Central Maine news, sports & weather from Augusta to Waterville| The Morning Sentinel, Waterville, ME and Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME

West Gardiner teen becomes Maine’s first female Eagle Scout

Mia Dawbin completed the requirements to earn her standing as an Eagle Scout earlier this year, making her the first girl to reach that rank in Maine.

Arts & Entertainment 4:17 PM

Belgrade’s Ed Lorusso quietly establishes himself as Maine’s master of silent film restoration

The 71-year-old Lorusso, who restores the films at home, just finished his 17th Kickstarter campaign and is working on the 1925 film 'Zander the Great.'
Local & State 38 mins ago

Palermo couple’s ‘nightmare’ bank account freeze reveals oversight in Maine’s unemployment claim review

Kim Crouse discovered last Wednesday that her primary account at KeyBank had been frozen over unspecified claims of unemployment fraud, a mix-up that took more than a week to be addressed.

Maine Tackles Pandemic

Local & State

Gov. Mills’ plan to switch vaccinations to age-based eligibility gets mixed reaction

Nation & World

House passes $1.9 trillion pandemic bill in a win for Biden

Local & State

Maine CDC reports 202 COVID-19 cases, one new death

Gardiner announces plan to reopen city buildings, library Monday

Local & State

Man injured, cat dies in early morning Pittsfield fire

A 34-year-old man was transported to Sebasticook Valley Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and a cat died in an early Friday morning fire.

Maine Crime

Whitefield family’s farmstand destroyed by tractor driver

Schools and Education

Readfield-area school hosts community racism discussion to culminate learning topic

Maine Crime

Pittston man sentenced to 3 years in prison for sex offenses against children

William T. Sevon pleaded guilty to multiple counts of unlawful sexual contact and visual sexual aggression against a child and was sentenced to 8 years in prison with all but 3 years suspended.

Local & State

Investigators: Victim of Camden fire was 14-year-old boy

Nation & World Posted: 5:11 PM

Archeologists find intact ceremonial chariot near Pompeii
Nation & World Posted: 5:07 PM

Federal investigators pinpoint suspect in officer’s death at Capitol riot
Arts & Entertainment Posted: 5:03 PM

Golden Globes hosts to recruit Black members after outcry
Arts & Entertainment Posted: 4:55 PM

Lady Gaga’s dogs recovered safely after theft, shooting
Nation & World Posted: 4:51 PM

Republicans test history in vote against pandemic relief
Local & State Posted: 4:47 PM

Palermo couple’s ‘nightmare’ bank account freeze reveals oversight in Maine’s unemployment claim review
Nation & World Posted: 4:46 PM

What’s in an adjective? ‘Democrat Party’ label on the rise
Food & Dining Posted: 4:41 PM

Seattle ups its outdoor dining game, Seahawks-style
Nation & World Posted: 4:31 PM

Texas inmates hungry, shivering during unusual freeze
Business Posted: 4:27 PM

Central Maine business briefs: University of Maine at Augusta designated as Military Friendly School
Nation & World Posted: 4:26 PM

Two skiers defy death in descent of Yosemite’s Half Dome
Nation & World Posted: 4:24 PM

Louisiana trooper kicked, dragged Black man who died in custody

Farmington man dies in house fire
Local & State

Pittston Select Board holds public hearing to answer questions over the town budget
Nation & World

Sen. Collins pushes for emergency diaper assistance funding
Local & State

Week In Photos Feb. 19-26, 2021
Local & State

Undisclosed number of sheep die in early morning barn fire in China
Local & State

After 2 hours of tense discussion, Norridgewock Planning Board OKs landfill expansion
Amy Calder

Amy Calder: Seeking answers to her daughter’s last days from 3,000 miles away
Opinion

Tell Us: Should Maine relax rules for physical distancing in schools to get more students in the classroom?

today's letters

Letters to the Editor

Put solar arrays on big-box stores
- Excited to vote for Hickman for Senate
- Collins right to follow conscience on Trump vote

Local & State news

News

Somerset County courts for March 9-13, 2020
Maine Crime

Somerset County courts for March 2-6, 2020
Maine Crime

Central Maine Feb. 26 police log
Maine Crime

Whitefield family’s farmstand destroyed by tractor driver
Schools and Education

Readfield-area school hosts community racism discussion to culminate learning topic
Maine Crime

Pittston man sentenced to 3 years in prison for sex offenses against children

Sports roundup

Varsity Maine

Maine’s high school wrestling season officially canceled

Varsity Maine

With some time and effort, central Maine basketball tournament went from idea to reality

Sidelines

Sidelines: Finally, it’s tournament time for Maine high schools

Former Newport Elementary School to become electrical worker apprenticeship training facility

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local and its training arm purchased the former school in January with the goal of opening in the fall 2021.

Gardiner announces plan to reopen city buildings, library Monday

Even though people will be able to conduct city business in person, the Gardiner Public Library will continue to provide services through its takeout window for those who want to continue to use it.

Suspect in 2016 Portland killing returned to Maine, pleads not guilty

Former South Portland resident Aristotle Stilley was arrested in California last fall and extradited this month to Maine, where he is accused of shooting two men, killing one of them.

View from Away: How to improve the Affordable Care Act

Bloomberg Opinion (TNS)

J.P. Devine Movie Review: ‘The Rolling Stones Olé Olé Olé!: A Trip Across Latin America’

We revisit The 2016 10-city tour with the Rolling Stones — breaking ground as the first-ever rock band to play in Cuba since Fidel lost his khakis — being displayed in full color on Netflix, J.P. Devine writes.