Outage delays Amtrak train

An Amtrak train carrying about 500 people from Boston to Washington was forced to stop 17 miles south of Wilmington, Del., at 4:30 p.m. yesterday when an overhead wire fell and caused the train to lose power, according to Amtrak spokeswoman Vernae Graham. Passengers were stranded on the train for as long as two hours, as Amtrak dispatched a series of trains to take groups of passengers to Washington.

A United Airlines flight from Boston to San Francisco was diverted to Chicago yesterday when two unruly passengers harassed a flight attendant, authorities said. The two passengers were arrested for assault when United Airlines 173 landed at O'Hare International Airport. Neither Chicago police nor officials from the Chicago Department of Aviation would release the names of those arrested.

Urban renewal plans that favor mass transit, encourage walking, and allow older people to downsize while staying in their neighborhoods are the reasons that led the AARP to recognize Atlanta, Beacon Hill in Boston, Chandler, Ariz., Milwaukee, and Portland, Ore., as the best places for seniors to live. In Boston, the AARP praised Beacon Hill Village, a network of services for older residents who pay an annual fee to get concierge-like help to arrange everything from plumbing and rides to tickets for concerts. (AP)

Plymouth

A unconscious man who had been canoeing on Great South Pond in Plymouth was rescued by emergency services personnel at 8 p.m. yesterday. The man, who was not identified by police, was rescued in the vicinity of Shallop Road and transported by ambulance to Jordan Hospital. Police said the victim was later flown to a Boston area hospital. A single canoe was recovered from the pond.

BANGOR

About 90 Maine Army National Guard soldiers returned yesterday after serving more than a year in Iraq. The Security Force Two unit was greeted by hundreds of cheering friends and family members after arriving at the Army Aviation Support Facility following a bus ride from Fort Dix, N.J. The unit is composed of soldiers from units in the Army National Guard. The unit had one fatality and one serious injury. (AP)

WELLS, Maine

Police and the state medical examiner's office are investigating the cause of death of a man who was pulled from the water at Wells Beach over the weekend. Charles Coughlan, 62, of Wells was found unconscious in the water about 5:30 p.m. Saturday, according to police. Lifeguards and emergency response crews tried to resuscitate Coughlan, but he was pronounced dead at York Hospital. (AP)

Danvers

An attempted robbery of the Danversbank branch on Federal Street was foiled yesterday. According to a police bulletin, the bank was robbed by a male suspect. The suspect left on foot with an unknown amount of money. He met with a black Honda driven by an accomplice, police said. The two fled down Route 114 toward Middleton, but were stopped by police at Nick and Tony's Saltwater Cafe. Police identified the suspects as Anthony M. Sideri, 25, of Lawrence; and Christopher Albano, 25, of Danvers.