PORTLAND

York teen injured in I-295 crash still in critical condition

A teenager from York remained in critical condition at Maine Medical Center on Thursday night with injuries she suffered in a crash on Interstate 295.

State police said Erika Jolie, 18, apparently was sending a text message when the 1995 BMW she was driving left the southbound lane of Interstate 295 in Yarmouth, crossed the median and hit a northbound sport utility vehicle around 3:48 p.m. Wednesday.

Trooper Larry Rose said he found a partial text message on Jolie’s cell phone after the accident.

Police shut down both northbound lanes of the highway for about 30 minutes, causing traffic to back up from the Royal River Bridge in Yarmouth to the Bucknam Road exit in Falmouth.

 

Casco man indicted in crash that killed two of his friends

A 20-year-old man from Casco was indicted Thursday on two counts of manslaughter in a crash that killed two of his friends.

The indictment against Nicholas Sparrow was handed up by a grand jury in Cumberland County Superior Court.

Police say Sparrow was drunk and driving his mother’s car with the lights off at 1 a.m. on Aug. 29 when a sheriff’s deputy tried to pull him over on Poland Spring Road in Casco. The car sped up, went off the road and crashed into trees.

Thomas St. Saviour, 29, of Hiram and Michael Daye, 14, of Baldwin were killed.

STANDISH

Fourth man sought in raid turns himself in to police

A fourth man who was sought by police in connection with a drug investigation in Standish has turned himself in to police.

Emille Quimby, 34, of Steep Falls was booked and released on bail Wednesday night at the Cumberland County Jail. He is charged with two felony counts of cocaine trafficking.

Three others have been charged with various offenses in connection with a raid Monday morning at the home at 450 Richville Road.

Police charged Dale Porter, 50, with trafficking in marijuana; Jesse Porter, 18, with possession of a stolen handgun, reckless conduct with a firearm and possession of the drug ecstasy; and Dale Swasey, 25, with possession of cocaine.

During the raid, police seized guns, four pounds of processed marijuana, dozens of ecstasy tablets and $4,700 in cash.

Quimby’s lawyer, J.P. DeGrinney, said his client has been working in central and northern Maine and was moving out of the home in Standish. DeGrinney said Quimby turned himself in after learning about the arrests.

“Emille is not a drug dealer, and he intends to plead not guilty to all charges,” DeGrinney said.

AUGUSTA

Sportsman’s Alliance names Florida State grad director

A graduate of Florida State University who went to law school in Illinois is the new executive director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine.

The 14,000-member organization announced Wednesday that Tim Bell had succeeded George Smith as head of the organization, which represents the interests of Maine hunters, anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts to the public and lawmakers.

The alliance said Bell has more than 15 years of experience in politics. Bell was director of governmental affairs for a national physician’s organization and a legislative assistant to a state representative in Florida.

 

Woman, 24, charged in assault of her infant son

A 24-year-old woman is charged with assaulting her infant son.

Jessica Lynn Padgett was indicted Sept. 23 on charges of aggravated assault and assault. The indictment, which was sealed until her arrest Wednesday night, says the offenses occurred on Sept. 20, 2009, in Augusta, when her son was about two months old.

Kennebec County District Attorney Evert Fowle said an investigation began after the child was brought to an emergency room with bruises and scrapes on his arms. Fowle said the child suffered a broken rib.

Fowle said the baby was placed with the Department of Health and Human Services after law enforcement intervened shortly after the child was hospitalized. Two other children in the family have been cared for elsewhere since earlier this year, Fowle said.

Padgett’s bail was set at $10,000 worth of property or $1,000 cash.

 

Grant to expand senior fraud prevention program

Maine will get some federal help in preventing Medicare fraud.

Federal officials said the state will receive $88,750 to help expand the Maine Senior Medicare Patrol program. It will help Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries become better at health care fraud prevention, identification and reporting.

The grant comes as scam artists try to use the new health care law to scare and steal from seniors. It’s one of more than 50 nationwide made available under President Obama’s mandate to educate seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries about how to prevent fraud.

LEWISTON

Funeral set for founder of VIP Auto Center chain

A funeral is scheduled next week for Tom Auger Sr. of Lewiston, founder of the VIP Discount Auto Center chain. Auger, who had diabetes and had recently suffered a heart attack, died Wednesday at the age of 82.

Starting out with a used tire changing machine in an old barn, Auger built his small business into a New England-wide chain of 46 auto parts and service stores.

The Sun Journal of Lewiston said Auger’s business career started after a career in baseball, in the St. Louis Cardinals minor league system. A shoulder injury ended his baseball playing days.

Auger was known for his generosity in the Lewiston area, contributing to a balloon festival, July 4 fireworks and other events.

BIDDEFORD

Floating kite sail sets off search for missing owner

A kite sail that was seen floating off Biddeford Pool triggered a search for its owner Thursday afternoon.

Coast Guard Lt. Nick Barrow said a Coast Guard vessel and helicopter were sent to Biddeford around 2:15 p.m. after a fishing boat’s crew reported that a large kite sail was adrift. Such a sail is typically attached to a person who stands on a narrow wakeboard and skims across the ocean’s surface, Barrow said.

The Maine Marine Patrol joined the search, as did the fireboats from Biddeford and Scarborough.

The search was called off at 4:30 p.m., after the kite sail’s owner contacted the Maine Marine Patrol. The owner said wind had blown his sail out to sea.

Barrow said the incident underscores the need for owners of kayaks and other recreational craft to notify authorities if those items come loose. The Coast Guard must investigate reports of empty boats or life jackets floating at sea.