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

IN THE WEATHER

At 8 a.m., it was 40 degrees with high, thin clouds in downtown Portland.

The best was saved for last. This last weekday of our warming trend will be the
cherry on top of the sundae: Temperatures soar into the 70s, a light breeze keeps the air moving and the sun will be out (once these thin high clouds burn off). There will be a nippy sea breeze right along the coast, though, so bring a light jacket when you take your beach walk.

From Bill in ROCKLAND:: We finally stayed above freezing last night. 38 in Rockland this morning and calm. Some low-lying thin clouds appear to be moving off to the west. Still nippy, but not downright cold.
From Shawn in YARMOUTH: At 6:30 this morning, it is 38 degrees, high wispy clouds and blue sky, no wind. Another pretty morning. A day to spend outside if at all possible! Sadly, I will be in my little cubicle where I can't even see a window. Maybe a long lunch and a walk after work.
From Mark in BRUNSWICK: 38 degrees and clear skies. I was on the road yesterday in southern Aroostook County where there is plenty of snow still, and saw snowmobilers riding in t-shirts. On the way home, the first bug of the season smooshed into my windshield.
From Karen in STEEP FALLS:What a beautiful morning! Bright blue skies and not a cloud to be seen. Temp sits at 31 at 7:30am. Very light frost this morning too. I can't wait for this afternoon! Happy Friday!!

ON THE ROAD:

• Passing lane closures on both the north and south sides between mile 38 in Saco and Exit 53 in Falmouth are expected today until 3 p.m. for road work, guardrail repairs and sweeping.

ON THE OCEAN:

A storm out at sea that's dumping rain down on the ocean makes for a small craft advisory today in Casco Bay. Although the northeast winds blow about 15 knots, seas will be swelling up to 5 feet.

High tide today in Portland at 10:48 a.m. and 11:04 p.m. Tide is lowest 4:51 p.m.

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THE MAN WHO WAS HEADING UP THE CASINO CAMPAIGN in Oxford County is stepping down.

Seth Carey of Rumford announced his resignation yesterday, citing unspecified legal matters that he said could become a distraction.

Carey also says he has resigned as president of Evergreen Mountain Enterprises, the corporation he founded to own and operate the casino if it wins voter approval in November.

Carey's resignation was reported by the Sun Journal in Lewiston, which said it learned that Carey had been issued a summons for assault for an incident in early March. Carey is also the subject of an ethics complaint under review by the Maine Overseers of the Bar.

Casino campaign spokeswoman Pat LaMarche says the campaign will continue under new leadership. (AP)

THIS CURSE IS TURNING OUT TO BE A REAL BLESSING.

The David Ortiz jersey that was buried under the New York Yankees’ new stadium by a Boston fan trying to curse its American League rival is being auctioned off by the Boston Red Sox’s official charity, the Jimmy Fund. And so far it seems there are some eager bidders.

The mangled, dirty shirt went up on eBay Inc., yesterday, at 9:30 a.m.

At 6:30 a.m. today, less than 24 hours after the bidding opened at $500, the shirt was already fetching $30,201. That is not a typo. $30,201!

And there are still six days left to bid. All this is good news for the Jimmy Fund, the children’s cancer charity affiliated with Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, which gets the money in the end.

The jersey began its journey to greatness when construction worker Gino Castignoli dropped it in the wet concrete of the new Yankees stadium, apparently hoping to jinx the arch rival Yankees. Anonymous tipsters led the Yankees to the jersey’s location, where it was dug up Sunday.

A MAN WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL with head injuries late last night after the motorcycle he was operating crashed on South Freeport Road.

Police say the cause is unknown as there were no apparent skid marks. The man had not been identified early today.

The accident, which occurred near Cushing Briggs Road, was reported at about 10 p.m.

GOV. JOHN BALDACCI GOT PLENTY OF PRACTICE writing his name yesterday as he signed his approval to a number of bills that now become law. They include:
   •L.D. 2313, An Act to Keep Bridges Safe. This measure invests an additional $160 million over four years in bridge construction and preservation, supplementing the current bridge funding of approximately $70 million per year. Our full report can be found by clicking here.

   •LD 1697, An Act To Ensure Fair Wages. The bill raises the minimum wage from the current $7 an hour to $7.25 on Oct. 1, 2008. On Oct. 1, 2009, the minimum wage will increase to $7.50 an hour.

   •LD 2309, An Act to Enhance the Security of State Credentials. Otherwise know as license changes that coincide with the federal "Real ID" initiative. For more on this bill, visit Paul Carrier's Portland Press Herald report.

Later today Baldacci is expected to sign:
   • LD 2283, "An Act to Implement Recommendations of the Governor's Task Force on Wind Power Development".

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AT NOON TODAY IN LEWISTON: Seven school systems will be honored today after receiving high marks for efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Being honored Friday by the Department of Environmental Protection as green leaders include Lewiston, Bath, Farmington, Thorndike, Vinalhaven, Rockland and Raymond school systems. An award ceremony is being held at noon today at Lewiston High School.

The schools are the first in the state to complete a baseline assessment of their greenhouse gas emissions.

The voluntary project is intended to pave the way for energy efficiency measures that can cut energy costs and reduce emissions that contribute to climate change.

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