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‘Find the failures and plug the holes’: Families, survivors of Lewiston shooting testify before fact-finding commission – The Boston Globe

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‘Find the failures and plug the holes’: Families, survivors of Lewiston shooting testify before fact-finding commission – The Boston Globe


Many said confirmations from law enforcement that their loved ones had been killed came too late, following hours of worry and, for some, after they had already heard the news from family and friends.

Elizabeth Seal, whose husband, Joshua Seal, was killed at Schemengees Bar and Grille, said the deaf community was especially excluded from early communications, including alerts that the shooting had taken place.

“I was just driving around looking for my husband. I was making calls to the hospitals,” Seal, who is deaf, signed, her words translated by interpreter Grace Cooney. Eventually, Seal made it to a reunification center officials had set up, but “there were no interpreters there.”

She called Joshua Seal a “family man” who was “continuously busy,” and who dedicated his life to advocating for better access for the deaf community.

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“Ironically, all these issues regarding access came to life on this fateful day,” Seal said.

The seven-member commission, made up of legal experts and mental health professionals, is tasked with reviewing law enforcement’s response to and the events leading up to the Oct. 25 shooting, when Robert Card II killed 18 people — the deadliest mass shooting in Maine’s history. Those close to Card warned local law enforcement that he was behaving erratically in the months before the attack.

Seal and others said law enforcement seemed to ignore clear warning signs about Card, an army reservist. Last week, officials from the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Department testified that they behaved appropriately in the months preceding the deadly attacks.

Kathleen Walker, widow of Jason Walker, told the commission it would learn, through the sheriff’s testimony and testimonies expected from members of the Army next month, that there were “several opportunities” to take Card’s firearms away.

“I need all of you as a commission to find the failures and plug the holes,” she said, wiping tears from her eyes.

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Walker recalled watching her husband charge at Card, attempting to take his gun when it appeared to jam, before being shot in the head. Card fired twice more, she said.

Despite being there, Walker said she did not get confirmation of her husband’s death for 15 hours, when local police pulled up to her home.

All those who testified praised the work of Maine’s Victim Witness Services unit, which has provided support to impacted individuals.

Commission Chair Daniel E. Wathen, former chief justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, has said he hopes to have a written report of the tragedy completed by May. At the body’s first meeting, he said that “certainly is a daunting task, but it is a task that each of us owe to the people of Maine.”

The commission’s third meeting comes days after Maine Governor Janet Mills’ State of the State address, where she pledged $5 million for a fund to pay for the long-term medical needs of those injured in the shootings.

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Last week, Mills and Attorney General Aaron Frey proposed emergency legislation that would give the commission subpoena power to request documents, compel individuals to testify, and appeal to the state Superior Court should anyone refuse to comply.

The Maine House of Representatives and Senate each sent the bill to the judiciary committee, which held a public hearing on Monday and a work session Wednesday, which lasted more than 6 hours as committee members weighed the urgency of the commission’s investigation with concerns about government oversight. After hours of deliberation and multiple breaks to caucus, the committee unanimously voted in favor of the bill, with amendments including a July 1 sunsetting of the commission’s subpoena power and a note that the decision to grant said power should not be viewed as precedential by future legislatures.

Mills’s and Frey’s emergency bill would go into effect immediately upon receiving two-thirds vote from Maine lawmakers. It’s not yet clear when the bill will get a formal vote in the state Congress.

Mills announced the formation of the commission just days after the shooting, as questions continued to mount about how multiple warnings about Card did not prevent him from carrying out his assault on a bowling alley and a bar in Maine’s second-largest city.

Sheriff Joel Merry told the board last week that his deputies were warned not to engage with Card directly during wellness checks and “believed that the matter with Mr. Card had been resolved.”

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He and four other members of the department said they acted in line with protocol and had limited legal authority to take him into custody.

Merry said that if there were any action he or his team could take to bring back those killed in Lewiston, they would do it, “no question, no hesitation.”

“But there isn’t,” the sheriff said.

Thursday’s meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. in room 101 of the Deering government building, located at 90 Bloom Lane in Augusta. It will also be livestreamed via Zoom.


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Daniel Kool can be reached at daniel.kool@globe.com. Follow him @dekool01.





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Rage Room in Portland, Maine, Developing ‘Scream Room’ Addition

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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.

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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.

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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.

TripAdvisor’s Top 10 Things to do in Portland, Maine

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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Gallery Credit: Chris Sedenka

Top 15 of The Most Powerful People in Maine

Ever wonder who the most powerful players are in Maine? I’ve got a list!

Gallery Credit: Getty Images





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Maine competition gives creative entrepreneurs the chance to win money

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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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