Bangor, Maine News Update: August 1, 2017

A Bangor State Fair ride broke down with passengers on board, but the operating computer shut it down safely, with no danger to riders. EJ Dean of Fiesta Shows told the BDN that the Rock n Tug and 11 people riding it Saturday afternoon when the on-board computer shut it down due to a flat tire. He said it’s a great example of the kinds of safety measures installed on the company’s equipment.

Maine’s Attorney General Janet Mills and Maine Public Advocate Barry Hobbins are among 30 others nationwide that are urging Congress to reject plans by President Trump’s administration to eliminate the federal heating assistance program. In a letter, the group said that the money is well spent with checks going directly to utilities on behalf of low-income individuals who need help.

A new study by Waterfront Concerts shows that folks are traveling more than 100 miles, to attend shows and performances in Bangor. The concert organization partnered with U- Maine to track the economic growth in Bangor from 2010 to 2016 and found that more than 105 million dollars was generated. Kerrie Tripp of the Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau says the shows are valuable, as are the Bangor State Fair and American Folk Festival, for drawing large crowds to the region’s businesses.

The Ride for the Wet Nose is a bicycle ride created by a Brewer teen that has raised twelve thousand dollars for the animals at the Bangor Humane Society and the Old Town Animal Orphanage in the last five years. On August 15^th, Matt Gross and his Dad Jason will lengthen their ride, this year pedaling 65 miles from Pat’s Bike Shop in Brewer to the Passadumkeag Fire station and back, in hopes of raising more funds. For more information on how you can donate, log onto the Facebook page for the Ride for the Wet Nose.