Bangor, Maine News Update: July 10, 2019

Police say a man accused of shooting a relative in Shirley planned the attack and, after shooting her in the hip, fired on a truck when a couple stopped to help her. Officials say that Christopher Hallowell’s issue with Megan Jennison was based on his belief that his grandmother was being mistreated.

Fire officials say the cause of a fire that destroyed a house in Lamoine on Saturday evening was likely caused by a lightning strike. According to the Ellsworth American, the family was eating dinner when they noticed that the lights were smoking. Fire damage at a house in Camden last week is also being attributed to lightning.

Ellsworth’s Open Door Recovery Center has been shut down, after failing to address multiple deficiencies cited by state regulators. Maine health officials say the drug treatment center’s operators failed to conduct employee background checks and had incomplete patient records. Residents have been moved to other programs.

Secretary of State Matt Dunlap is reassuring Mainers that his office will not allow federal agents to have access to their information with the new Real ID's. Residents can now buy a driver's license or ID card that's federally compliant to  allow them to board airplanes for domestic flights.

The annual Flamingo Festival kicks off this Friday in Southwest Harbor with a variety of activities over the weekend, including a lobster bake, Flamingo Parade, and steel drum concert. Proceeds from the event support Harbor House, which is the town's community center.