A New York City tabloid said authorities blame the death of the former Lewiston man on a road rage grudge.
Steve Collins
Columnist
Steve Collins became an opinion columnist for the Maine Trust for Local News in April of 2025. A journalist since 1987, Steve has worked for daily newspapers in New York, Connecticut and Maine and served as the State House reporter for the Sun Journal since 2016. The Maine Press Association named him Maine's Journalist of the Year in 2022. Among his other awards are the Society of Professional Journalists’ 2016 Ethics in Journalism Award, the I.F. Stone Whistle-Blower Award in 2015 and the Bob Wallack Community Journalism Award from the New England Newspaper & Press Association. Steve is a founder and board president of Youth Journalism International, a charity that teaches students around the globe about news writing, media literacy and issues of the day. His wife, Jackie Majerus, serves as its executive director. Born in Massachusetts, he grew up in a military family that took him to Norway, Ohio and Virginia, where he earned a degree in history from the University of Virginia. He and Jackie live in Auburn. They have two adult children, two collies and not enough time.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Local & State, Maine Crime
New York police make arrest in murder of former Lewiston resident Alpo Martinez
A New York City man, 27, already in custody, was charged late Sunday with the Halloween slaying of the convicted murderer and drug dealer, who moved to Lewiston and lived quietly under a federal witness protection program for five years.
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Posted inLocal & State
William Ladd of Minot was once hailed as America’s ‘Apostle of Peace’
The former 19th century sea captain’s writing and lectures helped spur the creation of the American Peace Society and, ultimately, the United Nations.
Posted inLocal & State
Belfast-native watches ‘chaos and panic’ from his window in Ukraine’s capital
Explosions, sirens and military vehicles turn once-peaceful Kyiv into ‘a real problem,’ says Ryan Weaver, who has lived there since 2020.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Congressional candidate tried to save injured snowmobilers in Maine woods
Bangor’s Garret Swazey, who hit the trails to gather signatures for his election paperwork, wound up at a ‘horrible’ scene where one man died and another was badly hurt
Posted inLocal & State, Nation & World
Maine native who wore Waterville Senior High School Panther headgear while rioting at U.S. Capitol, faces new charges
Mitch Simon allegedly threw something at embattled police and tussled with officers Jan. 6, 2021, at a barricade.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, News, Schools and Education
Gov. Janet Mills’ plan could boost Maine’s community colleges
In Auburn on Friday, Mills laid out the case for students to attend two-year colleges for free.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, Schools and Education
Students say free Maine community college tuition will ease financial strain
Gov. Mills touted her proposal in Auburn on Friday and some students say the plan sounds good, but they need to see details before determining how it will affect them.
Posted inLocal & State, Nation & World, Politics
Capitol riot not ‘legitimate political discourse,’ Maine Republicans say
But congressional hopefuls Bruce Poliquin and Liz Caruso stop short of saying Joe Biden won the 2020 election.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Lawmakers tell Massachusetts to stop sending its waste to Maine
Committee endorses bill that limits out-of-state construction debris and likely hurts a Lewiston firm caught in the middle