Maine
Maine casino inspectors take no-confidence vote in state's chief gambling regulator
Maine’s casino inspectors have taken a vote of no confidence in the executive director of the state’s Gambling Control Unit.
The nine public safety inspectors said Milton Champion had created a “deeply dysfunctional and toxic workplace.”
The workers, who are members of the Maine Service Employees Association, allege that Champion has disregarded the terms of their union contract, retaliated against individuals, and pursued deregulation of the state’s two casinos without voter input.
Inspector Gayle Craig, who works at Hollywood Casino in Bangor, said shortly after she and others filed a grievance over incorrect holiday pay, Champion cut back their hours on weekends and holidays. She said that undermined their core responsibility.
“It just takes away our ability for oversight,” Craig said. “That alone – the schedule change was a form of retaliation.”
Craig said she worries less oversight means more infractions could go unnoticed.
Union representative Frankie St. Amand said previous issues involving Champion have gone unresolved.
“I think at this point, the director needs to be removed from his position so that these hardworking inspectors can continue to do the work that they’re employed to do,” she said.
Last year Champion was placed on a temporary leave for a separate issue involving inappropriate social media posts.
Champion did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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.
The investigation is ongoing.
Copyright 2026 WABI. All rights reserved.
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.
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.
Follow the link to find out their hours for March and more.
Copyright 2026 WABI. All rights reserved.
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