Bangor, Maine News Update: February 20, 2020

Two men are facing charges after police caught them allegedly stealing catalytic converters from vehicles at Central Maine Auto Auction in Hermon. Police first noticed Cory Von Oesen sitting in his car on the lot, with a catalytic converter on the ground nearby. That’s when the officer noticed Nathan Chauvin of Thorndike underneath a truck.

Fire officials are warning people with backyard chicken coops that heat lamps pose al large fire risk, with the chickens often knocking the lamps over and igniting the straw. Experts say the lamps aren't necessary as long as the coop is an enclosed shelter with good ventilation. Chickens, like wild birds, will acclimate to the cold.

An Indianapolis based conservative legal foundation has sued Maine's Secretary of State, Matt Dunlap, after he refused to hand over Maine's list of registered voters. The Public Interest Legal Foundation, Incorporated claims that Maine's voter record inspection laws violate the National Voter Registration act. The foundation wants to distribute a catalog of voter fraud risks.

Applications for a place in the elver lottery are being accepted until Friday at 4:30 p.m. The fishing permits are coveted because the baby eels are often worth more than two thousand dollars per pound when sold to Asian aquaculture companies. The lottery will take place at the end of the month.

Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, donated 50 thousand dollars to the mission of a Massachusetts man, who often brings soup and backpacks of personal care items to Maine’s homeless population. Peter Kelleher, also known as the Soupman, was recently featured on the CBS Evening News, telling the story  of how the overdose death of his son prompted a desire to help others..

A 15-year-old from Belfast High School will compete in the Can-Am Sled Dog race.Caleb Hayes trains with his father, who owns a kennel in Frenchville and has competed in the race several times in the past 20 years. The Can Am will begin on February 29th in Fort Kent with 100 competitors.

The focus was on girlfriends this week on Wheel of Fortune and two women from Maine cleaned up. Laura Oliver of Nobleboro and her best friend Beth Day of Pittsfield won the final round of the game, winning 37 thousand dollars which, when added to their winnings earlier in the game left them with a grand total of more than 63 thousand dollars.