SKOWHEGAN

Police issue parking tickets during 10-mile lawn sale

Police on Saturday handed out more than 70 tickets for improper parking during the 30th annual 10-mile lawn sale.

Lawn sales were held on many streets, including Malbons Mills and Dr. Mann roads, and stretched into Cornville via Route 150 and West Ridge Road. Officer Jason Gayne said motorists parked on sides of roads marked “No Parking,” and some drivers even parked nearly in the middle of roads.

Gayne, who has worked the lawn sale detail the last few years, responded Saturday to at least one vehicle accident, but there were no injuries. He also had to escort an ambulance to Cedar Ridge Center, a nursing home on Dr. Mann Road.

WATERVILLE

Maine chase suspect caught by FBI agent in Connecticut

A Maine man wanted by police after leading officers on a high-speed chase is in custody in Connecticut.

Authorities say an FBI agent arrested 31-year-old Ernest Almeida on Friday after overhearing him bragging aboard an Amtrak train about being wanted in Maine.

He’s due in court Monday in Connecticut.

In Maine, Waterville Deputy Chief Charles Rumsey says Almeida was driving with a suspended license when he led police on a chase Thursday evening. He ultimately abandoned his Jeep and fled into some woods before reappearing in Connecticut.

Almeida, who couldn’t be reached Saturday, is charged in Maine with eluding an officer, operating after suspension as a habitual offender and driving to endanger.

BANGOR

Officials continue search for missing teenage girl

Maine law enforcement officials are continuing to follow up on tips as they try to find a 15-year-old Glenburn girl last seen a week ago.

Penobscot County Chief Deputy Troy Morton said Saturday that the latest search efforts focused on several areas of Route 221 and Route 43 in Glenburn, Hudson and West Old Town. Nichole Cable’s mom says she was last seen when she went outside to see someone she’d met over the Internet.
Investigators want to know if anyone saw a black Ford Ranger pickup or similar truck near Cable’s home between 8 p.m. Sunday and 2 a.m. Monday.

PORTLAND

LePage chides Democrats over budget plan, Medicaid

A day after warning that the state is running out of money to pay Medicaid providers, Gov. Paul

LePage used his weekly radio address Saturday to chide Democratic leaders for failing to act on his two-year budget proposal and to deride the Democratic alternative for repaying $484 million in hospital debt.

Democrats, who accused the administration of financial mismanagement, called on Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew to meet with the Appropriations Committee in an emergency meeting Sunday.

The DHHS budget problem underscored the lack of progress on LePage’s $6.3 billion budget plan.

The GOP governor said he’s made tough choices to cut spending and accused Democrats of seeking to raise taxes.

“I’ve done the hard work, and I’ve made the tough choices. I’ve done my job. Now it’s time for legislators to do theirs,” LePage said during his radio address.

YORK

Afternoon crash provesfatal on Cider Hill Road

Police investigated a fatal motor vehicle accident on Route 91 Saturday afternoon.

A York Police Department dispatcher said police responded to the scene on Route 91, also known as Cider Hill Road, where the vehicle crashed shortly before 3 p.m.

The name of the victim and other information were not available.

MONTPELIER, VT.

Gun sale will help maintain police dog for drug searches

A St. Johnsbury man arrested when police found drugs and a gun in his car is becoming an unwitting accomplice in helping police maintain a dog used in drug searches.

The Caledonian-Record reported that 42-year-old Hummingbird Takahashi pleaded no contest to a charge of possessing cocaine in exchange for a $200 fine and an order that he forfeit a handgun seized during his arrest. A second charge of marijuana possession was dismissed by the state as part of the plea deal.

According to the terms of the plea agreement reached on May 13, Takahashi agreed to forfeit a Smith & Wesson .38 caliber handgun seized during his arrest by the St. Johnsbury Police Department in order to “augment the Bodie fund.”

The fund, which was set up to defray expenses for the dog, is supported by private donations.

– From staff and news services