AUGUSTA

Group to back people’s veto if GOP majority passes plan

A Maine citizens group says it will support a possible referendum challenge to a Republican congressional reapportionment plan if that party pushes its proposal through the Legislature with a simple majority vote.

The Maine People’s Voting Coalition says it will participate in any coalition formed to launch a “people’s veto” effort if majority Republicans opt to pass their redistricting plan with their majority, rather than seeking a two-thirds vote.

Coalition Executive Director Ed Schlick said Sunday that the GOP supported a pending constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds legislative vote to redistrict the state. He says passing a plan now with only a majority would be hypocritical.

Republicans say they’re prepared to use their majority power to pass a reapportionment plan if a compromise with Democrats isn’t reached for Tuesday’s legislative session.

Crashes injure ATV riders; none was wearing a helmet

Several all-terrain vehicle operators and riders were hospitalized after weekend accidents in Maine. The accidents prompted officials to urge ATV riders to wear helmets.

In Robbinston, Maine, two ATVs crashed in the woods Saturday while one was passing another. Rebecca and John Stanhope of Robbinston, who are married, were hospitalized.

In Sumner, Peter Harrington of Sumner crashed at a high rate of speed on a dirt road and the ATV hit a tree Saturday night. Harrington sustained serious injuries; his 11-year-old stepson was treated and released.

None of the riders in the two accidents was wearing a helmet.

WESTPORT ISLAND

Fire damages modular home; owner is taken to a hospital

A homeowner was taken to a local hospital for evaluation after being overcome by smoke from a Sunday morning fire that caused heavy damage to his residence.

Wiscasset Fire Chief Rob Bickford said more than 40 firefighters from eight communities responded to the fire at 100 North End Road on Westport Island, a community in Lincoln County.

“Between the heat and humidity, people were getting burned out pretty fast,” Bickford said, referring to the need for a large number of firefighters to fight the blaze.

Bickford said the fire, which was reported around 9:30 a.m., caused heavy smoke and fire damage to about half of the modular home.

The cause of the fire, which is believed to have started in the kitchen area, remains under investigation.

LITTLETON

Driver killed when vehicle rolls over on a gravel road

Maine State Police say a 19-year-old woman has died following a single-car accident in northern Maine.

Police said Kathleen Lombardo of Monticello was operating a 2011 Nissan when she lost control on a gravel road and the vehicle rolled over Sunday morning. Lombardo, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected and died at the scene.

Police said speed is considered a factor in the accident, but an investigation is ongoing.

— From staff and news services