The DDG-1000by Gina Hamilton
Coastal Journal staff

BATH -- This week, BIW announced that it was laying off 130 designers, engineers, and others, as work on the DDG-1000 begins in earnest. Their last day on the job will be January 21, unless an alternative can be found for them within the company. Jim DiMartini of BIW said that the company makes every effort to find a position for which the employee is qualified before the layoff. "It's always difficult when this sort of change occurs," DiMartini said. "We feel for the families involved, and will do evreything in our power to help them find other employment with BIW."

In a letter, BIW president Jeff Geiger said that a corresponding increase in production workers is occurring - over 700 added in the past year as work on the Zumwalt class destroyer began. BIW also has one DDG-51 ship left in its schedule.

MONHEGAN — Applications are being accepted for the Monhegan Artists' Residency for emerging Maine artists. This summer the program will provide five-week residencies on Monhegan Island for two visual artists.

The application deadline is March 4, 2011 (postmarked). For guidelines and details on selection criteria, a history of the program, and a list of past residents, visit www.monheganartistsresidency.org. Applicants will be notified by late March.

The residency program provides living quarters and separate studio space and a $500 stipend. The 2011 residencies run May 28 through July 2 and August 27 through October 1. Only Maine residents are eligible to apply.

The site of the former Lower Montsweag Dam at the Wiscasset-Woolwich town line.by Gina Hamilton
Coastal Journal staff

WISCASSET — The Chewonki Foundation announced last week that it had successfully completed Phase Two of the Montsweag Brook Restoration Project. Primary goals of the project were to restore riparian habitat and re-establish fish passage in lower Montsweag Brook in Wiscasset and Woolwich, about 20 acres of which had been flooded for the last 42 years because of the dam's construction. The project primarily benefits local fish populations, including alewives, sea-run brook trout, and American eel.

SCARBOROUGH — State Police say a Vassalboro man faces several charges, including drunk driving, following a high speed chase on Interstate 295 Sunday night . The chase ended when the fleeing car crashed into a second vehicle. Troopers charged 41 year old Anthony Teabout with operating under the influence, eluding police and being an aggravated habitual offender. Teabout is being treated at Maine Medical Center for facial and rib injuries sustained in the crash. His driver's license was suspended.

The driver of the other vehicle was 34 year old Danielle Bailey of Woolwich. Three of the four passengers in Bailey's car were children and two of them sustained minor injuries .

Trooper Edmund Furtado attempted to pull over Teabout's car at the Exit 42 toll booth of the turnpike because it had no license plate. The 2006 Dodge Charger then sped off, quickly reaching speeds of 100 mph. Teabout lost control of the car about two miles later and it slammed into the rear of Bailey's mini-van. Both vehicles were demolished. Teabout has four prior convictions for driving after his driver's license had been suspended.