Portland

Three treated, released after 4-car crash on I-295

Three people were hospitalized after a four-car crash on Interstate 295 south near Exit 5A in Portland late Monday morning.

Traffic was backed up for more than an hour.

The crash occurred around 11:15 a.m. when Ardo Amir, 57, of Portland, driving a 2002 Ford Focus, tried to re-enter the highway from the exit’s off-ramp, said Maine State Police Trooper Robert Cejka.

Amir’s car was struck by a 2004 Toyota sedan driven by Katharine Bavoso, 23, of New Jersey.

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When Jason MacLean, 41, of South Portland tried to drive his 2008 Ford around the accident, he hit a 2012 Nissan driven by Travis Bean, 41, of West Gardiner traveling in the passing lane.

MacLean’s car flipped over and knocked down the exit sign, Cejka said.

He said MacLean was taken to Maine Medical Center to be treated for lacerations. Amir and Bavoso were also taken to Maine Medical Center for injuries, though Cejka didn’t know specifically what they were.

All three were treated and released Monday, according to Maine Medical Center.

Wreath maker fined over status of employees

Maine’s U.S. attorney said Monday he has reached a settlement agreement with a manufacturer of Christmas wreaths targeted during an investigation into the work status of the company’s employees.

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U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II said Worcester Resources will pay a total of $25,000 over three years after the status of some of its employees to work in the United States could not be confirmed between 2005 and 2007.

The company hires up to 500 temporary employees to make Christmas wreaths and ornaments. In 2007, Worcester Resources terminated 101 employees who were unable to clarify their status through the state’s E-Verify System.

But the company brought back six of those employees for several additional weeks of work, prosecutors say.

Waldoboro

Police identify couple killed in head-on collision

The couple killed in a fatal crash in Waldoboro Friday afternoon were Raymond Thompson and Peggy Aldrich of Whitinsville, Mass., police said Monday.

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Thompson, 68, and Aldrich, 70, were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which occurred when a 2007 Dodge Caliber traveling south on Atlantic Highway crossed the centerline and collided head-on with their 2014 Mitsubishi.

The Dodge was driven by Edward Bean, 63, of Waldoboro, who was taken to Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta, then transferred to Maine Medical Center in Portland, where he was listed in fair condition Monday night.

Waldoboro Police Chief William Labombarde said Monday the couple were not married, but lived together on Prospect Street in Whitinsville.

He said no charges have been made, and the crash remains under investigation.

Cambridge

Suspects in home invasion facing upgraded charges

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Police have upgraded charges against three people they allege were responsible for a masked home invasion in Cambridge last month.

The Somerset County Sheriff’s Department said 25-year-old Melinda Riggs, the alleged getaway driver, is now charged with robbery, burglary and theft, the Morning Sentinel reported.

Meanwhile, Joshua Chase, 28, of Detroit and Ryan Spaulding, 24, of Waterville are now charged with robbery, burglary, assault and theft.

Police said two suspects covered their faces with bandannas and made their way into a home through an unlocked door in the early morning hours of March 23, assaulted the woman who lived in the home and stole prescription medications. The resident required a trip to the hospital for minor injuries.

All three suspects remain in jail.

Auburn

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No serious injuries result from house fire on Easter

A two-alarm fire on Easter caused extensive damage to an Auburn home, but no one was seriously injured.

Firefighters responded to the Stevens Mill Road fire at about 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

All three residents escaped, and were checked out at the scene as a precaution.

Officials said the fire started on a porch, went up the siding and eventually burned the attic and roof.

Crews from Minot, Mechanic Falls, Lewiston and Poland helped battle the blaze and the Red Cross has reached out to the family.

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The cause remains under investigation.

Augusta

Preparedness conference to offer rail disaster session

A conference hosted by the Maine Emergency Management Agency this week will include a session dedicated to the rail disaster across the border in Lac-Megantic, Quebec.

The two-day Maine Partners in Emergency Preparedness Conference kicks off Tuesday at the Augusta Civic Center with a keynote by a national expert on school and workplace safety.

On Tuesday, a panel made up of U.S. and Canadian officials will focus on the fiery oil train derailment that killed 47 people in Lac-Megantic.

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Maine firefighters crossed the border to help douse the fire.

Other events include a skills competition by hazardous materials teams.

Additional event sponsors include the State Emergency Response Commission and Maine Association for Local Emergency Managers.

Scarborough

Planning Board to review Habitat, other applications

The Scarborough Planning Board will meet Tuesday night to review several subdivision applications, including a 13-lot project by Habitat for Humanity.

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Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit group that uses volunteer labor and donated materials to build affordable homes, is proposing a 13-lot residential subdivision at 75 Broadturn Road in the village residential zone.

Also on the agenda is a review of Risbara Construction’s plans for a 13-lot residential subdivision off Highland Avenue and plans by Woods Edge Scarborough LLC for an 11-lot subdivision off Ash Swamp Road.

The board meets at 7 p.m. in the municipal building’s council chamber.

Cumberland

ATV rider hits tank valve causing propane leak

Firefighters responded to a underground propane tank leak Monday night at 18 Shirley Lane in Cumberland after a neighbor riding an all-terrain vehicle rode into the tank’s release valve, breaking it off.

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The leak was reported at about 8 p.m. Falmouth firefighters, who had been responding to a nearby stove malfunction in that town, were the first on the scene. Falmouth Fire Chief Howard Rice said when crews arrived they could hear a loud hissing sound the gas made as it was escaping the 1,000 gallon tank. The three houses on the short dirt road off Middle Road had already been evacuated.

Firefighters sprayed a mist pattern of water on the escaping gas to prevent a fire or explosion until Dead River could arrive and patch the tank.

Rice said the buildings were tested and had no propane fumes. Crews cleared just before 10 p.m. Nobody was hurt.

– From staff and news services


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