Callie Ferguson

6 days ago | bangordailynews.com | Callie Ferguson

The Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault during its annual awards ceremony in Augusta on Thursday recognized Erin Rhoda, editor of the Bangor Daily News’ Maine Focus team, for her dedicated coverage of stories that affects sexual assault survivors and the systems the hold perpetrators accountable. The organization presented her with an award it created to honor her work over the years: The Erin Rhoda Excellence In Reporting Award.

1 week ago | bangordailynews.com | Callie Ferguson

If you or someone you know needs resources or support related to sexual violence, contact the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault’s 24/7 hotline at 800-871-7741. AUGUSTA, Maine — Three years ago, it wasn’t easy for Maine leaders to discuss an uncomfortable truth about the Maine Army National Guard: that its culture had allowed sexual assault and harassment to go unchecked and instead punished women who spoke up.

2 weeks ago | bangordailynews.com | Erin Rhoda |Callie Ferguson

Oxford County commissioners allowed a local deputy to resign on Thursday after he was arrested for violating a protection from abuse order that prohibited him from carrying firearms. His resignation ended a five-month leave of absence from the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office that began when the no-contact order was issued against him, during which the deputy continued to collect a paycheck.

3 weeks ago | bangordailynews.com | Callie Ferguson

The Wells Police Department has taken steps to become the first Maine agency to establish a formal partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which could draw the liberal-leaning town into a debate over whether local police should work with those carrying out President Donald Trump’s aggressive deportation agenda.

4 weeks ago | bangordailynews.com | Callie Ferguson

Sweetser, a Maine behavioral health nonprofit, will establish the state’s first secure residential program for children with severe mental health conditions in 2026 after it was the only organization to apply for a state grant to help with start-up costs. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services awarded the $2 million contract on March 20, marking a major advancement in the state’s yearslong effort to create a psychiatric residential treatment facility in Maine, which began in 2018.