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By Giselle Goodman January 14, 2009 09:30 AM

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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BREAKING NEWS: Firefighters were able to quickly knock down an all-hands fire at the Down-East Village Restaurant and Motel in Yarmouth at 705 Route 1.

The call came in just around 7:30 a.m. about smoke pouring from the basement. Only the hotel portion was damaged by the fire. The separate restaurant was not affected. There were no injuries and the motel, which is closed for the season, was empty. Investigators are looking into the cause and addressing hot spots.

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IN THE WEATHER:

At 9 a.m., it was 21 degrees in downtown Portland.

I thought I'd be waking up to snow and bitter temperatures. Neither are in Portland. Yet.

The snow visited Downeast Maine overnight, but is already on its way out.

But nobody in Maine will be spared from the bitter, wicked cold that marches in through the day. In fact, this morning's 29 degrees (at 5 a.m.) could be the high for the day, as temperatures plummet into the teens and then single digits by night time.

That cold stays with us for a few days, made even more bitter with a wind that will make the temperatures feel very negative indeed. Literally.

If you'd like to read the weather advisory posted by the National Weather Service,
click here.

THE SUNRISE HERALD WEATHER WATCHERS REPORT:

Bill in Rockland says: It's only just stopped raining at 5:30 here this morning and the temperature is hovering at 32 degrees. The west-northwesterly wind is starting to blow a little harder. It seems to me there's a possibility some icing may occur as the temperature continues to fall. I certainly hope not. Perhaps daybreak will prevent it.

Shawn in Yarmouth says: This is some weird weather pattern. Last night at 8 p.m., it was 38 degrees and drizzling. This morning it is 31 degrees. The moon is very bright. The clouds are racing across the sky, but there seems to be little wind down here in Yarmouth. As I understand, that "wind" is going to be blowing in the arctic Canadian air and the 30 degree temps will be just a memory. Don't let the warm air this morning fool you; make sure you bring the hat, gloves and warm coat!

Jim in Cape Elizabeth says: Good Morning! It is currently 27 degrees with a stiff wind blowing out of the East. All the snow predictions for overnight turned into rain. 'Tis a bit slick out there today in spots so be careful walking. I assume the cold air is still on its way. Brrrr....

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ON THE ROAD:

• ON THE MAINE TURNPIKE: Between miles 35 in Saco and 44 in Scarborough, north and southbound lane closures are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for road work.

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ON THE OCEAN:

A gale warning is in effect through this afternoon with northwest winds blowing 20 to 25 knots, and a few gusts up to 35 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet, with freezing spray. Bitter cold out there. Stay in port if you can.

High tide in Portland: 1:17 p.m. Low tides at 7:03 a.m. and 7:36 p.m.

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IN THE NEWS:

FALMOUTH (AP) -- Maine's adult loon population appears to be on the rebound after two years of declines.

According to Maine Audubon's annual loon count, volunteers spotted 1,728 adult loons and 164 chicks on 280 lakes and ponds in the southern half of Maine one morning in July.

Based on that count, the organization estimates last year's southern Maine adult loon population at 2,784. That's an increase from 2,432 in 2007 and 2,595 in 2006.

Southern Maine's chick population for 2008 was estimated to be 265, a drop from a near-record high of 422 the year before. Chick populations typically swing from year to year and the population has remained stable over time.

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AUBURN -- Police say a 59-year-old man was killed on Hersey Hill Road as the result of a logging accident.

The man (his identity is being withheld pending notification of family members) was killed by a falling tree. A self-employed logger, the man was cutting trees and was struck by one as it fell. He was killed instantly, said Auburn Deputy Police Chief Jason D. Moen in a prepared release.

Even though the death happened in the woods, the incident is being investigated by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration as a work-place fatality.

Police arrived at 282 Hersey Hill Road around 6 p.m.

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BIDDEFORD -- As of 6 a.m. today, Maine State Police have identified the person who died on the Maine Turnpike yesterday as a Massachusetts man. However, his name has not been released pending notification of family.

The crash occurred shortly after 10:30 a.m. Tuesday and completely shut down the south side of the turnpike at the Biddeford interchange. Traffic was back to normal by 1 p.m.

One person was killed when the van in which he or she was traveling crossed the median (that van was heading northbound), went airborne, flipped and came to rest on the southbound side.

Reporter Ed Murphy has a full report in today's Portland Press Herald, which can be read by clicking this link.

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COMING UP:

IN ALFRED -- The York County Board of Commissioners will take up the issue of budget cuts to the sheriff's department in a meeting that was postponed from last week due to a snowstorm.

The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. today and the most pertinent issue is the sheriff's budget and the possibility of having to cutting four full-time sheriff deputy positions.

It is an issue of concern for law enforcement, EMTs and other rescue workers in York County.

''It all comes down to what calls we're going to answer and how long it's going to take to answer the calls, and at what point are we putting people's safety at risk here,'' Sheriff Maurice Ouellette said in a previous report (which can be read by clicking here). ''Somebody is going to get hurt out there, and that's what I'm concerned about.''

The meeting will be held at the York County Courthouse.

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IN AUGUSTA -- Maine's Gambling Control Board meets tonight to take up a variety of issues, including a request from Hollywood Slots in Bangor to change the opening time of its operation on Sundays.

The idea has not met with a warm reception. One of the opponents of Sunday morning gambling, the Rev. Jerry Mick of Bangor Baptist Church, says the pastors feel that Sunday morning is a time of worship when gambling should be off-limits.

At its October meeting, the gambling board gave preliminary approval to the proposed change in hours.

Under current rules, the facility at 500 Main St. does not open until noon Sundays but opens at 8 a.m. every other day.

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