1. Donald Trump criticized Hillary Clinton’s recent claim that half of his supporters belong in a “basket of deplorables” during several appearances on Monday. He told supporters, “While my opponent calls you deplorable and irredeemable, I call you hard-working American patriots who love their country and want a better future for all our people.” (AP)
2. Two teenagers stole a front-end loader in West Gardiner early Monday and led police on a low-speed chase through Sabattus and Lewiston, deliberately crashing into two vehicles and traveling south on the Maine Turnpike for several miles. The 30-mile thrill ride finally came to an end in New Gloucester, where they were arrested after police shot out the tires of the loader because it had hit a car on the northbound side of the divided highway. (PH)
3. Moran’s Market, located on outer Forest Avenue in the Riverton neighborhood, caught fire just before midnight Sunday night, shortly after the night shift closed the market. Everyone got out safely, but the building didn’t fare as well. Both the first and second floors are badly damaged. Moran’s has been a neighborhood go-to market since it opened in 1956. The owners say they will rebuild. (WCSH)
4. Tony Hoffman, a BMX racer, spent Monday afternoon talking about his experience with substance abuse and encouraging local kids not to make the same mistakes. Hoffman shared firsthand stories about his personal battle with drugs in front of a crowd at Biddeford Middle School. He also talked to students at Thornton Academy earlier in the day. His presentation outlined his addiction to drugs, including heroin, and how he turned to armed robbery to satisfy his habit. Hoffman said taking drugs is similar to walking through a door, but it’s nearly impossible to walk back out. (WMTW)
5. Burger King is continuing to find new and (potentially) delicious ways to incorporate Cheetos into its food. The fast food chain plans to start selling Cheetos Chicken Fries, a variation on its popular fried chicken snack side that uses ground up Cheetos as breading. The Cheetos Chicken Fries will be available for a limited time starting tomorrow at select Burger King locations, and cost $2.89 for nine pieces. (Mashable)
Made Hot in Maine by Neil’s Motors on Rt. 111 in Biddeford.
