Maine

Top Democrat says Maine lawmaker ‘wrong’ to post about convicted police killer

Published

1 year ago

February 18, 2025

Top Democrat says Maine lawmaker ‘wrong’ to post about convicted police killer

Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau said a Democratic member’s social media post about a woman who was convicted of killing a New Jersey state trooper was “wrong” but that he will not remove her from a committee after police groups asked him to do so.

In a since-deleted Facebook post made in February in honor of Black History Month, Rep. Nina Milliken, D-Blue Hill, summarized the case of Assata Shakur and how the member of the Black Liberation Army and Black Panther Party was convicted of killing New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster in 1973 during a shootout on the state’s turnpike.

Shakur, also known as Joanne Chesimard, was found guilty of murder and given a life sentence before she escaped from a New Jersey prison in 1979. The FBI made her the first woman on its “Most Wanted Terrorists List” and believes she has remained in Cuba after fleeing and receiving asylum there. She has been defended and celebrated over the years as a civil rights activist.

Milliken wrote in her post that there was “lots to unpack with this situation” but that the state has “enormous resources” to come after those who “present a challenge to systems of oppression.” Milliken also quoted Shakur as saying they “convicted a woman with her hands up” and ended her post with a “fun fact” on how Shakur is the late rapper Tupac Shakur’s godmother.

The Maine Fraternal Order of Police and Maine State Trooper’s Association responded by asking Fecteau, the Democratic House speaker from Biddeford, to remove Milliken from her spot on the Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.

In this April 25, 1977, photo, Joanne Chesimard, member of the Black Panther Party and Black Liberation Army, leaves Middlesex County courthouse in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Now known as Assata Shakur, she escaped prison in 1979 and has been living in Cuba. Credit: AP file

“Rep. Milliken’s defense and support of this cop killer goes well beyond any reasonable bounds of decency and logic,” said the letter signed by Maine FOP leader Mike Edes to Fecteau and House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, R-Winter Harbor. Edes also wrote Milliken “has violated that trust and forfeited any credibility she might have had on the committee.”

Fecteau spoke with Milliken about how her post was “wrong” and “callous” and then told the FOP that Milliken had deleted it, Fecteau spokesperson Victoria Foley said Tuesday. Fecteau also “reiterated he holds everybody to a very high standard” and felt the situation did not need additional action after Milliken removed the post, Foley said.

Edes, the state FOP’s executive director, told a reporter via email Tuesday he appreciated how Fecteau was “honest” and “frank” in his response and that the speaker “has a long history of supporting Maine’s police officers.” But Edes said the law enforcement groups still want Milliken to step down from the criminal justice committee.

“Her blatant bias towards the police makes her basically ineffective in helping improve and increase public safety for Maine’s citizens and does nothing but [put] Maine’s police on the defensive,” Edes said.

Milliken did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. She is serving her second term and represents the Hancock County towns of Blue Hill, Brooksville, Castine, Sedgwick, Surry and Trenton.

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Maine

Maine competition gives creative entrepreneurs the chance to win money

Published

8 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

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.

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Maine

This Monster Burrito Challenge in Waterville, Maine, Is Not for the Weak

Published

20 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

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

The New York Time’s Best Restaurant Lists Feature These 7 Maine Spots

Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna

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Maine

How the Good Neighbor Day of Giving telethon is impacting Maine’s communities

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

How the Good Neighbor Day of Giving telethon is impacting Maine’s communities

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – Monday’s telethon held by WABI in partnership with Penquis and Heart of Maine United Way Monday raised money for the heating of homes, something so basic, yet so significant in a state like Maine.

Danielle Hewes, Penquis contributor and volunteer, says some people might not even know that they qualify for heating assistance.

“I think there’s this misconception that you can’t get that if you’re working. Like that’s just for people on general assistance. The truth of the matter is this is for the people that are maybe not able to work, but also for the people that are working. They’re making ends meet,” she said.

For Danielle, that’s what makes events like the telethon so special: it’s making a real difference in the community with people who need the help the most.

Speaking about Penquis in particular, she said, “You learn about all of the other things they do and how they help the community and you can’t help but want to be a part of that.”

If you weren’t able to donate Monday, donations are still being accepted.

You can go to homeunitedway.org/heat.

You can also call 941-2800.

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