Bangor, Maine News Update: February 19, 2020

A Connecticut man and his teenage daughter were able to pull themselves out of the water after going through thin ice while snowmobiling on North Twin Lake, near Millinocket. They were taken to a local hospital and treated for mild hypothermia. Wardens say the recent cold temperatures have not made the ice any safer and residents should use extreme caution.

A group of Colby College students who recently traveled to China has been declared healthy and they’ve returned to their homes. The students had agreed to be isolated away from the student population until they could be cleared of possible exposure to the coronavirus.

The Penobscot County Commissioners have withdrawn their request for a zoning change, so they could build an 8-story jail in downtown Bangor, after several people spoke out against the plan at Tuesday's commissioner's meeting. Officials say they will take a deeper look at the proposal, to find a plan that will address those concerns.

New technology has been installed on I-95 in Freeport and in Etna that will allow Maine DOT officials to gauge the traction on the roadway and send out crews to treat the pavement, when needed. The goal is to add more of the weather and road systems all along I-95. Freeport and Etna were chosen because of the high rate of accidents in those areas.

Literacy Volunteers of Bangor is looking for people interested in becoming tutors, helping others learn to read or improve their reading and comprehension skills. Training classes are set to begin in March. Find more information on the Literacy Volunteers of Bangor website.

The city of Old Town found out yesterday that it will play host to the kickoff for the Bike Maine Trek, which attracts over 400 cyclists. The event that will send the bicyclists to Lincoln, Patten, Millinocket, and Dover-Foxcroft will bring an economic boost to the community. Find more information about the September bike ride on the website for the Bicycle Coalition of Maine.