High-speed chase ends in crash, no arrest

 The York County Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate a high-speed car chase that ended in a crash on South Street in Biddeford.

York County Sheriff Maurice Ouellette said an officer was patrolling on South Street in Lyman around 9:30 a.m. Aug. 19 when he tried to pull over a car, which took off at a high rate of speed.

Ouellette said the department decided to end the chase because of safety concerns, but the officer came across the vehicle again a short time later. The vehicle had failed to negotiate a turn and crashed into a telephone pole in front of a home on South Street in Biddeford, he said.

The driver, described by police as a man, apparently fled the scene, Ouellette said. A state police dog was brought in to track the subject but lost the scent, he said. The car, now in police custody, has damage to the front end. The car was not driven by its owner.

Biddeford council backs TIF for housing

 The Biddeford City Council gave initial approval for a tax increment financing district for the former Emery School on Hill Street.

The council on Aug. 17 voted in favor of the TIF district developers say is necessary to convert the building to senior housing units. Councilors Clement Fleurent, David Bourque and George “Pete” Lamontagne voted in opposition.

Under the plan, 60 percent of property taxes is directed to the developer and 40 percent goes to the city’s general fund for 16 years. If the project continues forward, the city could earn about $200,000 in the next 16 years, followed by $40,000 per year in new taxes.

The council earlier this month voted to give Developers Collaborative a one-year option to buy the building for $360,000. The project, proposed by Developers Collaborative and Avesta Housing, would create 24 affordable senior housing units in the building.

Saco man charged in theft of auto parts

A Saco man faces four felony theft charges for allegedly stealing 14 catalytic converters from Augusta car dealers.

Augusta Police Department Detective Jason Cote said Stephen Ivanusic, 45, confessed to using exhaust pipe cutters to take catalytic converters from three car dealerships. Ivanusic’s last address was in Saco.

Cote said the thefts include 11 converters from Independent Auto, two converters from Charlie’s Toyota and one from Lee Credit Express. It generally costs between $1,500 and $2,000 to replace the part, he said. Independent Auto reported damages at nearly $9,000, he said.

Catalytic converters generally are stolen because they contain precious metals and can be resold, Cote said. Ivanusic was charged following a joint investigation with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department.

Cote said more charges against Ivanusic are pending from Augusta police and other departments in the area.

Bike center honored for fundraising

 The Community Bicycle Center of Biddeford was awarded the 2010 Trek Across Maine Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Lung Association of New England.

The center has participated for the past 11 years in the Trek Across Maine, a 180-mile bicycle ride to raise money and awareness for the American Lung Association. The bicycle center team was the highest community fundraising team with $175,163 in pledges. The team was also the largest community team with 50 members, including a group of 11- and 12-year-old students.

“The Trek Across Maine is such a wonderful event,” bicycle center Executive Director Andy Greif said in a prepared statement. “This is something that the CBC kids value, and they are very proud of their Trek accomplishments. It prepares them for future challenges they may face and gives them the opportunity to have an experience they will carry with them throughout their lives.”

Registration for the 2011 Trek Across Maine is now open. For more information, go to www.biketreknewengland.org or call 624-0312.

South Street Festival

draws close to 1,000

The second annual South Street Festival drew hundreds of people to downtown Biddeford Saturday afternoon.

Roland Lawler, who helped organize the event, said close to 1,000 people attended the festival, which featured free food, music and family activities.

“Everyone had a blast,” Lawler said.

Festival organizers served 300 pounds of hamburger, 200 pounds of hand-cut french fries, 100 hot dogs and 540 ears of corn grown in Biddeford. Lawler said extra effort from volunteers ensured the event was a success.

Lawler anticipates the next festival will be scheduled for Aug. 20, 2011, with a rain date of Aug. 21.