Bangor, Maine News Update: October 12, 2017

A chemical explosion in Detroit kept firefights and hazmat crews busy yesterday. WABI-TV reports the explosion happened just before 1:30 at Northeast Agricultural Sales on the North Road, which triggered a fire when sulfur dust ignited. Several people were hurt in the incident, including one person who was taken to Portland by Lifeflight.

Six vehicles hit the same moose on I-95 in Plymouth at around 8:30 last night, injuring two people. Police say the first vehicle to hit the animal went into the woods, and the two occupants had to be taken to the hospital, with a Lifeflight helicopter landing on the interstate to transport one of them. No one else in the other five vehicles was seriously injured.

The question of whether or not Senator Susan Collins will run for governor is about to be answered. She will announce her decision tomorrow at an event in Rockport. She has said it comes down to where she thinks she can make the biggest difference for the state of Maine.

The smaller University of Maine campuses plan to off-set the cost of tuition and fees for eligible in-state students in an effort to increase completion of degrees, reduce student debt, and lure students to the smaller schools. Starting in the fall semester of 2018, campuses in Presque Isle, Fort Kent, Augusta, and Machias will create financial aid plans for any first-year students who qualify for a federal Pell grant, to cover the cost of tuition and fees that aren’t already covered by the grant.

Folks are invited to go bar hopping tonight in support of Alzheimer’s. The Purple Pub Crawl has at least nine local bars and restaurants in Downtown Bangor that will showcase purple drinks or have specials geared toward the event that will support the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s. To participate, just visit the purple table in West Market Square tonight between 5 and 11 o’clock.