Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Brewer Man Charged with Criminal Speed
(Trenton) A Brewer man is charged with criminal speed after he was reportedly clocked driving 102 miles per hour in a posted 50 mph zone in Trenton. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office reports 36 yo Andrew Brown was stopped shortly after 5 a.m. on March 4th. Criminal speed is a violation of exceeding the posted speed limit by 30 mph or more. Brown was summonsed and released from the stop.
(Trenton) A Brewer man was stopped for speeding earlier this week in Trenton; in fact, officers say he was driving more than twice the posted limit. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office reports 36 yo Andrew Brown was driving 102 mph in a posted 50 mph zone. The incident occurred shortly after 5 a.m. on March 4th. Brown is charged with criminal speed, which police say means operating a vehicle over the posted speed limit by 30 mph or more. Brown was summonsed and released from the stop.
Scarborough School Evacuated After Students Fall Ill
(Scarborough) An elementary school in Scarborough was evacuated Thursday morning after about a dozen students started feeling ill, including one student who passed out. WMTW reports shortly after 10 a.m. a 9-1-1 call was placed from the Wentworth School reporting a potential gas leak, after some students complained of respiratory distress. School Superintendent Diane Nadeau said about 120 third and fourth graders were on risers in the school cafeteria rehearsing for an upcoming concert when students began feeling sick. Eleven students were taken to area hospitals, while the others were all evacuated to nearby Scarborough High School. Air quality inside the school was measured twice, but no hazards were found. Students and staff returned to the school after a thorough safety check.
Machias Standoff Results in Man Taking His Life
(Machias) The day-long standoff in Machias Wednesday ended in tragedy. Police initially responded to a residential care facility on Lyons Street about 9:30 a.m. after receiving a complaint about an out of control resident at Sunrise Residence. Authorities identified the man as 50 yo Devon Andrews. A Maine State Tactical Team and negotiators reportedly tried talking to Andrews through his apartment door. Andrews told officers he had five loaded guns and “all hell was going to break loose”. They say he then stopped talking and the building was evacuated. Several hours later, officers went into the apartment and found Andrews had taken his own life. Authorities say they’ll continue to investigate.
Time Change Reminder to Check Smoke Alarms
(Undated) This Sunday, we spring forward to Daylight Savings Time. First responders, the American Red Cross and others are reminding us to test those smoke alarms before we go to bed Saturday night. They say working smoke alarms should be on every level of your home and can be lifesavers, as they cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half. About 34% of the world’s countries use Daylight Savings time. In the US, it’s observed by every state except Hawaii and Arizona, although the Navajo Nation in that state does observe it.
(Undated) Get ready to lose an hour’s sleep this weekend, although we’ll make up for it seeing that daylight an hour earlier. About 34% of the world’s countries use Daylight Savings Time, which was first implemented by Port Arthur – today merged into Thunder Bay – in Ontario in 1908, but it was only observed locally. The first nationwide observations of DST were by the German and Austro-Hungarian Empires, both starting on April 30th, 1916. Different time zones across the U.S. help regulate hours of sunshine. And of course, first responders remind us it’s a great time to check those smoke detector batteries before you go to bed on Saturday night.
State Representative Accused of Strangling Wife Arraigned in Court
(Sanford) Republican Representative Lucas Lanigan of Sanford was arraigned in court Wednesday, the Portland Press Herald reports. Lanigan barely won his race last November after he was accused of trying to strangle his wife when she confronted him after reportedly finding him with another woman at a storage facility. Lanigan’s wife later withdrew her complaint, although court records reportedly show bruising on her neck following the incident. Lanigan has denied the charges, but says he will resign his seat if found guilty. He is also facing an ethics investigation by the Legislature.
(Sanford) A Maine legislator was arraigned in court Wednesday on domestic violence charges after he allegedly tried to strangle his wife. The incident occurred shortly before the November election, when Republican Representative Lucas Lanigan’s wife reportedly confronted him and another woman at a storage facility. Lanigan retained his Sanford seat by just one vote. His wife later withdrew her complaint, although court records reportedly show bruising on her neck after the incident. Lanigan, who also faces an ethics investigation by the Legislature, has said he will resign his seat if found guilty.
Maine Fishermen’s Forum Honors U.S. Coast Guard District One
(Rockport) The U.S. Coast Guard District One was honored at the 2025 Maine Fishermen’s Forum in Rockport for a heroic rescue that took place last summer. On August 11th, the vessel Three Girls issued a distress call reporting the ship was on fire, and the crew was abandoning. The USCG Cutter William Chadwick, a Jayhawk helicopter, and two fishing vessels responded and were able to safely rescue all five crew members and a federal fisheries observer from their life raft. The Cutter’s Commander Brent Lane said, “the rescue highlights that preparation and proper gear are as vital as the bravery and professionalism our team constantly displays.”
(Rockport) A heroic rescue last summer earned the U.S. Coast Guard District One special honors at the 2025 Maine Fishermen’s Forum in Rockport. On August 11th last year, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter William Chadwick responded to a mayday call from the vessel Three Girls, whose crew radioed their ship was on fire and they were abandoning. Five crew members and a federal fisheries observer escaped in a raft. The Coast Guard Cutter, a Jayhawk helicopter, and two nearby fishing vessels worked to rescue everyone without injury. The Cutter’s Commander Brent Lane said, “I couldn’t be more proud of our crew’s swift response in this rescue.” He added their dedication and skill were crucial, but that the rescue was a stark reminder of the importance of having the right safety equipment at all times, as well.
Local Politics
Trump Administration Finds Maine’s Transgender Athlete Rules Violate Title IX
(Washington, DC) The federal government has found the Maine Department of Education violated federal civil rights law for allowing transgender athletes to compete on girls’ sports teams. The Bangor Daily News reports the findings come just four days after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services opened an investigation. The Maine Attorney General’s Office said federal investigators did not interview any state officials before reaching their conclusion. No action has yet resulted from the finding. Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey has said terminating federal funding would be illegal.
(Washington, DC) Just four days after opening what the state expected to be a lengthy and thorough investigation, the federal government has found the Maine Department of Education violated federal civil rights law for allowing transgender athletes to compete on girls’ sports teams. The Maine Attorney General’s Office said no state officials were interviewed before the decision was reached. Spokespersons with the Maine Department of Education and the governor’s office did not immediately respond to requests for an interview by the Bangor Daily News. No action has yet resulted from the finding. Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey has said terminating federal funding would be illegal.
Frey Joins 22 Other AG’s to Win Preliminary Injunction of Trump’s Funding Freeze
(Augusta) Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey and 22 other attorneys general on Thursday won a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration to block what they say is its illegal policy that would freeze funding for essential federal agency grants, loans, and other assistance programs. Frey said the unlawful funding freeze threatened critical resources on which Mainers rely every day. The Court requires the Administration to provide evidence of their compliance with regard to unfreezing FEMA funds by March 14th and to alert all agencies about the Court’s order.
Frey Secures Nationwide Preliminary Injunction Against Defunding Medical Research
(Augusta) Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey and a coalition of 21 other attorneys general have secured a nationwide preliminary injunction preventing the Trump Administration, DHHS, and the National Institutes of Health from cutting billions of dollars in funds that support cutting edge medical and public health research at universities and research institutions across the country, whether or not their states have joined the lawsuit. Frey called it a major win for research institutions, as the funds facilitate biomedical research, without which lifesaving and life-changing research would be compromised. Frey added he and his colleagues would do everything in their power to continue to fight what he called an irresponsible attack on vital public health research.
Human Interest/Entertainment
Tribute to Lewis Church
(Columbia Falls) Every year for the past several, when March rolled around we connected with Lewis Church at Church’s Sugar Shack in Columbia Falls. Lewis always gave us a great interview about the sugaring process – from tapping the hundreds of trees on his property, to boiling it down, to creating delicious candies, nuts, syrups, and more for Maine Maple Sunday weekend. Lewis passed away on February 20th after a hard fought battle with melanoma. He leaves behind his wife Andrea, daughters Brittney Moores and her husband Nathan and Jasmine Church and her fiancé Hunter Levendusky, and a host of other family and friends. That includes us. We’ll so miss visiting the sugar shack this year and sharing time with Lewis and his family – who say they’ll be back next year. A celebration of life is planned Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Lee Pellon Center in Machias. The family says wear blue jeans and a navy blue shirt and come with stories to share – we’re sure it will be packed.
(Columbia Falls) March brings the time change, a bit warmer weather, and the sap that begins to run for making delicious syrup and all things maple. Our favorite thing this time of year was always connecting with Lewis Church of Church’s Sugar Shack. We loved talking with Lewis and his wife Andrea about the sugaring process, and then visiting them in Columbia Falls for all things sweet – coated nuts, candies, syrup and more. This year would have been their tenth, but Lewis passed away last month after a brave battle with melanoma. Maine Maple Sunday weekend for us, won’t be the same. Lewis was a man of many interests. He grew up in Winter Harbor, was a firefighter at the naval base, battled fires in Montana with the Downeast Hotshots, and of course, tapped hundreds of trees. A celebration of life with Andrea, daughters Brittney Moores and Jasmine Church and a host of other family and friends is planned for 2 p.m. on Saturday, tomorrow, at the Lee Pellon Center in Machias. The family says wear blue jeans and come with stories. And if you’d like to make a donation in Lewis’s name that can be sent to the Shriners’ Hospital for Children.
Sports
The Red Sox lose yesterday’s Spring Training game to the Blue Jays 7-4. Boston continues Spring Training down in Florida – this afternoon, they take on the Marlins.
Bruins lost to the Hurricanes 3-2 last night. Bruins in Tampa Bay this evening to put the sticks to the ice against the Lightning.
Celtics beat the 76ers last night 123-105. . Celtics No. 2 in the Eastern Conference with a 45-18 record.