Maine governor celebrates inauguration with heating aid win

The Maine Legislature cleared the way for $450 relief checks to help residents struggling with high winter heating costs Wednesday before decamping to the Augusta Civic Center to hear Democratic Gov. Janet Mills outline her priorities for her second term.

Police investigate pair of shootings in Lewiston

Police in Lewiston are investigating two unrelated shootings reported on New Year’s Day.

Businesses sue over town’s limit on cruise ship passengers

BAR HARBOR, Maine (AP) Several waterfront businesses are challenging Bar Harbor’s limit on the number of cruise ship passengers allowed to disembark in the town.

Driver who rear-ended tractor-trailer in fatal Androscoggin County crash identified

Police have identified the driver killed in a crash in the town of Poland on Monday.

Man arrested after 15-hour police standoff in Whitefield

A man was arrested after a more than 15-hour standoff in Whitefield.

Maine man dies after UTV breaks through ice on pond

SMITHFIELD, Maine (AP) Authorities have recovered the body of a Maine man who died after the UTV he was driving broke through the ice covering a pond early Sunday.

NYC machete attack: Maine man arrested on attempted murder charges

NEW YORK (AP) A man accused of attacking police with a machete near New York’s Times Square on New Year’s Eve was arrested on charges of attempting to murder police officers, authorities said Monday as they continued to investigate whether he was motivated by Islamic extremism.

Maine gives Sugarloaf ski area permission for big expansion

CARRABASSETT VALLEY, Maine (AP) A big expansion that would add new ski trails, a lift and hundreds of units of housing at the Sugarloaf ski resort in Carrabassett Valley has been approved by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

Maine could see dueling referendums about power ownership

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) A group that wants to prevent the creation of a publicly-owned power company in Maine has submitted signatures to the state calling for a referendum to halt the project.

Long-time Maine State Police member tapped to lead agency

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Maine’s governor has promoted a long-time member of the Maine State Police to serve as its new leader.