AUBURN — Jason McFarland had a lot to say Thursday night about the loss of his youngest son. But when it came to thanking the people who had rallied around his family during the ordeal, McFarland was as concise as could be. “You community members are amazing,” he said. “You stepped up. Thank you is […]
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Posted inLewiston-Auburn, sj-web
One month later: McFarlands revisit river, announce memorial service
AUBURN — Nearly a month after two boys fell into the Androscoggin River at Bonney Park, one of the boys stood on the riverbank throwing sticks into the water. He also joked with a news crew. Played with other children. Petted a dog. At Bonney Park on Wednesday afternoon, 10-year-old Maxim McFarland looked like any […]
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‘I want my son back’: Mother of lost boy appeals for help
LEWISTON — Helena Gagliano-McFarland walked into City Cab in Lewiston early Saturday morning carrying a neatly folded quilt and a fuzzy stuffed bear. “This is the blanket I’m going to wrap my son in when we find him,” she said, as tears leaked slowly from her eyes. Her son, 5-year-old Valerio McFarland, fell into the Androscoggin […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, sj-web
River search for Valerio McFarland, 5, continues
AUBURN — Nine days after a 5-year-old boy fell into the Androscoggin River, search efforts continued Thursday with digital imaging of the river’s depths and banks. A high-resolution camera captured more than 800 pictures of the swollen river, stretching from Bonney Park, where Valerio McFarland was swept downstream on the evening of April 24, to […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, sj-web
Auburn city manager maintains riverbank is safe
AUBURN — City Manager Peter Crichton believes the area where two local boys were swept away by the Androscoggin River is safe, despite a public plea by the boys’ parents to make the river’s edge less inviting to the children who play in the park steps away. “There have been thousands, tens of thousands of […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, sj-web
Volunteers search for 5-year-old boy in Androscoggin River
AUBURN — A volunteer search was launched Wednesday along the west bank of the Androscoggin River for a 5-year-old Auburn boy who was swept into the current more than a week ago. At least 10 pairs of volunteers equipped with binoculars and life jackets were deployed by the Down East Emergency Medicine Institute, which organizes […]
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Efforts launched to raise money for family of boys who fell into the Androscoggin River
AUBURN — Police said two fundraising websites have been approved by the family of two young boys who fell into the Androscoggin River last week, one of whom is still missing, the other hospitalized. Auburn Deputy Police Chief Jason Moen confirmed that a Facebook page has been created by the boys’ aunt, Michelle Naous, that […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, sj-web
Searching river for missing boy
Pete Cutrer, left, of Shapleigh and Jeff Rowe of Kennebunk use a drone Saturday while helping to search for a missing 5-year-old boy who fell into the Androscoggin River on Tuesday. Cutrer and Rowe, licensed drone pilots, started at the dam in Lisbon Falls and spent the day moving upriver looking for leads. Auburn Deputy […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, sj-web
River search scaled back
LEWISTON — Divers concluded their search of the Androscoggin River on Friday for a 5-year-old boy who plunged into the chilly waters Tuesday evening. “Diver search options for the river have been exhausted,” Auburn Deputy Chief Jason Moen wrote in an email Friday afternoon. He said the Maine Warden Service would continue with boat and aircraft patrols as […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, sj-web
‘This I’ll Defend:’ Hundreds pack Bonney Park in vigil for brothers
AUBURN — The woman’s name was Brandi and she couldn’t stop herself from crying. She was tying a bundle of flowers to the end of the bridge at Bonney Park, but it was raining hard and her hands were shaking. “This is just so sad,” Brandi said. “So tragic.” Nearby, Sue Ingalls was there with […]