Bangor, Maine News Update: September 27, 2021

Funeral services for Hancock County Sheriff’s Deputy Luke Gross are set for Thursday at noon at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. Gross died early Thursday morning when he was out of his vehicle and was struck by a passing motorist while on a call in Trenton. The driver of the vehicle is not expected to be charged.  

Police say a woman is facing charges after allegedly calling in two bomb threats to a local business so she could spend more time with her boyfriend, who worked there. The threats were made by phone, when the caller said they were going to leave bombs at the Puritan Medical Products plant in Pittsfield, which makes medical swabs. The 33-year-old is charged with a felony count of terrorizing.  

It was a good year for Maine’s wild blueberry growers, one they sorely needed after several disappointing seasons. According to the AP, the 2020 crop was less than 48 million pounds, which was the lowest number since 2004. But experts say the 2021 season appeared to be much better, with as many as 90 million pounds...the most blueberries since 2016.  

Many storefronts in downtown Bangor are now featuring banners featuring pictures of different women. Each banner represents a Maine woman who has come forward to talk about her experiences with domestic abuse, in hopes of helping women still experiencing abuse to reach out. Find more information on the website for Finding Our Voices.  

An Orono man is bicycling from Maine to Washington, DC, in an effort to make sure everyone who wants a bike can get one. Abe Furth’s goal is to raise $50,000 for the earn a bike program, through the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, in which people who cannot afford a bike can get one, as well as a helmet, a lock, and education on safe bicycling. 

The public is invited to join some professionals this Saturday for a spooky ghost tour of Fort Knox. The 207 Paranormal Ghost Trackers will lead the event that has limited space so interested parties are asked to sign up soon. Find more information on the Facebook event page for the Ghosts of Fort Knox Tour.