‘Patriots’ steal, deface 50 Kerry signs with W’s

About 50 signs supporting Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Sen. John Kerry and running mate U.S. Sen. John Edwards reportedly were stolen, spray-painted with large W’s and dropped sometime on Sunday night at the Peace & Justice Center of Eastern Maine in Bangor.

The signs were accompanied by a typed letter that addressed “concerned haters of America,” and called the “liberal left a dying breed,” chastising Kerry supporters. It was signed in blue ink by the “Youth Patriots.”

Ron Warner and Ray Thurber, both veterans in support of Kerry, called police after they arrived early Monday morning at the Peace & Justice Center on Center Street and saw the discarded signs.

Bangor police Lt. Ron Gastia said the detective department would review the case and decide whether an investigation is warranted. Because of the large number of signs taken, more than one person probably was involved, Gastia said.

“That increases our chances slightly to find out who’s involved,” the lieutenant said about the probability of multiple suspects. “But it’s still very, very difficult to determine who could have done this.”

Gastia said his department doesn’t know where the signs came from, but Bangor police are awaiting calls from residents who may have had signs stolen.

A small fire fueled by leaking propane Monday night in Hermon led to the closure of the Fuller Road for more than four hours.

An electric dryer in a garage at 381 Fuller Road, the home of Dwight Keirstea and his family, likely ignited propane that leaked from a nearby tank, according to Hermon Fire Chief Larry Willis. Less than half the gas in the 20-pound tank had escaped by the time firefighters arrived shortly after 6:30 p.m., he said.

The small fire was contained to the dryer and one wall in the detached garage, Willis said. Fuller Road was closed to traffic from York Road to the Billings Road as firefighters emptied the tank.

Crews from Levant, Glenburn and Carmel responded, with assistance from the Hudson Fire Department and Hermon Rescue, Willis said. As of 11 p.m. Monday, crews were still at the scene.

– Compiled by NEWS reporters Eric Russell and Jackie Farwell