News

Sarah Long Bridge damage estimated at $2.5 million

PORTSMOUTH, New Hampshire (NEWS CENTER) - New Hampshire DOT officials say that the total damage to the Sarah Long Bridge is estimated at $2.5 million and that the private contractor, Cianbro, has been commissioned to do the repairs.

NH DOT says that the inspection process has finished for now and that Cianbro has begun work on the bridge, focusing on the steel fabrication, staging an mobilization. NH DOT says that they are confident the bridge will be repaired.

The bridge was damaged after a tanker got loose from it's mooring and crashed into the bridge on Monday.

Inspection to start on damaged NH-Maine bridge

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) - A bridge between New Hampshire and Maine that was hit by an oil tanker will remain closed as crews start to inspect the damage.

New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan visited the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge on Tuesday morning. Officials say the structural damage is serious and planned a more detailed analysis.

The oil tanker broke loose from a pier on Monday and struck the heavily traveled bridge connecting Portsmouth, N.H., to Kittery, Maine. While transportation officials say the collision caused structural damage to the bridge and damage to the tanker, there was no evidence of leaking from the vessel.

The bridge is owned by Maine and New Hampshire.

Tanker hits Sarah Long Bridge in Kittery

KITTERY, Maine (NEWS CENTER) - Maine Coast Guard says a 473 foot tanker, The Harbor Feature, broke away from its mooring at the State Pier in Portsmouth and floated into the Sarah Long Bridge.

PHOTO GALLERY: http://on.wcsh6.com/128GcdE

The Coast Guard says there is damage to the port side of the tanker, but so far it appears there is no leak of any kind, and there is no visible sheening.

The tanker was carrying diesel oil, grease, and other heavy fuels. All boat traffic at the bridge is closed because the tanker is blocking the bridge.

Maine DOT says the bridge will remain closed to vehicular traffic until the bridge can be inspected. NH DOT said that there does appear to be some damage to the bridge but is not sure yet to what extent.

The Coast Guard station in South Portland has sent a tug and a chopper to the scene.

Alexis Wright pleads guilty in Kennebunk prostitution case

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - A Maine Zumba instructor accused of using her fitness studio as a front for prostitution has pleaded guilty to 20 counts.

The plea agreement spares Alexis Wright from the prospect of a high-profile trial featuring sex videos, exhibitionism and pornography, and more than a thousand texts and emails detailing the operation.

Prosecutors will recommend a sentence of 10 months.

The 30-year-old Wright was accused of conspiring with insurance agent Mark Strong Sr. to run a prostitution business in which she kept detailed records indicating she made $150,000 over an 18-month period. She was also accused of using a hidden camera to record sex acts without her clients' knowledge.

Strong, of Thomaston, was convicted 13 counts related to promotion of prostitution and sentenced to 20 days in jail.

Another fire breaks out on USS Miami

KITTERY, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- There has been another fire aboard the U.S.S. Miami at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

A spokesperson says the fire was in a forward part of the ship, near the control area.  The Shipyard is expected to send a statement with more information.

This is the third fire on the ship in the past year.  The first two were set intentionally by shipyard worker Casey Fury last May.  He told investigators that he set them because he wanted to go home early.  One of the fires caused $450 million in damage.

On Friday, Fury was sentenced to 17 years and one month in prison.

Man sentenced for $450M submarine arson fire

PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER)  - The man who admitted setting fire to the USS Miami nuclear submarine at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard was given a sentence today of 17-years and one month.

Casey Fury set the fire in May of last year that caused an estimated 450-million dollars worth of damage. He admitted he set the fire so he could get out of work early.

It took fire crews 12-hours to douse the flames. When the smoke cleared the blaze had caused more than 450-million dollars worth of damage. Besides the huge financial loss, the fire took a human toll as well. Five first responders were injured.

"There were physical and emotional injuries to the first responders who risked their lives by going into what had to be the equivalent of a roaring blast furnace", said U.S. Attorney for Maine Thomas Delahantey.