Bangor, Maine News Update: January 30, 2018

A Corinth man charged with attempted murder and arson for setting fire to his house with his companion inside says he was acting on his girlfriend’s request, after she told him she didn’t want to go through another heart surgery. Fred Roberts told investigators he set the fire, hoping the smoke would kill her while she slept. King suffered serious injuries, however, when she jumped from a second story window.

Governor Paul LePage says access to the overdose antidote naloxone at pharmacies should be restricted to people over the age of 21, who are old enough to buy cigarettes. House Speaker Sara Gideon has accused the governor of playing games with people’s lives, while LePage says he feels the life-saving drug is a crutch that keeps people using drugs.

Maine’s signature drink is seeing some competition as Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey’s sales are closing in on those of the state’s favorite Allen’s Coffee Brandy. Sales of Allen’s totaled just over 10 million dollars last year, while Fireball’s sales were just over 8 million dollars.

Iffy trail conditions have caused organizers to cancel the 100-mile Wilderness Sled Dog Race this year. The annual event is usually held in the Moosehead Lake Region, but officials said yesterday that the recent warm weather and rain have created trail conditions that are not safe for mushers and their dogs. The race was supposed to begin on Saturday.

Maine’s collegiate Nordic ski championship was delayed over the weekend, but not because of snow conditions. Officials noticed a den with a hibernating mother bear and two cubs inside during the men’s race. The women’s competition was delayed by about 30 minutes so the course could be changed, avoiding the sleeping bears.