SACO

General Dynamics awarded military defense contract

Defense contractor General Dynamics has been awarded a $14.3 million contract for quick-change barrel kits for .50-caliber machine guns mounted on vehicles, boats and helicopters.

Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King of Maine said that 3,000 of the kits will be produced for the military at General Dynamics’ plant in Saco. The award brings the total to more than $42 million under the contract.

Collins called the Saco plant a critical part of the national defense industrial base. It is part of the General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products division headquartered in Burlington, Vt.

BRATTLEBORO, Vt.

Authorities probe possible data breach at cafe chain

A northern New England cafe chain with a location in Portland is working with authorities in an investigation of a possible data breach involving the theft of customers’ debit and credit card information.

The Brattleboro Savings & Loan warns on its website that it’s seen a sharp increase in fraudulent debit card transactions and believes there’s been a breach at The Works Bakery Cafe. The bank said accounts may be compromised if customers have used debit cards at any of The Works’ locations.

According to its website, The Works is based in Keene, N.H., and has eateries in Brattleboro and Manchester, Vt.; and Keene, Portsmouth, Durham and Concord, N.H., as well as on Temple Street in Portland, Maine.

Company president Richard French told the Brattleboro Reformer that it’s cooperating with authorities in an investigation.

TOPSHAM

State’s first lady presents Blue Star Banners to families

Maine first lady Ann LePage joined veterans’ officials in Topsham to present Blue Star Banners to the families of several members of Maine’s military  from the midcoast serving on active duty.

LePage was joined Saturday by Peter Ogden of the Department of Veterans Services and members of American Legion Memorial Post 202 in Topsham.

The Blue Star banner, first used during World War I, is an official banner that families of service members can display. The banner has a white field with a red border, and a blue star for each family member serving in the U.S. armed forces during any period of war or hostilities in which the military is engaged.

JAY

Police on lookout for man wanted on several warrants

A wanted man from Jay fled after the pickup truck in which he was a passenger was stopped by police.

The man slipped through a search perimeter and eluded tracking dogs before police called off a manhunt Friday night.

Police are not actively hunting for Michael Gatcomb, 29, who is wanted on several warrants, but they are on the lookout for him.

“Everybody knows that he’s wanted, and everybody’s keeping an eye out for him,” said Jay Police Sgt. Troy Young.

Gatcomb is wanted on charges in two counties, including domestic assault, failure to stop for an officer, criminal speed and violation of conditions of release. He is out on bail on a charge of felony theft.

Those with information concerning Gatcomb’s whereabouts are asked to call the Jay police at 897-6766.

– From staff and news services