to speak at UNE

A former National Security Advisor for two presidents will lecture about the end of the Cold War this week at the University of New England in Biddeford.

Lt. Gen. Brent Scowcroft will deliver the university’s 2010 George and Barbara Bush Distinguished Lecture at 5:30 p.m. Friday in the Riverview Tent on the Biddeford campus. The lecture is titled “Reflections on the End of the Cold War.”

Scowcroft was national security advisor to both Presidents Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush. From 1982 to 1989 he was vice chairman of Kissinger Associates Inc., an international consulting firm. Prior to those positions, he graduated from West Point and had a 29-year military career where he rose to the rank of lieutenant general. He currently serves on corporate and nonprofit boards.

The lecture is the first in the series, an annual event that honors the legacy of President and Mrs. Bush as political and community leaders. It is free and open to the public. A special interactive exhibition on the Berlin Wall opened at the university this week in conjunction with the lecture.

Medication drop-offs

to be held Saturday

People with unwanted, unused or expired medications can dispose of them safely Saturday in Old Orchard Beach, Biddeford, Saco and Kennebunk.

Medications can be dropped off between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach; the Public Works Recycling Center in Biddeford; Saco Community Center on Franklin Street; and the former Mobile station on Main Street in Kennebunk.

Medications accepted include prescriptions, over-the-counter or veterinary pills, drops and ointments. Thermometers, batteries, durable medical equipment, intravenous medical solutions, syringes and illicit substances will not be accepted.

All personal identifying information should be removed from labels. The drop-off is free and anonymous.

The collection is sponsored by Saco and Biddeford Savings Institution, Southern Maine Medical Center and the Coastal Healthy Communities Coalition at the University of New England in cooperation with local police departments, neighborhood watch and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Man arrested in OOB

on cocaine charge

A Connecticut man was arrested last week in Old Orchard Beach for allegedly trafficking in crack cocaine.

Geoffery Sikorski, 22, was arrested Sept. 15 after allegedly twice selling crack to undercover agents from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, according to Supervisor Stephen Borst. Drug agents said Sikorski is from Norwich, Conn., and moved to Old Orchard Beach a few months ago with several other men to sell drugs.

Borst in a press release said small amounts of cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana and $620 were seized after searches of Sikorski’s car and apartment.

Sikorski was taken to York County Jail and is now free on $50,000 bail. Old Orchard Beach police assisted in the investigation.

Plaque will honor

women veterans

State Rep. Linda Valentino last week addressed the Committee to Honor Maine Women Veterans about a plaque to be hung in the Statehouse.

The group is raising money and awareness for the creation of a plaque that honors Maine women veterans. Valentino (D-Saco) announced the group raised an additional $4,000 toward its goal of $75,000. She also shared letters of support from Maine women veterans ranging from World War II to those currently serving in Afghanistan.

The 124^th Legislature passed a resolve to arrange for the plaque to be placed a prominent position in the Statehouse Hall of Flags in Augusta alongside existing plaques that recognize veterans of the first and second world wars, Korea and Vietnam.

The plaque will be funded through private donations. Maine Veterans Services would like to have the plaque made and ready for dedication before Veteran’s Day in November.

– Compiled by Staff Writer

 Gillian Graham