AUGUSTA

Traffic blocked, chemical spilled in I-95 tanker crash

Traffic was flowing normally again Saturday on Interstate 95 between the Bond Brook overpass and Exit 112 in Augusta following a tanker crash early Friday.

The truck, which was hauling 3,800 gallons of Nopcote, a finishing agent used in papermaking, overturned about 2 a.m. Friday and spilled about 400 gallons of the chemical into a ditch that feeds Bond Brook.

State environmental officials worked to contain the spill, but an unknown amount did make its way into the stream.

Traffic continued to be backed up on the interstate Friday evening, but all lanes were open Saturday with no delays.

PORTSMOUTH, N.H.

Recent seal deaths seen as similar to event 30 years ago

As authorities wait for answers in the deaths of dozens of seals found on beaches in New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts, there’s been discussion about a similar event that happened from 1979 to 1980.

Marine biologist Scott Mercer of York, Maine, told the Portsmouth Herald that many dead seals that washed ashore at the time had a strain of avian (bird) flu.

A spokesman for the New England Aquarium in Boston said there’s no information showing that bird flu could be to blame for the 49 seal deaths recently reported in the three states.

Tony LaCasse said only pups are dying this year, which was not the case 30 years ago.

He said it will likely be late this week before results are in on necropsies performed on the animals.

BANGOR

Waterville woman arrested after 30-mile police chase

A Waterville woman has been charged with reckless conduct and other crimes after police say she eluded them on a car chase from Newport to Bangor, about 30 miles.

Courtney Quinn, 35, has been jailed on $25,000 bail.

A Maine state trooper said Quinn’s car nearly hit another vehicle on Interstate 95 near Newport about 5:30 p.m. Friday.

The trooper attempted to stop the car, when it continued at speeds fluctuating between 80 mph and nearly 100 mph. It passed a roadblock and went on to Bangor, heading across lawns, ditches and curbs.

OWLS HEAD

Museum festival to feature old airplanes, foreign cars

More than 150 automobiles are taking center stage this weekend at a show in Owls Head.

The Owls Head Transportation Museum is continuing its annual Foreign Auto Festival and Antique Aeroplane Show today.

The museum said the event draws foreign car enthusiasts from across the state to show off and view cars ranging from luxury sedans to high-performance sports cars.

The antique airplane show features the museum’s fleet of World War I-era biplanes that will take to the skies.

Admission is $12 for adults. Children under 18 are admitted free.

— From staff and news services