Bangor, Maine News Update: August 31, 2017

Police say a 5-year-old girl who died of a gunshot wound Monday night at her grandparents’ Scarborough accidentally shot herself with her father’s gun. State police said yesterday that Elise Dorr of Belfast removed the .45 caliber handgun from a backpack. The bag was located in a bedroom where she and her father were watching TV. The gun discharged after her father got up to adjust the television. No charges have been filed, but it’s possible that changes after prosecutors review the investigation.

Northeast Pellets in Ashland has suffered a catastrophic fire for the second time in its 11-year history. TheCounty.ME reported that the fire occurred at the company’s main production building early Wednesday morning. Their main production building was destroyed by fire in 2009...halting operations for two years. The owners say they plan to rebuild again. The cause of yesterday’s fire remains under investigation.

Gov. Paul LePage says he's calling lawmakers back to Augusta to amend the food sovereignty law he signed in June. LePage said the special session is necessary after objections from the federal government. The bill signed into law by LePage allows local regulation of food instead of state and federal government.

The Maine Ethics Commission has fined Sen. Andre Cushing of Newport $9,000 for violating the state's campaign finance laws last year. The panel imposed a $1,500 fine for late reporting of campaign contributions, and a $7,500 fine for misreporting filing on a leadership political action committee.

Bangor police will set up DUI checkpoints through Labor Day weekend. The department announced yesterday that the checkpoints are part of the statewide “Drive Sober” campaign. Police did not say where the checkpoints will be located.

Waterfront Concerts owner Alex Gray has purchased a building in Old Town that once served as a music venue. The Penobscot Times reported that Gray plans to bring live music back to 283 Main Street, which used to be Kingman’s. The building was seized by the city in April due to unpaid property taxes.