Train-hoppers arrested in South Portland

A quartet of vagrants was arrested in South Portland last week after failing at the old hobo trick of trying to hop a train for a free ride.

The four were arrested in Rigby Yard at about 4 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 15, and charged with trespassing on railroad tracks.

“They were observed by rail personnel attempting to jump a southbound train,” said Lt. Frank Clark, spokesman for the South Portland Police Department.

“The rail personnel had a safety concern because the Amtrak was due to be coming through that area northbound on a parallel track,” said Clark. “Also, the train they were attempting to board contained toxic chemicals.”

All four were listed as transients, although booking sheets at the Cumberland County Jail listed last-known address. Arrested were: Jayson A. Calvo, 23, of Fayetteville, S.C.; Montgomery J. Nummi, 21, of Portland; Michael Rayborne, 19, of Portland; and, Sarah D. Reynolds, 18, of San Antonio, Texas.

Two dogs traveling with the group were taken to the Animal Refuge League, said Clark.

– Duke Harrington

Rollover leads to arrest

A Massachusetts man was arrested for drunk driving after flipping his van onto its roof on the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge in South Portland early Saturday morning.

Daniel Thomas, 22, of Shrewsbury, Mass., rolled over his 2002 Dodge van in a single-vehicle accident at 12:51 a.m. Thomas was not injured and was outside of the vehicle when police arrived. After he was cleared by emergency personnel, a roadside investigation resulted in his arrest for operating under the influence.

The crash remains under investigation, but based on the investigation to date, including witness statements and officer observations, speed and alcohol are likely to have been contributing factors, police said. The case will be referred to the District Attorney’s Office for review and prosecution.

Prime donates to Sweetser

The Prime Motor Group, with several automobile dealerships situated along U.S. Route 1 in Saco and Scarborough, presented a $10,000 check last week to Sweetser, a nonprofit organization with headquarters in Saco that helps families throughout Maine.

Prime Motor Group is the major sponsor of Sweetser’s annual golf tournament. Held earlier this summer, the tournament raised more than $45,000 for the charity. This was the eighth consecutive year that Prime was the major sponsor. The company’s close relationship with Sweetser began in 2004, when owner Ira Rosenberg and his wife Judy made a major gift to help Sweetser replace a barn that had burned down, a major loss on its Saco campus.

Sweetser is a nationally-accredited, nonprofit organization that provides treatment and support to children, adults and families through a network of mental health, behavioral health and educational services. It has 14 locations throughout Maine. More information about the organization is available at www.sweetser.org.

Googins reunion planned

The descendants of Fred and Amy Googins (b. 1895 – d. 1970) will be holding a reunion Oct. 27 from 1-4 p.m. at the Clambake Restaurant.

Twenty years ago, Clambake founder Donny Thurlow hosted the first reunion and a tradition began of including other old Pine Point families. Descendants of Fred and Amy Googins and members of Pine Point’s old families are invited to attend. An historical slide presentation will be narrated by family historians.

Details are online at www.johnthurlow.com/reunion.html. For more information, call Dianne McLellan at 883-6623, Judy Shirk at 883-9400 or Bruce Thurlow at 883-5445.

RVSP is required.

Adult education open house

South Portland Adult Education will offer several classes this fall. An open house for the public will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 5:30-7:00 p.m., at South Portland High School for people to meet instructors, register for classes and ask questions.

Fall classes include: GED preparation, Math Lab for GED and Accuplacer preparation, English as a Second Language classes, free advance planning seminars to include information regarding veterans benefits, cremation and advance funeral planning, a home decoration series, how to become a substitute teacher, one-on-one computer class for beginners, free financial literacy seminars, and beginning Spanish.

For more information, email adulted@spsd.org, go to www.southportland.maineadulted.org or call 767-3266, ext. 240.

Daniel Thomas, 22, of Shrewsbury, Mass., was arrested after he rolled over his 2002 Dodge van on Veteran’s Memorial Bridge early Saturday morning.