Maine

Officials say not to eat fish from these Maine bodies of water

Published

2 years ago

August 24, 2024

Officials say not to eat fish from these Maine bodies of water

BRUNSWICK, Maine (WMTW) – The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is advising people not to eat freshwater fish caught near the former naval air base in Brunswick because of elevated PFAS levels.

The U.S. Navy has been monitoring environmental contamination from the historic use of a fire-fighting foam there. They collected data in 2023 and shared the findings with the Maine CDC this spring, where officials later determined that the PFAS levels were too high for recommended consumption.

The announcement comes shortly after the accidental release of PFAS-containing fire-fighting foam on Aug. 19, but this recommendation is based on prior findings. Officials don’t expect the recent spill to impact the advisory.

The Maine CDC says to avoid eating any fish from Picnic Pond, Site 8 Stream, or Merriconeag Stream. They say not to eat any fish from the section of Mere Brook on the Eastern side of the runway and to limit fish from the Western side of Mere Brook to no more than six meals per year.

Since there is still foam floating in some areas, they say to avoid swimming or boating until they finish assessing the contamination.

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Maine

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

Published

7 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

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 […]

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Maine

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

Published

1 day ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

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.

The investigation is ongoing.

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Maine

Celebrate Maine Maple Weekend at Williams Family Farm

Published

2 days ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

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.

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.

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