Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, launched a bus tour in Bangor today, shifting her campaign "into high gear," according to her spokesman.

Collins, who is running against U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, a Democrat, will make several stops in northern Maine throughout the day. This is the first leg of her tour, which will continue through the coming weeks.

Campaign staffers are live-blogging the trip and posting video updates on the campaign Web site at www.SusanCollins.com.

Dobson in court Tuesday

Laurie Dobson of Kennebunk, an independent who is trying to get her name on the U.S. Senate ballot with Collins and Allen, will be in Maine Superior Court in Augusta on Tuesday.

Dobson is contesting a decision by the Maine Secretary of State's Office that she did not have enough valid signatures to make it on the ballot. The hearing starts at 10:30 a.m., according to Dobson, who is urging supporters to call people who had their signatures thrown out.

Saviello stumps for McCain

This afternoon, state Rep. Tom Saviello of Wilton, an independent, will stand on the Statehouse steps to announce that he is leading a group called Citizens for McCain.

The group is part of a national grassroots effort to get support for Sen. John McCain from Democrats and independents.

Saviello is a former Democrat who quit the party in 2005 to become an independent. He will speak at 2 p.m.