$17 million Army contract

General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products has been awarded a $17 million contract by the U.S. Army.

Sen. Susan Collins, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced last week the U.S. Army has awarded a $17,438,671 contract to convert 6,000 M2 machine guns to M2A1 machine guns. The production work will occur at the General Dynamics facility in Saco and will be done by April 2012.

“This contract award is welcome news for the skilled workers at Saco Defense,” Collins said in a prepared statement. “I applaud their work to supply our troops with the very best arms and equipment.”

News Emmy awards will

feature Maine Buck Nuts

Maine Buck Nuts are headed to New York.

The nuts, made in Saco by owners and creators Kim Knight and Sheila Speckin, will be featured in swag bags at the 2010 News Emmys in New York City on Sept. 27.

 Knight and Speckin make the nuts in their factory store on Main Street in Saco. Flavors include “Frosted Like Wintah” (cinnamon and nutmeg); “Wicked Hot” (habanero and cayenne); honey mesquite; and sweet and salty.

“We couldn’t have been more thrilled or honored to receive this invitation – we’re wicked excited,” Speckin said in a press release. “We are excited to offer our delicious treats to all of the news anchors on all of the major television networks.”

Biddeford school grant honors staffer, aids students

Biddeford Primary School and Target have teamed up to support the Kathleen Gavin Helping Hand Fund.

Target awarded the school a $5,000 grant to support the fund, which was created in honor of Kathleen Gavin, a long-time educational technician at the school who died last spring.

The grant will be used to purchase school and clothing essentials for students in need throughout the year. The grant also will fund summer camp scholarships for students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend.

Assistant Principal Barbara Adriance said the grant is “wonderful” for the school and honor Gavin, who “attracted and was attracted to the kid who needed a hug.”

“Kathleen would be so pleased to know that many children will be helped by a fund created in her memory,” Adriance said. “For her, it was always about the children; if they need her, she was there.”

Residents weigh in on design of lantern for park

A meeting was scheduled for Wednesday night to allow residents to weigh in on the design of a lantern for the park being constructed on Williams Court in Biddeford.

The Biddeford City Council recently awarded a contract to Dearborn Brothers Construction Inc. for the park, which was designed by Sebago Technics Inc. An additional $10,457 was awarded to Green Foundry to work with neighbors to design the lantern as a focal point for the park.

Green Foundry owners and artists Lauren Holmgren and Josh Down will create the lantern. They will cast in metal the hands of people from the neighborhood and then sculpt them into the lantern, according to Biddeford Community Development Coordinator Linda Hardacker.

“The lantern will serve as a symbol of hope and strength in the neighborhood’s efforts to reclaim its rightful place as a beautiful entrance to the downtown,” Hardacker said. “The neighborhood deserves this.”

The city bought three buildings on Williams Court with funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Anyone who is interested in becoming involved with neighborhood revitalization should contact Hardacker at 284-9105 or lhardacker@biddefordmaine.org.

Man struck by vehicle

on Main Street  in Saco

A man was taken to Southern Maine Medical Center Tuesday afternoon after he was struck by a vehicle on Main Street in Saco.

Saco Fire Department Lt. Steve Merrill said the pedestrian, 25, was walking across the street near Thornton Academy when he was hit by a female driver.

His name and condition were not released.

– Compiled by Staff Writers Gillian Graham

and Suzanne Hodgson