"Skepticism should be aimed at your own beliefs as sharply as everyone else’s." 

Under clear skies, three local pitmaster teams—Double D BBQ of Fort Fairfield, Smokey Bear’s BBQ of Easton, and DNA BBQ of Caribou—squared off for judges’ and people’s choice awards, as crowds packed the festival’s bustling food court. Executive director LaNiece Sirois remarked on the chefs’ dedication, noting how the event always draws a lively, hungry audience—and has miraculously dodged rain every single year.

Double D BBQ stole the show with first-place finishes for ribs and the crowd’s favorite, while Smokey Bear’s BBQ earned top honors for chicken and DNA BBQ claimed several strong finishes, including second in the people’s choice. The teams prepared a delectable range—from brisket and cowboy beans to peach pork belly barbecue sundaes—firing up their smokers well before dawn to perfect each offering.

Many festival-goers, including longtime locals, mingled with the chefs and sampled everything on offer. For pitmasters, the cookoff was about more than trophies; it was a chance to share good food, local pride, and plenty of laughs. Aaron Libby of DNA BBQ emphasized the joy of connecting with the community, and Smokey Bear’s Tom Peers relished the camaraderie among competitors.

With organizers promising to keep the beloved barbecue contest anchored in Fort Fairfield, festival fans can look forward to more summertime sizzle and spirited competition for years to come.

A dramatic scene unfolded in Biddeford, Maine, early Monday as Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents pursued a white sedan through city streets, ultimately forcing it to a stop at the corner of Pool and Hill streets. Witness video captured agents pulling a limp body from the car and restraining the man after an officer opened fire when the driver did not follow commands and appeared to attempt fleeing. The shooting, witnessed by several residents, prompted a heavy law enforcement presence and immediate community protests at Mechanics Park.

The slain man's identity has not been officially released, though a neighbor and immigrants' rights groups indicate he may have been Joan Sebastian Guerrero, 26, originally from Colombia and authorized to work in the U.S. The circumstances of the warrant and the man’s supposed involvement remain under federal investigation, with the Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General, FBI, and Maine state authorities all involved. Notably, the agents were not wearing body cameras during the incident.

The incident comes in the midst of a politically charged atmosphere, following a recent deadly ICE shooting in Texas and a surge in federal immigration enforcement across Maine. Lawmakers, including Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau and U.S. Senator Susan Collins, have weighed in as local residents process the shock. Audio from the event recorded a series of gunshots at dawn, and visible bloodstains marked the street after officials cleared the scene. For many in Biddeford’s immigrant community, the events have deepened existing anxieties, underscoring tense debates about immigration and law enforcement protocols.

DOWNTOWN DINING & NIGHTLIFE

Houlton offers a variety of locally owned dining options.

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Summer Tip of the Day:
Keep a refillable water bottle in your vehicle and take a drink before you feel thirsty—heat can dehydrate you faster than you realize.

Secret BBQ Grill Hack:
Keep one side of the grill hot and the other side cooler. Sear your meat over direct heat, then move it to the cooler side to finish cooking without burning the outside.