FREEPORT
State lawmaker arrested on OUI charge after crash
Sean Flaherty, a Democrat who represents Scarborough in the state House of Representatives, was arrested early Sunday morning on a charge of driving under the influence.
A state police trooper was called to mile 20 southbound on Interstate 295 just before 2 a.m. for a report of a rollover. The trooper found that Flaherty, the vehicle’s only occupant, had suffered minor injuries in the one-car crash.
Further investigation led police to charge Flaherty, 25, with drunken driving, said Lt. Louis Nytray. The results of a blood test were not available, he said.
Dan Warren, a lawyer who is a friend of Flaherty, said, “He hit his head and remembers little. … He is willing to provide any information to authorities.
“My hope is to be able to gather all the facts and encourage Sean to make a public statement for his constituents and supporters very soon,” Warren said.
KENNEBUNK
Crews cooperate to rescue 6 people off Cape Porpoise
The Coast Guard’s search and rescue chief for northern New England says cooperation led to the rescue of six people from an island off Cape Porpoise.
Officials say the operator of a 20-foot motorboat called the Coast Guard’s station in Portsmouth, N.H., about 11 p.m. Sunday to report that the boat was taking on water after hitting a rock near Folly Island.
The Coast Guard and rescue crews from Wells and Kennebunk were unable to reach the vessel because of rough weather and shallow water. The local fire departments used an inflatable boat to reach the vessel.
Two passengers were taken by Coast Guard helicopter to a hospital in Portsmouth with minor injuries.
STANDISH
Wardens who found boy praise mother for calling quickly
The Maine Warden Service is praising a mother in Standish for calling for help right after she noticed that her 3-year-old son was missing while chasing his dog.
Hunter Spearrin was found about 1 p.m. Sunday, three hours after his mother called for help. His mother, Nina Berwick, is nine months pregnant and couldn’t chase him.
Hunter and the dog were found safe about a half-mile from home.
The wardens say people often wait until dark before calling for help, making the search more difficult.
GORHAM
Papers available for posts on council, School Board
Nomination papers are available for positions on the Town Council and School Board.
Three seats will be open for three-year terms on the council, and two seats will be open for three-year terms on the School Board.
Candidates must collect at least 25 signatures and no more than 100 signatures of registered voters in Gorham. The town election will be held on Nov. 2.
The signatures must be submitted to the town clerk’s office by 4:30 p.m. Sept. 20. For more information, call 222-1670.
PORTLAND
Five cruise ships expected to visit harbor this week
Five cruise ships carrying nearly 2,300 passengers are due in the city this week.
On Sunday, the American Glory and Niagara Prince visited before continuing their coastal Maine cruises.The Grande Caribe arrives today on a Maine coastal cruise. On Friday, the Independence will arrive.
On Saturday, the Enchantment of the Seas will visit Portland carrying about 1,950 passengers. The Royal Caribbean International ship will head north for Bar Harbor at the end of its visit before concluding a nine-day itinerary in Baltimore.
BANGOR
Mainer suspected in rape of woman in Pennsylvania
State and federal law enforcement authorities in Pennsylvania say they believe a Maine man could be responsible for a daytime kidnapping and rape in the Allegheny National Forest.
The Bangor Daily News reported that Pennsylvania State Police say the unknown suspect could be from the Gardiner, Maine, area and that his vehicle is registered in Maine.
Police say the suspect approached a couple Aug. 3 at the Kinzua Point Information Center, tied up the man, forced the woman into his pickup truck and took her to the Red Bridge area of McKean County. He then released her.
The suspect is described as white, 30 to 40 years old, with short hair, possibly balding and a dark scruffy beard. He identified himself as Mark.
BRISTOL
Archaeological dig starting at Pemaquid site this week
An archaeological dig of what’s believed to be a 17th-century structure at the Pemaquid historic site will get under way this week.
The weeklong excavation at the Colonial Pemaquid State Historic Site in New Harbor will be open to the public for viewing.
Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands historian Tom Desjardin said a test dig has revealed more than 300 artifacts at the structure site, such as pieces of pottery and china and nails.
The dig is sponsored by the Friends of Colonial Pemaquid and led by the Maine Historic Preservation Commission.
Colonial Pemaquid was home of American Indians at least 7,000 years ago and was also the site of a 17th-century English fishing station and village.
EAST MILLINOCKET
Mother of girl killed in 1980 wants FBI to take over case
The mother of a Maine girl who was killed in 1980 wants the FBI to take over the investigation.
Pamela McLain made her comments on Sunday, the 30th anniversary of the killing of her 16-year-old daughter, Joyce, who apparently was abducted while jogging in East Millinocket.
McLain says she’s disappointed that there hasn’t been a break in the case in the last two years, since the girl’s body was exhumed and investigators retrieved what they said were usable DNA samples.
Over the years, the unsolved killing has been the focus of intense publicity, including a national television show and magazine article.
McLain told the Bangor Daily News that police have about a dozen suspects or people of interest in the case.
MONTPELIER, Vt.
FairPoint giving regulators more information on plan
FairPoint Communications says it will submit more information to Vermont regulators in hopes of getting them to reverse their disapproval of the company’s plan to emerge from bankruptcy.
The company considered trying to get a federal bankruptcy court effectively to overturn the June 28 decision of the Public Service Board. But Michael Smith, FairPoint’s Vermont president, said the company has decided to go back to the Vermont board first.
FairPoint declared bankruptcy last October. Its plan to rework its finances and emerge from bankruptcy by the end of this summer has been approved in the 17 other states where it operates. Vermont is the sole exception.
– From staff and news services
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