Maine
Maine Bowling Alley Reopens 6 Months After Mass Shooting: 'The Community Has Been Phenomenal'
The Lewiston, Maine, bowling alley where a mass shooting occurred in October has reopened, reports the Associated Press, The Washington Post and New York Daily News.
Justin and Samantha Juray, owners of Just-In-Time Recreation, opened the doors of the venue on Friday, May 3, six months after the state’s deadliest shooting that killed 18 people and injured 13.
Gunman Robert Card killed eight people at the Jurays’ bowling alley and then drove to a nearby bar, Schemengees Bar and Grille, and killed 10 more people. He later died by suicide.
“It’s never going to leave my head,” Samantha, 34, said, per AP. “I think if we don’t move forward — not that there was a point to this whole thing anyway — but we’re just going to allow the people that have taken so much from us win.”
Still, Justin, 43, said he was hesitant about reopening the bowling alley —that was until the Lewiston community supported the pair.
Kathy Lebel, owner of Schemengees Bar & Grille, also hopes to reopen her establishment but at a different location.
AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty
Several patrons attended the reopening, including people like Colin, who was at the bowling alley the night of the mass shooting. Colin went to Friday’s event with his mother and father, John Robinson.
“I can’t say how great this day is,” Robinson said, per AP. “An opportunity to celebrate their lives. To celebrate the rebirth of Just-In-Time.”
Employee Tom Giberti also told the outlet that people are “so excited to get us back.”
“The community has been phenomenal,” he said. “They’ve been right here for us, they’ve been supporting us.”
Giberti, 70, is one of the heroic community members who saved the lives of at least four children that day. Before he could get himself to safety, he took the children between the lanes to an area behind the bowling pins.
He was shot in both legs a total of five times and hit with shrapnel. He underwent surgery and now shows very few signs of his injuries, according to AP.
JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images
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Among the eight people who were killed were two Just-In-Time staff members. A majority of the staff have returned to work.
The bowling alley honored those who died by displaying photos of the eight people who lost their lives at Just-In-Time, and bowling pins with the names of the 18 shooting victims behind the front desk.
Additionally, the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America gave the venue a new scoring system, new automatic bumpers, and gutters. It also provided a seasoned expert who fixes bowling machines to spend a week at the site, per The Washington Post.
There was also a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday afternoon, with Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline celebrating the reopening. “This is us, standing back up again,” said Sheline. “With all of you here, it’s very clear. Lewiston can never be kept down.”
“You’re the reason,” Justin added. “This is why. This is why we decided to reopen.”
Maine
Rage Room in Portland, Maine, Developing ‘Scream Room’ Addition
For a lot of people throughout Maine, there’s some built up frustration that they’ve just been keeping inside.
That frustration can come in a lot of different forms. From finances to relationships to the world around you.
So it makes plenty of sense that a rage room opened in Portland, Maine, where people can let some of that frustration out.
It’s called Mayhem and people have been piling in to smash, crush and do dastardly things to inanimate objects that had no idea what was coming.
But Mayhem has realized not everyone is down with swinging a sledgehammer. So they’ve decided to cook up something new.
Mayhem Creating ‘Scream Room’ at Their Space in Portland, Maine
Perhaps the thought of swinging a baseball bat and destroying a glass vase brings you joy. The thought of how sore your body will be after that moment makes you less excited.
Mayhem Portland has heard you loud and clear and is developing a new way to get the rage out. By just screaming.
Mayhem is working on opening their very first scream room. It’s exactly what you think it is, a safe place to spend some time just screaming all of the frustration out.
There isn’t an official opening date set yet but it’s coming soon along with pricing.
Mayhem in Portland, Maine, Will Still Offer Rage Rooms and Paint Splatter
While a scream room is on the way, you can still experience a good time at Mayhem with one of their rage rooms or a paint splatter room.
Both can be experienced in either 20-minute or 30-minute sessions.
All the details including some age and attire requirements can be found here.
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Looking for fun things to do in Portland, ME? Here is what the reviewers on TripAdvisor say are the 10 best attractions.
This list was updated in March of 2026
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Maine
Maine competition gives creative entrepreneurs the chance to win money
BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – If you’ve ever wondered what goes into pitching a good business idea, you might want to stop by a Big Gig event.
The Big Gig Entrepreneurship Pitch Off brings professionals from across the state together to network and pitch their early-stage business ideas for a chance to win $500.
Tuesday’s competition was held at the Salty Brick Market in Bangor, and it drew a lot of spectators.
“The winners of each semifinal event get $500 and the opportunity to compete for $5,000, so that can make a huge impact on a business that’s just getting off the ground,” said Renee Kelly, a Big Gig organizer.
The winner of the competition, Colin McGuire, was also grateful for the opportunity to showcase his idea “Art on Tap,” which would connect local artists with local venues trying to put on events.
“The support tonight is huge, and it’s just giving me more enthusiasm for running with the idea,” he said.
The season finale of the competition will be held May 19th.
The location is yet to be determined.
If you’d like to apply to compete in the contest, you can go to biggig.org.
Copyright 2026 WABI. All rights reserved.
Maine
This Monster Burrito Challenge in Waterville, Maine, Is Not for the Weak
Are you up for a Maine food challenge, or are your eyes bigger than your stomach?
A Waterville staple, Buen Apetito has a monster burrito just waiting for someone to eat it down to the very last bite.
This thing is a beast, literally called La Bestia, and it’s definitely a mighty task for a fearless foodie.
Take on the Buen Apetito La Bestia Food Challenge in Waterville, Maine
According to Buen Apetito, if you can finish a super-sized burrito in 30 minutes or less, you’ll get the $60 meal for free, a La Bestia champion shirt, and a picture on the wall of fame. That’s not to mention the bragging rights of dominating a task few will be able to conquer.
Wondering what’s in the burrito?
The Mexican restaurant shared in a Facebook comment on a post that the burrito is filled with “grilled chicken, chorizo, and tender shredded beef or pork. Built on a layer of seasoned rice, refried beans, and French fries, it’s melted together with a shredded Mexican cheese blend and a drizzle of creamy cheese sauce, sautéed peppers and onions, green salsa, pico de gallo, sour cream, creamy guacamole, and a bed of shredded lettuce all wrapped in three extra-large tortillas fused into one epic wrap.”
Let’s just say that this thing is packed full.
The first La Bestia contender took up his fork and knife in December 2025, but despite coming close, he couldn’t come out with the win.
As of March 2026, the challenge has remained undefeated. But you never know, someone is bound to come out victorious.
Just note that you can only try your hand at this food challenge on Wednesday and Thursday.
Buen Apetito Has Been a Longstanding Waterville, Maine, Restaurant
First opened in 1999, Buen Apeitito has been around for nearly 30 years.
Centralmaine.com reported that the Mexican restaurant was originally located at the Railroad Square complex off Chaplin Street before moving to 99 West River Road in 2023.
A little over a year later, in 2024, Buen Apetito shared on Facebook that it was passing on the torch to new owners, including Dalia, “the heart and soul of [the] kitchen for twenty years,” her daughter, Norma, and Norma’s husband, Shawn.
READ MORE: Famous Maine Restaurant Buen Apetito Adds Powerhouse New Owner to Crew
And it seems like not only are things still going strong, but new additions like La Bestia food challenge are only enhancing the spirit of big flavor and delicious Mexican food at the Waterville staple.
So, you think you’re up for the task of taking down a beast of a burrito at Buen Apetito? Good luck.
You Know You’re From Maine If You’ve Tried All 19 of These Foods
Here’s a number of foods associated with Maine. How many of them have you had?
Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna
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