Bangor, Maine News Update: January 30, 2019

Today’s snow and expected mix of rain has caused schools in many areas to close for the day. We have a full list of cancellations that will be updated throughout the day.

Crews from several towns spent the night battling a fire at the Huhtamaki plant in Waterville, that was called in at around 5:30 Tuesday evening and injured one firefighter. Waterville’s fire chief said that it took five hours to gain control of the blaze that engulfed a large portion of the roof.  The cause of the fire is now under investigation.

Three out-of-state skiers have been suspended from Sugarloaf after skiing out-of-bounds and requiring Wardens to rescue them. The men from New Hampshire and Massachusetts called 911 two hours after skiing off the back of the mountain, which is steep and remote. Wardens say it was snowing heavily , which made for treacherous conditions.

Penobscot Valley Hospital in Lincoln has filed for bankruptcy protection, citing the loss of the local paper mill and commercial health insurance coverage for residents, many of whom have decided to move away. Hospital officials told WABI that they’ve also been hurt by the lack of Medicaid expansion and cuts to reimbursements. They say the hospital will stay open during the process and no layoffs are expected.

Anyone wishing to access the Bangor City Forest will need to use the entrance on Tripp Drive, after public works closed the Kittredge Road entrance. Officials say significant ice buildup has made the Kittredge Road entrance too dangerous, so it’s been closed until crews can get it cleared.