BIDDEFORD
Lobster boat runs aground on ledge off Wood Island

The crew of a 42-foot lobster boat that ran aground off Biddeford was rescued by another fishing boat, the Coast Guard said Monday.

The Coast Guard lost contact with the crew shortly after the mishap was reported at 1:40 p.m. Monday.

Several rescue boats were sent to the area.

The crew of the Misty Dawn II had donned survival suits after their boat hit a ledge off Wood Island.

Scarborough rescue workers arrived about 20 minutes later and were able to transfer the crew of the Misty Dawn II to the Titan.

The Coast Guard said there was no pollution, and they are working with the boat’s owners on a salvage plan.

CARRABASSETT VALLEY
Derailed ski lift may run again before season ends

The 35-year-old Sugarloaf ski lift that derailed, sending several chairs to the ground and injuring eight people, remains shut down, but the resort hopes to get it running again before the season ends, a spokesman said Monday.

There is no specific timetable for restoring service on the Spillway East chairlift, one of four used to take skiers to the mountain’s higher trails. But replacement parts have been ordered and the goal is to restart the lift this winter, spokesman Ethan Austin said.

Spillway East was damaged when a cable left its track, causing five chairs to plunge 25 to 30 feet to a ski trail below. Eight skiers taken to hospitals on Dec. 28 have all been released.

Sugarloaf said last week that a misaligned cable was to blame and that winds gusting up to 50 mph contributed to the accident. Workers had tried unsuccessfully to make adjustments to the cable and were attempting to restart the lift at a slow speed to offload skiers when the cable jumped its track, the resort said.

The ski resort had planned to replace the Spillway East lift, possibly as early as this summer. But

Austin said Monday that he couldn’t comment on a timetable for building a replacement.

The Maine Board of Elevator and Tramway Safety, which is investigating the accident, would have to sign off on any repairs to the existing lift before it could reopen, Austin said.

PORTLAND
Nephew of Sen. Snowe hurt by car as he crosses street

The 28-year-old nephew of Sen. Olympia Snowe was injured Monday morning when he was hit by a car while crossing a street in Portland.

Jeffrey Goranites of Portland, the son of state District Judge Peter Goranites, was crossing Portland Street just before 9 a.m. when he was struck. The car, driven by Elizabeth Hillman, 37, of Portland, was inbound on Forest Avenue and was turning left onto Portland Street when it hit Goranites, who was in the crosswalk, police said.

Goranites was taken to Maine Medical Center for treatment.

No charges have been brought, and the case remains under investigation. Police said sun and glare may have contributed to the accident.

Portland ‘welcome’ sign missing; police seek clues

Portland police are trying to find out who took a hand-carved Welcome to Portland sign worth $3,500 that was removed from the intersection of West Commercial Street and Fore River Parkway.

The sign was carved from a single piece of wood and was handpainted with gold leaf.

City workers first noticed the sign was missing at the beginning of December but did not immediately report it because they were trying to determine whether any city workers knew what had happened.

Police ask that anyone with information call 874-8533 or go to the department’s website at www.portland-police.com

USM’s Portland campus converting to natural gas

Maine’s second-largest university is giving up oil and going to natural gas for its heating needs.

The University of Southern Maine said Monday it will save $315,000 this year on heating costs by converting the central heating plant on its Portland campus to natural gas. USM says it was burning an average of 280,000 gallons of oil per year.

The school, which has nearly 10,000 students, had already converted its Gorham campus from oil to natural gas.

Besides the economic savings, USM officials say they’ll also be reducing the school’s carbon output by 1,048 metric tons a year.

WINDHAM
Windham man, 21, sought in Naples pharmacy robbery

Cumberland County Sheriff’s deputies are searching for a Windham man suspected in a pharmacy robbery in Naples.

Authorities said they believe Jesse Lavalle, 21, robbed the Naples Rite Aid on May 10. He also is wanted on warrants from Biddeford on charges of violating bail conditions and robbing a pharmacy there.

Lavalle did not show a weapon, but did threaten to “blow heads off” in a note demanding OxyContin that was passed to a pharmacy worker, police said.

Lavalle was last known to be living with his mother in Windham, but police do not know where he is living now. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Brian Ackerman at 774-1444, ext. 2215.

CASCO
Condition of snowmobiler is upgraded to satisfactory

A Casco man’s condition has been upgraded from critical to satisfactory following a snowmobile accident on Thomas Pond near where he lives.

Thomas Hartley, 47, was allegedly riding drunk without a helmet at noon Sunday when he lost control, hit the shoreline and flipped over. Hartley and his passenger, Patricia Butler, 41, of Naples were ejected from the 1997 Ski Doo snowmobile.

Hartley suffered a broken neck, broken collarbone and cuts to his head, according to the Maine Warden Service. He was taken to Maine Medical Center. Butler, who was riding in front of Hartley, was also injured.

Wardens issued Hartley a summons for allegedly operating under the influence and refusing to submit to a blood test. The crash remains under investigation.

FREEPORT
Minor injuries in crash on I-295 as driver falls asleep

An accident that tied up traffic on Interstate 295 Monday morning occurred because the driver fell asleep, State Police said.

Kyle Spann, 19, of Clinton fell asleep while driving north at mile 23 in Freeport. His car hit the guardrail and went off the road.

The 2000 Ford Focus station wagon was severely damaged and traffic was down to one lane for a short period of time, Trooper Marvin Hinkley said. Spann, the only occupant, suffered minor injuries, police said.

LEWISTON
Auburn mom gives birth to Maine’s first baby of 2011

Maine’s first baby of 2011 is resting well after coming into the world just 16 minutes into the new year.

Elizabeth Langelier, 22, of Auburn rang in the New Year at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston, where she gave birth to a 6-pound, 10-ounce boy, Dominic John Langelier.

The mother told the Sun Journal of Lewiston that the arrival of her son was a great New Year’s present.

Lewiston-based Acorn acquired by totes-Isotoner

Cincinnati-based totes-Isotoner Corp. has announced it is acquiring Acorn Products, a Lewiston-based company that makes socks, shoes and slippers.

In a media release, Acorn President and CEO John Donnelly said the move gives Acorn access to a larger market and improves the company’s supply chain and operating capabilities.

Donnelly added that Acorn will continue operating from the company’s Lewiston offices.

OLD ORCHARD BEACH
Lobster Dip raises $101,000 for Special Olympics Maine

Hundreds of Mainers raised a record amount for Special Olympics Maine by diving into the ocean off Old Orchard Beach in the annual Lobster Dip fundraiser Saturday.

According to WGME-TV, 371 people participated in the 22nd annual Lobster Dip, raising $101,000 in pledges.

The Lobster Dip fundraiser is the largest of its kind in Maine.

KEENE, N.H.
Former newsman who worked for governors dies

A former Vermont newsman who went on to serve six governors in Vermont and Maine has died.

William F. Kearns Jr. died Sunday in Keene, N.H., after a period of failing health. He was 89.

Daughter Diane Duncan confirmed the death Monday.

Kearns worked as a reporter for the Bennington Banner and Rutland Herald before leading the Morning Press Bureau in Montpelier.

Kearns went on to work for five Vermont governors from the 1950s through the 1970s in a variety of administrative posts, and for Maine Gov. Kenneth Curtis as commissioner of Mental Health and Corrections.

GRAY
Portland’s warm streak hits 14 straight months

The National Weather Service says Portland’s streak of above-average temperatures has now hit 14 straight months.

The weather service said Monday that the average December temperature in Maine’s largest city was 29.2 degrees, 1.6 degrees above normal.

Every month in 2010 had above-average temperatures.

Portland received 12.3 inches of snow in December, which is 0.7 inches below normal.

NORTH WATERBORO
Wardens urge fishermen to stay away from thin ice

Maine game wardens are warning winter anglers of the dangers of thin ice.

Jan. 1 traditionally marks the start of ice fishing season in Maine.But unusually warm weather has melted ice formed during a December cold snap.

Wardens say they’re seeing lots of open water and thin ice in ponds and lakes across Maine.

Sgt. Tim Spahr told WCSH-TV that wardens are working with the Attorney General’s Office to find out whether any legal action can be taken when people venture onto ice that isn’t safe.