Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

June 28, 2012

Dispatches

From staff and news services

RUMFORD

Investigators say cigarettes likely source of fatal fire

A house fire in Rumford killed a 47-year-old man Tuesday.

The state Fire Marshal’s Office said a burning cigarette likely caused the fire, which started in the living room of the ranch-style home at 598 Hillside Ave.

Authorities said the body of Dale Pellerin was found in the house’s bathroom. Pellerin lived at the house with his father, who wasn’t home at the time.

Investigators said a neighbor smelled smoke around 2 p.m., discovered the fire and called 911.

The Fire Marshal’s Office said a Rumford police officer who tried to enter the house was overcome by intense smoke and heat. He was treated at a hospital and released.

FALMOUTH

North Yarmouth teen cited in crash that killed 80-year-old

A 17-year-old North Yarmouth boy has been cited for failing to stop at a red light, which contributed to a fatal crash, police said.

Ian Philbrick was driving a Honda Pilot on Route 1 at 9 a.m. Saturday and failed to stop for the signal at Johnson Road, police said. The Honda collided with a 2010 Toyota Corolla driven by Albert Anderson, 68. His girlfriend, Glenice Hutchins, 80, of Falmouth, was a passenger and was injured in the crash, police said.

It did not appear initially that the injuries were life-threatening; however, the crash caused internal bleeding and Hutchins was pronounced dead at Maine Medical Center, police said.

The crash remains under investigation, but there are no indications alcohol or excessive speed contributed, police said.

PORTLAND

Expanded jetport will be certified as 'green’ building

The Portland International Jetport will become the nation’s second commercial airport to receive LEED Gold certification, which rates the design, construction and operation of “green” buildings.

Portland’s expanded jetport was made with materials from the region and has the largest geothermal heating and cooling system in Maine. The $75 million, 145,000-square-foot terminal expansion was completed last year.

San Francisco Airport’s Terminal 2 was the first U.S. airport to receive Gold certification. Portland’s certification will be awarded today.

LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – was established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute. It offers four certification levels for new construction – Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum – that correspond to the number of credits accrued in five categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality.

Veterans Memorial Bridge opening to traffic Thursday

The new Veterans Memorial Bridge connecting Portland and South Portland is ready to open.

Local, state and federal officials will gather Thursday morning at 10 a.m. to dedicate the $63 million span over the Fore River, which took two years to build. By Thursday afternoon, drivers will be able to use the four-lane bridge.

Thursday’s ceremony will feature a raising of the colors by the Maine Honor Guard, a small parade, live music and a wreath-laying ceremony. During the ceremony, the Fore River Parkway will be closed  to traffic from roughly 9 a.m. to noon, except for vehicles coming to and from Mercy Hospital.

The new bridge features a 12-foot-wide path for pedestrians and bicyclists that will be separated from travel lanes by a curb and metal barrier. The old bridge, which was built in 1954, will be demolished and removed in December.

BANGOR

Airport’s interim director accepts offer to keep the job

Bangor International Airport’s interim director has been hired to stay on the job permanently.

Tony Caruso was offered the post Monday and quickly accepted.

Caruso was named interim director after former Director Rebecca Hupp left in January to take a similar position in Boise, Idaho.

(Continued on page 2)

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