Maine
Maine names new director of outdoor recreation
Jeff McCabe was announced Wednesday as the new director of Maine’s Office of Outdoor Recreation. Photo courtesy of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development
Jeff McCabe is the new director of Maine’s Office of Outdoor Recreation, the state announced Wednesday.
The outdoor recreation office is a part of Maine’s tourism office in the Department of Economic and Community Development.
McCabe succeeds Carolann Ouellette, who was promoted in May to lead the tourism office. Ouellette had been Maine’s tourism director from 2010-2016. McCabe, a former Democratic majority leader in the Maine House, had served as deputy director of outdoor recreation since November.
“Maine’s Outdoor Recreation economy is strong and growing,” McCabe said in a statement. “It has been an honor to work with and to hear from those in the industry from across the state and I look forward to the work ahead.”
The Office of Outdoor Recreation was established in 2019 to leverage the state’s parks, waters, woods and mountains; to grow that sector of the economy; and to build Maine’s reputation as a destination for activities such as fishing, camping and snow sports.
“Jeff will be able to seamlessly continue and build upon the important work being done in outdoor recreation to contribute to Maine’s economy,” said Heather Johnson, commissioner of economic and community development.
About 32,000 people work in the outdoor recreation industry in Maine, which contributes about $3.3 billion annually and makes up nearly 4% of the state economy, according to the department. Maine ranks sixth in the country in terms of the value that the industry adds to the state economy.
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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