Bangor, Maine News Update: January 3, 2019

A fast-moving storm is expected to make the morning commute messy, as it crosses the state. In Ellsworth, all schools are closed and adult education classes canceled. We’ll be following this storm and posting any further cancellations here.

A 74-year-old Winthrop man is charged with failing to yield the right of way after a fiery accident in Belgrade that closed Route 27 for much of the morning. The SUV, driven by Robert Engdahl, pulled out in front of a tanker truck filled with heating oil, causing it to overturn and catch fire. Both Engdahl and the truck driver, Mark Tuttle, had minor injuries.

Six 21-year-old men are expected to plead guilty to charges of furnishing alcohol to a minor, which officials say contributed to the death of a 19-year-old University of Maine student last February. The State Medical Examiner says 19-year-old Alexie Adams died of acute intoxication with hypothermia. Her body was found in a snowbank in Orono after a night of drinking.

A new food pantry in Bucksport will provide food for students to take home on the weekends. Parents can sign up for the program that is a partnership between Bucksport Community Concerns, Good Shepherd Food Bank, and Hannaford and will run out of the elementary and middle schools. Organizers say they set up the program because hunger doesn't end on Friday.

Volunteers are needed to act as English Conversation partners for international students from the University of Maine. Training is free for this opportunity that will help the students improve their English and understanding of American culture and will be held from 10 to noon January 10^th in Stodder Hall on the Orono campus. Find more information on the Literacy Volunteers Bangor website.