Winslow Woman Wins ‘Vaccinationland Sweepstakes’

Kay Spofford of Winslow has won Maine’s Don’t Miss Your Shot: Vaccinationland Sweepstakes. The jackpot was $896,809 in the statewide program to encourage Maine people to get people vaccinated. From Maine.gov: Spofford, a dialysis dietitian in her early 60s, received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine in January and February at MaineGeneral Medical Center’s Thayer Center …

Augusta Man Charged with Arson After Setting Off Fireworks in Apartment

44-year-old Gerald Stackpole was arrested last night, July 1, after a fire inside an apartment on Jefferson Street in Augusta. Fire investigators reported that Stackpole intentionally set off fireworks in the apartment where he was living. Other tenants in the apartment put the fire out with fire extinguishers and a garden hose. Stackpole left the …

President and First Lady arrive in Miami, as rescue efforts at Surfside condo collapse site are suspended

Officials said that rescue efforts at the site of the collapsed Surfside, Florida condominium building were halted on Thursday out of concern about the stability of the remaining structure. Search crews that have working over the last week stopped work shortly after 2 a.m., Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava told a news conference. The …

Trump Organization, CFO Allen Weisselberg plead not guilty to tax fraud charges in Manhattan DA investigation

The Trump Organization’s chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, and lawyers for the company appeared in front of a Manhattan judge Thursday, pleading not guilty to charges in what prosecutors called a sweeping tax fraud scheme. The charges were unsealed after former President Donald Trump’s longtime aide and the company were indicted by the Manhattan District …

‘Plaza Suite’ starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick to open on Broadway in March 2022

Plaza Suite, starring real-life couple Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker, will return to Broadway in 2022. Producers announced on social media that the revival of the Neil Simon play will begin previews Feb. 22 at Hudson Theatre in New York, and officially open March 28.  Tickets are available now at the link: here. Plaza …

Harry Connick Jr. to play Daddy Warbucks in NBC’s ‘Annie Live!’ special

Harry Connick, Jr., has joined the cast of the NBC special Annie Live!  Connick, 53, will play Daddy Warbucks in the TV musical. NBC announced earlier this month that Empire actress Taraji P. Henson will play Miss Hannigan. Connick confirmed the news in a statement to People: “It’s such a classic show and it’s a show that I’m so familiar with, …

Maine’s ‘Back to Work’ Grant Program Updated

Based on feedback from employers and job seekers, some requirements for the Maine’s “Back to Work” program are being modified. The $1,500 payment is being extended for the duration of the program through July 25. The program will now also retroactively cover part-time workers who are working at least 20 hours a week for a …

Robinhood ordered to pay $70M for negligence and misleading info

On Wednesday, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) levied its largest fine ever against popular investing app Robinhood. Robinhood, known for letting customers trade stocks through an app, will pay $57 million in fines in addition to $12.6 million in restitution to customers.  FINRA is a nonprofit, self-regulatory agency that oversees member brokerages and exchanges. …

Bill Cosby is released from prison after Pennsylvania high court overturns sex assault conviction

Pennsylvania’s highest court overturned Bill Cosby’s sex assault conviction Wednesday, after finding an agreement with a previous prosecutor prevented him from being charged in the case. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Cosby was released from prison on Wednesday afternoon, after serving more than two years of a three- to 10-year sentence at a …

Actor Allison Mack sentenced to 3 years in prison in NXIVM sex-slave case

Actor Allison Mack, 38, was sentenced to 3 years in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to charges she manipulated women into becoming sex slaves for NXIVM’s leader, Keith Ranier.  NXIVM was a cult group that masqueraded itself as a self-help organization. Mack also received a $20,000 fine. Mack – best known for her role on …