PORTLAND

Study: Homeless women victims of sexual assault

More than half of the homeless women in Portland once experienced domestic violence, a recently released report shows, and 44 percent have experienced sexual assault since becoming homeless.

The statistics are included in a report released by Preble Street, the nonprofit agency serving poor people in the city. Preble Street commissioned the report as part of its analysis of factors unique to homelessness among women.

The agency is developing programming for Florence House, a facility that will provide housing for 50 homeless women in the same way Logan Place does for men. It's expected to open in January.

The agency found that Logan Place, with housing for 30 chronically homeless men, contributed to a significant drop in homelessness, and leaders hope Florence House will have a similar impact.

The study, conducted by University of New England professor Thomas Chalmers, surveyed 40 homeless women in the city to determine how best to intervene.

"Having this hard data has motivated us – compelled us – to make sure we have appropriate services and partnerships at Florence House to meet complex needs and offer every woman safety and respect and hope," said Mark Swann, executive director of Preble Street.

Businesswoman launches candidacy for Blaine House

A Portland businesswoman formally announced Monday that she is a candidate for governor.

Rosa Scarcelli, 39, said in a statement that she would run as a Democrat, and she has filed candidacy papers with the state. Scarcelli is the owner and chief executive officer of Stanford Management, a firm that manages affordable-housing properties.

"The Democrats running for governor are all good people with the best intentions," she said. "But they are all veterans of Augusta. They've had their chance and now it's time for a change. We need new faces, fresh ideas and an outside perspective if we're going to get this economy moving and put Maine people back to work."

Scarcelli, a Wilton native, attended the University of Maine and graduated from Bowdoin College.

Stanford Management's housing portfolio across Maine, Mississippi, Pennsylvania and Connecticut is valued at $250 million. Stanford owns two-thirds of the portfolio and manages the rest for third parties. The company employs 100 people in Maine, Scarcelli said.

Scarcelli lives in Portland with her husband, Thom, and their three children.

WESTBROOK

Sex offender charged with unlawful sexual contact

A convicted sex offender who lives in Portland was taken into custody Sunday after he allegedly had unlawful sexual contact with a 3-year-old in Westbrook.

Daniel M. Swanciger, 43, made his initial court appearance Monday. He was being held at Cumberland County Jail on $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 in property.

Westbrook Police Chief William Baker said the incident was reported to police by the victim’s mother.

Swanciger is charged with unlawful sexual contact, a felony. He was also wanted on a warrant out of Saco for failing to comply with the sex offender registry act.

NAPLES

Motorist, cruiser collide; injuries not seen as serious

A collision between an unmarked Cumberland County sheriff's cruiser and a Maryland motorist Monday afternoon on Route 302 sent two people to the hospital.

Sgt. Paul Thorpe was headed west in the unmarked Ford at 1:30 p.m. when a Ford sedan driven by Lawrence McHugh pulled into traffic from the Tony's Food Land shopping plaza, according to a release from the sheriff's office.

Thorpe and McHugh were taken to Bridgton Hospital, but neither appeared to have serious injuries, the sheriff's office said.

Eastbound traffic on Route 302 was shut down for...