BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) – Authorities say a 22-year-old Southington woman faces up to six months in prison for falsely claiming a town police officer raped her last year.

Michelle Ladd pleaded guilty Friday in Bristol Superior Court to falsely reporting an incident, making a false statement and interfering with police.

Police say she left a party on July 17, 2007, to allegedly buy drugs, then lied to trick her friends when she returned with no money or drugs.

She alleged a Southington patrolman caught her trying to buy drugs, then forced her into having sex if she wanted to avoid being arrested.

Southern Maine bypass opens early

GORHAM (AP) – The traffic flow through Gorham just got better.

A long-awaited bypass to divert traffic away from the town center opened Friday, six months ahead of schedule.

The bypass has been in the making since 1952, when local officials first laid out plans for it. But it was only recently that federal money was made available to make the project a reality.

The 3.4-mile road connects Route 25 to Route 114 south of the town center. More than 7,000 vehicles are expected to use the road each day.


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