Can you believe it's that time of year again? But it is, indeed, that time of year again. The first day of school. Flocks of Maine's best and brightest are heading to their learning institutions, which, for you means:
• Pay attention to school zone speed limits. They should be followed today.
• Keep an eye out in residential areas, as children will once again be waiting on the sidewalks for buses.
• Remember to stop for school buses, when they are picking up and dropping off.
• And, for parents who will have the house all to themselves this day for the first time in months...enjoy the silence!

IN THE WEATHER:

At 9 a.m., it was 68 degrees in downtown Portland.

The stars were so beautiful at 4:30 a.m. Amazing what a dose of clear air will do. Expect another today, less breezy than yesterday, plenty of sun and warmth. The perfect summer weather (smiley face) for the first day of school (frowny face).

ON THE ROAD:

• After a busy Labor Day weekend, road construction on the Maine Turnpike resumes at Exit 44 in Scarborough, where a southbound lane closure is scheduled from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Exit 44 Interchange Bridge for bridge repairs. 50 mph work zone speed limits are in effect.

ON THE OCEAN:

Winds will be less severe than yesterday, with the breeze coming out of the north, blowing 10 to 15 knots.

High tide in Portland: 1:345 p.m. Low tides: 7:22 a.m. and 7:45 p.m.

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THE NEWEST NEWS:

Newsworthy things from the past (overnight), the present or the near future.

POLAND (AP) -- The Poland fire chief is giving credit more than 100 firefighters from surrounding towns for putting out a hard-to-control blaze at a mulch plant.

The fire at the Jolly Gardener plant on Route 122 in Poland started Sunday and was hard to extinguish because it spread deep into piles of mulch on the property.

By the time the fire was brought under control yesterday, it had covered more than a dozen acres and destroyed several buildings.

About 100 firefighters from more than 20 surrounding communities responded to calls for assistance.

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GRAFTON TOWNSHIP (AP) -- Police are investigating the discovery of a man's body that was found in a riverbed near a parking lot at Grafton Notch State Park in western Maine.

Maine State Police say they were called to the park off Route 26 at about 6:15 p.m. Monday.

They say the man appeared to be around 70 years old.

State police were being assisted by game wardens and the Oxford County Sheriff's Department.

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PORTLAND -- Police here have not yet released any more information on the person who was struck by a train yesterday on the tracks off Brighton Avenue.

The pedestrian, who was apparently sleeping on the tracks, was hit around 5 p.m., but police say his injuries do not appear life threatening.
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OF NOTE TODAY:

Helping you plan your day:

AROUND 10:30 THIS MORNING, YOU MIGHT NOTICE A FEW EXTRA FIGHTER JETS AROUND. It's nothing to worry about. In fact, you can consider it a free show!

It's the Navy's Blue Angels squadron, which arrives today, two days ahead of schedule, for this year's Great State of Maine Air Show at the Brunswick Naval Air Station.

Navy officials say the fighter jets will make multiple low-altitude passes over several Maine lighthouses to be photographed. The flights are expected to be between 10:30-11:30 a.m. today, prior to landing at the Brunswick base.

The jets will fly over lighthouses including Portland Head in Cape Elizabeth, Fort Gorges in Portland Harbor-Casco Bay, Pemaquid in Bristol and Nubble in York.

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AN ASSISTED LIVING CENTER OPENS TODAY WITH A VISIT FROM philanthropist and Maine native, Bernard Osher. He will be joined by Gov. John Baldacci to celebrate the newest addition to The Cedars - The Osher Inn - today at 5:30 p.m.

This new residence has 30 assisted living apartments. It features specially designed common areas, a light-filled dining room, fitness center, recreation room, study with fireplace and community center. A therapeutic, sky-lit whirlpool spa is also available for resident use.

"We're delighted to add our much-anticipated assisted living service to our continuum of senior living options. We owe a very special thank you to the Osher family along with countless others who have given their time and support to make this dream a reality" said Kathryn Callnan, CEO of The Cedars, a non-profit community for seniors with independent apartment living, assisted living, rehabilitation services, and skilled care for elders.

Copyright 2008 Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. All rights
reserved.