Maine
Legislative leaders vote to advance added security measures for State House • Maine Morning Star
A unanimous vote from Maine’s Legislative Council Wednesday advanced plans to improve State House security, an increasing concern following several threats in recent years as the political climate has intensified.
The vote was solely to approve the use of an old cafe space near the State House entrance to build a new screening area, but it is a key piece of a broader project that had been approved by the 130th Legislature in 2021.
The project centers around security concerns with the Cross Building, which currently lacks any regular security screenings or controlled access points, unlike the State House.
Located adjacent to the State House and connected to it via an underground tunnel, the Cross Building houses nine of the Legislature’s 15 joint standing committees as well as the offices of the Maine Attorney General, the Department of Administration and Financial Services, the State Treasurer, the Department of Education and part of the Secretary of State’s offices.
As part of the 2021 law, a security study found that visitors could enter the Cross Building via the State House without having to go through the State House security screening, said Tyler Barter of Oak Point Associates, the contractor for the project.
The Legislative Council, which is made up of the ten elected members of legislative leadership, on Wednesday approved the new screening space to alleviate this loophole. The project will also add a screening area at the south entrance of the Cross Building.
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Additional security measures will be added outside of legislative buildings, as well. Access to leadership parking lots and the loading dock of the Cross Building will also be restricted by adding gates. A new antenna will also be added to the Cross Building to improve police communications.
Outside of the secure entrances, the remaining State House and Cross Building entrances will be locked to the public but accessible to those with security clearance who have key cards.
Credentialed people who can open doors to the public will always be a weak link, Barter said, which is why the project also involves the relocation of police at entrances.
Overall, the project is expected to cost close to $7 million, with funding already allocated through bonds from the Maine Governmental Facilities Authority and additional ongoing costs for added police positions allocated in the last budget.
The targeted completion for the whole project is December 2025, with bidding and contracts expected to be awarded this fall.
While Wednesday’s vote was unanimous it came after several lawmakers voiced concern about the project’s price tag.
House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor) objected to the focus on infrastructure rather than personnel changes to address security concerns.
“I would feel much safer with the kind of money that was just spoke of there being put into law enforcement salaries and paying for additional law enforcement around here,” Faulkingham said.
Assistant Senate Majority Leader Mattie Daughtry (D-Cumberland), who serves on the State House Facilities Committee, said the infrastructure changes are intended to be made in conjunction with an eventual increased police presence.
“One of the things that’s incumbent on Leg Council is we want to make it clear that we want to recommend to the next Legislature that we do that, but I also know that a lot of the infrastructure changes that are in these plans have been asked for by our law enforcement folks,” Daughtry said.
Elaine Clark, deputy commissioner of operations for the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, said her department has been working closely with the Department of Public Safety on the project. Clark noted that the Cross Building is the only building occupied by state employees and legislators that has “zero control over access by anyone, so it is not a good situation.”
Lawmakers agreed with the need for change, pointing to specific situations last session when legislators were directed to the unsecure Cross Building after having to evacuate the State House.
“It was completely absurd,” said Assistant House Minority Leader Amy Bradstreet Arata (R-New Gloucester), “so I agree that we need to do something… I am just very protective of taxpayer dollars and the $7 million price tag makes me feel like we’re being taken advantage of, but I understand that ship has sailed.”
Given financial concerns, lawmakers asked Clark to provide a detailed overview of the budget at a future Legislative Council meeting.
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.
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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.
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