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 61 and foggy in downtown Portland.

Thunderstorms and rain finally moved through the area late last night. So late, that people who have to get up really early in the morning...ahem...never heard them. Either way, they have moved on, leaving some foggy, drizzle and cooler temps in their wake. The haze, though, will clear out by morning, leaving us with a partly sunny and much drier day than the ones we've been having.

From Bill in Rockland: At 5:30 a.m., it's gray and grayer in Rockland. 53 degrees, calm, overcast and foggy. Sort of soggy again today.
From James in Cape Elizabeth: Yesterday was not nearly what we expected, thanks to the sea breeze that kicked in mid-morning. Currently, it is 56 and cloudy/foggy here in Cape Elizabeth. We also had 0.13" of rain overnight.
From Shawn in Yarmouth: That was some strong thunderstorm activity last night! This morning, it is a gray day out there, no wind and 60 degrees. I am not sure how much rain we got, but it is greening up nicely and my small vegetable garden is looking happy!

ON THE ROAD:

• Holmes Road in Scarborough, between Payne Road and Beech Ridge Road is closed from now until June 24, with only local traffic approved for travel.

The Scarborough Public Works Department is closing the road as it works to improve travel conditions there. You will have to seek alternative routes if this is part of your travel plans.

Click this Downloadable pdf file for a map of recommended detours.

ON THE OCEAN:

Casco Bay is still today, shrouded in fog this early morning, with improving conditions through the day.

Southwest winds blow around 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet, subsiding to 1 to 2 after midnight.

High tide at 6:07 a.m. and returns at 6:44 p.m. Low tide was just around midnight and will be again at 12:22 p.m.

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YORK COUNTY — In the race for York County Judge of Probate, Donna Bailey is the clear winner, with 6,258 votes (64 percent) over Robert M.A. Nadeau's 3,494 votes (36 percent).

This was the second time Bailey has challenged Nadeau, the three-term incumbent, for the job.

Last time, in 2004, it was a primary race where Bailey lost to Nadeau. After the race, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court found Nadeau had violated the Maine Code of Judicial Conduct with a misleading advertisement about Bailey.

Nadeau, who last year filed for bankruptcy, was reprimanded by the state's highest court in 2006 for an affair with a divorce client, and disciplined in 2004 for overstepping his authority in changing the salary structure of probate staff. He was ordered to pay $27,500 in disputed fees to former law partners in 2005.

''I hope and I believe that people are able to separate out my work as a judge from personal problems that I have unfortunately experienced,'' he said in an interview before the election. ''I've moved on and I think I've done a really good job as a judge.''

Voters, it seemed, were also ready to move on also with Bailey coming out the clear winner, with 492 of 615 (80 %) of precincts reported statewide (information provided by the Bangor Daily News).

There was no Republican challenger in yesterday's race.

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ELIOT — Voters in Eliot approved two new ordinances permitting wind and solar energy systems in town.

The solar ordinance passed 852 to 158 and the wind ordinance passed 831 to 183.

The two ordinances will permit small wind and solar energy systems, and will allow the town to regulate them to make sure they’re installed and operated safely. The town’s energy commission believes they will send a statement that alternative power systems are welcome in town.

The ordinances spell out regulations such as setbacks and height limitations.

Eliot is now among the first communities in the state to pass an ordinance that specifically addresses these kinds of systems, according to Michael Starn, spokesman for the Maine Municipal Association.

Also in Eliot, incumbent Gary Sinden and Arnold Paul were elected to the Board of Selectmen.

Sinden, Paul and Richard Norek ran for two three-year seats on the board. Sinden received 540 votes, followed by Paul with 498 votes. Norek received 277 votes.

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KENNEBUNK — Voters here will have to wait just a little longer to know the results of the local elections, as problems with the voting machines made tallying a troublesome matter last night. As of 10:30 p.m., there were no results to be had. At 8:30 a.m., there were still no official results available.

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Pressherald.com will be bringing you updated results on the elections in Maine, including the one above. Clicking on either of the pictures will link you to the most recent results in the 1st Congressional District Primary Race. As of 9 a.m., 85 percent of the precincts were reporting, putting Democrat Chellie Pingree on top with 19,545 votes (44 percent) and Republican Charlie Summers in for sure with 16,162 votes (60 percent).

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LEWISTON (AP) _ A 44-year-old Lewiston man is listed in serious condition at Central Maine Medical Center with a head wound after being beaten with an ice chopper.

Lewiston police say the attack took place Monday night and that Gary St. Hilaire may have been lured outside a Walnut Street bar by an individual or group who wanted to rob him.

Investigators said they had developed leads and were interviewing potential witnesses.

It was unclear where the ice chopper came from or why it was used to attack St. Hilaire. The implement is a long pole with a rigid section of metal at the end that's used to break up ice.

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WORLDWIDE — Despite a dip downward Tuesday, oil prices are likely heading back up into the record-breaking ranges today, while traders await better readings on U.S. oil supply and demand, according to Associated Press reports.

Investors, as well as the American public, have been concerned about oil prices, which rose above $133 a barrel in premarket trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

That breach above the $133-a-barrel cost came after the numbers sank $3.04 to $131.31 a barrel Tuesday, prompted by a recovery in the dollar and prospects of slower demand after the U.S. government slashed its oil consumption projections.

It's not the worst we've seen yet. The $139-a-barrel mark was hit last week.

More will be known today after 10:30 a.m. when the Energy Department data on oil inventories releases its weekly report, which frequently offers clues about U.S. energy demand.

What all this means to you, fellow Americans, is that gas prices will undoubtedly march further into record territory this day, with a new record national average of $4.052 expected, according to a survey of stations by AAA and the Oil Price Information Service.

Personally, I'm glad I have a horse, whom I think I'll start using soon to get around. I can buy a whole lot of carrots for $4.052.

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MILLINOCKET (AP) — Investigators are awaiting an electrical inspector's report as they try to pinpoint the cause of a weekend fire at a mobile home in Millinocket that killed a 41-year-old woman.

The body of Constance Clayton-Willcoxen was found Sunday morning in her trailer that was gutted by flames.

Investigators say the inspector's report should help determine whether an electrical defect caused the fire.

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