For the past 11 years Roger Philippon has worked for Lewiston-Auburn College. On Monday, he begins a new job at Central Maine Community College in Auburn.

At L-A College in Lewiston, Philippon was assistant dean in charge of student and community affairs. At CMMC, he’ll be dean of planning and public affairs. It’s a new position. He’ll take over some of the work done by Annee Tara, who worked in public affairs and is retiring.

On Friday, his last day at L-A College, Philippon said he would leave with mixed emotions. “It’s very difficult to leave here.” L-A College is considered a tight-knit community. He’ll miss the staff members and students.

“But I look forward to my new challenges at CMCC,” Philippon said, calling it a good opportunity. “I’m pleased I’ll still be working in higher education in this community.”

Philippon is wellknown and active in the community. He’s a former Lewiston city councilor, has served on the Lewiston Development Corp., and is a member of the Lewiston Planning Board. He’s also been involved in cardiac ice hockey and baseball and is a board member and actor for Community Little Theater.

He’s married to Celeste. They are the parents of one son, Joseph, a Lewiston police officer.

– Bonnie Washuk
Artist wraps up rooftop tour

A New York City painter is scheduled to wrap up his 50-state project, painting his 50th rooftop flag in Arlington, Va., on Sunday.

Scott Lobaido painted No. 29 in his series on the roof of 240 Russell St. in Lewiston in August. He wrapped up No. 49 in Beckley, W. Va., last Tuesday and plans his final flag for a rooftop near Arlington National Cemetery.

Lobaido began last February in North Carolina. The goal was to rekindle a sense of patriotism and pride by painting flowing American flags on one rooftop in every state. He doesn’t charge for his works, but a group of volunteers and veterans’ groups have sprung up along the way to help the artist continue his work and make it to his next stop.

Lobaido said he plans to publish a coffee-table book documenting his trek. More information about the project is available at his Web site, www.creativepatriot.org.

– Scott Taylor
Too fast, too furious

Too many motorists continue to drive at insane speeds, a growing problem in Maine. According to Steve McCausland of the Maine Department of Safety, troopers stopped outrageous speeders on divided highways and even two-lane roads in the past week:

• A car with four Navy men from Brunswick was stopped on the turnpike in Gray, driving 111 mph;

• A motorist driving at 97 mph in Gardiner was clocked by a State Police plane;

• A motorist was stopped on Route 9 in Amherst for driving 90 mph;

• Another was caught on radar on Route 17 in Readfield driving 105. When Trooper Bill Plourde caught up with that vehicle about 2 miles away, it had gone off the road and crashed. Plourde charged Jeremy Ouellette, 24, of Wilton with a number of violations.

– Bonnie Washuk