SOUTH PORTLAND

Veterans Bridge on-ramp to be closed for construction

The Route 1 ramp that leads onto the existing Veterans Memorial Bridge will be closed Monday until May 4.

The Maine Department of Transportation said the closing will allow construction crews to work on the southern approach to the new Veterans Memorial Bridge.

The Interstate 295 northbound Exit 4 off-ramp, which also leads to the Veterans Memorial Bridge, will also be closed intermittently during off-peak hours, from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The department said construction of the new bridge is on schedule and the bridge is expected to open to traffic this summer. The old bridge is scheduled to be removed by the end of the year.

ROCKLAND

Inmate sues over crash of vehicles carrying prisoners

A crash involving two vehicles transporting prisoners has led to a lawsuit by a Maine State Prison inmate.

The lawsuit by Clifford Perkins claims the driver was operating the vehicle negligently and unskillfully when the crash occurred, causing injuries to Perkins.

The crash occurred April 22, 2010, in Thomaston.

Perkins originally was sentenced for burglary and other offenses. He escaped from the Bolduc Correctional Center, known also as the prison farm, in late 2009 but was apprehended two weeks later hiding in the woods in Scarborough. His scheduled release date is in 2014.

AUGUSTA

Man pleads not guilty in stabbing death of roommate

A 40-year-old Augusta man has pleaded not guilty in the stabbing death of his roommate.

Michael Thomas Young was ordered held without bail at the Kennebec County jail until an April 26 hearing on his bail status.

Young is charged with fatally stabbing his 46-year-old roommate, David Cox, on June 11. He could face 25 years to life in prison if he is convicted.

Authorities have released few details except to say Cox, an Army veteran, was stabbed in the chest.

ROCHESTER, N.H.

Maine woman charged with theft in bank withdrawals

A Maine woman who formerly worked at a New Hampshire bank has been charged with making fraudulent withdrawals from a customer’s account during a two-year period.

Authorities said 32-year-old Kristin Fallon of Berwick was arrested Friday on a charge of theft by unauthorized taking, a felony.

Foster’s Daily Democrat reports that the arrest came after a five-month investigation begun when police met with internal investigators at the Profile Bank in Rochester, N.H., about numerous unauthorized withdrawals from a customer’s account. Police would not say how much was taken.Fallon was released on $50,000 personal recognizance bail and will be arraigned next month.

AUGUSTA

Birthday wishes, donations sought for wounded soldier

Maine relatives of a soldier severely wounded in Afghanistan are asking residents to send him birthday greetings via a Facebook page.

Army Staff Sgt. Travis Mills is married to Kelsey Buck Mills, who grew up in the Gardiner area. He suffered severe injuries in an explosion while on patrol Tuesday. Travis Mills turned 25 Saturday. The couple have a 6-month-old daughter.

A Facebook page “Support for Travis Mills and Family” has updates about Mills’ condition and offers a way to donate $25 to help his family or to contribute to the Wounded Warrior Project, which aids families of wounded service personnel. Those who are interested may request to join the group, and after their request is approved, they’ll be able to leave messages.

There is also a website that offers information and a way to donate to help Mills’ family.

 

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