HARPSWELL

Cribstone Bridge reopens after two-year restoration

The historic Cribstone Bridge reopened to traffic Saturday after a two-year $11 million restoration project.

State and local officials spoke at a rededication ceremony that was attended by a large crowd and featured a parade of antique cars.

The bridge, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, serves as the only connection between mainland Harpswell and Bailey Island, a fishing village.

The bridge, which first opened in 1928, is believed to be the only structure of its kind in the United States. The bridge deck is supported by granite slabs that are stacked criss-cross to allow tidal waters to pass through while being heavy enough to withstand buffeting from waves and ice floes.

The stones from a nearby quarry are rough and uneven, so pine wedges were driven into cracks to prevent rocking and shifting. No mortar or cement was used.

SACO

Industrial fire destroys machine at Casco Bay Steel

An industrial fire destroyed a dust-collecting machine at Casco Bay Steel early Saturday evening.

No one was injured and the fire did not spread from the equipment to the building at 75 Spring Hill Road, said Fire Department Capt. Vincent Pelletier.

The fire began about 5:30 p.m. and took about an hour to put out because it involved a flammable metal that was being used in a sandblasting process, he said.

The large piece of equipment, valued at about $100,000, was a total loss, he said.

PORTLAND

Lawyer named to a top post of national family law group

A Portland lawyer has been named to a top position of a national association of family law attorneys.

The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers said Ken Altshuler has been named president-elect.

Altshuler works at the Childs, Rundlett, Fifield & Altshuler law firm. He is also well-known as the co-host of “The Ken & Mike Show,” a morning talk show on radio station WGAN in Portland.

Founded in 1962, the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers is comprised of more than 1,600 of the country’s top divorce and family law attorneys.

FREEPORT

Two people hurt in crash on I-295; no charges filed

Two people were injured in an accident on Interstate 295 southbound shortly after noon Saturday, state police said.

Police said the accident occurred when a car driven by James Diemer, 29, of Brunswick moved from the passing lane into the travel lane on the highway, hitting a car driven by Kelly Davis, 23, of Las Vegas.

The impact sent Davis’ car off the road and into a tree. The car rolled over after hitting the tree, said Trooper Justin Cooley.

Diemer’s car hit the median guardrail, Cooley said.

Both Davis and her passenger, Shawn Wright, 23, were taken to Parkview Adventist Medical Center in Brunswick, Cooley said. Davis’ injuries were considered serious, but not life-threatening, he said, while Wright was taken to the hospital for observation.

Cooley said he didn’t have a hometown for Wright.

Diemer was not hurt and was able to drive his car from the scene of the accident. Davis’ car was totaled, Cooley said.

No charges were filed, he said.

Traffic was held up for about 45 minutes, Cooley said.

DURHAM

Three boys facing charges of mischief at cemetery

Three boys have been charged with toppling headstones and yanking flags at a cemetery in Durham on Veterans Day.

The boys are ages 11, 13 and 15. Police have charged them with aggravated criminal mischief.

The Lewiston Sun Journal reported that police said a state trooper spotted the three jumping over a wall surrounding the Sawyer Cemetery.

AUGUSTA

Baldacci: Incoming leaders to have tough fiscal choices

Gov. John Baldacci says Gov.-elect Paul LePage and the new Legislature will be helped by improving revenue that the state has been seeing in recent months, but will also have their hands full as they consider the state’s next two-year budget.

In his weekly radio address Saturday, Baldacci said he’s impressed by the new Democratic and Republican leaders in the Legislature.

But in the months ahead, he said they’ll face many tough choices as they’re forced to weigh issues such as health care, education, economic development and taxes.
 

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