Bangor, Maine News Update: May 22, 2018

Plumes of black smoke could be seen for miles yesterday when a pile of junk cars at Ideal Recycling in Carmel caught fire. Crews from surrounding towns, including the National Guard and Fire Rangers responded to the blaze that continued into the evening. No one was hurt in the fire and officials say the cause doesn’t appear to be suspicious.

Three men are facing charges after allegedly trying to steal a 25-foot shed by dragging it behind a pickup truck. Two of the men are from New Hampshire while the third, Matthew Thompson, is from the town of Lebanon, where the 25-foot shed was allegedly stolen from a foreclosed property. Police say Thompson had crystal meth and prescription drugs in his possession when he was arrested.

Fire officials are warning of the dangers of extracting cannabis concentrates as marijuana becomes legal in the state. The Portland Press Herald reports that first responders in Ellsworth and Biddeford have encountered fires at homes where people were manufacturing butane hash oil and the butane has ignited. Home extraction, using butane or propane, is illegal in Maine.

Law Enforcement agencies statewide have kicked off their annual ‘click it or ticket’ campaign, to encourage Mainers to keep their seat belts fastened. Not only is it the law, but it’s also the number one thing residents can do to prevent death or injury during a crash. A ticket for not wearing a seatbelt will cost fifty dollars for the first offense, 125 dollars for the second, and 250 dollars for the third.

Brewer High school’s Outdoor Education students will hold its annual flower sale this week, with the proceeds to benefit the alternative physical education program. Up for sale on Friday and Saturday at Brewer High will be six-packs of annuals, vegetable seedlings, hanging baskets and more, all provided by Ellis Greenhouse and Nursery in Hudson. And if the weather’s good, the students will be washing cars for donations, as well.