KENNEBUNKPORT

Former president pays visit  to carrier named for him

Former President George H.W. Bush performed ceremonial duties and posed for photos Sunday while visiting an aircraft carrier named for him off the Maine coast.

Bush and his wife, Barbara, along with their son, former President George W. Bush, and other family members flew by helicopter Sunday morning to the USS George H.W. Bush several miles off Kennebunkport, where the Bushes maintain a family compound.

The 1,092-foot ship is the newest carrier in the Navy fleet and is the only one whose namesake is alive.

Bush was a naval aviator during World War II. His visit to the ship came two days before his 88th birthday.

WALDOBORO

Police identify woman killed in collision Friday

Police say the woman killed Friday in a head-on collision on Route 1 in Waldoboro was a 70-year-old Portland resident.

Lois Sparks died at the scene of the accident near the intersection with Route 235, the Bangor Daily News reported. Three people were injured, according to Waldoboro Police Chief Bill Labombarde.

Marie Tysinger, 67, of Waldoboro was traveling south on Route 1 about 11 a.m. Friday when her 2010 Honda sport utility vehicle drifted into the northbound lane and collided head-on with a 2007 Chevy Silverado pickup truck driven by Murray Sparks, 45, of Portland, who had his wife, Joely Sparks, 44, and his mother, Lois Sparks, with him.

Tysinger and Joely Sparks were hospitalized. Murray Sparks was treated and released from Miles Memorial Hospital.

PORTLAND

Frank says Maine should legalize same-sex marriage

U.S. Rep. Barney Frank is calling upon Mainers to legalize same-sex marriage so he and his longtime partner can get married next year in Maine.

The Massachusetts Democrat was the keynote speaker Saturday night at the Maine People’s Alliance’s 30th anniversary awards dinner in Portland.

Frank told the crowd that he and his fiance, Jim Ready of Ogunquit, want to get married in Massachusetts this year and do the same next year in Maine.

Federal grants awarded to four airports in Maine

The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded more than $600,000 in grants to four Maine airports to pay for planning, renovations, terminal expansion and snow removal equipment.

The FAA awarded $304,000 to the Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport in Trenton for design work on an expanded terminal building, and $122,000 to Dexter Regional Airport for the design of a rehabilitated airport apron.

The Eastport Municipal Airport is getting $150,000 to buy snow removal equipment, and Millinocket Municipal Airport is receiving $27,000 to update its airport master plan study.

ORLAND

Orland woman dies after crash in eastern Maine

A 33-year-old Orland woman was killed Saturday in a two-car collision in eastern Maine.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department said Melissa Hewitt died shortly before 1 p.m. Saturday after the crash at the junction of routes 1 and 175 in Orland.

The Bangor Daily News said the accident investigation showed Hewitt’s vehicle pulled out from Route 175 onto Route 1, where it was struck by a car driven by 65-year-old Virginia Holmes of Prospect.

Holmes was flown by helicopter to Eastern Maine Medical Center for treatment of injuries that weren’t considered life-threatening.

CAMDEN

Towns near Penobscot Bay voice concerns about tank

Maine towns around Penobscot Bay want to be heard on their concerns about a 14-story-high propane storage tank being planned in Searsport.

Denver-based DCP Midstream is moving forward with plans to build the 22.7-million-gallon tank after Searsport residents in March voted against a moratorium that would have put the project on hold or possibly derailed it.

WCSH-TV reported that Camden, Islesboro and other towns are expressing worries about the risk of the tank exploding or catching fire, or its potential impact on traffic, public safety and tourism.

The chairman of the Searsport Planning Board says a public hearing will be held on the proposal, and that the towns will be given a chance to speak and submit written comments.

AUGUSTA

LePage signs proclamation to mark Windjammer Days

Gov. Paul LePage has signed a proclamation in honor of the 50th annual Windjammer Days Festival in Boothbay Harbor.

The festival is an annual celebration of the region’s rich maritime history. It will be held from June 24 through June 27.

Besides the historic windjammers, the festival features an antique boat parade, a street parade, fireworks over the harbor, concerts, arts and crafts, food and more.

In his proclamation, LePage says the festival has brought Mainers and tourists alike to marvel at Maine’s windjammer fleet and learn about the state’s maritime culture.

Copy the Story Link