COMCAST INTERNET FAILURE HITS MID COAST

Times Record - A widespread cable Internet outage that began Monday and lasted through most of Tuesday created challenges for Mid-coast business owners and police, and sent Web surfers flocking to public libraries for Internet connections. . . Based on anecdotal reports provided by readers throughout the Mid-coast region, the cable Internet blackout stretched from Freeport in the southwest to Wiscasset in the northeast. Topsham residents were among those to first report losing service on Monday evening, while some cable Internet clients, such as those in downtown Bath, were not reconnected until after 6 p.m. Tuesday. The outtage also affected The Times Record's web site, preventing editors from updating web site content until the following morning. . .

John Goran, who runs TV 3 in Brunswick and serves as chairman of Freeport's Cable TV Regulatory Board, said today that he still doesn't know what caused the outages. . .

Susan Preece, director of Topsham Public Library, said the library saw a significant increase in foot traffic Tuesday, and in people carrying their laptops, to access the library's Internet. People with laptops also sat in their cars outside the library to access wireless Internet service. Preece said she knew of at least one person who came to the library instead of going to their office Tuesday.