Around New England

After Winning $1 Million “Nobel Prize For Teaching”, Maine Educator Convicted Of Shoplifting

Bill Gnade

A Maine educator who was the first-ever winner of the $1 million Global Teacher Award, the so-called "Nobel Prize for Teaching," has cited mental illness and alcoholism for actions that led to her arrest and conviction for shoplifting.

According to the Portland Press Herald, Nancie Atwell, 67, of Southport, ME and the founder of the Center for Teaching and Learning, received a four-month suspended sentence and 250 hours of community service. The sentence was handed down by District Court Judge Paul Mathews. The sentence also includes one year of administrative leave, a probation-like requirement, the Press Herald reports. 

Around New England

FBI Hunting Real-Life “Riddler” Suspected Of Animal Cruelty, Extortion, In “Vicious Shakedown”

Bill Gnade

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is looking for a riddle-writing extortionist suspected of committing acts of vandalism and animal cruelty at a Hollis, NH farm. The FBI is offering a $10,000 award to anyone who leads the bureau to the suspect or suspects.

According to spokesperson Kristen Setera of the FBI field office in Boston, the family that owns Rickety Ranch has "received multiple extortion letters that were sent in an attempt to collect $250,000."

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