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PFAS Spill 'Catastrophe' at Former Navy Base in Maine Stokes Concern Amid Military’s National Cleanup

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PFAS Spill 'Catastrophe' at Former Navy Base in Maine Stokes Concern Amid Military’s National Cleanup


Cleanup of 51,450 gallons of firefighting foam and PFAS-contaminated water continues at a Navy-owned, privately leased hangar and its surrounding area in Maine — the second accident in two months involving stockpiles at active and former military installations.

A fire suppression system in a hangar at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station was triggered by mistake on Aug. 19, discharging 1,450 gallons of aqueous film forming foam, or AFFF, and 50,000 gallons of water into the building, nearby stormwater drains, sewer systems and drainage ponds at what is now part of Brunswick Executive Airport.

The Navy had planned to remove the foam, which contains PFAS chemicals – per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – in October, according to Washington, D.C.-based advocates the Environmental Working Group.

Read Next: Marine Sergeant Major Fired from Recruit Depot Was Arrested and Faces NCIS Investigation

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While the Navy was not responsible for the spill, the service is communicating with the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, which leases portions of the former base and is in charge of the cleanup, according to David Bennett, the public affairs officer for the Base Realignment and Closure Project Management Office.

“The Navy is taking action across the country to remove AFFF from mobile systems, hangars or other structures located on property the Navy owns, including properties leased to third parties,” Bennett said in a statement to Military.com on Sept. 9.

PFAS chemicals are commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down in the environment and can accumulate in the human body. They have been linked to a number of health conditions, including testicular and kidney cancer, low birth weights, and other medical issues.

Earlier this year, the Environmental Protection Agency placed new limits on the acceptable levels of certain types of PFAS in drinking water following extensive research that found the substances potentially were harmful in any amount.

The Brunswick discharge followed a spill in July of more than 7,000 gallons of water contaminated with PFAS at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico. According to a news release from installation officials Aug. 30, the water, which contained AFFF, had been removed from emergency vehicles as part of the Air Force’s effort to remove PFAS-based foams from its systems.

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After the Brunswick discharge, Jared Hayes, senior policy analyst at the Environmental Working Group, told Military.com that the prospect of spills has been “looming over communities across the U.S.,” especially those near active and former Defense Department bases.

“Some of the biggest spills in the country in the past have been from military installations because they have such a concentrated and large inventory of [AFFF],” Hayes said in an interview Aug. 29.

The fiscal 2020 National Defense Authorization Act required the Defense Department to stop using AFFF for training and operations after Oct. 1, 2024, except on ocean-going vessels, where uncontrolled fires pose a significant threat to equipment and personnel.

As a result of the deadline, the services have started removing their stockpiles from more than 1,500 facilities and 6,000 pieces of portable equipment and vehicles.

The DoD announced in July, however, that it needed a one-year waiver to extend the deadline because, while it had made “significant progress” in meeting the law, it needed time to remove AFFF from all of its assets and additional time to install systems that use an alternative foam.

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“DoD is committed to eliminating AFFF for use for firefighting operations across its installations,” officials said in a briefing July 1.

Hayes said his organization expects the DoD to use a second waiver allowed under the law and extend the removal process through October 2026.

“The DoD really needs to step up what they’ve been doing and make it a much bigger priority to remove these legacy firefighting foams from their active systems, contain them and make sure there isn’t a risk of contamination like what happened at Brunswick,” Hayes said.

The Brunswick town council passed a resolution Sept. 3 calling for a full investigation into the spill and disabling of PFAS-based foam suppression systems at other hangars at the facility.

“This event is a public health and environmental catastrophe unlike any other our community has ever seen,” Brunswick Town Council Chairwoman Abby King wrote in a letter accompanying the resolution to Maine Gov. Janet Mills. “My community is desperate for answers as to how the damage of this event will be mitigated, their health protected, and future incidents prevented.”

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As of March 31, the DoD has assessed 710 of 717 active and former installations for potential releases of PFAS chemicals and subsequent contamination. It has found 578 that need further study and has started those additional investigations at 350 locations, according to the department.

Brunswick Naval Air Station officially closed in 2011.

DoD to Expand Investigation, Cleanup of ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Response to New EPA Standards

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Maine

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.

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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

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

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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.

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Here’s a number of foods associated with Maine. How many of them have you had?

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