Bangor, Maine News Update: January 23, 2019

Van Buren's Police Chief and a DOT driver are recovering after being struck by vehicles while investigating an 11 vehicle pile-up Tuesday morning in Cary Plantation. White-out conditions contributed to the accident that involved two state plow trucks, 7 cars, a pickup truck, and the chief's cruiser.

Governor Janet Mills has told federal regulators that the state won't continue with Paul LePage’s plan to require certain Medicaid recipients to work or volunteer. Instead , she says will maximize federal funding for job training efforts.

A local organization is working to feed Maine’s seniors, through the Eastern Area Agency on Aging. Volunteers with Feeding Bangor hand out 30-pound boxes of food at Joe’s Market on Garland Street, every third Wednesday of the month, with similar efforts in other communities. Seniors can sign up by calling the Eastern Area Agency on Aging.

The spinning ice disk in Westbrook has attracted international attention, but the natural formations are popping up all over Maine, including one in Surry. Hikers discovered the smaller disk in December, about a quarter of a mile up Meadow Stream from the Old Surry Village School.

An ice fishing derby on Great Pond this weekend will benefit the House in the Woods, which is a wilderness retreat enjoyed by veterans from across the country. The derby is being held Saturday, starting from the Great Pond Outdoor Adventure Center. Find more information on the House in the Woods Fishing Derby Facebook page.