KITTERY

Admiral says cost controls will affect Kittery shipyard

A Navy admiral says new cost-control measures will affect the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

Foster’s Daily Democrat reported Adm. Jonathan Greenert, chief of naval operations, wrote in a Jan. 25 memo that the Navy is looking to reduce “base operating support” by 10 percent in the coming year. A recent report from the Navy Times said the cuts will reduce the Navy’s shipyard work force by an estimated 3,000 employees.

The cost controls are part of a package being put in place by the Navy to address an “immediate budget shortfall” in fiscal 2013. They could translate into a civilian hiring freeze and termination of temporary workers at the Kittery sub-repair installation.

WINTHROP

At least one person injured in two-vehicle accident

At least one person was taken to the hospital Sunday after a two-vehicle accident at Route 202 and South Road.

Winthrop police and ambulance personnel responded to the crash about 3:40 p.m. Initial reports indicated there were five people riding in the vehicles, and a dispatcher said one person was taken to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston.

No additional information was available late Sunday afternoon.

YORK

Lobstermen fear that prices could dive again this year

Lobstermen are worried that last summer’s low prices could return this year.

The Portsmouth Herald said lobstermen have been telling Maine Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher at recent meetings that something needs to be done should prices dive again. They’re not sure what the answer is, but they oppose limiting lobstering to three days a week.

More than 50 lobstermen filled the meeting room of the York Public Library on Thursday. Some of them expressed frustration over the difference last summer between the price they got for lobster and what tourists were paying in restaurants.

Keliher said Maine lobstermen last year caught 123 million pounds of lobster, up 18 million from the year before, but worth $3.7 million less.

PORTLAND

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awards grants for 2 projects

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is awarding grants totaling $1.3 million for two conservation projects in Maine.

Maine’s congressional delegation said $1 million will go toward the Penobscot River Restoration Project to help pay for the removal of Veazie Dam. Removing the dam is just one part of the full restoration project, which aims to restore habitat for fish and wildlife, expand outdoor recreational opportunities and support energy production, jobs and economic growth,

The Harpswell Heritage Land Trust and the Maine Coast Heritage Land Trust will get $300,000 to conserve 4,000 feet of shoreline in Harpswell that provides habitat for waterfowl, birds and shellfish.

BAR HARBOR

Maine college offers free recharges to electric cars

A Maine college is offering free car fill-ups — provided it’s an electric car.

College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor has opened a solar-powered electric charging station to any vehicle needing a recharge. Students on campus led the effort and got help from the community, including Darling’s Nissan dealership in Bangor.

The charging facility is at the north end of campus, and is open year-round between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The school also runs an electric-powered van shuttle to its two farms.

BELGRADE

Motorist who fled trooper remains in Portland hospital

A Rome man who was injured Saturday night after leading a Maine State Police trooper on a chase through Belgrade that reached speeds of 100 mph was reported in satisfactory condition Sunday evening at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

George Day, 30, was taken to MaineGeneral Medical Center’s Thayer unit in Waterville, then to Maine Med with what police called a potentially life-threatening injury.

Trooper Diane Perkins-Vance was driving on Route 27 in Belgrade about 6:30 p.m. Saturday when Day passed her at high speed in his Ford pickup truck. She chased Day at speeds up to 100 mph to Belgrade Village before he rolled his vehicle over on Dunn Road, she said.

Perkins-Vance charged Day with operating under the influence, eluding an officer and violation of bail conditions.