Latest news with #SouthPortland
Fox News
27-06-2025
- Fox News
Suspected ICE facility attackers arrested in blue city, charged with assaulting federal officers
Multiple suspects allegedly involved in a violent South Portland, Oregon, riot near a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office appeared in court Thursday for offenses that included assaulting federal officers and creating a hazard while on government property. Julie Winters, 46, of Portland, was charged with felony attempted assault of a federal officer. Aziel Chambers, 20, of Merlin, was charged with misdemeanor assault of a federal officer, creating a hazard on federal property and failing to obey a lawful order. Rachel Jean Pope, 28, of Portland, was charged with misdemeanor assault of a federal officer. According to court documents and information shared in court, several people gathered Tuesday near an ICE office in South Portland, where, for weeks, rioters have repeatedly targeted the building and federal law enforcement officers with threatening statements, discharging pepper spray and throwing rocks, trash and bricks. Officials said the incident started at about 11 p.m. Tuesday, when two people tried to set an American flag on fire in the driveway of the building. To clear the driveway, federal officers used "less-than-lethal" means, including gas canisters, to disperse the crowd, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. Court documents allege Pope picked up one of the metal canisters and threw it toward the officers, hitting one. At about 11:15 p.m., federal officers saw Winters attempting to light an incendiary device next to the guard shack of the building, according to the release. As Federal Protective Service (FPS) officers engaged with Winters, she allegedly pulled a large knife from her backpack and began waving the blade toward the officers. Officials said Winters then threw the knife at an officer, but it did not hit anyone. She was tased while attempting to flee and was taken to the ground. As officers attempted to take her into custody, she pulled a second large knife from her waistband, according to court documents. An officer disarmed Winters and arrested her. The same evening, Chambers allegedly pointed a laser pointer at a federal officer's eye, according to the release. Chambers was also charged with failing to comply with an officer's orders to leave the premises June 17 and for allegedly throwing an object at federal property June 20. Winters was detained pending future court proceedings, officials said. Pope and Chambers were released on conditions pending future court proceedings. Attempting to assault a federal officer and inflict bodily injury is punishable by a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. Misdemeanor assault of a federal officer is punishable by a maximum penalty of one year in prison. Failure to obey a lawful order and creating a hazard on federal property are Class C misdemeanors and carry a maximum penalty of 30 days in prison.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Maine rail operator asks feds to remove safety signal at Rigby Yard
Jun. 21—The freight rail company CSX Transportation wants to remove a safety signal on the approach to Rigby Yard in South Portland, where it recently began moving trains by remote control using a system that workers say is having connectivity issues. The request to "retire" the signal, which alerts train crews to changing or unsafe track conditions, has raised safety concerns among workers in the yard and people who live in neighborhoods that flank one of the largest and busiest rail facilities in the Northeast. They say removing the signal, located in Scarborough at the west end of Rigby Yard, would endanger rail workers, nearby residents and passengers on the Amtrak Downeaster, which shares tracks with CSX freight trains. "It's an accident waiting to happen," said Joyce Mendoza, who lives in Thornton Heights, a neighborhood that developed as home base to many railroad workers after Rigby Yard was built in the 1920s. Workers say CSX wants to remove the signal in part because it interferes with remote-control operations that began in the yard this month. They say the system has experienced "connectivity issues" likely exacerbated by thick tree cover near the yard and the Route 1/Main Street overpass. "Without the safety signal at the west end, if the (remote-control system) fails, a train could roll right onto the tracks that the Amtrak Downeaster uses," said Dave Stevenson, a legislative director for the union that represents about 35 conductors and engineers at Rigby Yard. "Any incident within that 3-mile stretch has the potential to obstruct the Amtrak line." REDUCE RADIO COMMUNICATIONS Submitted in May, the company's application to the Federal Railroad Administration seeks permission to retire the signal and related track control operations. CSX says the signal is triggered whenever crews pull trains west for headroom, which is needed to switch tracks or move cars. Then, crews must contact the yard dispatcher and request that the signal be cleared. "Retiring the Rigby West signal would reduce these radio communications, which would allow both dispatchers and train crews to focus on critical operational and safety-related communications in and out of Rigby Yard," the application states. The application doesn't mention remote-control operations. Stevenson, with the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, noted that remote-control rail yards have been established successfully in other parts of the U.S. "But the layout of Rigby Yard isn't set up to handle remote-control operations," he said. A rail worker posted an anonymous response to the application on the federal website. "I am concerned that removing (the signal) will eliminate the current added protection between switching operations and the high-speed main line that Amtrak uses," the employee wrote. "By eliminating this signal, crews (could) switch freely up to the double-track main could potentially result in a catastrophic event." The employee explained that removing the signal would expand the perimeter of Rigby Yard and require approaching train crews to contact yard crews from 2 miles away, which would be "practically if not impossible to hear" using hand-held radios. SAFETY THREAT TO WORKERS AND PUBLIC The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen and the Maine AFL-CIO joined the opposition, submitting comments by Friday's deadline. "The current signal is a safety feature that should not be eliminated just because it is not in line with a new (remote-control) operational preference or because there is a desire to eliminate a worker and reduce labor costs," said Adam Goode, the AFL-CIO's legislative director. Goode said the union supports remote-control operations when they can be implemented responsibly, but removing the signal at Rigby Yard "is nothing more than a way to cut corners that will limit the safety of rail workers and the public." Opponents said they have contacted U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-1st District, for assistance in preserving the signal. "We're closely monitoring the Federal Railroad Administration's review of CSX's petition," Pingree said Friday in an emailed statement. "It's essential that any changes to rail operations uphold the highest safety standards to protect workers, passengers and surrounding neighborhoods." Safety is the company's top priority, CSX spokesperson Austin Staton said Friday. Applying to remove the signal is part of an effort to streamline operations and reduce redundant radio communications between crews and dispatchers, Staton said. "No changes will be made unless the (administration) determines they meet all federal safety standards," Staton said in an emailed statement. "We are fully aligned with the (administration's) oversight and remain committed to protecting our employees, the surrounding community and passenger rail service." Representatives of the Federal Railroad Administration and the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, which operates the Downeaster, didn't respond to requests for interviews or written comments. One year ago, CSX and Amtrak officials announced plans to install so-called "positive train control" technology along more than 100 miles of track between Brunswick and Haverhill, Massachusetts. Amtrak would kick in $50 million for the project and CSX would do the work. The advanced safety system would anticipate and automatically slow or stop trains to avoid collisions, derailments, unauthorized movements into work zones, misaligned track switches and other problems. They said the system, which uses sensors and GPS technology, would be installed in early 2026 and create "opportunities for potential increases in Downeaster frequencies," the website says. Rail officials had determined in 2018 that the advanced safety technology wasn't necessary because the Downeaster made fewer than 12 trips per day. The train makes five round trips daily between Brunswick and Boston. The Maine Department of Transportation's state rail plan calls for "(increasing) rail capacity and trackage at Rigby Yard in South Portland to reduce congestion" by 2026, but it provides no numbers for its current or future use. When it was built, Rigby Yard had the capacity to hold as many as 2,000 rail cars. Mendoza, who lives near Rigby Yard, said she believes the ultimate goal is to run trains entirely by remote control — without any conductors or engineers aboard. She worries what that might mean for people who live and work nearby. "These trains are carrying volatile and hazardous materials," she said. "We're in the blast zone. Anything that reduces the safety of the yard is a great concern for us." Copy the Story Link
Daily Mail
12-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Gorgeous beach compound in surprising location lists for $5m in 'one-of-a-kind opportunity'
There aren't many places where you can live steps away from the beach, while staying moments from the hustle and bustle of city life. But, a beach-front property in Maine gives buyers the best of both worlds. The compound, which was listed on June 2, sits on half an acre of land just off of Willard Beach in South Portland. It consists of two homes; a main five-bedroom estate and a three-bedroom guest house, with five bathrooms across the entire property. The price tag for the over 4,300 square feet comes in at just under $5 million. Most beachfront properties of this size, especially in Maine, would be isolated on an island or secluded in a coastal town. Instead, new homeowners could enjoy nature trails, beaches, marina and local shopping, dining and nightlife right outside of their front door. Listing agent Anne Ross-Murray called it a 'one-of-a-kind opportunity on the Maine coast.' According to the listing on Ross-Murray's website, the main home was newly remodeled in 2022 and offers views of the beach and nearby Casco Bay. It was 'designed to capture the beauty of the ocean from nearly every angle.' Amenities include a heated two-car garage, expansive yard, wrap-around deck and patio, and whole-house generator. The hybrid location is perfect for anyone 'seeking a peaceful seaside residence or a property with exceptional potential,' wrote Ross-Murray. Former Southern Maine Community College President Wayne Ross, Ross-Murray's father, lived in the house for over 20 years. He bought the guest house in 2000 and retired from his position in 2002. Ross died in 2016. His daughter lived on the property following her father's death. But now she's chosen to sell it and downsize. She told Bangor Daily News: 'He loved the property. 'He'd sit out front, and when people walked by he'd ask them to come in. It was his pride and joy.' She said he also enjoyed being close to the four-acre, city-owned Willard Beach and threw the annual beach party for many years. While the price tag is a hefty one, especially for the area, Ross-Murray was confident it reflected the rare location. She told local outlets that when searching for a comparable property, she and her associates came back empty-handed. According to Redfin, the median price of a home in South Portland is $637,500. Though it's the highest it's been in the last five years, a $5 million listing is still an anomaly. The next closest listing is a 2,060 square foot home that's asking for half the price. But to Ross-Murray no other South Portland can compare to the location, amenities, and legacy of her family compound.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Portsmouth track coach charged with attempting to pay for sex with minor
An assistant track coach at Portsmouth High School is facing charges he attempted to pay cash for sex with a 14-year-old female who was an undercover federal agent last month at a Maine hotel. Joseph Auger, 27, of Portsmouth, was charged April 25 with one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor, alleging he 'knowingly' attempted to 'entice, obtain, patronize and solicit by any means a 14-year-old girl ... to engage in a commercial sex act.' According to court documents, Auger allegedly gave $150 in cash to federal agents at a Best Western hotel in South Portland, Maine, according to a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) affidavit filed in U.S. District Court in Maine by HSI Special Agent Abby Mathieu. No minors were involved in the sting operation, the affidavit states. Portsmouth schools Superintendent Zach McLaughlin notified the high school community that Auger had been fired from coaching job on April 30, the same day a federal agent notified school officials of their investigation. Auger is a former athlete at Portsmouth High School, where he ran track. 'Effective immediately, Joseph Auger, an assistant coach from our track team, has been removed from his position due to a legal matter that has come to our attention,' McLaughlin's message said. 'While we understand that news like this can be concerning, I want to assure you that the current legal investigation is not directly connected to the coach's work with our students or athletic program. We are committed to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all students.' According to the affidavit, on or around April 24, law enforcement agents posted an advertisement on a website commonly used to advertise commercial sex acts, containing images of what appeared to be two young females who were 'Ready 2 have some fun,' among other sexually-charged phrases. The ad contained a contact phone number monitored by law enforcement agents, and an undercover agent 'used it to communicate with potential sex buyers, including Joseph Auger,' the affidavit says. Agents monitoring the line pretended to be the sister of a 14-year-old girl available to perform sex acts for money. The affidavit alleges Auger texted the number from one phone saying it would be 'messed up' to have sexual relations with a 14-year-old, but then allegedly texted the number from a different phone and arranged to meet the girl. The affidavit claims Auger went to the Best Western Hotel in South Portland after he was given the address by agents pretending to be the sister of the 14-year-old. 'The defendant arrived at the hotel in a Toyota Tundra, NH registration MONKEE,' the affidavit says. 'The defendant parked his vehicle at the front of the hotel, walked around the backside of the hotel and approached (an undercover agent) who was standing in front of the hotel room. The defendant confirmed he was there for the minor female. He said he had the money and pulled money from his front pocket and gave it to (the undercover agent).' The affidavit says Auger was given a hotel key to the hotel room. Law enforcement then arrested him and took him into custody, later locating his phone in the vehicle. Auger was escorted to a conference room in the hotel, where he was read his Miranda Rights and signed a form agreeing to waive his rights and speak with law enforcement, the affidavit says. He allegedly told investigators he communicated with advertisements on the website prior to that day. 'The defendant initially stated he was going to save the 14-year-old, but later stated that he wanted to have sex with the 14-year-old girl and brought the $150 as payment for a quick visit,' the affidavit says. 'He stated this is the first time he has tried to have sex with a minor female.' An attempt to reach Auger's attorney, William Bly, for comment was unsuccessful. A recent court filing shows federal prosecutors requesting an extension to indict Auger, with responses due by May 22. pfeely@
