Woman allegedly drove onto football field

A 41-year-old Foxborough woman was arrested early yesterday and charged with malicious destruction of property after she allegedly drove her car onto a New England Patriots practice field. Foxborough police said that Cheryl Richards had tried to get into a building at Gillette Stadium about 10:30 a.m., but when stadium security refused to allow her in, she drove though the security gate and onto the field. Police arrived to find Richards's car in the middle of the field, and a portion of a metal door on top of the car. Police said that Richards also has been charged with assault and battery on a police officer, leaving the scene of an accident with property damage, and trespassing. She was later transported to Norwood Hospital for an evaluation.

A 60-year-old construction worker was rushed to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Needham early yesterday after falling off a Route 16 overpass in Wellesley about 30 feet onto Route 9 east. The man was found lying alert and conscious in the road, which was closed at the time because of construction on the bridge, said Sergeant Marie Cleary. The man, whose identity and condition have not been released, was part of a crew doing restoration and repair work on the bridge. Co-workers noticed the man was missing shortly after the crew stopped for a break around 1:15 a.m. They found him on the roadway a few minutes later. "We're not sure if he fell or misstepped," Cleary said. Although no one witnessed the fall, police believe he fell and landed feet first, she said.

Worcester mayoral candidate Frederick Rushton is seeking a hand recount after losing the election by just 105 votes. The difference between Rushton and incumbent Konstantina Lukes is less than one half of 1 percent. And Rushton said that votes weren't tabulated on 925 ballots, which is more than 4 percent of the ballots. He added that questions have been raised in other communities about the accuracy of the computer voting machines Worcester uses. Lukes said Rushton has the right to ask for a recount, and she hopes everyone will accept its results. Lukes inherited the job after Timothy P. Murray became lieutenant governor in January. The unofficial results show Lukes with 7,432 votes and Rushton with 7,327. (AP)

A special education teacher's aide has resigned after allegedly being caught with child porn on his computer. Police say Jesse Beckley, 26, admitted to possessing child pornography. Court records indicate he was downloading it as police served a search warrant at his home. Police say they found as many as 250 files that may be child pornography on his computer. Framingham school officials say Beckley was in his fourth year as a teacher's aide at Mary Stapleton Elementary School. Beckley posted $5,000 bail Friday and is due back in court later this month. His attorney said that at this point the charges are just allegations. (AP)

A 35-year-old man was held yesterday after he was charged with three counts of child rape, two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child over 14, police said. Christopher A. Schauer, 35, was arrested last week after he went to the Uxbridge police station and allegedly confessed to rape and assaults, said Melanie Blodget-O'Toole, a police spokeswoman.

A 21-year-old Leominster woman was killed when she was hit by a car while crossing a road Friday night. Katie Vaillette was walking across Route 12 when she was struck at about 10:30 p.m., State Police said. Vaillette, who was visiting a friend and went for a walk, was in the middle of the northbound lane and wearing dark clothing when she was hit by a car driven by Sarah Clark, 17, of Keene, N.H., police said. Vaillette died at Cheshire Medical Center from head and chest injuries. No charges have been filed.

A man was charged with negligent homicide in a l wrong-way, head-on collision on Sept. 29. Jason Lambert, 35, of Goffstown, N.H., was driving north in the southbound lanes of Interstate 293 when he crashed into a car driven by Nashua High School North teacher Edward Bailey, 63, of Merrimack. police said. Lambert also faces an aggravated driving while intoxicated charge. Lambert waived his right to a probable cause hearing Thursday at Merrimack District Court. The two felony charges have now been forwarded to the Hillsborough County Attorney's office. (AP)