GORHAM

Truck overturns, spilling load of waste chicken

A dump truck rolled over early Tuesday morning on Route 237, creating a mess and tying up traffic.
The crash happened at 5 a.m. near 30 Sebago Lake Road, which is also Route 237. The northbound Troiano Waste Services truck rolled over and broke a utility pole, police said.

The truck was loaded with 15 cubic yards of a liquid mix of waste processed chicken and raw chicken parts being trucked from Barber Foods in Portland to be composted at a farm in Gorham, according to the Department of Environmental Protection, which was called to supervise cleanup and assess the potential for spilled fuel.

The foul-smelling load spilled onto the road as well as nearby lawns and driveways, the agency reported.

The truck’s driver, Mark Searway, 50, of Scarborough, suffered minor injuries in the crash.
Police say the crash was caused by driver inattention.

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Sebago Lake Road was closed for several hours from Huston to Wards Hill roads. The chicken waste was excavated and taken to be composted, the DEP said.

WINDHAM

Police searching for thief who impersonated deputy

Police are searching for a man who pretended to be an undercover officer and threatened to arrest a resident, but took money instead.

The victim told police on Nov. 21 that a man had come to his door the previous night claiming to be an undercover Cumberland County sheriff’s deputy. He told the victim he would be arrested unless he gave the man money, police said.

The victim drove the suspect to a TD Bank ATM in North Windham, where he withdrew an undisclosed amount of money. The victim then dropped the suspect off near Lampron’s Mini Mart on Route 115 in Windham, police said.

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Police asked that anyone with information call them at 415-0403.

OLD ORCHARD BEACH

Fire damages kitchen of two-family home

A kitchen fire that broke out Tuesday afternoon in a two-family home at 61 Highland Ave. was quickly brought under control.

Capt. John Gilboy said the state Fire Marshall’s Office was called in to investigate the cause, but it does not appear to be suspicious.

The blaze, which was reported at 3 p.m., caused heavy smoke and fire damage to the kitchen. It was brought under control within 20 minutes. No one was at home at the time.

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Fire crews from the neighboring towns of Saco and Scarborough helped Old Orchard Beach.

PORTLAND

Man sentenced for stealing $451,000 from companies

A Brunswick man has been sentenced to two years in prison for defrauding two well-known companies that he worked for out of nearly half a million dollars.

Matthew LaForge, 38, was sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court after pleading guilty in August to mail fraud and tax evasion.

Court records show that while he worked at South Portland-based Wright Express from 2006-08, LaForge fraudulently billed and collected $231,000 from the company for marketing services provided by a company that he invented.

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Prosecutors say LaForge used the same scheme to defraud Freeport-based L.L. Bean out of $220,000 while working there as a financial analyst from 2009-11.

HOULTON

Sergeant avoids jail time for driving drunk to work

A Maine State Police sergeant who showed up to work in her department cruiser while drunk has avoided jail time.

Sgt. Julie Bergan on Monday lost her license for 90 days, was fined $500 and was ordered to take part in a first-offender OUI alternative sentencing program.

Prosecutors had asked for a seven-day jail sentence.

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The Bangor Daily News reported that several of the 24-year department veteran’s colleagues testified on Monday that she showed up for work on June 28 acting erratically and out of character.

A breath test showed her blood-alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit to drive.

Bergan said in court that she did not know she was intoxicated that morning when she woke up and has not had a drink since.

CALAIS

Canadian faces charges over 2,002 meth tablets

A Canadian man who authorities say tried to enter the United States with 2,002 methamphetamine tablets hidden in his vehicle is facing federal drug smuggling charges.

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Charles Joseph Maillet, 49, was apprehended on Thanksgiving Day.

The agency said Maillet presented a trusted-traveler card that had been revoked when he arrived at the Calais International Avenue port of entry on Thursday.

A complete search of the car revealed 2.36 pounds of pills in four packages.

The case was referred to the Maine U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

HERMON

Two arrested during brawl outside wedding reception

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Police say two people were arrested during a brawl at a wedding reception.

The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department said Monday that the two men were arrested late Friday night after the staff at the Morgan Hill Event Center called police to report a fight.

Responding officers saw at least 20 people outside fighting.

Police told the Bangor Daily News they arrested William Gillespie, 46, of Princeton and Shawn McLean, 25, of Winterport. Both face disorderly conduct and other charges, while Gillespie also faces assault on a police officer charges.

Police did not know their relationship to the bride and groom.

Both have been released on bail.


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