Central Maine News: June 2, 2015

These are some of the stories central Maine is talking about today.

The Maine House of Representatives has given initial approval to a bill that would allow people to carry concealed handguns without a permit. The Democratic-controlled House voted 83-62 in support of the bill. The measure was endorsed by the Senate with a 23-12 vote last week. It faces final votes in both chambers.

Opponents say the permit process is necessary to prevent dangerous people from carrying concealed handguns. Supporters say the permit process is ineffective and doesn't stop criminals from carrying a weapon. The bill was amended in the House to ensure that it applies only to those 21 years of age and older. Another amendment added Monday would require a person carrying a concealed handgun to inform law enforcement if they are stopped by an officer. (AP)

A bill to ban powdered alcohol is quickly moving forward in the Maine Legislature. The Maine Senate voted 29-4 to give initial approval to the bill. The Democratic-led House supported the bill with a 138-1 vote last week.Lawmakers are hoping to ban powdered alcohol, or Palcohol, before it hits the shelves this summer. They worry the powder will make it easier for teens to sneak alcohol into parties and sporting events. The Palcohol creator says that banning the product won't work and will only lead to increased demand. He says it isn't any more dangerous than liquid alcohol. The measure faces final votes in both chambers before being sent to Gov. Paul LePage. (AP)
Waterville homeowners are recovering after a car drove into the front of their house Sunday night. According to WGME, Heidi Everson was driving her car under the influence of drugs when she drove into. According to police, her 17-month-old daughter was also in the car and not properly buckled in. Everson and her daughter were taken to the hospital and cleared shortly after. Everson was taken into custody and charged with a felony OUI because it was her third offense. She was charged with several other misdemeanors as well. (WGME)

A Waldo County man who allegedly led police on a chase through two towns over the weekend was arrested and charged after a spike mat deflated stopped him. According to WGME 31-year-old Dale Rowe of Troy had his young son with him in the vehicle during the chase. The chase started after a Waldo County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Rowe’s vehicle still had studded snow tires. When officals went to pull him over, he slowed down, like he was stopping and then sped back up and refused to stop. The vehicle ended up driving over a spike mat, Rowe then continued to drive with four flat tires until another deputy was able to box the vehicle in and get Rowe to stop. He was arrested and also had outstanding warrants. (WGME)

June is getting off to a cold start in northern New England. The high temp reached 53 degrees in Portland and 52 in Concord, New Hampshire, on Monday. And Margaret Curtis from the National Weather Service says it's going to be even cooler today.  Both could set new records for the lowest high temperature for the date in those cities. In fact, the high for Portland is projected to be about 16 degrees below normal on Tuesday.  (AP)

There's word that rescuers have pulled six survivors to safety from a capsized cruise ship in China. State broadcaster CCTV says at least 12 other people are known to have survived, including the captain and chief engineer, and five people are confirmed dead. CCTV says the ship had 458 people aboard, most of them elderly. (AP)

Iraq's prime minister and international allies are gathering in Paris to re-examine their strategy against Islamic State extremists. The group has continued to gain ground in Iraq and Syria despite more than 4,100 airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition. However, no major change in strategy is expected to be announced at Tuesday's meeting. (AP)

Two storms are churning in the Eastern Pacific and one of them is producing swells that could cause life-threatening conditions. Hurricane Andres is weakening but forecasters say swells generated by the storm are likely to cause dangerous surf and rip conditions along the west coast of the Baja California peninsula. Tropical storm Blanca is expected to gain strength and become a major hurricane by late Wednesday. (AP)

Authorities in West Virginia say a teenager has died and two others are injured after they were hit by an apparent lightning strike while fishing. The Fayette County sheriff says the boys were fishing at a pond about 60 miles southeast of Charleston when a severe thunderstorm hit and lightning apparently first struck a nearby tree. One of the injured teens is reported in critical condition and the other is expected to recover fully. (AP)

A New York Indian tribe is expanding its gambling business with a "Wizard of Oz"-themed casino in a strip mall near Syracuse. The Oneida Indians' Yellow Brick Road Casino opens Tuesday in Chittenango the birthplace of "The Wizard of Oz" author L. Frank Baum. Bingo games will be held in Wizard Hall and cocktails will be served at the Winged Monkey. (AP)