use

GARDINER -- Food stamp clients will now be able to use the stamps at the Gardiner Farmers Market, vendors said.

Market vendors applied with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for licensing to accept the stamps, and received an electronic benefit transfer machine -- a device that reads credit, debit and EBT cards -- free of charge from the state after the licensing was approved.

"We are very happy that we can make good, fresh food available to a much wider audience now that we can run a food stamp debit card through an EBT machine provided by the state of Maine," market manager Ann "Boo" Hubbard said.

The Gardiner Farmers Market is open every Wednesday 2 to 6 p.m. on Gardiner Common.

Hallowell festivalneeds parade entries

HALLOWELL -- The Old Hallowell Day Committee seeks participants for its July 18 parade, which starts at 10 a.m. north of the railroad bridge on Water Street.

Hallowell residents, friends, families, businesses and classmates are encouraged to enter.

There is no charge. Prizes are awarded in several categories including "Best Old Hallowell Spirit," "Best Antique Car," and for children, "Best Decorated Bike." The recommended deadline for registrations is July 6.

For more information, call 622-5330 or e-mail susan@greatgatherings.com.

Readfield awardedwork safety grant

READFIELD -- The Maine Municipal Association has chosen Readfield for an $1,100 grant aimed at workplace safety.

Readfield was one of 147 applicants for $128,000 in grant money.

The town will purchase flameproof cabinets to store flammable items, a 10-gallon fire-proof waste receptacle and two explosion-proof safety cans.

"We were very happy to be notified that we had gotten the grant," said Jack Moultrie, Readfield's public works director.

Moultrie and Karen Peterson, Readfield's cemetery sexton and a transfer station employee, completed the grant application.

"It was a team effort," Moultrie said. "Every little bit helps, especially in this economy."

Readfield also received a safety enhancement grant two years ago to fund safety vests and chainsaw accessories.

The town will put up a $573 local match in order to receive the grant.

Vassalboro resetsselectmen's meeting

VASSALBORO -- The Selectmen's meeting has been rescheduled to 7 p.m. Thursday in the Town Office meeting room. The meeting was originally scheduled to take place today.

Maine to get$6.6M security aid

Maine will receive more than $6.6 million under two grant programs administered by the Department of Homeland Security.

The money will fund important prevention, protection, response and recovery activities, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said in a statement.

Benton man guiltyof sex assault on girls

AUGUSTA -- A Benton man pleaded guilty Tuesday in Kennebec County Superior Court to sexually assaulting two young girls almost four years ago.

Gregory Kimball, 43, of Benton pleaded guilty to two counts of gross sexual assault on two victims younger than 14.

Kimball's plea was entered shortly before he was to go to trial. In exchange for the plea, a charge of unlawful sexual contact was dismissed.

Kimball, who was indicted in March, is to be sentenced at a hearing Aug. 3.

Under an plea agreement, his sentence will be capped at 25 years in prison with all but eight years suspended and eight years' probation.

His attorney, James Billings, will argue for less time spent behind bars.

The offenses occurred July 1, 2003, in Waterville, and were reported after the victims moved out of state.

Kimball is free on $40,000 surety bail.

Fayette roadto close for work

FAYETTE -- A section of Fayette Corner Road will close Monday for reconstruction.

The section of road from the intersection of Morris Springer and Gile roads to Kent Cemetery will close for the project. Town officials are asking drivers to seek alternate routes.

State urges useof I-295 alternatives

The northbound lanes of I-295 between Topsham and Gardiner will be closed until the end of August.

Beginning Monday, the Bowdoinham and Richmond southbound on-ramps were closed as work crews prepare for the full closure.

Beginning Tuesday, commuters will be using alternate routes. Northbound traffic will be routed on and off the newly rehabilitated southbound lanes via temporary crossovers. Southbound drivers can take U.S. Route 201 for local destinations or the Maine Turnpike for Portland and points south.

Commercial traffic is strongly encouraged to take the turnpike.

State transportation officials urge commuters to consider carpooling or traveling during off-peak hours. During the summer, northbound peak travel times are Friday afternoons and evenings, and regular weekday commuting hours.

School buses will be still running on U.S. Route 201 next week and may cause delays.

Speed limits on U.S. Route 201 have been reduced, and speed limits on Interstate 295 have been reduced to 60 mph.

Please leave plenty of distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you, and pay close attention to changing traffic patterns. There will be a significant law-enforcement presence along both alternate routes.

For continued updates, sign up for e-mail alerts at www.mainedot.gov.

Compiled from staff reports