Author: Seamus Othot

Maine’s Legislative Committee on Health and Human Services heard testimony on Wednesday for a bill from Rep. Bill Pluecker (I-Warren) that would apparently ensure that some illegal immigrants can continue receiving state-funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits despite federal changes. [RELATED: Nearly 700,000 Ineligible People Have Been Removed from SNAP Rolls Since Trump Took Office: Rollins…] “For nearly thirty years, Maine has provided state-funded SNAP to lawfully presentimmigrants who may have been excluded from federal benefits. This programreflects our values and pragmatic recognition that hunger harms all Mainers,” said Pluecker while addressing the committee. “It is important that the…

The Rockland Police Department arrested school bus driver Jeffrey Colburn, 65, of Camden, on Thursday on manslaughter charges following a months-long investigation into the fatal Rockland bus crash that killed 12-year-old RSU 13 student Brayden Callahan. [RELATED: Rockland School Bus Driver Placed on Leave After Fatal Collision, Records Show Prior OUI Conviction…] Rockland police took Colburn into custody after a grand jury indictment was handed down, and the Knox County District Attorney’s Office issued a warrant for his arrest. The Rockland Criminal Investigation Division has worked with the Knox District Attorney’s Office since the tragic crash in November. The investigation…

The Maine State Fire Marshal is investigating an alleged arson incident in Ellsworth on Wednesday after a vacant single-family residence sustained fire damage. [RELATED: State Fire Marshal Investigating Suspected Arson at Vacant Mexico Home…] At approximately 5:50 p.m., the Ellsworth Fire Department responded to 384 Water Street for reports of a structure fire at the vacant home. The flames were subdued in time to cause only minor fire damage. The local fire department called in the Fire Marshal’s Office to help identify the cause of the fire. The Marshal’s Office classified the fire as incendiary, meaning that they believe it…

Three 18-year-olds were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly shooting up a Wiscasset home on Tuesday while a father and a minor were inside. One of the three was also charged with shooting up an Alna home last week. [RELATED: 18-Year-Old Arrested After Week-Long Investigation Into Bullet Holes Left in Alna Home…] Just after 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the Wiscasset Police Department responded to an Old Sheepscot Road residence after receiving reports that someone had shot at the home. Investigators discovered that three shots were fired at the residence. One bullet struck and shattered the storm door glass, penetrated the interior…

The U.S. Department of Education’s (DOE) Office of Civil Rights (OCR) launched an investigation Wednesday targeting 18 educational institutions, including two Maine school districts, for potential Title IX antidiscrimination law violations for allowing males to participate in female sports. [RELATED: Defiance Over Duty: Maine Education Chief Puts Ideology Above Education in Title IX Standoff…] “In the same week that the Supreme Court hears oral arguments on the future of Title IX, OCR is aggressively pursuing allegations of discrimination against women and girls by entities which reportedly allow males to compete in women’s sports. Time and again, the Trump Administration has…

The taxpayer-funded University of Maine School of Law’s Dean of Students sent out a notice to students and staff Thursday, encouraging them to call an anti-ICE hotline and providing pointers on recording immigration enforcement activities. [RELATED: Just 5.5 Percent of Maine College Professors Are Registered GOP — UMaine Law Profs Include Zero Republicans…] “The ACLU of Maine, ILAP, and Clinics at Maine Law have collaborated to create the attached document, “Preparing for & Responding to Immigration Enforcement Activity in Maine.” This document includes embedded hyperlinks that cover how to prepare for an ICE encounter, what to do if you witness an…

A 71-year-old woman was tragically killed on Wednesday after her vehicle was struck while she was parked on the shoulder of Harpswell Island Road. [RELATED: Two Maine DOT Workers Killed After Driver Failed to Stop at a Stop Sign in a Waterville Work Zone…] At around 2:49 p.m., the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department received a report of a crash on Harpswell Island Road in Harpswell, near the intersection with Tower Hill Road. Deputies and the Harpswell Fire and EMS Department responded to the scene. They discovered Jean Appleby Johnson, 71, seriously injured and administered life-saving measures shortly after the crash,…

Penobscot Sheriff’s Deputies busted two alleged drug traffickers on Tuesday after they reportedly initially failed to comply with a traffic stop in Milford. [RELATED: Somerset Bust Leads to Seizure of Over a Pound of Drugs and Arrest of Out-of-State Traffickers…] At approximately 1:30 a.m., Penobscot deputies were conducting an unspecified investigation on French Settlement Road when they spotted a suspicious vehicle that reportedly approached their location and abruptly stopped. Deputies reportedly observed multiple traffic violations and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle reportedly failed to stop and continued traveling toward Greenbush. Additional deputies responded and attempted to stop…

A Falmouth man was sentenced to pay $590,912 in restitution to the IRS on Tuesday after he evaded taxes and used company funds to purchase an island home. [RELATED: Portland Property Manager Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Stealing Money from Low-Income Tenants, and Defrauding taxpayers…] Jeffrey Riddle, 59, of Falmouth, pleaded guilty to tax evasion in December 2024 and was sentenced to three years of probation in addition to the restitution he was required to pay. On his tax returns from 2006 through 2014, he reported that he owed a substantial amount of taxes but failed to pay…

The New Hampshire State Police arrested a Merrimack woman on Wednesday after she allegedly fled from the police and barricaded herself in her car, following an earlier August arrest for fleeing law enforcement. [RELATED: Kennebec County Pursuit Ends in Police Shooting and Arrest of Man Wanted on Felony Charges…] The NH State Police responded at approximately 1:06 a.m. to assist local police after a suspicious 2016 Volkswagen GTI was discovered parked near Citizens Bank in Londonderry. Londonderry officers tried to speak with the vehicle’s operator, Heather Lewis, 34, of Merrimack, but she allegedly fled westbound on Route 102 toward Hudson,…

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department closed in on a suspect early Wednesday morning following a week-long investigation into six bullet holes discovered in a newly constructed Alna home as the owners were moving in. [RELATED: Lincoln Sheriff’s Department Investigating After Six Bullet Holes Found in New Home…] On January 6, Lincoln deputies began their investigation when the homeowners of a newly constructed Head Tide Hill Road residence discovered six bullet holes in the building on the same day they closed on the purchase and began moving in. Some of the bullets went through windows and traveled into the house. Deputies…

A Chinese woman living in New York pleaded guilty on Monday to operating illegal marijuana grow sites at properties she owned in Madison and Norridgewock. [RELATED: Maine Sheriff Raids Three More Black Market Pot Houses, Seizes $39k, 900 Plants, and a Toyota — One “Brooklyn” Woman Arrested…] Jiamin Liao, 30, of New York City, purchased a property at 571 Thurston Hill Rd., Madison, in order to convert it into an illegal marijuana cultivation facility. In March 2024, the Somerset Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant at the Madison property, along with another residence at 114 Upper Main St., Norridgewock, which…

Two Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) workers were tragically killed in Waterville on Tuesday after a driver allegedly failed to stop at a stop sign posted during construction, resulting in the workers being launched from a bridge. [RELATED: State Police Cruiser Struck by Mercedes During Turnpike Crash Response in Wells…] The Maine State Police responded at approximately 9:37 a.m. to reports of two pedestrians being killed in a crash on I-95 southbound near mile marker 127. The MDOT had closed down the travel lane near the end of the on-ramp from Kennedy Memorial Drive as part of bridge construction and…

The Bangor Police Department arrested an Orland man on Saturday after he was allegedly found stealing from a Bangor supermarket and masturbating before serving drinks as a vendor. [RELATED: Nude Weiner Arrested on NH Highway After He Fled Stolen Vehicle Crash…] According to a police press release, Bangor officers responded to an unspecified local supermarket at approximately 1:32 p.m. after receiving reports of a vendor concealing merchandise. The supermarket’s loss prevention team also reported that while reviewing security footage to identify the alleged theft, they witnessed the vendor, Thomas Taylor, 74, of Orland, masturbating in the store in view of…

U.S. Marshals arrested a fugitive from Oklahoma on Friday after he was found allegedly hiding out in Waldoboro to evade arrest on child pornography charges. [RELATED: U.S. Marshals Lug Illegal Alien Listed on Mass Sex Offender Registry Hiding in Maine…] “The United States Marshals Service will track you, we will find you, and we will return you to face the consequences of your actions. There is no safe haven,” said Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Josh Taylor for the District of Maine in a press release. Marshal Service investigators determined that Jaime A. Oktay, 56, of Oklahoma, had allegedly fled to…

The Brunswick Police Department arrested a Topsham man on Saturday after he allegedly swapped a Brunswick man’s snowblower for a broken one while taking money to fix the stolen machine. [RELATED: Topsham Felon Found with 20 Stolen Firearms Sentenced to Six Years in Prison…] At approximately 7:00 p.m., the Brunswick Police Department received a report that Benjamin Jacques, 44, of Topsham, had allegedly swapped a Brunswick resident’s snowblower for a broken one. The caller explained that he found Jacques on the Nextdoor app and made arrangements for Jacques to fix his snowblower. Jacques allegedly took the snowblower and returned a…

Maine School Administrative District (MSAD) 75 is holding lessons aimed at sexual abuse prevention for students as young as kindergarteners, using a curriculum from a radically pro-gender ideology non-profit that includes excerpts from books like Bodies Are Cool, The Bare Naked Book, and Uncle Willy’s Tickles: A Child’s Right to Say No. [RELATED: Out Maine Secures Grants to Send Pro-Trans Children’s Books Across the State’s Schools, Libraries, and Even Pediatricians’ Offices…] The non-profit Sexual Assault Support Services of Midcoast Maine (SASSMM) prominently boasts that they serve Mainers of “all genders” and hides lesson plans behind a password in an apparent…

Rep. Kathy Javner (R-Chester) tragically passed away on Saturday after continuing to serve in the legislature as a staunch pro-life advocate despite battling cancer. [RELATED: Republican Rep from California Dies Suddenly at Age 65…] “We mourn the passing of Rep. Kathy Javner, who was serving her fourth term representing House District 29 and as Ranking Member of the 132nd Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services,” said the Maine House Republicans. “A faithful servant, Kathy reflected Christ’s love through humility, hard work, and compassion. Rooted in Maine values and shaped by years of cross-cultural service and teaching, she…

Sen. Joe Baldacci (D-Penobscot) is running for Maine’s Second Congressional District (CD2) House seat, currently held by Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), he announced on Monday. [RELATED: Sen. Joe Baldacci Defends Censure of Laurel Libby During Debate with House Republican Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham…] “I’m running for Congress because Maine needs a fighter in Washington, D.C. — someone who understands what it means when groceries, health care, and housing become unaffordable, and who will actually do something about it. I’ll vote to restore ACA subsidies, protect Social Security and Medicare, crack down on corporate greed, and stand up for small businesses…

The Maine State Legislature’s Judiciary Committee held an over seven-hour public hearing on two “restorative justice” style bills: one to allow the automatic sealing of some criminal records and one to re-institute parole. LD 1911 The committee began by hearing testimony on LD 1911 put forward by Sen. Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Portland). The bill would allow for the automatic sealing of criminal records for a variety of crimes, including drug offenses, if certain conditions are met, such as having no pending charges. “An old arrest or conviction record can be an albatross around people’s necks. Individuals who have paid their…

A St. Albans traffic stop conducted by the Somerset Sheriff’s Department on Tuesday led to the arrests of two Mainers and a man from the Dominican Republic on drug trafficking charges. [RELATED: Somerset Bust Leads to Seizure of Over a Pound of Drugs and Arrest of Out-of-State Traffickers…] At approximately 9:00 p.m., Deputy Allen Jones initiated a traffic stop on a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado with three occupants while patrolling Webb Ridge Road in St. Albans. The investigation revealed that one of the vehicle’s occupants, Destiny Alton, 44, of Saint Albans, was allegedly subject to an active arrest warrant for domestic…

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) published a report on Friday revealing the tragic circumstances surrounding the horrific crash last month when 5-year-old Simon Gonzalez was killed after being struck by a school bus. [RELATED: Sheriff Releases More Details on Tragic School-Bus Crash that Killed a 5-Year-Old in Standish…] The NTSB, a federal agency responsible for investigating high-profile crashes, released its preliminary report, providing details without laying blame on the victim or the driver, Lori Ann Merrifield, 64. According to the report, the bus was at a stop on Route 35 in Standish at approximately 8:00 a.m. when a seven-year-old,…

The Somerset Sheriff’s Department executed a drug bust in Pittsfield on Wednesday, seizing over a pound of fentanyl and cocaine and arresting two alleged drug traffickers from out of state. [RELATED: Penobscot Sheriff’s Department Starts the Year With Massive Drug Bust in Enfield…] At approximately 1:50 p.m., Somerset deputies executed a search warrant at the home of Julie McDaniel, 69, on Sibley Pond Road in Pittsfield. The department obtained the search warrant after a months-long investigation into drugs allegedly being sold from the home. During the search, law enforcement allegedly located 780 grams of fentanyl and cocaine, along with a…

Piscataquis Sheriff Bob Young will be retiring from his position at the end of 2026 after serving as sheriff since 2018 and working with the department for 42 years. [RELATED: Maine DOC Orders Piscataquis County Jail to Stop Taking New Prisoners After Failing Health and Safety Inspections…] “It’s been a good run, 42 years of working for the folks of Piscataquis. I didn’t intend to stay this long. Starting as a corrections officer/dispatcher, I was figuring on 2 to 3 years. Being Sheriff wasn’t even a loose thought rolling around my mind. But, as with all of us, the years…

Sen. Susan Collins voted with Democrats to move a controversial resolution forward on Thursday that would require President Donald Trump to immediately cease all hostilities with Venezuela without congressional authorization. Sen. Collins says that she maintains her support for the military action that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, but she believes Congress should be involved before any prolonged military operation takes place. [RELATED: President Trump: U.S. CARRIES OUT STRIKE ON VENEZUELA, MADURO CAPTURED…] “With Maduro rightfully captured, the circumstances have now changed. While I support the operation to seize Nicolas Maduro, which was extraordinary in its…

The Maine State Police took to social media on Thursday to warn of an alleged rise in the use of counterfeit cash across the state in recent weeks. [RELATED: Word of the Year: Fraud…] Police stated that the majority of recent counterfeit bills discovered have been used in business deposits, but urged vigilance from anyone using cash. The increase in counterfeit activity has spanned across the state from Bangor to Van Buren, though police did not release information on the number of incidents reported. Recent incidents have reportedly primarily involved $100 bills marked with “for motion picture use only” and…

President Donald Trump moved to withdraw the U.S. from 66 international organizations, treaties, and conventions on Wednesday that he determined are contrary to the American national interest. [RELATED: Trump Withdraws the U.S. from the World Health Organization on First Day in Office…] “The Trump Administration has found these institutions to be redundant in their scope, mismanaged, unnecessary, wasteful, poorly run, captured by the interests of actors advancing their own agendas contrary to our own, or a threat to our nation’s sovereignty, freedoms, and general prosperity,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a press release. “President Trump is clear: It…

The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) unveiled a new database last week showing how much money American universities have taken from foreign nations, with Qatar emerging as the top donor and China ranking fourth. [RELATED: Just 5.5 Percent of Maine College Professors Are Registered GOP — UMaine Law Profs Include Zero Republicans…] “America’s taxpayer-funded colleges and universities have both a moral and legal obligation to be fully transparent with the U.S. government and the American people about their foreign financial relationships. We are grateful to the many stakeholders for their feedback in designing this portal and look forward to vigorously…

A Dominican drug trafficker will spend the next five years in prison after he was sentenced on Tuesday for his role in a conspiracy to smuggle kilograms of fentanyl from Massachusetts to Maine. [RELATED: Feds Bust Dominican Republic-Based Fraud Ring Targeting Grandparents in New England, Nationwide…] Alexis De Leon, 30, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced to 60 months in prison after pleading guilty in March to drug trafficking charges. Investigators learned that someone using the name “Leon Leon” was using a Facebook account, among other means, to contact co-conspirators and potential buyers in Maine to arrange drug…

President Donald Trump is taking action to help Americans fulfill the dream of homeownership, he announced on Wednesday, by barring institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes. [RELATED: Janet Mills, MaineHousing Announce Funding for 311 Apartments Across 8 Developments…] “For a very long time, buying and owning a home was considered the pinnacle of the American Dream. It was the reward for working hard, and doing the right thing, but now, because of the Record High Inflation caused by Joe Biden and the Democrats in Congress, that American Dream is increasingly out of reach for far too many people, especially younger…

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department is investigating after a family found six bullet holes in their newly constructed Alna home on Tuesday, just as they were moving in. [RELATED: Auburn Police Searching for Suspect in Drive-By Shooting That Left Two Bullet Holes in a Local Residence…] At approximately 4:16 p.m., deputies responded to reports of a house being shot at on Head Tide Hill Road. The owners of the newly constructed home had just closed on the property and were moving in when they discovered six bullet holes in the side of the house facing the driveway. Some of the…

Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) died suddenly following an unspecified medical emergency on Monday at the age of 65, sparking messages of condolence from President Donald Trump and other Republicans, and shrinking the Republicans’ already slim House majority. [RELATED: Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Throws in Towel After Tango with Trump…] “I want to express our tremendous sorrow at the loss of a great member — a great, great, great member — Congressman Doug LaMalfa, who passed away yesterday,” said President Trump during an address delivered to Republicans on Tuesday. “He was a defender of everybody, and our hearts go out…

The York County Sheriff’s Department suspended its mechanic for just one day after he allegedly pulled someone over in an unmarked cruiser lent to him by the department, despite being a civilian, according to police records obtained by The Maine Wire. The mechanic was not charged, and the responding deputy told dispatch to disregard the incident but failed to inform the victim that the driver who pulled him over was not a deputy. [RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: York County Corrections Officer Was Living With a Fugitive, Faced No Disciplinary Action for Months…] Loghan Aycock, 21, an electrician, was on his way home…

Portland School Board Chair Sarah Lentz delivered the district’s annual “State of the Schools” address to the Portland City Council on Monday, notably focusing on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and placing “equity” above academic achievement. [RELATED: Portland Schools, Teachers’ Union to Collude on ‘Progressive Discipline’ Policy, Emphasizing ‘Restorative Justice’ and ‘Safe Spaces’…] “First Equity: it is not one priority among many. It is the foundation of everything that we do,” said Lentz. Lentz began her address with a “land acknowledgment,” setting the tone for the speech to follow. https://twitter.com/TheMaineWire/status/2008577705374347345 “We are operating in a national landscape where immigrants and…

The Piscataquis Sheriff’s Department recovered two tractors on Friday after they were allegedly stolen from a Barnard Township residence. [RELATED: Wiscasset Police Make Arrest in Armed Robbery and Liquor Theft, 19-Year- Old Now in Custody…] The Sheriff’s Department began its investigation after receiving a report that two tractors and other unspecified items had been stolen. Deputies were quickly able to obtain information on the location of the stolen tractors and secured a search warrant for the alleged location of the stolen farm equipment. During the execution of the warrant, deputies recovered the stolen items and arrested the alleged perpetrator, identified…

The Maine Legislature is set to consider a Democrat-led bill during a Wednesday public hearing that would expand the existing “Good Samaritan” law, providing increased immunity for drug users. [RELATED: Halsey Frank: Maine’s new, not-so-good Samaritan law…] Under the current law, drug users are immune from prosecution or arrest based on any information gathered during a medical or law enforcement response to a drug overdose. The law even prevents law enforcement from arresting someone who is subject to an unrelated outstanding warrant if they are identified during the response, with exceptions for some violent or other serious crimes. [RELATED: Crimes…

The Auburn Police Department arrested a woman on Sunday after she was reportedly found with three different types of drugs during a bail compliance check. [RELATED: Intoxicated Rumford Man Pepper-Sprays Woman, Three Children Inside Apartment…] The Auburn Police Department’s Patrol Division arrived at 41 Valley Street to conduct a bail compliance check on Stephanie Bell, 51, of Auburn. During the check, officers searched Bell’s residence and allegedly found her in possession of marijuana, psilocybin—commonly known as “magic mushrooms”—and methamphetamine. Officers also reportedly discovered three firearms that Bell was prohibited from owning. Bell was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of…

The Penobscot Sheriff’s Department started the year with a massive drug bust in Enfield on Friday that led to six arrests and charges for a seventh suspect, drug seizures, and the recovery of stolen items at a residence that had been previously raided just months earlier. [RELATED: Traffic Stop Turns Into Drug Bust, Old Orchard Beach Man Charged With Cocaine, Meth Trafficking…] At approximately 12:30 p.m., the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team executed a search warrant for a residence on Mohawk Road in Enfield. During the warrant execution, deputies allegedly discovered and seized methamphetamine and made six arrests…

As Gov. Janet Mills’ (D-Maine) administration has blown millions on no-bid contracts, and allegations of Medicaid fraud have touched upon sitting Democratic state representatives, the Maine GOP filed a records request for the number of fraud reports received and investigated by the Office of the State Auditor. [RELATED: Somali-Linked Lawmakers Who Attacked Trump Now Engulfed in Expanding Medicaid Fraud Scandal…] “After seeing reports of millions of dollars in overbilling in Maine’s welfare system and hundreds of millions of dollars in no-bid contracts, the taxpayers of Maine deserve to know what measures have been taken to protect them,” said Maine GOP…

Amid the Mills Administration’s unchecked spending, including thousands of pages and billions of dollars on no-bid contracts, it’s also expending taxpayer funds on grants for transgender individuals with drug problems, records show. On November 29, 2024, Maine Governor Janet Mills’ (D) administration approved a batch of grants focusing on the state’s drug problems. One such grant was awarded to the Maine Transgender Network non-profit, which presents radical LGBTQ ideas and gender ideology to minors. [RELATED: Board Member of LGBTQ+ Nonprofit Resigns After Complaining About Racism, Minors Crossing “Sexual Boundaries”…] The group requested and received $300,000 in taxpayer funds to “expand…

The U.S. Border Patrol Houlton Sector arrested an Ecuadorian illegal immigrant in Rangeley early this month with a criminal history and pending arson charges in New York. [RELATED: Border Patrol Sets All Time Apprehension Record in Maine as Crossings Shift Along Northern Border…] The Houlton Sector announced the arrest on December 16 but provided scant details. The Maine Wire reached out and received more information from a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) spokesman. “Under Secretary Noem, our brave law enforcement agents are delivering on President Donald Trump’s and the American people’s mandate to arrest and deport criminal illegal aliens…

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) banned the sale of new models of foreign-made drones this week, citing national security concerns as drones increasingly become weapons of war and China reportedly controls 90 percent of the global drone market. [RELATED: Portland City Council Blocks Police Drone Plan, Despite Safety, Search and Rescue Benefits…] “Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), also known as drones, offer the potential to enhance public safety as well as cement America’s leadership in global innovation. But criminals, terrorists, and hostile foreign actors have intensified their weaponization of these technologies, creating new and serious threats to our homeland,” said FCC…

The Maine State Police are gathering information after local police discovered two dead adults in Tremont. [RELATED: Maine State Police are Investigating the Death of a Kennebunk Man Found in Northern Hancock County…] At approximately 8:57 a.m. on Tuesday, the Southwest Harbor Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting an incident near Big Rocks Road in Tremont. The 911 caller informed the police that he found two deceased adults. The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit responded to assist the Southwest Harbor Police and is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The bodies are set to be transported…

A suspect allegedly trashed a Waterville police cruiser on Sunday after ramming it with a stolen vehicle while attempting to escape law enforcement. [RELATED: Mass Man Wanted by U.S. Marshals Arrested After Crashing Into NH Police Cruiser During Chase…] At approximately 8:30 a.m., Waterville Police officers responded to Dunkin’ Donuts on College Avenue following reports that a black Chevrolet Monte Carlo had been stolen. Officers then searched the area and spotted the stolen vehicle on Kennedy Memorial Drive and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. Instead of complying, the driver allegedly refused, and a pursuit ensued. The driver fled southbound…

The CSX railroad company began clearing a Bangor homeless encampment on Monday morning that was located on their property near the train tracks between Washington Street and the Penobscot River. [RELATED: Bangor City Council Delays Clearing of Massive Homeless Encampment by Two Months…] The Bangor City Council set a December 19 deadline for the camp to be cleared, though that deadline was missed by three days. At the time the deadline was set in November, there were an estimated 40-50 people living in the encampment on property owned in part by CSX and in part by the city. According to…

A new U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) crackdown on child exploitation came to the aid of 205 minor victims and led to charges for 293 alleged sex offenders, including two in Maine, officials said. “Our federal agents have worked tirelessly alongside our state and local partners to track down these vile predators, and now our prosecutors will ensure they receive severe punishments to match their horrific crimes,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. Operation Relentless Justice was conducted over two weeks and included agents from all 56 FBI field offices, including the bureau’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). “Operation Relentless…

The RSU 10 school district reversed course on its plans to include a co-ed locker room in its newly constructed Mountain Valley Community School in Mexico after parents voiced outrage over the prospect. [RELATED: New Maine School Set to Open With Co-Ed Locker Room…] “I am frustrated that restoring a prior-planned wall of separation in the locker room by sex designation ultimately required the concerned citizens and families of RSU 10 to involve their State Senators and Representatives,” said School Board member Kristen Chapman in a statement provided to The Maine Wire. WMTW reported on Friday that the school board…

The Westbrook Police Department arrested a fugitive from Virginia on Wednesday who was wanted for sexually abusing minors. [RELATED: Howland Sex Offender Let Off With Time Served After Passport Fraud Conviction…] The Westbrook Police Department received a notice from a Virginia sheriff’s department suggesting that someone who was wanted in that commonwealth on three felony counts of sodomy against a child was believed to be residing in Westbrook on an extraditable warrant. Officers went to the address provided by the Virginia sheriff and located the suspect. The suspect was identified as the female Merveilles Saidi, 33, of Virginia. She was…

President Donald Trump took executive action on Thursday aimed at ensuring American dominance in space exploration, commerce, and defense, pushing for another moon landing in 2028. [RELATED: Trump Picks SpaceX Astronaut and Businessman to Serve as NASA Head…] “Superiority in space is a measure of national vision and willpower, and the technologies Americans develop to achieve it contribute substantially to the Nation’s strength, security, and prosperity,” a White House statement read. “The United States must therefore pursue a space policy that will extend the reach of human discovery, secure the Nation’s vital economic and security interests, unleash commercial development, and…

A Howland sex offender convicted of passport fraud was sentenced to time served on Thursday during his sentencing hearing, after spending 14 months in prison. [RELATED: Florida Man Sentenced to Two Years in Prison Following Fraud Scheme…] Eric Ericson, 73, of Howland, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neumann to time served in the U.S. District Court in Bangor after Ericson was convicted of passport fraud in October following a three-day trial. He has already spent 14 months in prison, and his time served will be followed by three years of supervised release. Ericson applied for a passport…

MaineHealth is not happy that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) took action to prevent hospitals that perform transgender surgeries on minors from receiving Medicaid funds. [RELATED: House Passes Bill to Ban Transgender Surgeries for Minors, Despite Opposition from Golden and Pingree…] HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy announced the changes on Thursday, drawing outrage from Maine Health Medical Group (MHMG) President Aileen Mickey. MHMG includes all MaineHealth hospitals and providers. “These new rules would require us to discontinue direct provision of gender-affirming medical treatments for patients under 19 within our hospital-licensed settings. However, I want to be…

The Windham Police Department arrested a 14-year-old student of Windham High School on Tuesday after he was allegedly discovered trying to procure weapons and was found with a list of suspected targets. [RELATED: Western Maine School Shut Down, Road Closed Amid Bomb Threat…] On Tuesday, police received a report that a 14-year-old student had allegedly been using school technology to research weapons procurement. The report also suggested that the student was found with a narrowly tailored list of individuals, which may have been a kill list of intended victims. Police then launched an investigation with the cooperation of the school…

The U.S. House moved to ban transgender surgeries, hormone treatments, and puberty blockers for minors on Wednesday with a narrow, largely party-line vote on the Protect Children’s Innocence Act. [RELATED: New Study of Over 100,000 Gender Dysphoric Adults Found that Transgender Surgeries Led to Increases in Suicidal Ideation, Depression, and Substance Abuse…] The House voted narrowly in favor of the bill, with a 216-211 vote, and opposition from both Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Jared Golden (D-Maine). Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) sponsored the bill. She was present to vote in favor of it despite announcing last month that she…

The Bangor Police Department arrested a man on Wednesday after he allegedly fled at high speeds during an attempted traffic stop, sparking a pursuit that culminated in a foot chase through the woods. [RELATED: Kennebec County Pursuit Ends in Police Shooting and Arrest of Man Wanted on Felony Charges…] Bangor Police Officer Brian Cronk attempted to conduct a routine traffic stop at around 12:28 p.m. in the area of Griffin Road and Broadway. The vehicle allegedly refused to stop and traveled outbound on Broadway at high speeds. The driver eventually came to a stop on Outer Broadway and allegedly exited…

Two teenage alleged thieves were arrested on Thursday after they reportedly tried to escape detention by the Rockland Police. [RELATED: Rockland Maine Police Chief: ‘No Threats Reported’ Against Anti-ICE Councilors, Despite Public Claims and Blame-Laying on Critics and Non-Compliant Media…] At approximately 3:30 a.m., the Rockland Police Department located a vehicle with suspects inside who had been implicated in a theft 20 minutes earlier in Thomaston. Rockland officers detained the two suspects and waited for a Thomaston officer to arrive to follow up on the theft investigation. While the suspects were detained, one of them, a juvenile, allegedly refused police…

Amid the millions of dollars of government waste buried in the thousands of Gov. Janet Mills’ (D-Maine) no-bid contracts obtained by The Maine Wire, the state spent over $250,000 in taxpayer funds to comply with a 2022 pro-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) law. [RELATED: Senator Harrington Demands Answers on Governor Mills’ Expanding No-Bid Contract Empire…] The no-bid contract started in December 2023 and awarded $256,500 to the Dallas, Texas-based Gartner, Inc. According to documents, the contract was needed in order to comply with the 2022 law “An Act To Promote Equity in Policy Making by Enhancing the State’s Ability To…

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office released the name of the Bonny Eagle School District bus driver who was behind the wheel on Tuesday when a bus tragically struck and killed 5-year-old Simon Gonzalez in Standish. [RELATED: Child Killed in Crash With Bonny Eagle School Bus in Standish…] The Sheriff’s Department identified the driver as Lori Ann Merrifield, 64. According to her Facebook page, Merrifield has been working as a bus driver for the district for 25 years, since December 2000. Gonzalez, a kindergarten student at Edna Libby Elementary School, was pronounced dead at the scene. His half-brother was the only…

The parents of 12-year-old Brayden Callahan, who was tragically killed when he was struck by a Rockland school bus in November, are suing the school district and the driver to establish accountability for their tragic loss, the plaintiffs’ lawyers said this week. [RELATED: Child Killed in Crash With Bonny Eagle School Bus in Standish…] The Steve Smith Trial Lawyers announced on Tuesday that they would be representing Calahan’s parents in the case of Shane Callahan & Kelley Morse vs. RSU 13 and Jeffrey Colburn, which targets the Rockland school district, RSU 13, and the bus driver, Jeffrey Colburn. “When we…

Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) joined the vast majority of Democrats in the House to oppose a bill on Tuesday that would prevent unaccompanied illegal alien children from being placed in foster care with criminals and illegal immigrants. [RELATED: House Passes Bill to Check Chinese Government Influence on American Schools, Pingree Votes No…] Rep. Russell Fry (R-S.C.) sponsored the bill, the Kayla Hamilton Act, aimed at protecting unaccompanied minors who cross the border illegally. The bill is named after a 20-year-old woman who was murdered by an MS-13 gang member who had entered the U.S. as an unaccompanied minor. Under the…

Steven W. Freeman, 47, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in the U.S. District Court in Portland on Monday after he was found with hundreds of images of child sexual abuse material. [RELATED: Houlton Man Arrested for Domestic Violence and Distributing Child Porn…] In July 2024, authorities received reports suggesting that Freeman was in possession of child pornography. Federal and state law enforcement obtained search warrants and seized Freeman’s phone. A search of the device revealed hundreds of images of child sexual abuse. He pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual abuse material in July and was sentenced to 20…

As Auburn considers adopting an ordinance on “syringe service programs” (SSP) that provide needles to drug addicts, the City Council held a public workshop Monday night to give residents an opportunity to weigh in on the program. Not a single Auburn resident sounded happy about the prospect of facilitating intravenous drug use on their streets and in their neighborhoods, if the turnout at that meeting is any indication. [RELATED: Human Feces and Several Thousand Needles Scattered Across Basement Floor of Lewiston ‘Safe Injection’ Site…] Rep. Quentin Chapman (R-Auburn) was the first member of the public to speak at the meeting,…

A former Auburn post office employee pleaded guilty to a federal felony charge on Monday after she was found stealing cash from cards she was meant to deliver, court records show. [RELATED: Former Southern Maine Postal Carrier Pleads Guilty to Stealing Cash, Gift Cards from Greeting Cards…] The former mail carrier, Shannon Littlefield, 29, of Farmingdale, worked at the Auburn Post Office from May 2016 through March 2025. Earlier this year, surveillance cameras caught Littlefield removing mail from bins and hiding it under her clothing on three separate occasions. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General questioned Littlefield about…

Maine State Police Troopers arrested a Manchester, New Hampshire man on Sunday after he was allegedly driving drunk the wrong way on the Maine Turnpike in Kennebunk. [RELATED: Maine State Police Trooper Stops Wrong-Way Driver on I-295 in Bowdoinham…] At approximately 1:18 a.m., troopers responded to reports that a white 2023 Honda Civic was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of the Maine Turnpike in Kennebunk. Another 911 caller later reported that the vehicle had crashed into the median at mile marker 24. Troopers located the vehicle and the driver, Lester Medina, 22, of Manchester, NH, who was evaluated by…

A Bonny Eagle School District student was killed on Tuesday morning when he was struck by a school bus, school administrators have confirmed. [RELATED: Rockland School Bus Driver Placed on Leave After Fatal Collision, Records Show Prior OUI Conviction…] In response to the crash, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department shut down Northeast Road between Route 114 and Moody Road near the Edna Libby Elementary School. “It is with great sadness that I share the news that there was a fatal accident involving an elementary-school aged student and a Bonny Eagel school bus this morning at around 8:00 a.m.,” said Bonny…

A Dixmont man is facing attempted murder charges following a Friday rampage in which he allegedly attacked his friends and family with a bat and a firearm. [RELATED: NH Man Faces Attempted Murder Charges After Stabbing A Lebanon, Maine Man Seven Times…] At approximately 9:15 p.m., the Penobscot County Regional Communications Center received a call reporting an “out of control” man recklessly discharging a firearm on Masonic Road in Dixmont. The Penobscot Sheriff’s Department deployed an “appropriate level of resources” in response to the situation and detained the suspect, Caleb Springer, 25, of Dixmont. After detaining Springer, deputies launched an…

A multi-town pursuit beginning in Chelsea on Sunday culminated in a police shootout with a man wanted on felony charges and the arrest of two suspects. [RELATED: Police Shooting Ruled Justified After Topsham Officers Fired on a Man Approaching with a Machete…] Kennebec County Sheriff’s Deputy Elijah Curtis attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Dustin Smith, 33, on Hallowell Road in Chelsea in order to arrest him on multiple outstanding felony warrants. Instead of complying with the police, Smith allegedly fled, and Deputy Jeffrey Boudreau joined Curtis in pursuing the fleeing suspect. Smith drove through Chelsea, then Windsor, and…

An off-duty Ogunquit police officer helped the New Hampshire State Police apprehend a suspect during a pursuit on Saturday after she allegedly fled from police, driving over 100 mph. [RELATED: Lebanon Man Arrested After Police Pursuit That Spanned Across Maine and New Hampshire…] At around 5:55 p.m., NH Trooper Philip Sheehy attempted to initiate a traffic stop of a silver 2022 Honda Civic on Route 16 southbound in Dover after he allegedly witnessed the vehicle speeding. The driver allegedly refused to stop and instead fled at speeds exceeding 100 mph, sparking a pursuit. Troopers followed the vehicle until it took…

The Livermore Falls Police Department arrested three New York men on Monday and seized significant quantities of drugs after responding to reports of a violent break-in. [RELATED: FBI Arrest New York Man for March Murder in Palmyra, Quattlebaum Gets the Horns…] The Androscoggin County Regional Communications Center received an emergency call from a Livermore Falls resident, requesting urgent assistance before the call was disconnected. Police responded to the caller’s location and determined that an active home invasion was in progress. Three men, two from New York and one from Livermore Falls, allegedly forced their way into the victim’s home and…

Regional School Unit (RSU) 10’s new Mountain Valley Community School will have a co-ed locker room when it opens in January, where male and female students will change in the same area, according to a school board member. [RELATED: RSU 24 Joins Others in Standing Firm on Title IX Protections as State Lawsuit Escalates…] “We are going to have a major situation when the kids start going into the building and parents understand that, as of right now, boys and girls go into one locker room, and that is not acceptable. As a board, we have gotta do better than…

Just months after two tragic incidents in which illegal immigrants killed pedestrians while operating under Maine driver’s licenses, the taxpayer-funded Maine Immigrants Rights Coalition (MIRC) non-profit submitted a statement opposing federal rules aimed at preventing illegal immigrants from obtaining commercial driver’s licenses. [RELATED: Gray Woman Struck and Killed by Illegal Alien Driver One Day After Another Illegal Killed a Pedestrian in Lewiston…] “As a result of this rule, hundreds of thousands of workers and their families will lose their source of income. Furthermore, the logistics industry will lose a critical component of its workforce amidst a labor shortage. Foreign-born drivers…

Penobscot Sheriff’s deputies responded to two alleged domestic violence incidents on Tuesday in separate towns within one hour of each other. [RELATED: Houlton Man Arrested for Domestic Violence and Distributing Child Porn…] The first of the incidents took place in Orrington when deputies received a 911 call at 9:25 a.m. from a woman living on Fowler Road stating that a man, Winston Harmon, 19, of the Orrington/Holden area, was violating his bail conditions by coming to her residence. Harmon had previously been arrested in Orrington on charges of domestic violence assault, violation of conditions of release, and illegal possession of…

An incarcerated sex offender incurred an additional charge of witness tampering on Wednesday after he allegedly smuggled a letter out of prison attempting to silence his victim. [RELATED: Bowdoin Sex Offender Arrested in Rockland After Making Contact With a Minor in Camden…] Matthew “Nate” Boegel, 27, of Rockland, was incarcerated on charges of felony sexual abuse of minors and violating conditions of release after he was arrested in late October by the Rockland Police Department. On Tuesday, Rockland police received a complaint alleging that Boegel had engaged in witness tampering activities even while imprisoned. According to the report, Boegel wrote…

A Florida man was sentenced to two years in prison in the U.S. District Court in Bangor on Friday following a tax evasion and bankruptcy fraud scheme. [RELATED: New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to Fraud Scheme Spanning Five States, Including Maine Victim…] Paul Archer, 46, formerly of Hampden and Orrington, operated a successful online marketing business and earned several million dollars from 2013 to 2015. An IRS audit in 2016 revealed that Archer had incurred a federal tax debt of approximately $1 million while operating his business. In response to the audit, Archer began his fraud scheme by concealing assets,…

A citizen’s initiative aimed at ending the sale and production of recreational cannabis in Maine can now begin collecting signatures to put the question on the 2026 ballot after Secretary of State Shenna Bellows approved the initiative’s application on Monday. [RELATED: Mysterious Marijuana-Linked Vomiting Disorder Gets Official WHO Code as Emergency Room Cases Surge…] The initiative aims to place a referendum question before voters next November that would significantly amend the “Act to Amend the Cannabis Legalization Act and the Maine Medical Use of Cannabis Act” to essentially end Maine’s recreational cannabis industry. The changes would end commercial production and…

The Houlton Police Department arrested a man late last month after he was allegedly found distributing child pornography. [RELATED: Houlton Town Council Fires Manager Cameron Clark Following Months of Turmoil…] On November 3, police first received information from a witness claiming to have observed Brian F. Hayes, 36, of Houlton, in possession of child pornography. After speaking to the witness, Officer Jacob Goodman launched an investigation. During the investigation, officers established probable cause to seize Hayes’ phone and obtained a warrant to search its contents. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) assisted the Houlton Police Department in searching the device. The search…

York deputies arrested two wanted thieves in Lebanon on Wednesday after one was found hiding in a residence and the other fled into the woods. [RELATED: Plot Thickens: Three York County Corrections Officers Indicted on Charges of Accepting Bribes…] Deputy Levi Johnson went to a home on Creamery Hill Road at approximately 11:00 a.m. in search of two people wanted on multiple warrants. When he arrived, he reportedly spotted one of the suspects, Jonathan Gillis, 23, who is homeless, fleeing into the woods on foot. Johnson then entered the residence and located the second suspect, Tanya Gouin, 40, of Lebanon,…

The Rockland Police Department arrested an Arkansas sex offender on Sunday for failing to comply with sex offender registration, less than a month after they arrested him for the same crime. [RELATED: Unregistered Arkansas Sex Offender Busted in Rockland…] Police conducted a traffic stop on Sunday for a vehicle driven by Jonathon Daugherty, 23, of Arkansas. During the stop, they learned that he was allegedly refusing to register as a sex offender according to Maine law and violating his conditions of release by failing to comply with court-ordered check-in requirements. Officers took Daugherty into custody and charged him with violating…

The Sanford Police Department arrested an alleged robber on Sunday who reportedly stole from a Springvale 7-Eleven gas station six days earlier, sparking a manhunt. [RELATED: Sanford Police Chief Announces Run for State Rep After Dropping Out of National Race for Pingree’s Seat…] On December 3, the Sanford Police Department released an image from security footage inside the 7-Eleven, showing a suspect allegedly involved in a theft from the store that took place at around 9:00 p.m. on December 1. Image from the Sanford Police Department Police requested public assistance in identifying the suspect. Five days after requesting public assistance,…

The Brunswick Police Department busted two alleged poachers on Monday after they were discovered with two dead deer early in the morning that they reportedly shot from inside a vehicle. [RELATED: Former Game Warden Calls Out the Political Agenda Taking Hold of Maine’s Fish & Wildlife Service…] At around 1:46 a.m., Brunswick officers noticed a suspicious vehicle traveling on Pleasant Hill Road allegedly committing multiple traffic infractions and initiated a stop. The officer approached the vehicle and allegedly noticed a loaded crossbow on the passenger seat and two dead deer in the back. According to police, the vehicle’s sole occupant,…

Regional School Unit (RSU) 9 school board member Griffin Mayhew, 26, representing Wilton, died unexpectedly on Monday, just months after he first took office in June. [RELATED: Community Split Over Mt. Blue Principal’s Halloween Costume, But RSU 9 Confirms Black is Back on the Job…] “Griffin was an exemplary young man whose commitment, kindness, and thoughtfulness were evident throughout his service on the Board along with his support of student activities at Mt. Blue Campus. RSU 9, also known as the Mt. Blue Regional School, serves Chesterville, Farmington, Industry, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Starks, Temple, Vienna, Weld, and Wilton. Griffin…

Bharat Awasarmol, 49, residing in New Jersey, pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to fraud charges related to a scheme spanning five states, including Maine, and seven victims in which he posed as a public official to convince people to give him gold. [RELATED: Scammer Busted for Impersonating FTC Commissioner and Convincing Victims to Hand Over Their Gold…] According to the U.S. District Court in Portland, Awasarmol conspired with other unnamed individuals to impersonate government officials over the phone, demanding that the victims purchase gold to hand over to the “government” for “safekeeping.” Awasarmol was arrested by FBI agents…

Current Maine State Auditor Matt Dunlap, now running for the Second Congressional District House seat soon to be vacated by Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), disavowed claims that he was ever pro-life at Monday’s “Women for Dunlap” event. [RELATED: Golden Announces He Won’t Seek Re-Election in 2026, Drops Out of Re-Election Bid…] Dunlap emerged as the current Democratic frontrunner for the CD2 seat after Rep. Golden made his shocking announcement last month that he would not be seeking re-election in the hotly contested race. Before dropping out, Golden branded Dunlap as a pro-life Democrat based on a vote he cast over…

The Maine State Fire Marshal is investigating a fatal fire at a Sumner home that was powered exclusively by solar energy and propane. [RELATED: Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Falmouth House Fire…] The Sumner Fire Department responded at approximately 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday following reports of a structure fire on Valley Road. An individual who spotted the fire from a distance alerted the authorities. According to the Marshal’s office, first responders experienced significant difficulties reaching the building due to its “off-grid” location. There was a roughly mile-long approach that required firefighters to travel to the house in all-terrain vehicles and pickup…

The Paris Police Department arrested an alleged homeless burglar on Wednesday, who had been arrested and released twice in November. [RELATED: Drug-Using Squatters Removed from Paris Home…] At approximately 12:26 p.m., officers from the Paris and Norway Police Departments responded to reports of an active burglary in the 200 block of Alpine Street in Paris. The son of the property owner was watching the alleged burglar on a security camera and was able to provide a description of the male suspect to the police. The suspect reportedly fled on foot, and officers quickly found him in the immediate area and…

The Rockland Police Department arrested a South Thomaston man on Tuesday after officers allegedly saw him hiding drug paraphernalia during a traffic stop and discovered narcotics in his vehicle. [RELATED: Man Arrested in Rockland on Drug Charges Subject to Nine Sets of Bail Conditions…] Officers were patrolling the area of known “nuisance properties” on Tuesday when, around 10:45 p.m., law enforcement stopped a vehicle for traffic violations. The driver was identified as Timothy Chickering, 24, of South Thomaston, who was initially found to be driving with a suspended license. During the stop, officers allegedly witnessed Chickering attempting to conceal drug…

The U.S. House of Representatives acted to combat the influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on American schools on Wednesday, passing a bill that would pull federal funding from schools that accept money from the Chinese government. Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) joined 175 other Democrats in opposing the Republican-led bill from Rep. David Joyce (R-Ohio). [RELATED: What If China’s Secret Weapon Was Sold at Your Local Gas Station: Shawn Ryan Show, Feat. Steve Robinson…] “China also uses informational warfare and it would love to influence what American students learn in classrooms from kindergarten through college. The CCP uses our…

President Donald Trump took action on Wednesday to repeal the burdensome fuel standards imposed by the Biden Administration that, according to the White House, provided a backdoor to force an electric vehicle mandate. [RELATED: Maine BEP Rejects Controversial EV Mandate…] “Biden’s burdensome regulations helped cause the price of cars to soar more than 25 percent, and in one case, they went up 18 percent in one year. Today we’re taking one more step to kill the green new scam,” said President Donald Trump. https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1996316723356561865 Trump announced the changes in the Oval Office while surrounded by officials and automotive executives, who…

A year-long investigation by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA) culminated in the arrests of three alleged drug traffickers in Auburn on Monday after investigators discovered significant amounts of illegal drugs while executing a search warrant. [RELATED: Two Bangor Residents Arrested After Drunk Driving Hit-and-Run…] The investigation began on December 1, 2024, after the MDEA received information about a drug trafficking operation. Using community tips and information from local law enforcement, the MDEA identified Auburn as the base of operations for the trafficking ring following an extensive investigation. Exactly one year after the investigation began, the MDEA applied for and…

Police in Rockland arrested a man on drug charges on Thanksgiving Day who was already subject to nine separate active bail conditions. [RELATED: Florida Man and South Thomaston Woman Busted with Fentanyl in Rockland…] At approximately 2:00 p.m., the Rockland Police Department responded to reports of a verbal domestic situation in a parking lot off Limerick Street. In addition to the domestic situation, the caller also reported that the male and female were using drugs. Police arrived and made contact with two suspects: Andrew Blasius, 33, of Friendship, and Makayla Batty, 29, who is homeless. Batty was arrested on an…

The Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department arrested a lifetime sex offender registrant from Orneville on Tuesday following a “brutal” October assault against two women. [RELATED: Southern Maine Drivers’ Ed Teacher Charged With Assaulting Student…] On October 28, Piscataquis deputies responded at approximately 10:10 p.m. to reports of a violent assault that took place in Orneville. Deputies arrived along with the Three Rivers Ambulance Service to discover that a male “subject” had been seriously injured and that two women had been assaulted. The press release did not clarify whether the male “subject” was another victim, or whether he was the alleged perpetrator.…

The Maine State Police launched its new Cold Case Deck of Cards program on Wednesday, which will distribute cards featuring cold-case murder victims to prison inmates in an attempt to generate new leads. [RELATED: Maine Cops Again Seeking Tips In Unsolved 1991 Waterville Explosion/Fire Double Homicide…] “Cold case playing cards are one of many tools that may assist investigators in their ongoing efforts to solve Maine’s unsolved cases. These cards will help keep victims’ stories alive, and we hope they generate information that leads to prosecution,” said Department of Corrections Commissioner Randall Liberty. The program will release a 52-card deck,…

Two Bangor residents were arrested on Monday after they allegedly fled the scene of a drunk driving crash. [RELATED: Brunswick Man Arrested After Fleeing Scene of Fatal Hit-and-Run with a Bicycle…] At approximately 11:43 a.m., the Bangor Police Department responded to reports of a two-vehicle crash on Hammond Street. Witnesses told police that they saw one vehicle fleeing the scene, and law enforcement began searching for the car. Police eventually located the vehicle and identified the driver as Michele Payeur, 36, of Bangor. Security camera footage from a home near the crash allegedly confirmed that Payeur was driving during the…

ICE agents were allegedly spotted on the University of Maine Farmington Campus last week, inspiring taxpayer-funded professors to attempt recording their whereabouts and to call a hotline intended to help illegal immigrants evade law enforcement, according to internal UMaine Farmington communications obtained by The Maine Wire. [RELATED: Maine Immigrant Groups Set Up Hotline to Warn Illegals of ICE Activity…] “As a public institution, most of our campus is open to the public and to law enforcement. In the event an immigration official approaches an employee or student in person or otherwise contacts them, please immediately contact Laurie or Christine, who…

A trio of squatters fled from an abandoned home in Augusta on Saturday after it caught fire, authorities say. [RELATED: Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Falmouth House Fire…] Firefighters responded to the blaze at 33 Pike Street on Saturday afternoon after callers reported seeing three men fleeing from a burning single-family residence, despite the home being abandoned at the time. The Fire Department was able to extinguish the flames, and no one was injured in the fire, though the cause remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal. The Fire Marshal’s Office spoke with two of the squatters, who reported that…

The New Hampshire State Police arrested a Massachusetts fugitive wanted by the U.S. Marshals on Tuesday after he allegedly slammed into a police cruiser during a high-speed chase. [RELATED: U.S. Marshals Lug Illegal Alien Listed on Mass Sex Offender Registry Hiding in Maine…] At 1:21 a.m. on Tuesday, NH State Troopers received a report that the Epping, NH, Police Department had briefly engaged in a pursuit of a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado truck, which allegedly fled on Route 101 westbound. The Candia, NH, Police Department then allegedly spotted the same vehicle traveling at 105 mph. State Trooper Brian Knell later observed…

A Jay man was sentenced to four years in prison on Tuesday after selling drugs to a confidential informant and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. [RELATED: Oops! Jay Man Nabbed for Selling Guns and Drugs to a Confidential Informant] Thomas Ray Cook, 44, of Jay, was arrested after he sold $600 worth of cocaine in February from his home to an informant working with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency. The next month, the informant returned to Cook and bought cocaine along with seven firearms for $1,600. Cook is prohibited from owning firearms following prior felony convictions, including aggravated…

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department received an unusual call on Tuesday when they were asked for assistance with an unexploded WWII-era British artillery shell. [RELATED: Maine ‘Gun Safety’ Coalition Oversees Negligent Firearm Discharge at Gun-Giveback…] At around 1:45 p.m., the Sheriff’s Department responded to a Harpswell residence for reports of unexploded military ordnance. Deputies secured the area upon arrival and contacted the Maine State Police Bomb Squad and the Harpswell Fire Department for assistance. The Maine Air National Guard’s 101st Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team joined the Bomb Squad in responding to the scene and identified the ordnance as a…

A New Hampshire woman was arrested in Southwest Harbor, Maine on Tuesday after she allegedly murdered her mother-in-law in Exeter, NH, in February and evaded arrest ever since. [RELATED: NH Man Faces Attempted Murder Charges After Stabbing A Lebanon, Maine Man Seven Times…] On February 9, authorities discovered the body of Janet Rischel Kelsen, 88, in her Exeter, NH home, and an autopsy revealed that she had been killed by blunt-force trauma to the head. Over the course of the investigation, the New Hampshire State Police gathered enough evidence to secure an arrest warrant for Kelsen’s daughter-in-law, Danielle Kelsen, 55,…

Did a powerful state council charged with setting the legislative agenda act in haste last month when it summarily tossed out scores of proposals? A series of recent re-steps suggests that it did just that. Maine’s Legislative Council heard appeals last Thursday regarding its decisions on 81 proposed bills that the council initially rejected and accepted 16 previously rejected proposals, though only two were submitted by Republicans. [RELATED: Maine’s Legislative Council Cherry Picks Which Proposals Will and Won’t be Considered as Bills in the Coming Session…] During their October meeting, the council, composed of six Democrats and four Republicans, voted…