With only 11 paid staff members, the chapter relies almost exclusively on volunteers to carry out its relief work. The turnout so far exceeds 1,000, from Maine and such far-flung states as California, Illinois, Michigan and Georgia. Those who travel from away make a three-week commitment to the relief effort. But most stay longer. Ginger, the volunteer from Arkansas, said she'll stay as long as she's needed.
Police report thefts of coveted generators.
By Alan Clendenning Portland Press Herald T hieves are taking advantage of this month's paralyzing ice storm by targeting the expensive gas generators many Mainers now covet. Bell Atlantic, the state's largest phone company, has lost between 12 and 15 generators from switching stations between Cumberland and Bucksport. The thefts resulted in temporary telephone outages until new generators were put in place. Only a few homeowners from Cumberland County have reported having generators stolen since 500,000 people lost power eight days ago and people started buying generators as fast as they could be unloaded from trucks. But police say anyone who has a gas generator chugging away in the front yard should anchor it or try to put it someplace where it doesn't stand out as a temptation.