FREEPORT

L.L. Bean card holders told vendor files were accessed

L.L. Bean credit card holders were notified this weekend that an outside party accessed a marketing vendor’s files containing customers’ names and email addresses.

Carolyn Beem, a spokeswoman for the Freeport-based retailer, said the company was notified Friday that someone had gained access to files maintained by Epsilon, a marketing vendor used by Barclays Bank of Delaware to send out emails.

Barclays services the L.L. Bean Visa card, along with several other credit card brands.

Beem said L.L. Bean was told that no financial or personal information was compromised, but she urged cardholders not to give out personal information in response to future emails.

Barclays will never ask a customer in an email to verify sensitive information such as passwords or a person’s Social Security number, the company said in its notification to customers.

Customers with concerns or questions are encouraged to call the phone number that appears on the back of their credit card.

SANFORD

Fire at apartment building sends three to hospital

The state Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating an early morning fire in a four-unit apartment building that sent three people to the hospital.

Sanford firefighters responding to a call at 12:22 a.m. Sunday found heavy fire in a second-floor apartment at 35 Lebanon St.

All of the residents evacuated the building, and firefighters extinguished the blaze within an hour.

Three of the residents were transported to H.D. Goodall Hospital, two for treatment of smoke inhalation and one because of a pre-existing medical condition.

The other three apartments sustained smoke and water damage and were not fit for habitation. The Red Cross is helping displaced residents find shelter.

ORONO

UMaine Composites Center receives national award

The University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center has been recognized with a prestigious national award for innovation.

The center received the Pankow Award for Innovation at an awards gala Thursday in Washington, D.C., put on by the American Society for Civil Engineering.

The center was honored for developing its so-called “bridge in a backpack” technology, which allows materials used to make the arches for bridge spans to be carried to a construction site in duffel bags.

Once at the site, the material is inflated and filled with concrete to form bridge arches. The technology allows construction workers to build a bridge in a matter of days instead of weeks.

CAPE ELIZABETH

Thousands sign petition supporting recall process

More than 10,000 people have signed an online petition in support of a citizen recall process for elected officials in Maine.

The online petition, which was started by Rep. Cynthia Dill, D-Cape Elizabeth, has been gaining momentum since it was created last Wednesday.

As of Sunday at 8 p.m., the petition had been signed by 10,086 individuals. The website — SignOn.org, Maine Needs a Citizen Recall Process — says it needs 15,000 signatures to reach its goal.

Dill said 18 other states have a process for removing elected officials from office. Dill has said she has no interest in starting an initiative to recall Republican Gov. Paul LePage.

“If elected officials are not doing the job they were elected to do, why should they stay in office?” Dill says on the website.

AUGUSTA

Officials ask residents’ help in reporting ice-out dates

As the spring thaw begins, Maine officials are asking residents to help report when the ice goes out on lakes and ponds.

The Department of Conservation wants to share ice-out dates with the public on its website.

The department’s Boating Facilities Division site already contains historical information for ice-out dates on major lakes going back to 2003.

Ice-out information on specific water bodies can be emailed to Timothy.thurston(at)maine.gov. To view ice-out information, go to: http://www.maine.gov/doc/parks/programs/boating/ice_out11.html

OAKLAND

Combustibles near heater blamed for restaurant fire

Combustibles placed too close to a portable electrical heater caused a fire early Sunday that damaged Tracy’s Tavern, a restaurant on Kennedy Memorial Drive.

The fire, reported at 12:30 a.m., caused moderate to heavy damage to the second floor of the two-story wood building, said Fire Chief David Coughlin.

First-floor damage was mostly from heat and smoke.

Tracy’s owner Jim Tracy, of Sidney, said the business was insured and it appeared the building could be restored with “a lot of elbow grease.”

VASSALBORO

Planning Board agenda includes winery application

The Planning Board has an unusual application on Tuesday’s agenda: Ann Dube wants to open Two Hogs Winery on Mudget Hill Road.

Dube said she began making wine for personal use in 2005, starting with a blueberry wine. Then, after visiting other Maine wineries, she, a friend and her brother-in-law decided to open their own business.

Dube is converting part of her cellar into a winery. With the necessary approvals, she intends to sell wines, both wholesale and retail, and host wine tastings.

Many of her wines will be made with Maine berries, she said — not just blueberries, but strawberries, raspberries and blackberries.

PORTLAND

Portland dispatch will start taking South Portland calls

The transfer of emergency dispatching services from South Portland to Portland is due to occur this afternoon.

Emergency calls will be received and apparatus dispatched from the Portland dispatch center at the police station on Middle Street.

The South Portland facility will be used for training and as a backup in case the Portland facility breaks down or during major events such as an ice storm.

Everyone working for South Portland will be able to work at the Portland facility, Police Chief Ed Googins said.

Man approached by police drops stolen gun, drugs

A man hiding behind a crane in the parking lot of the Clarion Hotel on Congress Street fled after being approached by Portland police early Sunday, leaving behind a backpack holding a stolen gun and a quantity of illegal drugs.

The incident occurred around 4 a.m. after officers patrolling the area noticed a pair of feet behind the crane. The man who fled remains at large.