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 gray (with the sun making a brief appearance) and 59 degrees in downtown Portland.

This really is the problem with June in Maine: Once it starts raining, it can't seem to stop. Mostly cloudy, gray and rainy is what you can expect today. And tomorrow. And the next day. Rain, or gray clouds with heavy, moist air. Maybe the sun will peek around the clouds every now and then. Cool, with temperatures staying in the low 60s.

From Bill in Rockland: A steady rain is falling in Rockland at 5:35 a.m. A slight breeze makes it seem a little chillier than the already less than balmy 52 degrees. At least I don't have to water the garden.
From James in Cape Elizabeth: Cape Elizabeth is showing 57 at 6:15 with scattered clouds and I *DO* see blue sky. We also measured 0.38" rain yesterday.
From Shawn in Yarmouth: It is Tuesday morning and it is 60 degrees. A much brighter day than yesterday, but the sky is still covered in fluffy clouds, no wind.
From Mark in Brunswick: Looking out the window, it looks like looking into a mirror of yesterday. Clouds are threatening showers and we have 59 degrees.

ON THE ROAD:• Work on I-295 continues today which means a full closure of I-295 southbound between Gardiner and Topsham.

During the $28.5 million reconstruction project, scheduled to take about 10 weeks, the Department of Transportation will redirect traffic onto state Route 201 or the Maine Turnpike. The turnpike, which is also undergoing some repairs, will not close down any southbound lanes during daytime hours and only one of the two southbound lanes during the evening, as necessary. Read the latest story by clicking here.

WANTED: TRAFFIC REPORTERS. NO HELICOPTER REQUIRED.

The Sunrise Herald would like to publish first-hand reports from motorists forced to take the scenic route now that I-295 is closed.

If you’re caught up in the 18-mile detour, which is expected to add 15 minutes to a southbound trip using Route 201, let us know how it goes by contacting me by phone at 791-6382, or by email at: ggoodman@pressherald.com

ON THE OCEAN:

Same as yesterday on Casco Bay: A southern winds blows 5 to 10. Seas 1 to 2 feet. Patchy fog this morning, then chance of showers through throughout the day. Even a slight chance of a thundershower. Visibility one to three nautical miles.

High tide at 11:24 a.m. and again at 11:21 p.m. Low tide was around 5:12 a.m. and will be low again at 5:08 p.m.

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(UPDATED @ 8:15 a.m.) NEW GLOUCESTER — State police were at 57 Dermot Drive all night, trying to coax a man from his house.

Police were called to the house just before midnight last night, after a woman reported she was the victim of an assault.

When police arrived, they found Dennis Voter, 47, had barricaded himself in the house and refused to come out. He finally emeerged around 6 a.m. today and was promptly arrested, charged with criminal threatening, domestic violence and domestic violence assault.

Voter is being held at the Cumberland County Jail.

Police say no weapons were fired or found on Voter.

Scene of last night's standoff in New Gloucester

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AUBURN, Maine (AP) _ More than 150 friends and relatives of last week's stabbing victim in Auburn gathered last night at the spot where 26-year-old Casey Stanley died.

Many of those who came together behind the local market where Stanley was attacked held incense sticks. Some remembered Stanley, who had been homeless, as a kind person who would help anyone.

Police are questioning a Lewiston couple in connection with Stanley's death.

Twenty-eight-year-old Ryan Muncey and 25-year-old Alisha Turner are being held at a jail in Ullin, Ill., after being taken into custody during the weekend.

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ROCKLAND — A Maine police officer narrowly avoided being stuck with a hypodermic needle during a scuffle with a man who was caught in the act of using heroin during a drug bust.

Jim Pease of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency says the officer noticed after arresting 36-year-old Douglas Wade that a needle was stuck in his gun belt. Pease says it's unclear whether the officer was assaulted with the needle or whether it got stuck in his belt inadvertently while the suspect was resisting arrest.

Either way, Wade was arrested along with his partner, 44-year-old Tamra McNeil, both of Rockland. They were charged with aggravated trafficking of cocaine and heroin. Pease says agents seized eight grams of heroin and nine grams of cocaine with a street value of about $11,000.

Police arrived with a search warrant yesterday morning after an investigation revealed the couple had been going to Massachusetts weekly to get heroin and cocaine for their own use and for resale.

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ATLANTA (AP) — A former University of Maine football player gone pro is now also in trouble with the law.

Atlanta Falcons reserve safety Daren Stone was arrested Sunday for drunk driving. Stone was a sixth round draft pick in 2007.

Stone, 22, appeared in 12 games for the Falcons last year and was credited with nine solo tackles. He was released from the Atlanta City Jail late Sunday afternoon on bonds totaling almost $1,600.

Falcons spokesman Reggie Roberts declined comment to The Associated Press.

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BANGOR (AP) — There's bears in "dem dere" woods!

And Craig McDonald found out the hard way.

While biking along in the 680-acre Bangor City Forest, McDonald and his two dogs came upon a mother black bear and its cubs Saturday morning. His intrusion prompted the startled bear to take a swipe at him. McDonald says he kept the bike between him and the bears, and the mother bear retreated after bellowing at him a few more times.

Bangor Parks and Recreation Director Tracy Willette says bears are seen "from time to time" in the City Forest, as are moose, coyotes and other wildlife.
He says it is, as its name implies, a "forest." Nonetheless, Willette says he's considering posting more signs to warn people to be aware of wildlife.

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FREEPORT — A small blaze in the retail store at L.L. Bean's flagship store called firefighters to the business at 95 Main St. around midnight.

There is little information available at this early hour. However, the fire was quickly put out and contained, says a police dispatcher.

A representative at L.L. Bean's customer service line in Portland did not have any information about the fire but said the store should be open today, regardless.

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FREEPORT — A big, pretty boat sails into South Freeport today around noontime, offering free rides to Freeport High School Students tomorrow.

The Spirit of Massachusetts, a two-masted Ocean Classroom Foundation schooner, will arrive in Harraseeket Harbor sometime today.

The approximately four-hour sail for high school students Wednesday is free of charge and open to students who might be interested in the educational foundation’s programs, which include a high school term at sea, according to Dick Merrick, spokesman for Ocean Classroom.

The next SEAmester, a four-month trip to Central America and the Caribbean islands, begins Feb. 1. Tuition, which covers everything from room and board to academic courses ranging from science to history and literature, as well as lessons in seamanship, is $19,500, said Ocean Classroom’s executive director, Jeff Parsons. Scholarship help is available, he said.

The Spirit of Massachusetts arrives about noon today and will dock at the Harraseeket Yacht Club, Merrick said. Tours of the 125-foot wooden schooner will be offered from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Merrick said those interested in a tour should contact the yacht club.

After the day sail for students, the vessel will anchor out to watch yacht club races and the setting sun. The schooner will sail to Boothbay on Thursday.

Freeport High School students interested in the day sail should contact Jan Newlin at 865-9222. For more information on the Boothbay-based Ocean Classroom Foundation, visit www.oceanclassroom.org or call 633-2750. Since it was founded in 1996, the organization has served more than 12,000 students.

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