June 03, 2008
At 9 a.m., it was partly cloudy and 64 degrees in downtown Portland.

A day much like yesterday in the works, with clouds and shower and thunderstorm activity the further north and west you go. For Portlanders and parts south, showers, even a thunderstorm, are likely. But mostly it will be a gorgeous warm day with big puffy clouds to watch and make shapes out of. But not while driving, of course.

Highs in the 70s.

From Mark in BRUNSWICK: Cloudy skies overhead, but there are a few rays of sun poking through at 5:15 this morning. It's a mild 51 degrees with a still wind in Brunswick.
From Bill in ROCKLAND: At 5:30 a.m., Rockland is at 50 degrees under a partially overcast sky. Though it's pretty calm on the ground, the cloud cover is moving aloft to expose intermittent patches of blue.
From James in CAPE ELIZABETH: Here in Cape Elizabeth this morning, it was 48 at 5:45 with a milky sky. It looks like the sun is breaking through.
From Shawn in YARMOUTH: This morning in Yarmouth, it is 50 degrees with a bright blue sky and no wind to speak of. Another pretty morning.
From Karen in STEEP FALLS: Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! The sun is bright and the sky is blue! The temperature is 57 at 7:30 a.m. What a great week so far!

ON THE ROAD:

• The off-ramp at I-295 exit 22 (Mallett Drive) is closed again today as work continues in Freeport.

The ramp will be closed until June 6, and then again on June 16 through 20.

Message boards will redirect traffic to I-295 exit 20 (Desert Road). During this ramp closure, two-way traffic will be maintained on Main Street and Mallett Drive.

ON THE OCEAN:

A southwest wind blows a gentle 5 to 10 knots in Casco Bay today, with seas at 2 to 3 feet. Again, a slight chance of showers, especially downeast.

High tides at 11:11 (make a wish!) a.m. and 11:20 p.m. Low tide was at 4:57 a.m. and will return at 5:04 p.m.

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LEWISTON — The woman injured in a fatal car accident on I-95 yesterday, is still in critical condition this morning, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Shannon Casey, a 32-year-old nursing student at the University of Southern Maine, was badly injured when a car driven the wrong way slammed head-on into her vehicle.

The driver of that car, Jeffrey Blais, was killed when his car landed near some woods and burst into flames.

Casey was taken to Central Maine Medical Center in critical condition. At 8:30 a.m., a hospital spokesperson said she was still considered critical, an American Hospital Association term for someone whose "vital signs are unstable and not not within normal limits. Patient may be unconscious. Indicators are unfavorable."

Police are still trying to determine whether Blais intentionally drove the wrong way on the highway. This link will bring you to David Hench's compelling story on the accident in today's Portland Press Herald: Head-on accident on I-95 kills man

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AUGUSTA (AP) — The state-sponsored Dirigo Health program has saved the Maine health care system more than $190 million, according the the Dirigo Health Agency, which released its figures Monday.

Dirigo executive director Karynlee Harrington says figures for Dirigo's fourth year show that Mainers spend about $8 billion a year for health care, and Dirigo reforms exert downward pressure on further growth of those costs. Harrington says Dirigo is saving money for Maine consumers.

The figures will be reviewed by the Dirigo Health Board of Trustees at a hearing starting July 22, and then by the state insurance superintendent.

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BIDDEFORD — The city hosts a press conference at 2:30 p.m. today to announce the beginning of the Mill District Redevelopment Master Plan Project.

The mills, once Biddeford's driving force, are all but empty now. The area has been in flux for years.

But today, city officials and representatives from Crosby|Schlessinger|Smallridge LLC, (the firm selected by the city to prepare the master plan) will describe the project process and answer questions.

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THE MAINE TURNPIKE — Don't be alarmed today if you see a number of police and trucks pulled over to the side of the road or at the weighing stations in Kittery and York.

It's all part of Roadcheck 2008, sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and carried out by the Maine State Police, promoting "the safety and security on North American highways through the inspection of commercial vehicles and the men and women who drive them."

Roadcheck 2008 also will emphasize enforcement of Maine's seat belt laws, as well as the federal requirement that commercial truck drivers wear their seat belts.

The checks begin at 7 a.m. today.

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OWL'S HEAD — Even wondered what it was like to drive a car, before cars ruled the road?

The Owls Head Transportation Museum will be offering a Model T Driving Class today from 6 to 7:30 p.m., which will include an overview of the history of the Model T, how its engine and transmission operate followed by some limited hands-on instruction.

A second class—a training session—will be scheduled for those participants who would like to become volunteer Model T drivers at the Museum.

To participate, you must be between 18 and 70-years-old and have a valid drivers license. The class is free, but enrollment is limited. So call 594-4418 right away if you're interested.

Photo courtesy Owls Head Transportation Museum.
Riders get a thrill giving a Model T Ford a spin at the museum.

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