Connect with us

Maine

Gun law expert says Maine’s ‘yellow flag’ law ‘useless’ following Lewiston shootings

Published

on

Gun law expert says Maine’s ‘yellow flag’ law ‘useless’ following Lewiston shootings


Maine (WMTW) – Concerns have been raised after body camera footage obtained by 8 Investigates shed light on an interaction between the Lewiston mass shooter and New York State Police last July. The body camera footage depicts the New York State Police interviewing Robert Card at an Army base near West Point.

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW BETWEEN CARD AND TROOPERS (Warning: The video below is unedited by Maine’s Total Coverage)

Army reservists alerted troopers to Card’s erratic behavior, noting a significant change in his demeanor in the months leading up to the shootings. Additionally, concerns were raised regarding Card’s possession of numerous firearms.

The video has sparked a debate regarding the handling of the situation and whether New York’s “red flag” law should have been invoked. Red flag laws are designed to confiscate firearms from individuals deemed to be a threat to themselves or others.

Advertisement

“It’s very clear in this case that many people did say something. And you know what happened after that? The response from either New York or Maine law enforcement officials led to the tragedy,” said Michael Lawlor.

Lawlor co-authored Connecticut’s red flag law.

“You know, it works and hasn’t been challenged, hasn’t been overturned, and police understand that they use it effectively here. I mean, prevention is the goal,” Lawlor said.

Lawlor was critical of Maine’s “yellow flag” law because it requires a mental health evaluation, which in his view, slows down the process of weapons removals when time is really of the essence.

“If any of these events had transpired in Connecticut, meaning the lead-up events to the shooting, I’m very confident that this person would have been separated from his guns,” Lawlor said.

Advertisement

The responsibility for initiating action to confiscate Card’s firearms remains unclear, something the commission investigating the Lewiston shooting is tasked with uncovering.



Source link

Maine

Lawmakers advance bill to provide death benefits after two DOT workers killed on the job

Published

on

Lawmakers advance bill to provide death benefits after two DOT workers killed on the job


After a fatal car crash in Waterville killed two Maine Department of Transportation employees in January, state lawmakers are backing a bill to expand death benefits to the families of DOT workers killed on the job.  The Labor Committee unanimously voted Tuesday to advance LD 669, which will make DOT employees eligible for the same […]



Source link

Continue Reading

Maine

Maine man accused of lighting bed on fire after fight with girlfriend

Published

on

Maine man accused of lighting bed on fire after fight with girlfriend


WISCASSET, Maine (WMTW) – A Maine man has been arrested after police say he intentionally set a bed on fire after a dispute with his girlfriend, while they were still in it.

Police responded Monday, March 9, to a report of a fire that had been intentionally set inside a home on Beechnut Hill Road, according to the Wiscasset Police Department.

Investigators say the homeowner, Terry Couture, 41, set the bed on fire following an argument while both he and his girlfriend were in it. Authorities said the fire was extinguished and no serious injuries were reported.

Couture was arrested and charged with attempted murder, arson, aggravated criminal mischief, and domestic violence criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon.

Advertisement

The investigation is ongoing.



Source link

Continue Reading

Maine

Celebrate Maine Maple Weekend at Williams Family Farm

Published

on

Celebrate Maine Maple Weekend at Williams Family Farm


CLIFTON, Maine (WABI) – Maine Maple Sunday is less than two weeks away, and the Williams Family Farm in Clifton is gearing up for one of the sweetest seasons yet.

A long stretch of frost and snow meant a late start this year, but the first boil of sap has finally run through the evaporator, and maple season is officially underway.

At Williams Family Farm, everything is done by hand:

  • Fresh maple syrup, bottled on-site
  • Maple sugar, carefully extracted in small batches
  • Baked candied pecans, cashews, and more

The Williams family has spent years working with whatever weather sends their way.

Long winters, surprise warmups, and everything in between—they’ve learned how to adapt so community members can enjoy their products.

Advertisement

As co-owner John Williams explains, the key is in the temperature.

“You need to have it warm during the day and still freezing at night, so typically that’s the middle of February,” said Williams. “We have a lot of trees, so we have to start tapping them before the conditions are ideal, so we start tapping way before it’s time for it to run just so we can get them all tapped. If you have ten trees in your backyard, you want to wait until roughly now, the middle of February to now, and when it’s actually running and put them in then because you can put all your taps in, in one day.”

They’re excited to welcome the community during Maine Maple Weekend on March 21 and 22.

They will be boiling up sap, hosting demonstrations, and providing free samples.

Locals can also join them for their third annual pancake breakfast where all proceeds are donated to Holbrook Recreation.

Advertisement

Follow the link to find out their hours for March and more.



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending