Voters Nov. 5 will find that many communities are having trouble filling municipal positions. Age, apathy and growing vitriol from the public are leaving their mark, officials say.
Dylan Tusinski
Staff Writer
Dylan Tusinski is an investigative reporter with the Maine Trust for Local News quick strike team, where he focuses on telling the stories that impact Maine most through hard-hitting reporting, narrative storytelling and accountability journalism. His reporting ranges from government transparency and organized crime to housing policy and climate change. He previously worked for the Morning Sentinel in Waterville from 2023 to 2025, covering about a dozen communities in Kennebec and Somerset counties. He joined the Sentinel in 2023 after graduating from Colorado State University while double majoring in political science and journalism & media communications.
Posted inMaine, Maine Crime, News
Toxic cannabis is being shopped to Maine dispensaries, with little to stop it from reaching consumers
Toxic pesticides were found in cannabis grown at licensed grow houses and offered to medical dispensaries. Under current regulations, no one can stop it from hitting the shelves but the budtender behind the counter.
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Posted inMaine, Maine Crime, News
‘Gray market weed’: Illegal grow house operators and their tainted product take refuge in Maine’s legal market
With a little paperwork and scant oversight, investigators say illegal grow houses tied to Chinese organized crime are increasingly shifting to the medical market, avoiding oversight in the process.
Posted inMaine, News
PFAS contamination prompts ‘do not eat’ advisory in parts of Albion, Freedom, Unity
Authorities are warning residents not to eat wild deer or turkey after testing found dangerous levels of “forever chemicals” in the area’s wildlife.
Posted inMaine, News
Fairfield-based nonprofit group unveils trailer to help homeless, veterans
The new trailer is to provide winter coats, sleeping bags, snow boots, toothpaste, deodorant and other necessities each month to about 100 homeless veterans and others in need.
Posted inMaine, News
One injured, airlifted to hospital after West Forks ATV crash
The driver suffered head injuries Saturday afternoon after hitting a pothole on the Bald Mountain Trail, a popular spot for off-roading and ATV riding.
Posted inMaine, News
‘Victory means nothing, the follicles mean everything’: Facial hair competition highlights Gardiner’s Swine & Stein Brewfest
This year’s Swine & Stein Brewfest drew about 1,500 people for the 15th annual celebration of beer, cider, wine, facial hair and community.
Posted inElection 2024, Maine, News, Politics
Republican House candidate from Augusta claims government created recent hurricanes
In a series of posts on Facebook, Wendy Lee MacDowell, who is running against incumbent Rep. Bill Bridgeo in House District 60, falsely claimed the government is manufacturing “weaponized weather” to target conservative states with storms and seize land for lithium mining.
Posted inMaine, Maine Crime, News
Sagadahoc deputy advocates for mental health care, bashes report from mass shooting commission
Sgt. Aaron Skolfield was joined by mental health advocates and a former legislator at a press conference Monday to publicize Maine’s Progressive Treatment Program, which they say could have prevented last year’s Lewiston shooting.
Posted inMaine, News
Fairfield mother and 3-year-old son found safe
Star Cunningham and her son had been missing from their family’s Fairfield home since Monday.