State police arrested 112 people in southern Maine last month with assistance from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and United States Marshals Service.

Police lodged a total of 183 charges, including 44 felonies, against people arrested on outstanding warrants. The arrests took place in York, Cumberland, Oxford and Androscoggin counties on warrants generated from Maine and U.S. District courts.

Francis Johnson, 26, of Biddeford, was arrested at a Saco motel on warrants for eluding a police officer and domestic violence terrorizing. Johnson allegedly was in possession of three replica firearms and 20 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Johnson is a convicted felon with a violent history in Connecticut so the investigation will be turned over to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to be prosecuted in federal court, according to police.

Johnson also was with his wife at the time of his arrest, a violation of bail conditions from a previous arrest. His bail was set at more than $10,000, according to police.

Christie Adams, 24, of Old Orchard Beach, was arrested at her home on a warrant for aggravated drug trafficking and probation violation. She allegedly hid crack cocaine and prescription pills in her boot. Police seized $800 and her bail was set at $10,000.

Adams’ boyfriend, 21-year-old Zakira Yousef of Old Orchard Beach, was arrested for hindering apprehension when he didn’t let officers into the home, according to police.

Victor Sampson, 35, of Hollis, was arrested at his home on a fugitive from justice warrant. Police said he was wanted by officials in Rockingham County, N.H., for heroin possession. He also was wanted by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department for operating under habitual offender status, operating under the influence and failure to give correct name to law enforcement.

Sampson is being held without bail on the fugitive from justice warrant and $1,195 bail on the other charges.

Matthew Nadeau, 27, of Old Orchard Beach, was arrested in Saco on warrants from state police and the Portland Police Department for aggravated forgery, operating after suspension, criminal simulation, theft and providing a false name to police. He has been wanted by state police for several months after he allegedly gave a trooper a false name when stopped on the Maine Turnpike.

Police said Nadeau was in possession of heroin at the time of his arrest. He bailed himself out of jail and is now wanted on new drug charges, according to police.

Derek and Jason Berube, 23-year-old twins from Hollis, were arrested at their home on burglary warrants from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department. Bail was set at $560 each.

While looking for a wanted person at a Saco motel, officers arrested Jamison Snyder, 39, of Biddeford, and Kasandra Petebella, 29, of Saco, for allegedly possessing crack cocaine. Snyder was charged with Class B aggravated drug trafficking and Petebella faces an additional charge of violation of bail conditions from a previous arrest, police said.

James Craig, 64, of Biddeford, was arrested for allegedly trafficking drugs in a school zone, a felony, while police looked for an individual at a home in Biddeford. Items at the house and a large amount of marijuana indicated Craig was dealing marijuana in the vicinity of an elementary school, according to police.

State troopers issued a summons to 37-year-old Michael Binette of Arundel for cultivation of marijuana. Police seized 102 marijuana plants and growing equipment in the house. Police had been at the home looking for a different person who no longer lives there.

A Biddeford woman was arrested after police found a stolen motor vehicle parked in a driveway in Brunswick while looking for another person. The vehicle allegedly was being used to transport drugs and was seized and turned back over to the owner, according to police.

Lacey Armstrong, 24, was not at home but was later arrested in Freeport on a robbery warrant from the Saco Police Department.

Lobster Bowl alumni get another chance

Former Lobster Bowl players and cheerleaders will have the opportunity to participate in alumni flag football games in Biddeford.

The Maine Games has teamed up with Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic to offer two flag football games at Waterhouse Field July 23 before the 22^nd annual Lobster Bowl Classic. The Lobster Bowl Legends games will feature alumni dating to 1990.

Alumni will be split into two divisions. Lobster Bowl Legends will feature players from 1990 to 1999. Lobster Bowl Legends II will include players from 2000 to 2010. Cheerleaders also are invited to take part.

Participants will be treated to a post-game cookout and will be honored during the 2011 Lobster Bowl Classic. The day will end with the Lobster Bowl Legends All-Star Bash at the Ramada Inn in Saco.

“We’re looking at these games as a means to bring back some outstanding athletes, but also the exceptional people who have participated in the Lobster Bowl Classic,” said Maine Games Executive Director Jeff Scully. “The Lobster Bowl Classic does such great work and touches the lives of so many people that it seems only natural to keep the opportunity to continue helping open to those who have already given so much.”

For more information, go to www.mainegames.org/2001lobsterbowllegends.html.

Legislators nix bills for RSU withdrawal

Legislation that would have allowed two York County communities to withdraw from regional school units was rejected last week by the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs Committee.

Legislators voted against LD 803, a bill that would allow Dayton to opt out of RSU 23, which includes Saco, Dayton and Old Orchard Beach. The Saco City Council had unanimously voted in favor of adding the city to the bill.

Also rejected was LD 1083, an emergency act to allow Arundel to withdraw from RSU 21, the district that also includes Kennebunk and Kennebunkport.

Proponents of the legislation testified April 8 that the town is burdened with higher education costs and said they fear the town’s arrangement to send students to Thornton Academy Middle School in Saco could be jeopardized.

Dayton and Saco officials favored withdrawal because they said the towns only joined the regional school unit under threat of penalties and loss of state subsidies. They told the committee they no longer have control of the school budget and are forced to raise property taxes.

Commissioner of Education Stephen Bowen told the committee his department was opposed to the two bills because current law lays out a framework for withdrawing from a school unit after three years.  

New superintendent hired for RSU 23

The regional school unit that serves Saco, Dayton and Old Orchard Beach will have a new leader beginning this summer.

Patrick Phillips is expected to take over as superintendent of RSU 23 July 1 when Michael Lafortune retires. Phillips currently is superintendent of SAD 61, the district that includes Bridgton, Casco, Naples and Sebago.

Phillips previously served for three years as Maine’s deputy commissioner of education. He also was executive director of Civic Mission of Schools in Washington, D.C.

“He’s very articulate and he understands the challenges RSU 23 is currently facing,” said school board member Gary Curtis of Old Orchard Beach.

Curtis said RSU 23 is unique because of its partnership with private school Thornton Academy and its three teachers’ unions. Municipal officials from Dayton and Saco are unhappy with the regional school unit and want to leave.

The district also is in the process of developing a five-year strategic plan and Phillips has a proven record of  implementing long-term plans, Curtis said.

“It’s an exciting time for the district and we look forward to showing how good RSU 23 can be,” he said.  

Easter egg hunt will be held downtown

The Heart of Biddeford Promotions Committee will host a downtown Easter egg scavenger hunt Saturday.

Participants will receive clues to help them discover treats in downtown businesses. Children are invited to register at the Heart of Biddeford office and hunt for eggs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Heart of Biddeford volunteers will deliver prize-filled eggs to businesses no later than 9:30 a.m. Participating businesses will be indicated by a paper bunny in the window.

The event also will include drawings for prizes such as gift certificates, toys and movie tickets.

The Salvation Army seeks food donations

The Salvation Army Food Bank is in urgent need of food for residents of Old Orchard Beach, Saco, Biddeford and Arundel.

The pantry needs items such as canned soups, tomato or spaghetti sauce, pasta, canned vegetables, box or canned milk, cereal, canned meats, potatoes, baby food and formula, juice, tuna, peanut butter and breads that can be frozen.

Donations can be dropped off at the corner of Church and Sixth streets in Old Orchard Beach from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday.

For more information, call 934-4381.