Oct. 27, 1993

The Westbrook High School football team has qualified for the Western Maine Class A playoffs for the first time in over 10 years, Athletic Director Peter Curran said. That’s the good news. Unfortunately, the 3-5 Blazes will be going into the playoffs Saturday against the No. 1 ranked and undefeated Biddeford Tigers on their home field.

Thieves attacked 16 cars on Saco and Spring streets and the streets between them in Westbrook on Oct. 17. Complaints dribbled in at the police station from 6 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. on the 18th. Not all the callers reported thefts. Some said that the car only was ransacked.

Close races are expected Tuesday in contests in the Westbrook city elections. Three candidates seek the mayor’s job for 1995 and 1995: Fred Wescott, 61, incumbent for the past four years, is the Democratic nominee facing Robert Smith, 24, a Republican, and Alfred Porell, 65, an independent. Two are running for city clerk to succeed 38-year-clerk William L. Clarke, Republican, who is retiring. They are Barbara Hawkes, Republican, and William B. O’Gara, the Democrat.

Oct. 29, 2003

By day he’s a 16-year-old Gorham High School junior that some would describe as shy, but by night, he’s just a sweet transvestite. Knate Higgins, a “Rocky Horror Picture Show” enthusiast since he first saw the film four years ago, is believed to be the youngest person in the country directing a live cast during showings of the movie. Higgins and his troupe will be performing the 1975 cult classic Halloween night at the Movies on Exchange in Portland. Not only is Higgins directing, but also he’ll play Dr. Frankenfurter, the Tim Curry role in the film.

Bruce Chuluda, the Republican, faces incumbent Democrat Don Esty in the mayoral race that tops the ticket in Westbrook for next week’s election. Chuluda, who has represented Ward 2 on the council, said he wants to create an “open government.” He wants to hold meetings and discuss things with residents “before they happen.” Esty said his goals are to “take projects that have begun and make sure they’re done well so that momentum and growth we’ve experienced will be done well.” Also on the ballot for all Maine municipalities are referendums on allowing slot machines at horse racing tracks and allowing a resort casino.

Nat Enman, a Westbrook High School senior, said that the Culinary Arts Learning Center will be serving a Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 29 and 30, at the dining room at the Westbrook Regional Vocational Center. Reservations are necessary.

On Oct. 18, 1996, a hurricane stalled off the coast and brought heavy rains to portions of southern Maine. Westbrook received over 18 inches, causing the Presumpscot River to overflow its banks. Bridges on Spring and Saco streets were washed away, The Highland Lake Dam collapsed, and S.D. Warren (Sappi) sustained millions of dollars in damages. Homes and businesses near the river also were damaged. This photo shows the intersection of Bridgton Road and East Bridge Street under water on Oct. 22, 1996. The first floor of the Dunkin Donuts building was under water as was the T & T Golf Course and office building across the street. The one-story pro shop was washed away. To see more historical photos and artifacts, visit the Westbrook Historical Society at the Fred C. Wescott Building, 426 Bridge St. It is open Tuesdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon, and the first Wednesday of each month at 1:30 p.m., September-June. Inquiries can be emailed to [email protected]. The website is www.westbrookhistoricalsociety.org.