Suspect arrested in Lyman after shootings, chase

 A Massachusetts man is in police custody following a chase through Saco and Lyman.

Joel Hayden, 29, of New Bedford, Mass., was under police guard at Maine Medical Center in Portland Tuesday morning as he was treated for injuries sustained when his car crashed near Hawg Heaven in Lyman. Police said Hayden is suspected of shooting 27-year-old Renee Sandora of New Gloucester and 28-year-old Trevor Mills of New Bedford, Mass., outside Sanora’s home on Monday.

Sandora later died, according to officials at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. Mills was listed in grave condition Tuesday at the hospital, according to police.

Steve McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety, said Hayden was taken into custody after leading State Police on a chase through Saco and Lyman. The chase started when state troopers attempted to pull over Hayden’s Cadillac after it was spotted on the Maine Turnpike.

McCausland said police continue to search the shooting scene and Hayden’s car. He said Sanodra and Hayden have four children, including 3-month-old twins, who lived with her in New Gloucester. The children were placed in the custody of their grandparents following the shooting at 6:30 p.m. Monday.

Police said Hayde and Sandora had a history of domestic violence.

State warns area of measles 

The Maine Center of Disease Control and Prevention was notified of a potential measles exposure in the Saco and Old Orchard Beach areas.

The department was contacted by the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services last week and informed a Quebec man who recently vacationed in Maine was diagnosed with measles. The man stayed in the Saco and Old Orchard Beach areas from July 15 to 18.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus spread through the air by breathing, coughing or sneezing. Symptoms usually begin one to two weeks after exposure and include high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes and a rash.

Most people in the United States have been vaccinated and are immune to measles. Health officials report an increase in measles cases in Quebec.

RiverWalk bid wins approval

 The Biddeford City Council last week approved a bid for the first phase Biddeford RiverWalk construction.

The first phase of the project centers on creating the “Gateway Plaza.” The bid was awarded to Maietta Enterprises Inc. of Scarborough following a 6-3 council vote. Councilors Clement Fleurent and David Bourque and Council President Bob Mills voted against the bid.

Maietta’s bid of $550,070 was nearly $10,000 less than a bid from Peter Petit Excavation.

After the vote, Mills said his vote should not be interpreted as going against the project in general. He said he would have preferred to award the bid to a local company, but the process required the project go to the lowest bidder.

“This is a huge project for the city. It’s a gateway for the city. I totally feel in my heart that the city should hire local people,” Bourque said. “Anything other than that in my opinion is outrageous.”

The first phase of the project involves replacement of a failed retaining wall and installation of a cantilevered overlook structure along the Saco River near North Dam Mill, reconfiguration of parking facilities, utility relocations, sidewalk installation, storm drain connections, site amenities, landscaping and other improvements.

The project was designed by Wright-Pierce Consulting Engineers through the use of Riverfront Community Development Bond money awarded to Biddeford by the state. Construction will be paid for from the remaining $463,000 in bond money and $87,070 allocated for the RiverWalk in the Route 111-Mill District tax-increment financing approved by the City Council in 2008. 

OOB cottages get board vote

 The largest development project in recent years in Old Orchard Beach received conditional use approval from the Planning Board. 

Town Planner Jeffrey Hinderliter said the planning board on July 21 granted conditional use approval for the project that will replace Jeremiah’s Cottages on Saco Avenue with 53 three-season cottages. The development, known as Summer Winds, is being developed by Bernie Saulnier. 

The $6 million project will create a three-season resort with a clubhouse and pool. Saulnier estimates the project could add $100,000 each year to the town’s tax base. The one-bedroom condominium cottages will be 800 square feet, including a small porch and 4-foot foundation. They will be listed for sale starting at $159,000.

The Planning Board will hold its final review of the project and a public hearing for subdivision and site plan approval at 7 p.m. Aug. 11 at town hall.

“It’s really very close to being done,” Hinderliter said.

If the project receives final approval, Saulnier expects to close on the property after the summer season and begin work Oct. 1.

Services held for 5-year-old

 Funeral services were held Monday in Biddeford for the 5-year-old boy who died when a logging truck crashed into his Jackman home.

Liam Alexander Mahaney died July 19 when a logging truck tipped over and sent logs tumbling into his home. Police say the driver, Christian Cloutier of Quebec, told them he fell asleep before his truck hit two utility poles.

He was born in Biddeford in 2005 to Gary and Christina Boudreau Mahaney and moved to Jackman in 2010. His family remembered him in his obituary for his  “addicting laugh” he shared with them each day. He was a fan of Buzz Lightyear from “Toy Story” and looked forward to starting kindergarten this fall.

A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph Church and he was buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Biddeford. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial donations be sent in his name to Jackman Rescue, c/o Bill Jarvis, P.O. Box 269, Jackman ME 04945.

Nonprofits awarded grants

 The Maine Community Foundation’s Community Building Grant Program recently awarded $40,819 in grants to 11 nonprofit agencies in York County.

The University of New England in Biddeford received funds to support a literacy and math-tutoring program sponsored by the Office of Citizenship that will train college students to tutor at local schools.

Grant awards also were given to Community Bicycle Center in Biddeford to engage older youth in vocational activities through community outreach; Ecology Education Foundation in Saco to fund the expansion of “Science and Ecology: Live and Unplugged” and a companion impact study; Joyful Harvest Neighborhood Center in Biddeford to work with a local consultant for board development and a community-involved strategic planning process; and Northern York County YMCA in Biddeford to support professional development for teaching staff.