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IN THE WEATHER
At 9 a.m., it was 48 degrees, sunny with increasing winds in downtown Portland.
A partly cloudy, windy day ahead for us southern Mainers. There is a slight chance of rain after 8 a.m., but mostly it will just be gusty winds blowing 24 mph or more. Grab an overcoat. Temps stay in the low 60s.
From Bill in Rockland: 42 degrees under cloudless skies. Somewhat nippy zephyrs stir the leaves. From Marc in Brunswick: The clear skies here this morning belie the cooler weather. We've got 42 degrees here in Brunswick, and a brisk breeze from the ocean. From Shawn in Yarmouth: It is 39 degrees with a bright blue sky. There are a few high thin clouds up in that blue, but nothing to block the sun. No wind, lots of singing birds. Looks like a nice start to the day. From James in Cape Elizabeth: 49 degrees with cloudless, bright blue skies at 7 a.m. Gentle breezes are allowing our flags to stiffen up.
ON THE ROAD:
According to AAA, regular was selling for an average of $3.72 a gallon Monday both in Maine and nationally. AAA tracks fuel prices nationwide.A gallon of diesel also hit a record Monday, selling for $4.44 a gallon in Maine and $4.36 nationally.
Gas prices in Maine are 38 cents a gallon higher than a month ago and 72 cents higher than a year ago.
ON THE OCEAN:
High tide today in Portland is around now (5:29 a.m.) and then again at 6:19 p.m. Tide will be lowest at 11:56 a.m.
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STANDISH — Saint Joseph's College will announce the appointment of a new president this afternoon.
The college formed a search committee about a year ago to fill the position, after Dr. David House announced his resignation. House, who had served as president of the college since 1995, left in March 2007.
In late March of last year, Joseph Lee, vice president of enrollment management, was selected to serve as interim president.
The college's Board of Trustees approved the new president Friday, but will hold off until 1 p.m. today to make the announcement, which will come from by board chairman Robert MacBride in Viola George Auditorium at Alfond Hall.
Check back here for updates on the appointment later this afternoon.
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COLUMBIA FALLS — There are 50,000 more fish in the Pleasant River this week after the Downeast Salmon Federation released tiny salmon into the river.
The federation raises salmon fry from fertilized eggs at its Pleasant River Fish Hatchery in Columbia Falls and then stocks the eastern Maine river at various places each year.
Staff members and volunteers released this year's batch last week, with the efforts wrapping up over the weekend with about a dozen adults and children taking part.
The Atlantic salmon population is listed as endangered on eight Maine rivers, including the Pleasant River.(AP)
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FARMINGTON — A spark from an outdoor wood-fired boiler and strong winds that ignited dry grass are blamed for a fire that destroyed a workshop and thousands of dollars worth of tools, parts and equipment at a Farmington dairy farm over the weekend.
Konrad Bailey, who owns and operates Bailey Hill Farms with his mother, Shirley, and wife, Michelle on Bailey Hill Road said Sunday he had intended to install a screen on the furnace's chimney but had not gotten around to it yet.
The furnace was installed close to the rear of the shed at his farm and the grass fire spread quickly to the building.
The heat generated by the Saturday afternoon fire got close enough to the barn to melt the vinyl siding on one side but firefighters and tankers from seven towns were able to stop the flames from spreading, said Farmington Fire Department Deputy Chief Clyde Ross on Sunday.
Ross said conditions are dry and fire danger is high, and anyone using an outdoor boiler should be sure a screen is installed in the smoke stack.
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PORTLAND — Workers will start dismantling the sanctuary auditorium of the St. Lawrence Arts Center in Portland today as part of a long-term building rehabilitation project, said Nicole Clegg, city spokeswoman.
The parish hall portion of the historic building on Munjoy Hill will remain open and continue to offer programming during the dismantling and reconstruction project, Clegg said.
Portland's Historic Preservation Board approved the demolition project because the Congress Street building has significant structural deficiencies that pose an imminent safety hazard, Clegg said.
The city also approved a $100,000 federal grant to pay for the demolition costs.
The Romanesque Revival/Queen Anne-style structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and designated as a city landmark in 1990, Clegg said.
The center was built as a church in 1897. The nonprofit Friends of the St. Lawrence own and operate the center, which offers theater, dance, film and workshop programs.
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NATIONWIDE — Just getting that card for mom in the mail today? Know that the cost of a first-class stamp increased by 1 cent starting today. That means it now costs 42 cents to send a regular letter. But if you bought a bunch of the stamp shown below before today then no worries. They are, as they say, good for forever.
© 2007 USPS. All Rights Reserved.
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A regular Sunrise Herald feature, combating the stigma that "the press" only reports " the bad news." Get your daily dose of press-generated good news here.
THE DESERT OF MAINE IS NOW OPEN FOR THE SEASON. The unusual attraction, made from glacier deposits, is just two miles from I-295 Exit 20 in Freeport. The sandy playground will be open seven days a week until the end of season on Oct. 18.
The glacial desert has been featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not, and was also a subject in Deserts of America, a Universal documentary.
Hours are 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. with tours running from 9 a.m. to 4:30 pm. For more information call 865-6962, go to the Desert of Maine Website.
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