Bangor, Maine
DA details how man took cruiser despite handcuffs
Prosecutors say a man charged with stealing a police cruiser in Maine slipped through an 11-by-11-inch opening while handcuffed to get into the driver’s seat. Assistant District Attorney Marianne Lynch said video captured 22-year-old Tyler Tibbetts’s maneuver during his arrest May 11. Lynch told WMTW-TV the opening between the front and back seats was ‘‘extraordinarily small’’ and she doesn’t think ‘‘in anybody’s wildest dreams’’ would an adult male be expected to fit through. (AP)
WORCESTER
Mother of slain girl, Bella,violates probation
The mother of a 2-year-old girl whose body washed up on a Boston beach in 2015 has violated her probation. Rachelle Bond admitted to a Worcester Superior Court judge Thursday that she used cocaine, failed a court-ordered drug test, and missed an appointment with her probation officer, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette reported. Judge Daniel Wrenn ordered her to submit to more drug testing in addition to the other conditions of her two-year probation. Bond testified against her former boyfriend Michael McCarthy in the killing of Bella Bond, who was initially dubbed ‘‘Baby Doe’’ after authorities tried to identify her using a composite image. Bond pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact for helping dispose of her daughter’s body. McCarthy was sentenced to life in prison. (AP)
PROVIDENCE
City offers refunds for thousands of traffic fines
Providence officials are offering $20 refunds to thousands of drivers ticketed for speeding as part of a settlement in a lawsuit over the city’s use of portable speed cameras. The agreement approved Thursday by the City Council’s Committee on Claims allows drivers who were cited by speed cameras before April 15 to receive a $20 refund on their $95 tickets. Those who haven’t yet paid the tickets can still challenge them in municipal court. If found responsible, drivers will receive the $20 refund. The settlement is still subject to court approval. The federal class-action lawsuit argued the camera-based program violated a state law requiring warning signs. The city says the program, which resulted in some 12,000 tickets being issued in the first month, substantially cut speeding near schools. (AP)
Concord, N.H.
Judge OK’s country music fest at speedway
A judge has ruled that the New Hampshire Motor Speedway can hold a planned country music festival scheduled for 2019 on its grounds, rejecting arguments raised by people who live near the track. The neighbors cited a 1989 agreement that prohibits the Loudon track from hosting concerts that aren’t tied to racing events. But a judge found Wednesday that property bought after 1989 and zoned for concerts and outdoor events isn’t part of the agreement. The neighbors’ lawyer said they are reviewing the court’s order and haven’t made a final decision on an appeal. Loudon officials granted permission for the three-day concert, followed by a review of the event, including noise levels. (AP)
