Bill in Rockland says: Thirty-two degrees at 6:15 this morning. It's partially cloudy and the southwesterly breeze reminds us that winter as well as the
weekend is on its way. Have a pleasant weekend.

James in Cape Elizabeth says: It's Friday!! However, it will be a chilly one from all accounts. It is currently clear, calm, and 30 here in Cape Elizabeth.That reading is almost the high that is expected today!l May one and all have a great weekend!!!

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ON THE ROAD:

The 3.4-mile bypass is an extension of Route 112. It begins about two miles south of the town center at Route 114 and rims the southwest section of the village, connecting with routes 202/4 and 25. The bypass includes three roundabouts, located at each end and at Route 202/4.

But, as always, drive carefully!

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ON THE OCEAN:

High tide in Portland: 4:01 p.m. Low tide: 9:51 a.m. and again at 10:19 p.m.

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THE NEWEST NEWS:

AUGUSTA (AP) -- Maine wildlife officials have put into effect new rules aimed at preventing Canada lynx from being caught in a type of trap that killed a lynx earlier last month.

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's advisory council acted swiftly Thursday to approve temporary rules little more than a week after a federal judge ordered the state to take additional steps to protect lynx, which are listed as a threatened species.

On Nov. 17, a lynx was found dead in a trap set for other animals in Aroostook County.

The new regulations clarify the placement of so-called Conibear spring traps filled with bait left for fisher, marten or other species.

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PORTLAND -- Police are warning residents of a rash of car burglaries that seem to be occurring mainly in the West End, the worst of which occurred over Thanksgiving.

Police say there were several burglaries to cars during this time, with the suspects taking small visible electronics, like iPods and iPhones, after forcing their way into the car.

Police are asking everyone to remove these things from their unattended cars, the simplest way to keep the burglars from breaking your window and stealing your stuff.

Police say a house on Payson Street was robbed around the same time. The burglar was able to walk right into the unlocked second floor apartment.

The suspect took $50 and two sets of keys and then went to the 3rd floor apartment and knocked on the door. When the resident opened the door, he saw a white male in a black ski mask pointing a gun in his face demanding entry to the
apartment. The two struggled, but the victim was able to get the door closed and call police.

The robber is described as a white male, approximately 5-feet 10-inches tall with a thin build. He was wearing a black ski mask, gray hooded jacket, black pants and carried a 45 caliber semi-automatic gun.

The incident happened shortly after midnight Nov. 30. Please call the Portland Police Department at 874-8575 if you have any information.

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AUGUSTA (AP) -- An effort to have Maine's lobster industry certified as "sustainable" is moving forward as a London-based organization begins a formal assessment of the fishery.

The Marine Stewardship Council said Thursday that it has begun a full evaluation of the lobster population, the soundness of the lobster management system and the fishery's impact on the environment. The process is expected to take a year or more.

Members of Maine's lobster industry are seeking the certification label, which assures consumers that the seafood is not overfished or harvested in a way that harms the ocean.

Supporters say that as consumers demand more "green" food products, the lobster industry stands to lose out if it doesn't get certified.

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AUBURN -- A 28-year-old man wanted by Auburn police for failing to register as a sex offender was arrested last night in York County.

Auburn police sent out a request for assistance in finding Joshua Robert Irving, who was convicted in 2000 of sexually abusing a minor in Farmington Superior Court. Irving has three prior convictions in Franklin County for failing to register.

The Auburn Police Department has a one-on-one sex offender monitoring program where an Auburn officer is assigned a Registered Sex Offender to check on and monitor. During the latest round of checks, the officer assigned to Irving found he had moved and not registered his new address with the state, as is the law.

He was found and arrested late last night by the York County Sheriff's Department, said Auburn Deputy Chief of Police Jason Moen.

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TURNER -- Police say a man was beaten with a pipe and shots were fired in an altercation that erupted over the death of a pet dog in Turner.

Police say the drama began when a man went to his neighbor's home believing the man was responsible for the death of his pet Pomeranian. Police say the man whose dog died, Stanley Hathaway, was beaten with an aluminum pipe and that shots were fired as he retreated.

Eugene Jordan, who claims he was defending himself, was charged with aggravated assault and could face weapons charges because state police found rifles in a car at his home.

This isn't Jordan's first neighborhood dispute. He was sued by neighbors over his automobile junkyard and was accused of shoving a neighbor to the ground.

Information provided by the Morning Sentinel

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SOUTH PARIS -- Firefighters are still on the scene of a warehouse fire at the New England Public Warehouse that started more than 40 hours ago.

The fire was reported about 1 p.m. Wednesday and has been burning ever since. The building stored paper and paper bales, giving the fire plenty of fuel to burn.

For the second day, Oxford Hills Middle School will be closed to students, due to the proximity of the school to the fire site. However, it will be a teacher conference day.

The map below will give you a better idea of the area in which Paris and crews from nearly 40 other departments have been battling the blaze.

View Larger Map
Letter A represents the New England Public Warehouse, where the fire has been burning since Wednesday afternoon. The fire has closed the Oxford Hills Middle School, which is located at 100 Pine St., just down the road.

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FROM OUR NEWS PARTNERS:
• The Bangor Daily News today reports a story from Pittston, where a water main break has caused a "boil water" order until further notice. That story can be read by clicking this link.

• The Lewiston Sun Journal reports that a former high school football player from Maine is going to prison for eight years for trafficking cocaine from an Auburn apartment. You can read more about Cameron Camire's prison sentence by clicking here.

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OF NOTE TODAY:

THERE ARE LOTS OF HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS TODAY in our area. Here are the highlights:

• Lighting of the Copper Beech Tree: This event takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Portland Museum of Art, as it celebrates its First Friday family night. There is lots of entertainment for families with the grand finale: a candlelit walk to the Copper Beech Tree lighting ceremony (shown at right from last year, photo courtesy the Portland Museum of Art).

• Coats for Kids Day begins: Bring your useful coats to any one of the Hannaford or Shaw's supermarkets around the state. Today is the kickoff and WCSH6 will be broadcasting live from a number of locations to promote the event. Donated coats will be cleaned and distributed to the children of Maine.

• It's the METRO "Stuff a Bus" celebration at the METRO Pulse station on Elm Street, off Congress Street, across from the Portland Public Library. Bring a new, uwrapped toy or book to help children in need from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. The object is pretty obvious: To fill a METRO bus with toys, games and books for the little ones.

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