An East Waterboro man was arrested after allegedly leading police on a chase through Lyman.

Jeremy Sterling, 18, was charged with eluding a police officer after he allegedly led York County Sheriff’s Deputy Darren Cyr on a chase at 10:15 p.m. July 26. Cyr was stopped on Route 111 in Lyman when he received a report of a possible drunk driver who had just turned onto Route 35 from Route 111, according to police.

Cyr found the car on South Waterboro Road in Lyman and, after observing erratic operation, stopped it near the scene of a fatal car accident on June 1. Cyr told Sterling he observed his erratic operation, including crossing the centerline, and asked for his driver and vehicle information, according to police.

Police said Sterling told Cyr he had not been drinking. The vehicle passenger, 18-year-old Connor Monro of Newfield, opened the glove box at which time Cyr saw what he thought was marijuana and a glass pipe, according to police.

Sterling abruptly placed the vehicle in drive and drove off, according to police. Cyr pursued the vehicle at speeds that reached about 80 miles per hour, according to police. Sterling lost control of his Honda about a mile away on Route 202 and crashed into 18 West Road.

Police said the home, owned by Dorothy Thyng, sustained damage to the front porch. No one in the home was injured.

Sterling was treated at the scene for injuries and refused to go to the hospital. Monro had minor lacerations to his head and was treated at Goodall Hospital in Sanford.

The York County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate and said Sterling could face additional motor vehicle and drug charges.

Saco man’s death ruled a suicide

A Saco man whose body was found months after he was reported missing died from suicide, according to the state Medical Examiner’s Office.

Christopher Noonan, 26, died from complications from bupropion poisoning, according to officials.

Bupropion is an anti-depressant that also is used as a smoking cessation aid.

Noonan was reported missing in November after he ran out of his home during an argument with his wife. Police and game wardens searched hundreds of acres in Saco using dogs and planes but were unable to find Noonan.

A Saco man plowing a field found Noonan’s body in May.

Water park will add six new slides in 2012

Funtown Splashtown USA will expand its Saco water park with the addition of a new tower with six slides.

The new slide tower is scheduled to open in June 2012 with slides that are not found at any other water park in the country, according to park officials.

“The new thrill slides will really make a big splash with our hundreds of thousands of guests,” said Ken Cormier, founder and CEO of Funtown Splashtown USA in a press release.

The slide tower will have two levels – one at 49 feet and the other at 60 feet. The two slides connected to the top level will include launch capsules. Guests will stand inside the capsule and lean back slightly before the floor drops out. Guests are carried down the slide at more than 40 feet per second. The slides are made of translucent fiberglass that allows guests to see outside the tunnel.

“The ‘Flatline Loop’ design is unique to our park in that one water slide goes through one of the loops. It’s a first-in-the-world design feature, and we’ll have it in Saco,” said Cory Hutchinson, vice president and general manager. 

The new water slide tower will be installed in the current Kartland Picnic Area. The park will open a new restaurant and bathroom facility as part of the new water park area. Candy Land, Funtoberfest Beer Garden and two group picnic areas will be relocated to another area of the park.

Construction will begin in mid-September and is expected to be complete in May.

Church memorializes veterans

St. Augustine of Canterbury Church in Old Orchard Beach will dedicate a memorial for Korean War veterans this weekend.

The dedication is scheduled for 10 a.m. Sunday at Cathedral Pines Chapel. The memorial is a case containing a Bronze Star, Korean War Medal and United Nations Korean Service Medal donated by the family of a Korean War veteran.

Veterans and the public are invited to attend the service. Cathedral Pines Chapel is located at 156 Saco Ave. in Old Orchard Beach.