Bangor, Maine News Update: December 12, 2018

A man whose house was blown up during a standoff in Dixmont is suing the law enforcement agencies involved in the incident for 120 million dollars. 62-year-old Michael Grendell spent several months in the hospital recovering from gunshot wounds and claims police didn’t have the right to use an explosive device on his house as a way to flush him out. So far, there’s no comment from the DA’s office.

Governor Lepage is crying foul on his successor over state contracts that she’s requested, so she can review them before she takes office. Governor-elect Mills has also asked state agencies to hold off on finalizing state contracts until after her inauguration on January 2^nd. LePage calls the move inappropriate and says it will put state contractors in chaos.

Maine’s restaurants, bars, and clubs will soon get help verifying ID’s through an app that checks a national database of driver’s licenses and ID’s to determine authenticity. State officials will be making it a requirement to use the Age ID app for some businesses that have faced citations for selling alcohol to minors.

Donations are still needed for the Downeast Community Partners’ Christmas is for Kids campaign. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, along with other area police, businesses, and residents collect donations for around 300 kids in Hancock and Washington counties. Find more information on how to help by emailing receptionist at Downeast Community Partners dot org.

The Bangor Area Recovery Network or BARN will host a Christmas fundraiser this Saturday at their Brewer location. Folks are invited to stop by and fill up a holiday tin with cookies, buy new gifts by donation, and have those gifts wrapped by local celebrities. The event will take place from 10 to 4 this Saturday at the BARN, 142 Center Street in Brewer.