VASSALBORO

Teen driver dies after car leaves road, slams into tree

Additional Photos

State Police troopers inspect the scene of the crash that killed Aundria St. Amand, 18, of South China. St. Amand’s car veered off Route 3 just before 2 p.m. Friday. Officials are still investigating what caused her car to leave the road. Photo courtesy Maine State Police

Crashes in Vassalboro and Waldoboro killed three people on Friday, police said.

A South China woman was killed early Friday afternoon when the car she was driving went off Stone Road between Route 3 and Cross Hill Road in Vassalboro, police said.

Aundria St. Amand, 18, died instantly when her car veered off the road on a curve and slammed into a tree just before 2 p.m., according to Stephen McCausland, spokesman for Maine Department of Public Safety. She was alone in the car.

McCausland said Maine State Police troopers were attempting to determine why St. Amand’s car left the road.

Meanwhile, Waldoboro police were investigating a crash on U.S. Route 1 that killed two people in the commercial section of the town on Friday.

Police did not immediately identify the victims in that accident.

CEO of Heritage Policy Center leaving for Virginia

The CEO of the Maine Heritage Policy Center is resigning at the end of April to lead Virginia-based State Budget Solutions, a think tank that aims to help states develop fiscally sound budgets.

J. Scott Moody made his announcement Thursday at the Maine Heritage Policy Center’s monthly luncheon in Portland.

He said he’s looking forward to bringing what he’s learned with the conservative think tank in Maine to the Virginia-based group.

Gov. Paul LePage said he is sad to see Moody leave Maine and described him “as a tremendous asset for Maine conservatives and a powerful defender of Maine taxpayers.”

PLYMOUTH

Wild turkey crashes into state trooper’s windshield

A Maine State Police trooper avoided injury Thursday after a wild turkey flew into the windshield of his cruiser on Interstate 95 near Plymouth.

Trooper Tucker Bonnevie saw a flock of turkeys in the median of the interstate early Thursday morning as he was headed south, according to state police spokesman Stephen McCausland. As Bonnevie approached, the birds scattered and one of them flew directly into the windshield, leaving a large dent on the driver’s side glass, McCausland said Friday in a news release.

It’s not clear what happened to the turkey. Bonnevie was not injured. Damage to the cruiser was limited to the windshield.

ALFRED

Former pastor avoids jail with child porn guilty plea

The former pastor of a Biddeford church has avoided prison time after pleading guilty to child pornography charges.

James Napier entered his plea Wednesday in York County Superior Court to 10 counts of possession of sexually explicit materials of a minor under 12, prosecutors told WMTW-TV.

His entire five-year prison sentence was suspended for 12 years of probation, with conditions including no contact with children under the age of 16 and no serving in a church capacity.

Police said a search of Napier’s computer in 2012 found more than 100 images of child porn. Investigators said none of the children in the images was from Maine.

Shortly after his arrest, Napier resigned as the pastor of the New Beginnings Christian Mission in Biddeford.

BANGOR

Largest medical marijuana trade show a big draw

What is believed to be the largest medical marijuana trade show in New England is coming to Bangor on Saturday.

Homegrown Maine 2014, which is organized by the Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine, will take place at the Spectacular Events Center. A spokeswoman for the organization said the event is geared for caregivers, patients and growers. The organization estimates that thousands of people will attend the event.

The event will include a talk from Dustin Sulak, a Falmouth-based osteopathic physician, about recent scientific research on medical marijuana. State Sen. Geoff Gratwick, a Democrat and Bangor-based physician, will talk about hospice and medical marijuana. There will also be arts, crafts, music, legal services and smoking supply vendors, organizers said.

The trade show includes a smoking tent outside the facility for qualified users. Organizers said the event will also include workshops, classes, vendors and performances.

There will be no marijuana for sale at the event.

PORTLAND

County sheriff lieutenant investigated for abuse

A lieutenant in the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office is under investigation for domestic abuse, a top official in the department said Friday.

Chief Deputy Naldo Gagnon declined to identify the officer, saying that the investigation is continuing and no charges have been filed.

Gagnon said he didn’t know whether the lieutenant has been reassigned or put on administrative leave while the investigation is conducted.

The investigation is expected to be completed Monday, Gagnon said.

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