Welcome to the Sunrise Herald with Giselle Goodman, the place to go to get the news from overnight and beyond...

IN THE WEATHER

At 9 a.m., it was 36 degrees and mostly clear in downtown Portland.

Dear Weather Maker;

Yesterday was beautiful. Thank you so very much.

Giselle Goodman

Dear Giselle.

You're welcome. And since you and your fellow Mainers were so appreciative, how about one more just like it?

Sincerely,
The Weather Maker.

From Bill in ROCKLAND:: Much like yesterday, 26 degrees, clear and calm here in Rockland. I have five valiant crocuses (croci?) opening during the day. When I went to take a picture of them in the afternoon, they had shut up shop. Don't blame them.
From Shawn in YARMOUTH: It is 6:30 in Yarmouth, 30 degrees and bright blue sky with just a few high wispy clouds. It appears to be a beautiful morning out there, but so far every morning has been a few degrees colder. I think the temperature is going the wrong way toward a real spring in Maine.
From Mark in BRUNSWICK: 29 degrees and clear skies. Despite the recent cold snap, sap has stopped running in our maple trees, and we'll take the taps out today.
From Karen in STEEP FALLS: It's a bit frosty outside this morning and it's a hazy sunshine so far. Temp is 26 and I'm really excited for another beautiful day!

ON THE OCEAN:

Eastern winds change to southeastern winds, blowing a slight 10 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet.

High tide today in Portland at 2:22 p.m. Tide goes out at 8:07 a.m. and 8:18 p.m.

ON THE ROAD:

• Drivers might run into some delays at mile 32 in Biddeford on the northbound side of the Maine Turnpike today. A double lane closure is scheduled there from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for pavement repair.

Click here for the full list of Maine Turnpike travel advisories.

• Driving around York County today? Better improve your driving. Starting today the York County Sheriff's Office will be cracking down on driving violations in the 14 towns the office oversees. Officers will be especially diligent during commuting hours. Visit today's Portland Press Herald dispatches for more on this report.

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THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT ORONO IS LOOKING TO BECOME TOBACCO-FREE.The state's flagship campus already bans smoking in buildings and does not permit the sale of tobacco.

Now, it's asking faculty, staff and students to suggest changes in smoking policy en route to a tobacco-free future. UMaine hopes to announce next fall that the campus is moving to become tobacco-free and to have its new policy in effect one year later.

Dean of Students Robert Dana is uncertain whether the campus would become completely smoke-free or include a limited number of designated smoking areas.

While there are signs outside university buildings that designate smoke-free zones within 20 feet of doorways, many smokers ignore those restrictions.

Dana said the university's plan shouldn't be considered an infringement on the rights of smokers, but rather as a public health campaign designed to save the system money and improve the health of those on campus.

"The university is sensitive and mindful that people who smoke are struggling with that and that we don't want to be arrogant or pushy," Dana said. "We want people to get to a place where people can feel free of this."

IN 1980, THE BEATEN BODY OF A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT was found a few hundred yards from Schenck High School in northern Maine. Her murder was never solved.

Now, a new effort is under way in Medway and East Millinocket to solve Joyce McLain's killing. McLain was a 16-year-old sophomore when she was last seen jogging at night on August 8, 1980. No one was ever arrested.

Still desiring to solve the case, Joyce's mother, Pamela McLain, wants the girl's body exhumed and sent to an independent medical examiner in New York. She hopes there may be some evidence police didn't find in their initial autopsy.

However, the cost of the work, which could exceed $10,000, will be up to the family. The state Attorney General's office denied McLain's request for exhumation saying investigators have already collected all necessary evidence from the body.

HIKING IN ACADIA NATIONAL PARK ANYTIME SOON? You should know that some trails have been closed to visitors to protect peregrine falcon nesting sites nearby.

The move comes after peregrine falcons were observed defending nesting territories and engaging in breeding behavior at the Precipice, Valley Cove and Beech Cliffs.

The closure at the Precipice includes the popular Precipice and East Face Trails along the east face of Champlain Mountain. The trails will reopen when biologists determine that human activities will not disturb the young birds.

Mount Desert Island has been a focus of the peregine falcon recovery program in New England, with about 80 fledgings reported over the past 17 years. (AP)

A HOME IN SANFORD WAS DAMAGED BY FIRE last night. The home at 12 Tall Pines Road was burning with heavy smoke and fire when fire crews arrived around 6 p.m.

The occupants were home at the time but escaped safely. The house was heavily damaged, but no dollar figures were available first thing this morning.

Crews from Alfred, Acton, Lebanon and Wells assisted Sanford in the call.

STATE AND AUGUSTA POLICE SAY THE DEATH OF A 60-YEAR-OLD woman, found in her Augusta apartment, is suspicious.

Naomi Buzzell was found by Augusta police inside her second floor apartment at 625 South Belfast Ave. about 4 p.m. yesterday.

Augusta police then notified State Police and the two agencies jointly investigated the death through the night and determined there is reason to believe the death is suspicious. The four-unit apartment house is located within a half-mile of the Augusta landfill.

THE PORTLAND WOMAN ACCUSED OF KILLING HER HUSBAND during an early Tuesday morning domestic dispute, makes her first court appearance today.

Laureen Rugen, 50, is being held without bail Tuesday at the Cumberland County Jail.

Portland Police Chief Tim Burton said Rugen killed her husband, 61-year-old
Chris Rugen, after a domestic dispute that began Monday evening in the
couple’s suburban Portland home. Laureen Rugen called police at 1:30 a.m. to
request medical help for her husband, and she was taken into custody after
police and medical technicians found him dead.

Click here for the full report in today's Portland Press Herald.

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IN SOUTH PORTLAND AT 1 P.M. Gov. John Baldacci will hold a ceremony at the Maine Military Museum, 513 Broadway, to present silver star medals to Maine Prisoners of War (POWs)

This is the first such ceremony to honor Maine's POWs.

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