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Sunrise Herald is the early morning news update feature at
pressherald.com. It is updated at 6, 7, 8 and 9 on weekdays.
Welcome to the Sunrise Herald with Giselle Goodman, the place to go to get the news from overnight and onward...
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IN THE WEATHER:
Another chilly morning in Maine. Really chilly for some places, like Sebec Lake, which started the day under the 40 degree mark. The bright side: These are mosquito-killing temperatures. That's just about it.
Clouds develop through the day and rain moves in by evening. The National Weather Service is calling for 70 percent chance of showers in the afternoon/early evening. Bring an umbrella, so you have it for the evening commute.
From Bill in Rockland: Clear and calm again here at 6 this morning. The temperature is up four whole degrees since yesterday morning and stands at a sizzling 46, still not enough to make one believe that autumn isn't just about here. I share Shawn's concerns about the greenness of my tomatoes. Perhaps it's time to see just how you make fried green ones.
From James in Cape Elizabeth: Another crisp and cool morning on tap here in Cape Elizabeth. At 6:15 it was 48. That is six degrees warmer than yesterday at the same time. Just remember though, it's FRIDAY!!! Have a great weekend!
ON THE ROAD:
• THE ROUTE 196 ON-RAMP TO ROUTE 1 IN BRUNSWICK IS CLOSED today for paving. Detour signs will direct traffic to Route 1 North via Route 24 in Topsham and Brunswick. The work also requires a lane closure on Route 1. Traffic is expected to be much slower than normal.
ON THE OCEAN:
The Aurora also has an interesting history. In March 2001, she helped rescue 11 Russian seamen after their cargo ship capsized and sank in the South China Sea. During the rescue attempt, Aurora's crew battled bad weather, swells and strong wind in small rescue boats to rescue the Russian seamen floating in the water. The Aurora and several other ships in the area were able to save the lives of 11 of the 19-member crew.
MEANWHILE, a low pressure system will push a warm front across the region this afternoon, which means some rain and wind blow across the state and into the ocean. But that warm front is being trailed by a cold one, which will make things rather unsettled on the Gulf of Maine.
Winds will blow up to 15 knots with gusts up to 20 knots expected. Seas 2 to 4 feet, and showers likely by afternoon.
High tides in Portland: 9:42 a.m. and 9:51 p.m. Low tide: 3:36 p.m.
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THE NEWEST NEWS:
GORHAM -- The University of Maine has issued a safety alert for the students at the Gorham campus after two female students yesterday reported being followed and assaulted by a unidentified white man.
Police received the first report yesterday from a woman who said that around 12:30 p.m. she was followed very closely by a male suspect as she walked toward Wood Hall from the Brooks Dining Center. When she pulled out her cell phone, the subject ran away.
Shortly afterward, police received another report from a female student who said she was walking to class in Bailey Hall when a suspect walked up behind her and grabbed her buttocks. The suspect then ran off.
Both women described the suspect the same: white male, early 20s, bald or shaven head, light-colored eyes, medium build, 5'7" to 5'9". He was wearing a black T-shirt and khaki or light camouflage shorts at the time. He had a cell phone in his hand.
Anyone with information on the person's identity or whereabouts should call the USM Police Department at 780-5211.
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HOLLIS -- Police say the Hollis man charged earlier in the week by state
police with exposing himself in front of an elementary school is in
additional trouble.
The man was arrested Monday for allegedly exposing himself and
masturbating in front of a young teacher at the Hollis Elementary School.
But the Maine State Police say the same person was arrested again on Wednesday after allegedly exposing himself in front of the Hollis Post Office in August.
After seeing news reports of the school incident, a woman reported the post office offense to police.
Trooper Jeremy Forbes, the officer investigating the claims, said he is
following up a report that the same man has been at the post office a number of times without pants.
The suspect was in York District Court Wednesday for the elementary
school-related charges. He will likely appear in Biddeford court today on
the latest charge.
He is not being identified because the Portland Press Herald has a policy not to identify people accused of sex crimes to protect their identities until there is some type of formal court action.
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VAN BUREN -- A Maine congressman says the federal government will rebuild rather than repair the damaged Van Buren border station.
Second District Rep. Mike Michaud said Thursday the Department of Homeland Security recognizes the need to replace the port of entry along the northern Maine-Canadian border. The current building was damaged in the May floods and serious concerns remain about the building's structural integrity.
Michaud says simply patching over the damage seemed like a waste because those repairs would only last a few years at most. In July, Michaud sent a letter to the General Services Administration and Customs and Border Protection urging them to build a new port of entry.
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MILLINOCKET -- Katahdin Paper says layoffs resulting from the indefinite shutdown of its Millinocket mill are slated to begin no later than tomorrow.
As many as 208 mill workers stand to lose their jobs, and company spokesman Glenn Saucier confirms that nine layoffs are likely this week.
The state Department of Labor is sending a Rapid Response team to the region to assist the laid-off workers. The team offers access to job training, employment opportunities and jobless benefits.
The layoffs are expected to be gradual as workers prepare for the shutdown at the Millinocket plant as part of a plan to convert its energy source from oil to biomass. The East Millinocket mill will remain open, but some of its workers may lose their jobs to workers in Millinocket who have more seniority. (AP)
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WATERBORO -- A 55-year-old Waterboro man had to be taken to Maine Medical Center last night for treatment of minor cuts and burns after the propane fireplace he was trying to light exploded.
Fire Chief Matthew Bors said the man, whose name was unavailable, was attempting to light a gas fireplace insert when it blew up. He sustained burns to his hand and face, while an exterior chimney was blown off the house.
The explosion took place around 4 p.m. at 96 Panoramic Drive in Waterboro.
"He was very lucky," Bors said, referring to the man's injuries and minor damage to the house.
Staff Writer Dennis Hoey provided this report
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FAIRFIELD CENTER -- Fairfield police on Thursday said one of its officers was driving too fast last weekend when he lost control of his cruiser and slammed into the Fairfield Center Grange, damaging the building and totaling the car.
Deputy Chief Steve Trahan said he doesn't know exactly how fast Paul St. Amand was traveling when St. Amand's vehicle hydroplaned during a downpour and crashed about 1:30 a.m. Sunday. St. Amand suffered minor injuries but has missed no work time and remains on duty. The speed limit on that section of Middle Road is 35 miles per hour.
"Because he went off the road, he was operating too fast for conditions," Trahan said. "We have our disciplinary chain to go through, and we will be dealing with it."
St. Amand's cruiser crossed two traffic islands into the ditch and then into the Grange foundation, Emery said. St. Amand crawled out a window and called another patrol officer, who in turn called State Police to investigate.
"He was petrified, I think, just not having control of the vehicle," Chief John Emery said. "He began fishtailing and hydroplaning, basically, and lost control (of the cruiser). He eased off the gas, the car turned around and out of control."
OF NOTE TODAY:
PORTLAND -- A candelight vigil is scheduled for tonight in Monument Square for the family of James Angelo, who was shot and killed Sunday at Mercy Hospital.
A candlelight vigil
will be held tonight
for James Angelo at 6 p.m.
in Monument Square.
James Angelo, 27, was gunned down around 4 a.m. Sunday, while working as a security guard at Mercy Hospital. He was unarmed at the time and no arrests have been made yet.
Police have said two people were seen fleeing the scene after the shooting. One was described as a short black man in his early 20s with a slight build and short hair. The man appeared to be clean-shaven and was wearing black pants and a white hooded sweatshirt with a design or print. The other person was described only as wearing a light-colored shirt or jacket.
People with information are asked to call police at 874-8524.
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