Welcome to the Sunrise Herald, the place to go to get the news from overnight and onward...

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IN THE WEATHER:

At 9 a.m., it was 33 degrees in downtown Portland.

The wind is gone, replaced with a seasonable chill, with some areas dipping down into the 20s this morning.

But, thankfully, a mostly sunny day will keep daytime temperatures, um.... shall we say, bearable -- low to mid 40s.

THE SUNRISE HERALD WEATHER WATCHERS REPORT:

Bill in Rockland says: At 5:45 this morning, it's 32 degrees (down from 34 an hour earlier). A light northwesterly breeze doesn't warm things up either. A few scattered clouds dot the sky. Balmy, it isn't.

Shawn in Yarmouth says: It is a very chilly 36 degrees here in Yarmouth this morning. There does not appear to be any wind or any clouds. Always hard to tell on the cloud front when it is so dark in the morning, but I could see stars in the sky when I opened my door. I could also see my breath...stay warm today. Hopefully with lots of layers it will not be too cold at the Haunted Hayride.


James in Cape Elizabeth says: It is still, clear and 30 degrees here in Cape Elizabeth at 6:00. While cool, it looks like a good day to get after those pesky leaves that are falling hither, thither, and yon. Have a good day all.


Mark in Cape Elizabeth says: 35 degrees here, and we have cloudy skies in Brunswick, with no wind.

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ON THE ROAD:

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ON THE MAINE TURNPIKE between miles 33 and 36 in Saco, a northbound double lane closure is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for pavement repair. Expect a slowdown. The shoulder, however, will be open for travel.

• REMEMBER: The Route 1 bridge between Kittery and Portsmouth, which is undergoing major repairs, will be closed until Nov. 14. Take the I-95 bridge instead to get over the Piscataqua River. The Connector Road at Albacore Park will also be open to provide access between the Route 1 Bypass and Market Street Extension in Portsmouth.

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ON THE OCEAN:

Mariners: If you have a big boat, it is safe to go back out on the water today. If you have a little boat, stay home.

There was a small craft advisory in effect until 8 a.m. this morning with northwestern winds blowing 10 to 20 knots, gusting to 25 knots. The winds subside through the day. Seas are finally settling, 2 to 4 feet.

High tide in Portland: 12:32 p.m. Low tide: 6:22 a.m. and again at 6:56 p.m.

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THE NEWEST NEWS:

News you can use to get your day under way:

BREWER -- Three metal remnants of the World Trade Center that once graced New York's skyline have arrived in Brewer, where they will be placed on permanent display in the city's new public safety building.

The artifacts from the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks arrived Wednesday on the back of a flatbed truck. It was accompanied by a cortege of police cruisers, fire trucks and ambulances carrying personnel from nearly a dozen municipal, county and state public safety agencies.

Karl Ward, president of the company that built the city's police and fire station, said Brewer is among a handful of locations granted stewardship of what many regard as pieces of the nation's history. The $6.75 million building is expected to open soon. (AP)

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WASHINGTON -- Here's something Mainers might want to know: a new study by an auto insurance-funded highway safety group says fatalities from vehicle crashes with deer and other animals have more than doubled over the last 15 years.

The news comes as November, the peak month for vehicle-deer collisions, rolls around.

The report by the Highway Loss Data Institute found that 223 people died in animal-vehicle crashes in 2007. In 2000 that number was 150 and in 1993, 101 people died in animal-vehicle crashes. According to the report, which can be viewed in full by visiting the Highway Loss Data Institute Website most accidents involving animals are with deer.

The states with the largest total number of deaths from said crashes between 1993 to 2007 are Texas with 227, Wisconsin with 123 and Pennsylvania with 112.

Maine had 42 deaths due to animal collisions in that same time period; the institute doesn't track what type of animal those collisions involved. The state with the lowest count was Rhode Island, with only one death during those 15 years.

The Highway Loss Data Institute and its sister organization, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, looked at both insurance claims and federal crash data to compile the information.

While deer on the road is no new hazard for Mainers, it seems it is something urbanites must get used to.

"Urban sprawl means suburbia and deer habitat intersect in many parts of the country," said Kim Hazelbaker, the Highway Loss Data Institute's senior vice president. "If you're driving in areas where deer are prevalent, the caution flag is out, especially in November."

A wounded deer lies in the road after being hit by a car on the northbound lane of I-295 near Freeport in this June 11, 2008 AP file photo. Fatalities from vehicle crashes with deer and other animals have more than doubled over the last 15 years, according to a new study by an auto insurance-funded highway safety group that cites urban sprawl overlapping into deer habitat.

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LEWISTON -- Police are investigating a late night stabbing in which one man was injured.

The name of the man has not yet been released. He was stabbed in the leg around 2 a.m. on Pine Street during an altercation with another person.

Police described his injury as non-life threatening. He was transported to a local hospital.

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WESTBROOK -- A man already in trouble with the law for possession of heroin was arrested again yesterday on similar charges.

Jeremy Champagne, 27, of 145 Central Street in Westbrook was arrested yesterday during a traffic stop and bail search. He was found in possession of heroin, again, and was this time charged for aggravated trafficking. He was also arrested for violation of his bail conditions



Champagne (photo at right) was first arrested on Oct. 21 for possession of the drug, during a night time search warrant that left a Cumberland County deputy injured.

Champagne is being held at Cumberland County Jail.

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PORTLAND -- Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean continues his tour through Maine today in the state's biggest city, as he campaigns for Barack Obama.

Dean visited the University of Maine in Orono and then the University of Farmington yesterday. You can read more about that by CLICKING HERE.

Today, Dean will be in Portland, at 1037 Forest Avenue, the "Campaign for Change" Portland office. The rally begins at 9:30 a.m.

The Republicans, too, are still focusing on Maine. The McCain-Palin campaign brought former Massachusetts Gov. Jane Swift to the state yesterday. And there is word that Republican presidential nominee John McCain will visit the state one more time before the big day, Nov. 4. CLICK HERE to read more about that announcement.

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FROM OUR NEWS PARTNERS:

• Turns out that a man accused of shooting his estranged wife in January 2007 will not plead guilty this week and avoid a trial. The Bangor Daily News has all the details about the case of Richard Reynolds in a report that can be read by CLICKING HERE.

• The Bangor Dailynews also has a story about a woman from Milford who will spend the next year in prison for using forged prescriptions to obtain more than 35,000 doses of painkillers. That story can be accessed by CLICKING HERE.

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OF NOTE TODAY:

Events coming up you might want to know about:

IN CAPE ELIZABETH --

VNA Home Health & Hospice is hosting a flu shot clinic at St. Bartholomew's Church, Route 77, from 3 to 5 p.m.

This is a flu clinic for adults only. Those under Medicare should remember to bring their cards. For all others, there is a $30 fee for flu shots, $35 fee for pneumococcal shots. For more information visit the VNA Website by clicking here.

Copyright 2008 Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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