WESTBROOK

Five arrested in separate drug busts early Saturday

Police arrested five people on drug charges in two separate incidents Saturday morning.

In the first incident, police said they were called to the Super 8 Motel on Larrabee Road for a report of suspicious people about 3:20 a.m. Police said three people were trespassing in a room and officers found crack cocaine and marijuana, along with weighing scales and about $2,000 in cash.

Michael D. Stokes, 20, Isaiah L. Williams, 20, and Robert Rayford, 22, all of Philadelphia, were arrested on drug trafficking charges. All three were being held at the Cumblerland County Jail in Portland.

In the second incident, police stopped a vehicle on suspicion of illegal drug activity and allegedly found 42 marijuana plants.

Joshua Randall, 31, of Buxton was arrested on charges of cultivating marijuana.

As a result of Randall’s arrest, police said they went to an apartment on Seavey Street, where they found 75 marijuana plants. Robert Mooers, 41, of Westbrook, was arrested on charges with cultivating marijuana.

PORTLAND

Motorists urged to avoid construction on I-295 north

Maine state police urged motorists to seek alternate routes to northbound Interstate 295 between Portland and the Royal River Bridge in Yarmouth this weekend and next.

Police Sgt. Cathy Roope said traffic backed up for at least six miles between Exits 7 and 16 on Saturday due to lane closures from construction.

She said some impatient drivers were making risky U-turns in the median rather than wait in traffic.

The lane closure, which was announced several days ago, is necessary due to bridge work and paving.

It went into effect Friday evening and will continue until noon Monday. The weekend lane closure will be repeated next Friday through Monday, Aug. 2, if weather conditions allow.

RANGELEY

Paddlers gathering to mark group’s 10-year anniversary

Hundreds of paddling and outdoors enthusiasts are in western Maine this weekend to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail Inc.

Canoe and kayak outings, a paddling competition and fireworks were planned for Saturday and today at the Northern Forest Canoe Trail paddlers rendezvous in Rangeley.

The National Forest Canoe Trail Inc. created and manages the 740-mile water trail of the same name. The trail, which opened in 2006, stretches from Old Forge, N.Y., to Fort Kent, Maine.

The trail follows American Indian paddling routes over lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and portage trails in New York, Vermont, southern Quebec, New Hampshire and Maine.

ROCKLAND

More than 600 bicyclists ride in annual fundraiser

More than 600 bicycle riders rode along Maine’s midcoast for the ninth annual Maine Lobster Ride & Roll.

Saturday’s ride was the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s largest fundraising event, with proceeds going to support the group’s work to improve bicycling in Maine.

The event started in Rockland and had four rides ranging from 16 to 100 miles.