GROTON, Conn. (AP) - Police in Groton have charged an art teacher at Robert Fitch Senior High School with sexually assaulting a female student.

Police allege 29-year-old Timothy Riendeau engaged in inappropriate conduct with the girl. He was arrested Thursday at his home in Groton on two counts of second-degree sexual assault.

School officials notified police on Nov. 9 that they had suspicions that Riendeau was having an inappropriate relationship with the girl. He's on paid administrative leave.

Authorities did not release the girl's age or details of the

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) - State police say a high-speed chase on the Maine Turnpike ended when the car they were chasing crashed and burst into flames, killing the driver.

The driver, who police say is believed to be from Maine, was taken to a nearby funeral home for identification.

According to police, a trooper began chasing a 2004 Acura with Massachusetts license plates at around 7:30 p.m. Thursday after getting reports of an erratic driver on the turnpike. They say the car was speeding over 100 mph, and crashed at a construction site

(NECN: John Moroney, Lowell, Mass.) - Police are searching for the drivers involved in a hit and run in Lowell, Massachusetts. A 12-year-old boy was in a crosswalk yesterday when he was hit by one of two cars believed to be drag racing.

A car with front end damage has been recovered.

Lowell police are saying very little about the investigation.

12-year-old Kelvin Savanhmixay recovering from his injuries in a Boston hospital.

(NECN: Jennifer Eagan, Worcester, Mass.) - Tough economic times are taking a toll on the city's holiday trimmings. This year the city Christmas tree will look and feel a little different and not everyone is pleased.

Each year, revelers pack in behind Worcester’s City Hall for the annual holiday tree lighting.

The tree is usually donated by someone locally. But, this year, it's is coming direct from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

And instead of being cut down it's being manufactured.

DPW commissioner Bob Moylan says the decision to buy an artificial tree came down to cost savings.

(NECN: Kenneth Craig) - Under current legislation, anyone found not guilty by reason of insanity can only be committed for a period of six months. But since the 1999 shooting of Westminster police officer Lawrence Jupin, one State Representative has worked to change that.

It was just before midnight ten years ago. May 10, 1999.

Alongside rural Route 31 in Westminster, officer Lawrence Jupin responded to an assist call.

According to police, while conducting a traffic stop -- his partner Ralph Leblanc was approached by a man in camouflage coming from the woods and needed backup.

(NECN: Anya Huneke, VT) - The weather in Vermont has been pretty mild this week, which is fortunate for some Champlain College students spending their nights outside. But, they also know it's not the norm, as they try to get a sense of what it's like to be homeless, through a program called "Tent City."

Four days into her stay in tent city...

Samantha Thatcher is a bit the worse for wear.

Samantha Thatcher\Freshman, Champlain College "I was healthy on Monday when I started out..."

(NECN: Lauren Collins, Manchester, NH) - Entering a Nashua, New Hampshire courtroom, Autumn Savoy mouthed to his mother, "I love you, get me out."

It was the second arraignment in as many days for the 20-year-old Hollis man, who faces three charges in connection with the October 4th attack that left Kimberly Cates dead and her daughter Jamie severely injured.

18-year-old Stephen Spader and 20-year-old Christopher Gribble, both of Brookline, face murder charges.

(NECN: Latoyia Edwards, Boston, Mass.) - The Urban League in Boston has commissioned a report to provide a clear view of the social economic issues impacting the city's African American community.

Data on the health of black people in Boston reveal a bleak picture compared to Caucasians in the city.

Black babies die more often from premature birth or low birth weight.

Blacks have higher rates of cancer, heart disease, and even higher cases of the H1N1 flu virus.

Racism is partly blame says Dr. Nancy Norman

(NECN: Brad Puffer, Lowell, Mass.) - A 12-year-old boy who just yesterday was walking down the street now lies in a hospital bed this afternoon. Police say that boy was thrown from a Lowell, Massachusetts, crosswalk when one of two racing cars hit him, and then took off.

Detectives are now appealing for help in identifying the drivers.

12 year old Kelvin Savanhmixay is badly injured but getting better after he was struck , in a crosswalk, by a hit and run driver who allegedly raced through a red light.

Daniel Savanhmixay: I am just happy he pulled through

BOSTON (AP) - A Massachusetts panel has given approval to use $9 million in federal stimulus funds for a pedestrian bridge sought by the owner of the New England Patriots.

The span over the north-south highway U.S. Route 1 would help pedestrians cross parking lots outside Gillette Stadium and connect the Patriot Place mall with an office park being proposed by team owner Robert Kraft.

The Metropolitan Planning Organization approved it Thursday by a 13-1 vote.

Critics have questioned giving the money to a billionaire and