1. Cross Roads Handling, a Scarborough-based group comprising two sets of brothers, finalized the purchase of Scarborough Downs for $6.7 million, according to an announcement yesterday morning. The owners envision a long-term redevelopment of the property into a town center with housing, shopping, dining, offices, an interconnected road network, trails, recreation facilities and more. The build-out could take 15 to 30 years, according to an introductory letter from the company to Scarborough’s Long Range Planning Committee. (PH)
2. Remember the Volkswagen emissions scandal, when the automaker was caught using technology to cheat on emissions tests? A settlement was reached and Maine is getting a large share of it. The Maine Department of Transportation wants to hear your ideas for what to do with the money. Maine will get $21 million dollars. Many people have already submitted ideas to the Maine DOT on how to spend that cash. Several people have suggested using some of that money to create more electric vehicle charging stations. (WCSH)
3. The Patriots’ cheerleaders and mascot visited Maine on Monday generate some excitement for the team’s upcoming playoff run. Four cheerleaders and Pat Patriot met fans and did interviews at Bug Light in South Portland and were scheduled to visit the Portland Police Department later in the day. The crew visited Vermont, New Hampshire and Rhode Island last week and will have events in Connecticut and Massachusetts this week. The Patriots face the Titans at 8:15 p.m. Saturday in the AFC divisional playoffs. (PH)
4. The Alabama Crimson Tide collected their fifth national title in nine years after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs in overtime 26-23 in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday night. Head coach Nick Saban is now tied with fellow Alabama coaching legend Paul “Bear” Bryant for the most college football championships at six. (WP)
5. In 2007, 11 years ago, Steve Jobs debuts the iPhone. Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs unveils the iPhone–a touchscreen mobile phone with an iPod, camera and Web-browsing capabilities–at the Macworld convention in San Francisco.
Made Hot by Jeweler’s Outlet, your neighborhood jewelry store, in the cheerful yellow building at 879 Main Street, Sanford!
