Welcome to the Sunrise Herald with Giselle Goodman, the place to go to get the news from overnight and onward...
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IN THE WEATHER:

At 9 a.m., it was 28 degrees in downtown Portland.

Surprising snow showers overnight make for tricky and unexpectedly miserable driving conditions this morning.

But we are supposed to see a break in the precipitation anyway. Afternoon highs should reach the freezing mark, or maybe even a bit above, which could help with road cleanup. The wind picks up throughout the day and by tomorrow, it will be gusty and cold.

THE SUNRISE HERALD WEATHER WATCHERS REPORT:

Bill in Rockland says:A very light snow continues to fall at 5:40 this morning. The negligible wind is from the southwest and the temperature is 20 degrees. Not much accumulation here, certainly not more than an inch or so on my kitchen stoop, but under the snow cover, it seems to be pretty slippery.

James in Cape Elizabeth says: A nice (?) crusty snowfall yesterday has yielded fresh frosting on the landscape. About 4 this morning it started to come down again but only a dusting and we are now precipitation free!. We received 4+" total and it is currently frosty 25 with light NE winds a-blowing. Haven't seen what is coming for the weekend yet. I just hope it isn't the equivalent of the 6+" of rain that Northern Alabama got Tuesday!! Have a great day and we will report again tomorrow!

Mark in Brunswick says: A little more snow and sleet last night, bringing our storm total to between 3 and 5 inches. Right now, it's a cloudy sky with 26 degrees.

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ON THE ROAD:

• SPEED RESTRICTIONS were lifted on the Maine Turnpike at 8:10 a.m. You can now go 65 mph instead of the 45 mph it's been all morning. Normal speeds have returned to I-295 speed as well.

Regardless, try not to be in a hurry today.

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ON THE OCEAN:

A gale warning is in effect through this afternoon, with westerly winds blowing 15 to 20 knots and gusting up to 40 knots. Seas swell at 4 to 7 feet. A chance of snow showers until late afternoon.

High tide in Portland: 7:43 a.m. and 8:31 p.m. Low tide: 2:17 p.m.

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IN THE NEWS:

SANFORD (AP) -- This interior York County town is only the eighth largest community in Maine, but in terms of home foreclosures, it ranks No. 1.

The state Office of Community Development says Sanford saw 65 foreclosures between September 2007 and November 2008. That compares to 44 in Lewiston, Maine's second-largest city, and 28 in Portland, the largest.

Real estate agent Teri Woods says she's not surprised at the high foreclosure rate in Sanford. Woods cited its rural character, high unemployment, low incomes and high taxes.

Sanford, like other communities, is getting some help. Mike Baran of the Office of Community Development says the town is receiving $19.6 million in federal assistance that will be used primarily for the purchase, renovation and resale of foreclosed homes.

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PORTLAND -- The Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine invites the public to join in a community service this evening for peace and solidarity with Israel.

The service will include speeches from many community leaders, with a keynote address made by Deputy Consul General Rony Yedida. Yedida will speak on the current situation in Israel and Gaza and will answer any questions.

The free event is at 6 p.m. at the Temple Beth El, 400 Deering Ave. All are welcome.

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PORTLAND -- Six families were displaced from their homes this morning when a fire broke out in an attic at an apartment complex on Cumberland Avenue.

When firefighters arrived at the scene shortly after 3 a.m., they found flames coming from the third floor of the building, which houses two addresses - 160 and 162.

By 5 a.m., it was out (which is when I took the the photo at right) but fire officials were still on the scene investigating.

Jason Cote, who lives on the 162 side of the complex, said there are three units on each side of the building. He was not aware of the fire until firefighters were on scene.

"It didn't wake me up or nothing. I woke up all on my own. I just smelled something," said Cote.

Although Cote was instructed to wait for the OK from the fire chief before going into his first floor apartment, he said he was already making other plans.

"My parents live a little ways down the road," he said. "As soon as I get my keys and lock the door, that's where I'm going."

Cote did not know the families on the other side of the complex.

However, they all were evacuated, say officials, and there were no injuries reported.

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WELLS -- At least one person was injured in another fire during the overnight hours - this one in Wells at 42 Harbor Road.

Fire trucks arrived around 1:30 a.m. to find heavy smoke coming from a room of the apartment complex.

Although the fire was contained to a room and its contents, one person was seriously injured, said a fire dispatcher this morning.

However, it is unclear who or how badly that person was burned. More details are expected later, when the fire chief returns to the station.

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FROM OUR NEWS PARTNERS:

• The Bangor Daily News today is reporting Randall Hofland, the man from Searsport accused of taking children hostage at a school in Stockton Springs, pleaded not guilty in Waldo County Superior Court in Belfast yesterday. The Bangor Daily News has a full report which can be read by clicking this link.

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COMING UP:

IN PORTLAND -- Would you like a personal autograph with your coffee and doughnut?

That will cost you one pint of blood.

Today in Portland is the annual "Give a Pint, Get a Pound" campaign, where Dunkin Donuts and the American Red Cross will offer a free pound of coffee to anyone who donates a pint of blood today from noon to 7 p.m.

Blood donations can be made at the American Red Cross Blood Center at 524 Forest Ave. today.

And, to make the event more special, players from the Portland Pirates (athletes who know all about losing blood) will be signing autographs from 3 to 5 p.m.

Of course as you give, you can also get, with free donuts and coffee throughout the event.

Last year's campaign resulted in 6,568 units of blood donated.

If you miss today, there will be another chance. Other "give a pint" opportunities will be held Jan. 16 in Wells, Jan. 20 in Brewer, and Jan. 28 in Thomaston.

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IN AUGUSTA -- C is for cookie, and that's good enough for ... Gov. John Baldacci!

In keeping with tradition the governor will buy the first box of Girl Scout cookies as a kick-off for the annual sale.

The governor will meet with a number of Girl Scout Daisies (grades K-1) who have been chosen to represent Girl Scouts statewide.

This is the first year the Daisies, the littlest scouts, will participate in the sale, which runs from Jan. 10 through April 12.

Want to know what Gov. Baldacci will order? Will it be the all-time favorite, Thin Mints, or the standard Shortbread (known by former Girl Scouts, yours truly, as Trefoils)? You'll have to wait until 3:30 p.m. to find out.

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