WOOLWICH

Several agencies join search after man jumps off bridge

Several agencies responded Wednesday night to a report of a man jumping off the Sagadahoc Bridge into the Kennebec River.

Sagadahoc County Sheriff Joel Merry said eyewitnesses told police that shortly after 5 p.m. a man climbed over the bridge railing — at the highest point of the span — and jumped from the south side of the bridge near Woolwich.

The Maine Marine Patrol, county sheriff’s department deputies, Bath fire and police workers, Bath Iron Works security personnel and the United States Coast Guard, which sent a helicopter from its base in Cape Cod, all responded.

The search for the man continued late into the night and was expected to resume this morning.

The four lane bridge, which overlooks BIW, spans the Kennebec River between Bath and Woolwich.

MONMOUTH

Theater’s artistic director leaving after 2011 season

David Greenham, producing artistic director at the Theater At Monmouth, announced that 2011 will be his final season.

Monmouth is Maine’s official Shakespearean theater.

“After 14 seasons, I’ve decided it’s time to step down,” Greenham said in a press release. “This is a planned transition, and I’m confident that (the theater) has a bright future.”

Greenham came to Monmouth in the spring of 1998 as the managing director and was promoted to producing director two years later.

During his tenure, he has produced more than 100 productions, including the well-known summer season of repertory, touring productions and several special projects.

In addition, Greenham has been very active in the renovation and upgrade of Monmouth’s historic Cumston Hall as a member of the Friends of Cumston Hall.

Greenham lives in Readfield with his wife, Jeri Pitcher, and their son, Zach.

The theater has formed a search committee to oversee the transition of leadership.

The job announcement and application instructions are available at www.theateratmonmouth.org.

BANGOR

Gas leak at beauty school sends seven to hospitals

Officials are blaming a malfunctioning heating unit for a gas leak at a Bangor beauty school that resulted in seven people seeking hospital treatment.

Officials said the victims were treated at Eastern Maine Medical Center and St. Joseph Hospital and released after Tuesday morning’s gas leak at Empire Beauty School.

According to the Bangor Daily News, several students complained of nausea and lightheadedness, but nobody reported being seriously ill.

Assistant Fire Chief Daryl Cyr said the leak was traced to a heating unit on the roof of the school.

School spokeswoman Angela Watson said the school was scheduled to reopen Wednesday.

AUGUSTA

Labor Department grant targets manufacturing firms

The U.S. Department of Labor is providing $500,000 for job-training and placement programs in Maine.

U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine said Tuesday that the money will go to the Augusta-based Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership. The funding will support pre-employment and customized on-the-job training, employer outreach, mentoring and job placement.

Snowe said the funding will enhance the quality and competitiveness of Maine’s manufacturing sector.

Snowe said the Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership has a track record for developing hundreds of jobs that may not otherwise have existed.

PORTLAND

Anticipating fewer shrimp, regulators shorten season

Fisheries regulators have approved a 136-day northern shrimp season for New England fishermen.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s shrimp committee on Wednesday set a season that begins Dec. 1 and ends April 15 after projecting smaller stocks.

Robert Beal, director of the commission’s interstate fisheries management program, said regulators set a harvest target of 4,000 metric tons and will meet in late February to evaluate progress. He says regulators could either shorten the season or extend it, depending on progress.

Last year, regulators set a 180-day shrimp season but closed it early. Beal said New England fishermen caught 5,600 metric tons of shrimp last year. Typically, about 90 percent is caught off the Maine coast.

DURHAM

Fire destroys workshop of a local contractor

A fire destroyed a workshop at 192 Bowie Hill Road in Durham on Wednesday morning.

Durham’s Deputy Fire Chief Keith Russell said a spark from a welding tool may have caused the fire to break out around 11:14 a.m. A detached home was not damaged.

Russell said the workshop is owned by David Rice, a local contractor, who operates a Christmas tree farm.

No injuries were reported.

MANCHESTER, N.H.

Police search for woman suspected in stabbing death

Police have issued an arrest warrant for a 22-year-old woman in the stabbing death of another woman in Manchester.

Police said Wednesday night that they were looking for Molly Beth Martel, who has addresses in Manchester and Merrimack.

Martel is wanted for second-degree murder in the death of 27-year-old Stephanie Campbell, who was stabbed to death at a Manchester apartment building Tuesday night.

An autopsy determined that Campbell was stabbed four times, including a fatal wound to the chest.

Authorities have not said what they believe the motive was for the stabbing.

 

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