A barefoot Saco man was arrested Friday after he allegedly robbed a home near Hill and Maple streets.

Chad Thebarge, 28, was charged with robbery after a homeowner arrived home to find the man inside his home, according to police. Police said the homeowner arrived home shortly before 2 p.m. to find a truck in his driveway with the engine running.

Police said the homeowner also found an open door and the man later identified as Thebarge. Thebarge fled the home with the homeowner in pursuit, police said. The homeowner was able to grab Thebarge and, after an altercation, returned to his home to call police, according to police.

The homeowner told police the man was barefoot and described his clothing. Thebarge was found one street away from the home by officers looking for the barefoot suspect.

Thebarge was charged with robbery and released on $1,000 bail. He is expected to appear in court May 5.

Longtime duo will return for reunion concert April 9

Roland Bergeron and Louis “Red” Soucy of Saco will perform a reunion concert April 9 at Cornerstone United Methodist Church.

Bergeron and Soucy performed what they thought was their farewell concert April 10, 2010, but have decided to reunite one more time for a night of music and laughter, Soucy said. Saco natives who met as children, Bergeron and Soucy played together for seven decades. They first performed in public while playing for soldiers in World War II. The duo performed in nursing homes across southern Maine for 20 years.

“As we say, laughter is the best medicine. Come and join us. We’d love to see you,” Soucy said.

Soucy said they decided to reunite after reading about a reunion performance of the group Schooner Fare. The reunion show is sponsored by Saco and Biddeford Savings Bank and Cornerstone United Methodist Church Men’s Group. The show begins at 7 p.m. at 20 Jenkins Road in Saco.

For more information, call 282-2755.

State lowers speed limit on portion of Cascade Road

The Maine Department of Transportation has changed the speed limit on a section of Cascade Road in Saco and Old Orchard Beach.

The speed limit between Ross Road in Old Orchard Beach and Route 1 in Saco has been lowered from 45 to 40 miles per hour. All other speed limits on Cascade Road remain the same.

Saco Fire Department will dedicate station on April 30

The Saco Fire Department will hold a grand opening and dedication ceremony April 30 at its new station on North Street.

A public ceremony to formally close and retire colors will begin at 8 a.m. at the old Central Fire Station on Thornton Avenue. When that ceremony ends around 8:30 a.m., fire trucks will lead a procession to the new Central Fire Station at 271 North St.

The grand opening and dedication ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will be followed by self-guided tours and refreshments.

Although not required, RSVP can be made at tinyurl.com/sfdrsvp or by calling 282-3244.

Grant allows UNE to add new solar hot water system

The University of New England is using a grant to make solar energy improvements on the Biddeford campus.

The university’s sustainability office last year received a $50,000 grant for a solar hot water system and performance monitoring display at the campus center. The project is administered by Efficiency Maine and installed by ReVision Energy.

The new solar thermal system will provide direct heat transfer for domestic hot water at the campus center. It is expected to provide up to 50 percent of the building’s hot water energy supply. A real-time monitor will provide information the university will use to determine cost and energy savings.

“The solar hot water project on our Biddeford Campus Center is UNE’s first experience with renewable energy sources. Everyone is excited about it. Reducing our energy demand, increasing our efficiency of energy use and utilizing renewable energy sources is the multi-pronged strategy the university is taking to achieve our climate neutral goal,” said Alethea Cariddi, sustainability coordinator for the school.

The university will host an information session on solar energy led by ReVision Energy from 1 to 2 p.m. April 18 in the Campus Center Simard room. The public is invited to attend and refreshments will be served.