Bangor, Maine News Update: February 27, 2019

A hearing in Portland this week will determine whether the confession of a man accused of killing Somerset County Sheriff’s Corporal Eugene Cole is admissible as evidence in his murder trial. John Williams’ attorneys asked to suppress the confession, claiming that he had been beaten by investigators, and was in the midst of opioid withdrawal when he was interviewed. There’s no timeline on when a decision will be rendered.

The wind and extreme cold have caused headaches in Northern Maine, where the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office has closed many roads to traffic. The wide open fields have prompted lots of blowing snow to drift into the roadways and freeze, making travel treacherous. Drivers can find updated road conditions on the New England DOT website.

There’s been a sharp uptick in the number of harp seals being stranded along the East coast, and experts are trying to figure out why. Marine Mammals of Maine reports it’s responded to 63 reports of harp seal stranding so far this year, compared to just six last year. Experts say anyone who encounters one of the seals should give it some space.

There’s been an increase, recently, in the number of scam calls or fake pop-ups on computers, that claim the computer has a virus and giving options on how to fix it. The Better Business Bureau says tech companies will never call and offer to help, and residents should never allow someone to gain remote access to their computer.

A winter carnival this weekend in Dover-Foxcroft will benefit the Piscataquis Regional Food Center, that works to combat food insecurity in the region. Folks are invited to the Piscataquis County fairgrounds between 10 and 3 on Saturday for outdoor games, food, human Foosball, and more. Find more information on the event's Facebook page.