Central Maine News: Skowhegan’s “Black Ninja” Is behind Bars

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

Gov. Paul LePage says issuing a $65 million bond isn't the right approach to build more senior housing in Maine. Advocates for House Speaker Mark Eves' proposal met at the Statehouse Thursday to urge LePage and lawmakers to support the bond that would pay for a thousand units of energy-efficient senior housing in all 16 counties. LePage said he believes the state should "refocus existing resources" instead of taking out loans "at the expense of all Maine taxpayers." Eves said his bill will help seniors remain in their homes and also create construction and housing jobs. (AP)

Lawmakers on the Transportation Committee will hold a public hearing today on a bill that would eliminate the requirement that people over the age of 17 years old wear seat belts when driving or riding in a vehicle. The measure was introduced by Republican Sen. Eric Brakey of Auburn. The panel will also consider two bills that would prohibit people from talking on hand-held cellphones while driving. Texting while driving is already illegal and carries a minimum fine of $250 for the first violation and a $500 fine for second and subsequent violations within three years. (AP)

The Wilton Post Office closed Wednesday because of structural problems in the roof and residents have to travel to nearby Jay to pick up their mail. When residents came to pick up their mail Wednesday they found the post office was closed and there was a note on the door that says operations have been moved to Jay, which is about 7 miles away, and that's where people can pick up their mail. A U.S. Postal Service worker says there are structural issues related to the roof that made the building unsafe. There's no timetable on when the post office may reopen. (WGME)

The man who calls himself the "black ninja" is behind bars. A judge sentenced 25-year-old Jonathan Strickland to three years in prison Wednesday. He broke into a Chinese place, stole money and booze and then broke into the Skowhegan Fairgrounds and left behind a note reading "You can't keep out the black ninja."  Police say surveillance pictures show him wearing a black mask with slits cut for the eyes, like a ninja. Officers interviewed some people who said Strickland bragged about the disguised break-ins. Shortly after that police caught him. (WGME)

State police say the 75-car pileup that injured at least 17 people on a Maine interstate is likely the largest motor vehicle crash in state history. Police say the pileup on Interstate 95 began in Carmel and Etna at about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday when the vehicles became entangled in chain-reaction crashes caused by snow and speed. Police say they are still compiling paperwork from all the crashes and interviewing drivers who were involved .Lt. Sean Hashey says investigators may never determine exactly how the events unfolded because of how many vehicles crashed. He did not rule out the possibility of criminal charges. The accident closed a northbound stretch of the highway for about five hours near the Bangor area. (AP)

‘Are You Ready to Party?’ in Waterville was damaged in a fire Wednesday night. The fire chief said the party supply stores automated alarm system saved the building from being a total loss. It appears the fire started in a car stored in the basement. According to the KJ, the building sustained significant damage, but is structurally sound. The fire was investigated to the point that its origin is not believed to be suspicious, (centralmaine.com)