PORTLAND

Changes pave the way for new Route 1 bridge

Traffic will change in the coming weeks as construction on the new Route 1 bridge at Martin’s Point begins in earnest.

Lanes have been narrowed to 12 feet and shifted toward Interstate 295 to give crews more room to work.

The new Portland-to-Falmouth bridge spanning the Presumpscot Rover will be on the ocean side of the existing bridge, and heavy equipment will be used.

For now, cyclists and pedestrians can cross the bridge using the dedicated sidewalk in the work zone, said Carol Morris, project spokeswoman. At the end of next week, a 5-foot-wide path will be opened closer to the travel lanes. The sidewalk will be separated from traffic by a metal barrier, which is being placed.

The speed limit will be lowered from 40 mph to 30 mph by the end of next week, Morris said.
The new patterns will last for the duration of the $23.5 million project, expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2014.

Police looking for driver in crash that hurt cyclist

Police are looking for the driver of a light-colored sedan involved in a hit-and-run crash that injured a 13-year-old boy riding a bicycle Friday.

Police said the incident happened at 2:50 p.m. on Congress Street near Bramhall Fire Station. Witnesses said the car pulled out of an alley near 715 Congress St. and hit the westbound cyclist, then drove off, police said.

The boy’s injuries were not life-threatening but he was taken to Maine Medical Center for treatment.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Portland police traffic division at 874-8532.

BIDDEFORD

Stone Soup Food Pantry moving to 180 Main St.

The Stone Soup Food Pantry will move this week.

The pantry will move Thursday to the lower level of 180 Main St. Co-Director Kathy Duke said the move out of the current location at 316 Main St. was necessary because the building was sold and the new owner raised rental rates.

Pantry volunteers started moving items Monday, but will distribute food from the old location on Wednesday. The rest of the move will be made Thursday and Friday, and the pantry will reopen Monday in the new location.

Stone Soup is open from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Monday and Wednesday.

Duke said the new location will provide more room for the pantry’s clothes distribution program and plenty of space for people to socialize while they wait. The location is central for most of the pantry’s clients, who live primarily downtown.

BRUNSWICK

Theater’s executive director leaves post after eight years

Steven C. Peterson is out as executive director of Maine State Music Theatre. The theater’s board of trustees announced his resignation Monday afternoon.

Peterson has held the post since 2004. He assumed dual duties as artistic director two seasons ago following the retirement of the theater’s longtime artistic director Charles Abbott.

No reason for Peterson’s resignation was given in a statement released by the board, and Peterson could not be reached for comment. In the statement, Peterson said he planned to return to the Fulton Theatre in Lancaster, Pa., where last November he appeared in “Hairspray” and where in November he will perform in “Singing in the Rain.”

Stephanie Dupal, the organization’s general manager, will oversee operations while the theater searches for a new executive director, said board President Don Gerrish.

Suspect in local stabbing arrested, jailed in California

A man wanted on charges of stabbing a woman in Brunswick is in custody in California after his arrest by deputy U.S. marshals.

Brunswick police had been looking for Jamie Mondragon, 32, of Auburn since Sept. 30 when he allegedly stabbed a 25-year-old woman repeatedly, sending her to Maine Medical Center with injuries that were not life-threatening.

Authorities said three children were inside the apartment at the time of the attack. Mondragon was arrested Friday afternoon without incident, police said.

Mondragon remains in jail in Fresno and Maine authorities are trying to extradite him to this state to face charges.

YORK

Sewall’s Bridge will close for year as new span is built

Sewall’s Bridge over the York River will be closed for a year starting Tuesday.

Crews will spend the next year replacing the bridge, which has reached the end of its service life, according to the Maine Department of Transportation. The project is expected to cost $3.37 million.

The new bridge will replicate the features of the existing structure, using composite materials to extend its life.

A 30-foot navigational channel opening will accommodate marine traffic. The new bridge will be 251 feet long.

Signs will direct motorists to a 4-mile detour route. The bridge project will be done by Reed and Reed Inc. of Woolwich.

AUGUSTA

LePage promotes two to counsel positions

Gov. Paul LePage has promoted staff member Michael Cianchette to chief legal counsel.
The office announced Monday that Cianchette was promoted from his post as deputy legal counsel and policy adviser.

Also, Carlisle McLean was promoted from senior natural resources policy adviser to general counsel and senior natural resources policy adviser.

Cianchette also serves in the Naval Reserves and holds an MBA and legal degree from Suffolk University. McLean holds degrees from Pace University School of Law and Yale University School of Forestry.

Republicans irate over ad about Raye’s $20K kitchen

The Maine Republican Party is crying foul over a television ad by Rep. Mike Michaud that attacks his rival for spending taxpayer dollars to install a kitchenette in his State House office.

The ad says Republican Senate President Kevin Raye spent $20,000 to redecorate the Republican lounge and to install a kitchen. The ad shows a photo of a gleaming high-end kitchen, not the one in his office.

The Republican Party said the kitchenette is used by members of both parties.

Spokesman David Sorensen called Michaud a “liar and a hypocrite” for approving the ad, and called on TV stations to take it off the air.

Dan Cashman, Michaud’s spokesman, said the issue is the cost, not the photo. He said he has invoices that verify how much was spent.

PORTSMOUTH, N.H.

Sarah Mildred Long Bridge to have some lane closures

Some traffic lanes on the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge between Portsmouth, N.H., and Kittery will be closed for as long as six days while the bridge is inspected.

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation said work was set to start Monday and involve lane closures from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Motorists are asked to use other routes if possible.

KENNEBUNK

Local teenage model wins online contest, Miami trip

Hannah Sirois has taken a step toward launching her career in modeling by winning an online modeling competition on the website Modellauncher.com

Sirois, 17, of Kennebunk, won the T-shirt and shorts modeling contest for ages 17-20 on the website in August. Winners are determined by the number of online votes each model gets.

Winners of the competitions have gone on to TV shows such as “Project Runway” and have walked at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

Sirois’ prize included a paid trip to Miami for a professional photo shoot, and promotional help in getting her modeling career started. Her modeling photos can be seen at modellauncher.com/winners/hannah#ad-image-O.