Central Maine Power customers will see some relief in electric costs this summer after state utility regulators approved new distribution rates for the company.

The new prices reflect CMP’s revenue needs after the company paid more than a $100 million spent to recover from damaging winter storms in 2023 and 2024.

Households using an average of 550 kilowatt hours a month should save about $8.55 on their bills, according to the Maine Public Utilities Commission. The new prices go into effect July 1.

Commissioners also rejected CMP’s request to delay enacting new distribution prices while the agency considers the company’s separate rate case.

“It is uncertain when temporary rates may be approved or at what amount, but at a time when customers are struggling with high costs across the economy I cannot support a delay in rate relief,” said Commission Chair Phil Bartlett.

Electric prices in Maine have soared in recent years, because of expensive storm recovery, volatile natural gas prices and financial incentives for a community solar farm program, among other factors.

Maine Public Advocate Heather Sanborn said the rate reduction was welcome for electric customers dealing with high costs.

Sanborn said the commission’s decision to pay off a $20 million “storm recovery balance.” The account is basically money loaned to ratepayer by CMP that is owed to the company with carrying costs of about $140,000 per month, according to the PUC.

“That is a lot of interest every year that we have been paying,” Sanborn said.

Central Maine Power has submitted a proposal for new rates that would raise prices about $18 a month, according to the PUC.

In its rate proposal, CMP said it needs more revenue to help harden its infrastructure to future storms, improve reliability and hire full time staff to avoid hiring expensive contractors.

Even though the company is asking for higher rates, it says the package will amount to a slight decrease for customers because it has repaid storm recovery.

The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the rate adjustment approved by the PUC.

A Massachusetts man was arrested on numerous charges, including gun and drug offenses, police said.

Georgie Estrella, 41, of Attleboro was arrested shortly after 12:30 a.m. Tuesday on charges of manufacturing, delivering or possessing with intent the to deliver crystal methamphetamine, fentanyl, LSD, crack cocaine, psilocybin, clonazepam, alprazolam, and buprenorphine, carrying a pistol or revolver without a license or permit, possession of a firearm by certain persons prohibited, carrying a firearm when committing a crime of violence, possession of a firearm while committing a controlled substance violation, alteration of marks of identification on firearms, carjacking, attempted larceny of more than $10,000, assault on a police officer, vandalism or malicious injury to property, resisting arrest, obstructing a police officer in the execution of duty, and disorderly conduct, the Rhode Island State Police said in a media release.

Estrella was also arrested on three warrants charging him with failing to appear in court for drug cases, according to the release.

A New Hampshire man is facing charges after a bizarre roadtrip that allegedly involved forced marriage and fear of a satanic cult.

New Hampshire Man Accused of Forcing a Woman Into Marriage

Daniel Ouellet, 47, of Lee, New Hampshire, is accused of holding a woman against her will, forcing her into marriage, and injuring her during what investigators described as a satanic ritual in Maine.

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The situation came to the attention of Newington, New Hampshire Police when they were called to an Olive Garden restaurant on Saturday morning by a Pennsylvania woman who told authorities her daughter was being held against her will.

New Hampshire Police Order Residents to Shelter in Place

When the police learned the suspect had firearms, a shelter-in-place order was enacted in the area surrounding the restaurant.

New Hampshire officers encountered the woman when she ran out of the restaurant and told them she wanted to file an emergency restraining order against Oullet.

KRCG-TV reports the police allegedly saw cigarette burns on her legs.

Scary Road Trip from Maine to New Hampshire Involved an Alleged Forced Marriage

The story that followed Ouellet’s arrest is bizarre and frightening.

Police say he allegedly pointed a gun at the woman while she was driving on Friday, telling her they were being followed by a satanic cult.

The victim told the police that Oulett allegedly forced her to marry him, and then cut her hand when they were in Kittery, Maine, as part of a satanic ritual.

According to WMUR-TV, investigators found a satanic bible, a sweatshirt, and a bag inside Ouellet’s vehicle.

Ouellet denied in court the allegations against him, stating that he would never force the woman into marriage, or harm her in any way.

Prosecutors say Ouellet has a criminal history of domestic violence and driving while intoxicated.