GORHAM

Arson suspect held after fire damages group home

A 30-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a fire Friday at a group home at 7 Green St.

Gorham police said they arrested Jeremy Crouse, who was charged with arson and transported to the Cumberland County Jail.

The fire broke out about 8:25 p.m. and heavily damaged the first and second stories of the home, operated by Granite Bay Care Inc.

Police and the state Fire Marshal’s Office quickly concluded the fire was deliberately set.

Police released few details about the fire. They said they are seeking no additional suspects and do not believe the fire is connected to a string of arsons at empty buildings in Gorham this spring.

PORTLAND

Maine’s delegation says sub repairs in good hands

Members of Maine’s congressional delegation say the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery has the staff and know-how to repair the burned submarine USS Miami.

The Navy has confirmed that it intends to repair the sub, which was severely damaged by a fire while in dry dock on May 23.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree welcomed that word and said that if anyone can fix the sub efficiently and quickly, it’s the workers at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

Sen. Susan Collins said Portsmouth does the best repair work in the Navy, and it will mean a lot to the work force to be able to fix the sub in Kittery.

Fellow Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe said the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard workers operate at the highest levels of professionalism and expertise.

GRAY

Game wardens on TV show meet the public this week

Some of the Maine game wardens featured on the Animal Planet TV show “North Woods Law” will meet with the public this week at the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray.

State game officials say the event will take place Thursday afternoon. Officials have received a lot of requests for the event from parents of children who watch the Discovery cable TV program.

Visitors will have the chance to meet several of the featured game wardens and a couple of their K9s to learn more about them and their job.

There will be special items for children as well as the opportunity to get autographs and photographs with the wardens.

There is no extra fee for this event, but regular park admission will apply.

DETROIT, Mich.

Maine among 20 states affected by SUV recall

General Motors and Isuzu are recalling more than 258,000 SUVs in the United States and Canada to fix short-circuits in power-window and door-lock switches that can cause fires.

The recall covers Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, Isuzu Ascender and Saab 97-X SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years.

The SUVs were sold or registered in 20 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and Canada, where salt and other chemicals are used to clear roads in the winter.

Fluid containing the road-clearing chemicals can get inside the driver’s door and cause corrosion in the power-window and door-switch circuit boards, according to documents posted on the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. The corrosion can cause short-circuits, knocking out the switches and causing fires.

GM has reports of 28 fires. It said it doesn’t know of any injuries caused by the problem.

The recall affects SUVs sold or registered in the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Dealers will replace the power-window switch for free, according to NHTSA documents posted Saturday. Owners will get letters telling them when to schedule appointments.

LEWISTON

Balloon festival continues following rainy beginning

The Great Falls Balloon Festival in Lewiston continued Saturday despite getting off to a rainy start.

The 20th annual Great Falls Balloon Festival is being held at the Simard and Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston.

The event helps local nonprofit groups to raise awareness about their causes. Festivities wind up Sunday.

— From staff and news services