WABI News

Homeless Veterans

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:47:07 -0500

Wednesday is Veteran's day - a day to celebrate and honor those who have served. However, thousands of veterans are homeless in our country. It's a problem that some have set their sights on ending.

In five years, state representative Alexander Cornell du Houx would like to see the issue of homel . . .

Bangor Kindergartener Gets Quite the Ride to School

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:49:13 -0500

It was a big morning for a kindergarten student at the Fruit Street School.

"Congratulations Faith, you're Lieutenant for the day!" says Jason Johnson, with the Bangor Fire Department.

Faith Ashton's first order of duty...

"I rode on a fire truck," she says.

The fire fighters from Stati . . .

"A Ludicrous" Law Concerning Alcohol

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:12:02 -0500

A law that was designed to help boutique beer and liquor stores is trying to be fixed by Maine legislators.

The main reason for this fix up is for an effort to keep children from having to witness adults drinking alcoholic beverages, which has made it difficult for stores to hold taste testings.
. . .

Students At Lewis Libby Celebrate Veterans Day Early

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:00:47 -0500

Students at the Lewis Libby School in Milford celebrated Veterans Day a few days early. After two weeks of planning, they held their 2nd annual Veterans Day celebration. Warren Kidder teaches 8th grade and he says the students have worked hard over the past two weeks to put this event on. "I thin . . .

Jonesport Schools To Close After H1N1 Confirmed

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:09:20 -0500

School officials from Union 103 say they're closing all schools in Jonesport Tuesday due to a flu outbreak. The Superintendents office says they have one confirmed case of the H1N1 virus. The school was due to have an H1N1 vaccine clinic back in September, but the clinic had to be postponed when t . . .

Escaped Inmates on the Loose

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:15:05 -0500

Authorities say two inmates have escaped from Bolduc Correctional Facility in Warren.

Prison officials say 36-year-old Arden Shaw and 28-year-old Robert Fogg were last seen at the minimum-security facility at about 7 p.m. Saturday. Both were in prison for burglary and are due to be released . . .

Silver Star Awarded to Korea Vet

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:11:44 -0500

Veterans Day is this Wednesday, and many towns and cities will have celebrations.

On Sunday, the town of Sherman honored one of their own, but they had to do so by surprise.

"Sunday's veterans ceremony is the beginning of Veterans Day week. Sherman had their Veterans Day Ceremony and they had . . .

Fatal Crash in Auburn Claims Two Lives

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:11:03 -0500

Police in Auburn are investigating a traffic accident that killed a 36-year-old woman and her 4-year-old daughter.

Police say the accident happened on Minot Avenue shortly before 2 pm Saturday.

A pickup truck hauling an enclosed trailer crossed the center line and struck the woman's oncoming c . . .

Stetson Crash Takes Life of Plymouth Man

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:10:26 -0500

An accident on the East Newport Road in Stetson claimed the life of one man early Sunday morning.

Authorities say Patrick Haining of Plymouth was travelling east around 3:45 am, when he lost control.

His vehicle went off the road.

Haining was not wearing a seatbelt.

He was partially ejec . . .

University of Maine Chemical Engineers Compete in Alt. Energy Race

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:09:39 -0500

The race to find alternative energy sources continues throughout the country.

Some are looking into wind and solar to provide electricity, others are trying to make our homes and offices more energy efficient.

And, there are groups looking into what might fuel the cars of the future.

On Sun . . .

FairPoint Bankruptcy Hearing Scheduled

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:08:53 -0500

A November 18th hearing has been scheduled on a motion to appoint an examiner to investigate factors leading to FairPort communication's chapter 11 bankruptcy last month.

A group of creditors who are owed more than $550 million wants to know if FairPoint's top managers mis-represented the company . . .

Pingree Votes for Healthcare Reform Bill

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:08:16 -0500

After months of intense debate, congress is moving forward with health care reform.

Late Saturday night, democrats in the House of Representatives passed a plan to expand health benefits to millions of people who currently lack insurance.

Maine Congresswoman Chellie Pingree voted in favor of t . . .

Coast Guard Rescue Injured Sailor

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:07:36 -0500

A daring rescue at sea by the Coast Guard.

Sailors aboard the 23-foot sailboat, Sheila, called for assistance Sunday morning near Matinicus Island.

One of their crewmembers had injured their spine.

Seas were four to six feet at the time, with winds gusting up to 20 miles an hour.

A Coast . . .

Maine Artisan Craft Fair

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:25:58 -0500

Some folks looking to support the local economy and get some shopping done spent time at the Bangor Civic Center.

It was the annual show put on by the United Maine Craftsmen.

There was everything there from jewelry to photography, woodworking to potters.

The artisans are from Maine, which . . .

Sunday Trail Ride

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:23:31 -0500

Sunday was an absolutely gorgeous day to be out and about, and some did so on horseback.

It was the first ever fund raising trail ride put on by the University of Maine Standardbred Drill Team.

For a twenty dollar donation, riders could go on the five and a half mile ride through the Universit . . .

Fundraising Concert

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:20:50 -0500

Folks in Winterport are working hard to raise money so a Hampden Academy graduate who was seriously injured in a bike accident in California can come back home to finish his recovery.

Sunday afternoon a benefit concert was held at the My Fork Bar and Grill in Winterport to raise money for Gabe A . . .

Friends and Family Remember Pearley Goodrich At Newport Vigil

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:43:32 -0500

Nearly two weeks ago Pearley Goodrich Sr. of Newport was shot to death allegedly by his son triggering a manhunt that lasted nearly a week. Sunday his friends and family gathered to remember him.

At a candlelight vigil in Newport family and friends gathered to remember Pearley Goodrich Sr. Marg . . .

Homeless Veterans Stand Down Day

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:57:46 -0500

As lawmakers debated health care reform in Washington, the medical needs of needy veterans were being addressed here in Maine.

The Togus V-A center hosted its annual "Homeless Veterans Stand-Down" event Saturday.

Homeless vets were identified through social service agencies, shelters and soup . . .

Augusta Tea Party

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:41:56 -0500

A "Tea Party" in Augusta this Saturday.

Protestors from a group that calls itself: "Maine Re-founders" giving state and federal lawmakers a one-year notice.

Change their tax and spend ways, or be voted out.

About a hundred people gathered in a parking lot at the statehouse, many carried si . . .

Old Fashioned Fair

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:37:50 -0500

It made about one hundred people line up before the doors opened Saturday morning, all waiting to see what was there on the other side.

It was the annual Fall Fair at the Phillips Strickland House in Bangor.

The average age of the residents is 89, and they make items all year to go up for sale . . .

Shopping for a Cause

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:31:45 -0500

People were out shopping and helping a good cause all at the same time Saturday.

The doors to the Center for Family Business at Husson opened up at nine o'clock as shoppers made their two dollar donation and then looked over the items on hand.

The event was put on by Designing Women, and is on . . .

Winterport's Tax Free Addition

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:26:41 -0500

In this tough ecomony many towns are making do with what they have already.

Services and programs are being cut to make the ends meet in the budget.

But Saturday morning the town of Winterport showed off their new ambulance.

And the beauty of it was not how new it is, but the fact that it d . . .

Health Care Protest

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:23:12 -0500

As Congress debated on the current health care bill in Washington DC,Saturday Mainers gathered outside of the offices of Representative Mike Michaud.

In Bangor members of the group Maine Healthcare Reform were on hand.

They would like an extension of medicare to everyone in the country, which . . .

Culturefest

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:46:40 -0500

It was a celebration of countries and cultures at the University of Maine Saturday.

The annual Culturefest took place.

The event goes along with International Week which runs from the first of the month until the fourteenth.

Everyone was welcome at the festival.

Those in attendance could . . .

Event for Locks of Love

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:44:02 -0500

The Veazie Town Office turned into a hair salon Saturday.

And plenty of folks turned out to donate their hair to a great cause.

As Meghan Hayward tells us, they couldn't be happier to help.

A hair cut went a long way in Veazie.

Folks were coming out and donating their hair to Locks of Lo . . .

Follow-Up on Lincoln News Fire

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:53:23 -0500

Lincoln News, a weekly newspaper and also a news print service, just recently celebrated it's fiftieth anniversary.

Print Shop Manager Reginald Hustus has been with the company for fifteen years.

"Couldn't be any better. You couldn't ask for anything better. I've worked at many large companies . . .

Waldo County Grand Jury

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:35:31 -0500

A man from Freedom accused in a couple of burglaries is on the list of people indicted by the Waldo County Grand Jury Friday. 27 year old Derek Creasy was arrested earlier this month.

Police say when they caught him, they discovered several items that had been stolen from a Waldo County home ear . . .

Bangor City Manager Up for Job in Lewiston

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:35:03 -0500

The city manager in Bangor is a finalist for a similar position in Lewiston.

The news comes a week after Ed Barrett announced he was stepping down from the job in Bangor, by April.

City councilors decided they want to move the city in a new direction.

Barrett's held the job for 22 years. . . .

Founding Brother of Cianbro Construction Company Dies

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:19:01 -0500

One of the founding brothers of Maine's largest construction companies has died.

Bud Cianchette died at his home in Cumberland last night at the age of 83. He had cancer.

Cianchette and his brothers started the Cianbro company, which is based in Pittsfield, 60 years ago. The company is now k . . .

Local Mom of Fort Hood Soldier Reacts to Shootings

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:03:20 -0500

Shootings at the Army base in Fort Hood, Texas Thursday left 13 people dead and dozens wounded.

As the news was broadcast, many family members of soldiers on the base watched, and worried.

That includes a Hampden woman, whose son was a few buildings away from where the shootings took place.

. . .

Maine Chinese Language Conference Held in Orono

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:18:30 -0500

Educators, parents and students were at the University of Maine Friday to learn the importance of chinese language and culture in our state.

Folks attended the 2nd Maine Chinese Language Conference to work toward building a stronger partnership with China through education.

It's a follow-up t . . .

H1N1 Death

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:13:26 -0500

A Penobscot County young adult is the second death linked to H1N1 influenza in Maine, and the first since August, the Maine CDC in the Department of Health and Human Services said Friday.

The person was a young male adult between the age of 18 - 25. Dr. Dora Mills, Director of the Maine CDC says . . .

Old Town Fire

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:29:53 -0500

Fire fighters battled a house fire in Old Town Friday morning.

The call from a two-story apartment building on Main Street came in just before 6 o'clock.

It started as a car fire, but the vehicle was parked next to the porch of the home, so flames quickly spread.

Crews from Milford and Oron . . .

Lincoln News Fire Reactions

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:29:24 -0500

Flames ripped through a business in Lincoln Thursday night. TV5 photojournalist Suzanne Laidman was there, and brings us reactions to the burning of the Lincoln News building.

"Well I pulled up about 7 o'clock and I saw flames coming out of the side of the roof," Said Lincoln Resident Clinto . . .

March of Dimes Auction a Success

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:37:42 -0500

Folks got together at the Elks Lodge in Bangor Thursday evening for the 8th annual March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction.

Several area restaurants donated food for the event. There was also a live and silent auction.

The March of Dimes raises money to help ensure all babies are born healthy.
. . .

Bills Reconsidered

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:37:11 -0500

Maine lawmakers whose bills have been denied consideration during the upcoming session were asking to have their proposals reconsidered on Thursday.

Leaders of the house and senate looked at more than 70 bills that were turned back last month for introduction next January.

The 10 member legisl . . .

Early Morning Fire in Orrington

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:17:48 -0500

A home along the River Road in Orrington was engulfed in flames early Friday morning.

Crews from Orrington received the call around 1:30 that flames and smoke were coming from the rear of the building, and that people were evacuating the structure.

Crews from Bucksport, Holden, Dedham, Brewer, . . .

Cruiser Rollover in Charlotte

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:26:39 -0500

Rt. 214 in Charlotte was shut down for close to four hours Thursday evening after a sheriff's deputy rolled a cruiser.

Deputy Thomas Chambers was driving east on 214, when he swerved to avoid hitting a moose.

The cruiser rolled over, trapping Thomas in the car for about an hour.

State polic . . .

Lincoln News Fire

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:54:50 -0500

Fire ripped through a Lincoln business thurday evening.

Around 6:30 passing motorists reported seeing flames coming from the back of Lincoln news on West Broadway in Lincoln.

Fire crews from multiple departments responded to the call.

When they arrived, officials say flames were shooting th . . .

Brewer's Dinner Store

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:53:02 -0500

If you're wondering what you should have for dinner tonight, chances are, Stan and Alison Small can help you out.

They're the owners of The Dinner Store on Center Street in Brewer, which celebrated its official grand opening Thursday.

The Dinner Store does the prep work for family dinners. All . . .

Flag Raising at Enfield Station School

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:35:45 -0500

With Veterans Day coming up, Enfield Station School had a special flag raising ceremony. Members of the military were there, and for some, that also means members of their families.

"On Veterans Day, we honor soldiers who protect our nation. For their service as our warriors, they deserve our ad . . .

Harrington Teen Returns Home after Lung Transplant

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:30:29 -0500

When we first introduced you to Brandon Beal of Harrington, the teenager had just learned he needed a lung transplant.

Two months later, he's had the procedure and today, he got a surprise welcome home reception.

Meghan Hayward has the story.

"Just watch for the white car, should be here a . . .

Fire Destroys Garland Home

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:27:48 -0500

Fire destroyed a home in Garland today. A passerby reported the blaze on the Dexter road around 11:00 this morning. Several departments responded including Dexter, Garland, and Corinth. When firefighters arrived the home was engulfed in flames. Fire crews say no-one was hurt but the damage to th . . .

Washington County Budget Meeting

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:25:49 -0500

The 2010 Washington County budget was on the agenda at a meeting in Machias Thursday.

Washington County Commissioners Chairman Chris Gardner says they need to reduce taxes.

He says the biggest part of the budget, the jail consolidation, has taken away some flexibility.

Health insurance cos . . .

The Farnsworth Art Museum Hires New Director

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:19:42 -0500

The Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, Maine, is hiring the longtime director of a Maryland museum to take its top spot.

Christopher Brownawell has agreed to become the Farnsworth director beginning February 1st. The Farnworth is one of Maine's most prominent museums, with a gallery and stu . . .

Missing Man Found

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:17:11 -0500

Officials say an 81-year-old Sangerville man who went missing overnight has been located in a Bangor hospital.

The Maine Warden Service and the Piscataquis County Sheriff's Department searched for Edwin Howard, who was last seen at his home at about 10 p.m. Wednesday. He was not home when h . . .

Sentencing Delayed in Manslaughter Case

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:15:55 -0500

The sentencing of a homeless man charged with beating another man to death in Bangor, has been rescheduled after the judge rejects the plea agreement. Now 58 year old Stephen James will have to decide whether or not to accept a new plea deal.

James admitted to police that he killed 63 year old C . . .

Swine Flu Confirmed in All 16 Maine Counties

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:14:06 -0500

Maine's public health director says swine flu's been confirmed in all 16 of the state's counties and vaccination clinics are continuing in scores of schools.

Dora Anne Mills of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention said in her weekly H1N1 update Thursday that there is no part of Mai . . .

The Move to Ban Mandatory Vaccinations Turned Down Again

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:59:39 -0500

Debate on a bill that would ban mandatory vaccinations in Maine heated up in Augusta Thursday.

People packed into the statehouse to urge lawmakers to clarify current law. Most of the people there were and say still are under the impression that the government has the authority to force vaccinatio . . .

Man Arrested in Illegal Alien Case

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:32:39 -0500

A man from Harrington is in trouble for bringing illegal aliens to Maine to work at a sea cucumber processing plant.

48-year-old Juan Centen-Perez pled guilty in federal court in Bangor Tuesday to visa fraud, transporting and harboring illegal aliens, and conspiracy to hire them.

He awaits se . . .