PLYMOUTH

Shark sighting closes pair of beaches

A local lobsterman spotted a Great White shark off the coast of Plymouth on Saturday afternoon, leading to the evacuation of nearby beaches, according to the Plymouth harbor master. The lobsterman sighted the shark about a half-mile off Manomet Point around 1:50 p.m, said assistant harbor master Collin Batchelor. Plymouth Long Beach and White Horse Beach were evacuated, with red flags posted and a swimming ban implemented, he said. Nelson Memorial Park and Stephen’s Field Park swim areas were also closed. Assistant harbor master Alex Robinson said the beaches were to remain closed through Sunday at 2 p.m. while a harbor master boat searches the water for the shark.

TAUNTON

Arson suspected at house with 3 fires

The Office of the State Fire Marshal has determined that two fires that broke out Saturday and last Monday at a house at 86 Longmeadow Road were intentionally set, spokeswoman Jennifer Mieth said. A third fire at the property, which happened on May 21, has not yet been investigated as arson, she said. Saturday’s fire was reported to Taunton firefighters around 12:23 a.m. by a motorist driving by the house. The fire, which took two hours to bring under control, destroyed the house, Taunton Deputy Fire Chief Scott Dexter said. An investigation is underway by Taunton police and fire, and State Police assigned to the fire marshal’s office, Mieth said. A poster from the state’s Arson Watch Reward Program was put on the property earlier this week. The program provides up to $5,000 for information that helps solve an arson crime. Anyone with information about the fires is asked to call 800-682-9229.

LITTLETON

Crash victim ID’d as East Boston man

State Police have identified the man killed in yesterday’s four-vehicle crash in Littleton as Nelson Umanzor, 38, of East Boston. Umanzor was killed when his dump truck collided with three cars and rolled over on I-495 northbound at approximately 3:40 p.m., according to a statement from State Police. Umanzor was pronounced dead at the scene, according to State Police. The three other drivers involved in the crash and one passenger were transported to local hospitals with minor injuries, according to the statement. No charges have been filed as of Saturday afternoon, according to State Police. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

GARDNER

Man charged with setting fire, threats

A man was arrested Saturday morning after allegedly entering his estranged wife’s house with a gun and setting her car on fire in Gardner, officials said. Dennis Connor, 49, is charged with several counts of armed assault and two counts of vehicle fire, according to Lieutenant Eric McAvene, spokesman for Gardner police. Gardner police responded to a call about a man with a gun shortly before 7 a.m. at a house on Graham Street, McAvene said. They called for fire department assistance when they found a car ablaze, McAvene said. By the time firefighters arrived, the flames had spread, destroying a pick-up truck and an SUV, one of which belonged to the wife, and damaging the side of the house, said Lieutenant Mike Boris, spokesman for the Gardner Fire Department. No one was injured, he said. Police said Connor lives in Balsam Grove, N.C.

ISLE FALLS, MAINE

13-year-old boy, man drown in river

A 13-year-old boy and the man who tried to rescue him drowned in a river in Island Falls. The Maine Game Wardens say the bodies of Kobe Berry of Bangor and 49-year-old Jamie Main of Crystal were recovered Friday evening from the Mattawamkeag River. The two were swimming in the river’s west branch around 3:30 p.m. when witnesses say Kobe began struggling in the current near the middle of the river. Main attempted to rescue him, and both became submerged. A search included watercraft, aircraft, and foot searches along the river. Main’s body was recovered at 6 p.m., and Kobe’s was found two hours later. (AP)