Northeast
Maine town official refuses to apologize after calling opponents of trans athlete policy ‘pedophilic’
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A Kennebunk, Maine, town official has stepped down from her liaison role with the local school board after facing backlash for suggesting that critics of a transgender athlete policy have “pedophilic tendencies.”
Vice Chair Leslie Trentalange, who serves on the Kennebunk Select Board, made the comments during an Oct. 20 Regional School Unit (RSU) 21 meeting that focused on the district’s transgender-student athlete policy. The policy, consistent with state law, allows students to join sports teams and use facilities matching their gender identity.
Parents and community members across Maine have protested similar policies, arguing they violate Title IX protections.
Trentalange, who said she was speaking as a “concerned community member,” told the board that “the majority in this district knows that all students are welcome.” She went on to say that opponents of the transgender policy have “creepy obsessions” and have “made hate their only hobby.”
A Maine town Select Board member and school board liaison scolded critics of the district’s transgender policy. (Alejandra Villa Loarca/Newsday RM via Getty Images)
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She added that “their obsession with what is sitting in between the private parts of our students is nothing less than creepy and should absolutely be raising eyebrows in and around our school district.”
“Their obsession with genitalia points not to caring for the students in this district, but perhaps toward an underlying guilt for their own pedophilic tendencies,” she continued. “There is a registry for that.”
Her remarks drew gasps from those in attendance and a quick response from RSU 21 School Board Chair Matthew Stratford, who called her comments “inappropriate.”
“I don’t think that was inappropriate, and I stand by my comments,” Trentalange responded.
Transgender athlete supporters hold up signs as an overflow crowd converges outside the Riverside Unified School District meeting, Dec. 19, 2024. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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Her remarks sparked backlash from some in the community, prompting letters to the Kennebunk Select Board and calls for accountability on social media.
At an Oct. 28 Select Board meeting, John Salamone, a Republican candidate for Maine Senate District 31, accused Trentalange of violating the town’s code of conduct and urged her censure.
“When an elected official uses her platform to publicly slander citizens, she undermines the integrity of this board and erodes public trust in local government,” Salamone said. He called for her removal as liaison to RSU 21 and for a public apology.
Some residents echoed his criticism, while others argued that Trentalange’s comments were protected under state law and the First Amendment. Former RSU 21 Board member Lesley Stoeffler said, “Ms. Trentalange does not owe anyone an apology.”
Other residents and board members, speaking as private citizens, defended her right to free speech.
Leslie Trentalange refused to apologize for remarks at the school board meeting about transgender athlete policy critics. (Town of Kennebunk Select Board Meeting Screenshot/ANDREJ IVANOV/AFP via Getty Images)
“Vote them out, that is how democracy works,” Karen Plattes said in response to calls for punitive action. “Stifling free speech is not the way. And that doesn’t matter what side you are on.”
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“I personally feel that Leslie had 100% the right and the freedom of speech to say what she feels about any topic, just like any of us do, and I will always support my fellow board members,” Kortney Nedeau said. “I just know that as an elected official, for me, it is an ethical decision to never cross that line.”
During the same meeting, Trentalange acknowledged that her remarks may have “pushed some boundaries” but stood by them. She declined to apologize to those she criticized and instead expressed regret toward the “queer community.”
“If there are folks in the marginalized, queer community who feel my message did not serve them or hurt them in any way, it is that which I regret,” she said. “I do also regret any undue or undeserved backlash other members of the Select Board or town staff have felt over my comments as an individual.”
Trentalange said she would step down as liaison to the school board to avoid any “confusion” over her role with the school district when attending meetings. She remains vice chair of the Kennebunk Select Board.
President Donald Trump signs an executive order barring transgender female athletes from competing in women’s or girls’ sporting events, in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
RSU 21, Trentalange and the Select Board did not return Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
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In an Oct. 27 statement posted to Facebook, Stratford said the district’s transgender policy complies with the Maine Human Rights Act and will not be revisited this school year. He urged civility at future meetings and reminded residents that there is “no place for harassment, discriminatory language, or disrespectful words” during public comment.
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Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania man arrested for allegedly feeding pet parakeet marijuana and beer
A Pennsylvania man was arrested on animal cruelty charges for allegedly feeding marijuana and beer to his pet parakeet after bringing the injured feathered friend to a bar, according to reports.
Timothy Grace, 40, was busted on Feb. 21 after carrying his wounded pet budgie named “Blue Skies” in his pocket to Callaghan’s Bar in Greensburg, according to CBS Pittsburgh.
“The caller’s a bartender. She says there is a white male at the bar with a parakeet,” a dispatcher reported on the police radio transmissions obtained by the outlet.
“The patron was bragging to other people that were inside the bar that he feeds the parakeet marijuana and has it drink beer on a daily basis,” Detective Sergeant Justin Scalzo told the outlet.
Grace “appeared extremely intoxicated” when police showed up to the bar and found the pet bird in distress, according to court documents obtained by the outlet.
“Its leg appeared to be broken,” Scalzo said, according to WTAE. “Its foot was actually facing the wrong direction.”
Grave was initially arrested for public intoxication and now faces charges including aggravated cruelty to animals and transporting animals in a cruel manner, the outlet said.
The pet bird was brought to PEARL Parrot Rescue in the Pittsburgh area, which rushed him to an emergency care facility.
Blue Skies spent four days in the hospital and was later taken in to be fostered by Teri Grendzinski, the president of PEARL. The injured parakeet is still breathing hard, remains on antibiotics, and has to wear a splint on his right leg, CBS reported.
“They realized his leg was broken. He also had some respiratory issues going on,” Grendzinski told the outlet. “He was also very, very skinny.”
“The leg was broken badly enough there is a chance they’re going to have to amputate the leg if it doesn’t heal correctly,” she added.
If Blue Skies is eventually put up for adoption, he will require specialized care, the outlet said.
“When we got that call, it was horrifying. Why would you do that to a bird?” Grendzinski said.
Rhode Island
RI Lottery Numbers Midday, Numbers Evening winning numbers for March 5, 2026
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03-08-09-14-30, Extra: 31
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- Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
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This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Vermont
Friends, family rally behind Vermont veteran charged with domestic terrorism
NEWPORT, Vt. (WCAX) – Friends and family of a Vermont veteran charged with domestic terrorism rallied in Newport Thursday, saying the charges stem from a mental health crisis and are unwarranted.
Vermont State Police say Joseph “J.J.” Millett, 38, of Newport, called a veterans crisis line in February, making suicidal statements and threatening a mass-casualty event.
Court records say Millett had guns and wrote what investigators call a manifesto. He turned himself in, and state police say they disarmed him at the barracks. He pleaded not guilty and was never formally arrested or placed in jail. He is currently in a treatment facility.
Supporters say the threats were the result of new medication and a mental health crisis. “But all the way to domestic terrorism for a man that fought overseas — he wasn’t a terrorist. He’s been fighting terrorists half his life,” said Chad Abbott, a friend who served with Millett overseas.
Abbott said he believes the charges could have unintended consequences for veterans seeking help. “These hotlines that they put out for us is to kind of get us the help we need. And now, none of us are going to want to call that,” he said.
Millett’s sister, Courtney Morin, said her brother served in the Vermont Guard for nearly 10 years and has struggled with mental health since returning home. “He suffers from depression, anxiety — he has PTSD. So, he’s actually been seeking help for his mental health for probably as long as he’s been home,” Morin said.
Orleans County State’s Attorney Farzana Leyva said the charge is warranted and that Millett was not calling for help when he contacted the crisis line. “He called the crisis helpline to make the threats. I think we have to be very clear about that. Those were threats. He did not call the crisis helpline for help. He called anonymously,” Leyva said.
She said the evidence — including repeated threats — Millett’s access to guns, and a manifesto justifies the charge and protects the public. “My priority is public safety, which is the highest priority that I have right now,” Leyva said.
Morin said she believes her brother was trying to get help. “I think he was seeking help. I mean, it’s all a trail of him seeking help, being on different meds. You know, we’re not in his head. We don’t know what he’s dealing with. And especially if you’re dealing with it alone,” Morin said.
Millett continues to receive treatment and is due back in court later this month.
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