Former Fire Chief Frank Wozniak filed a protection from harassment request earlier this year against resident and former firefighter John Black, who has long been critical of Wozniak’s work. Wozniak suddenly dropped the case and resigned in August.
Ethan Horton
Staff Writer
Ethan covers local politics and the environment for the Kennebec Journal, and he runs the weekly Kennebec Beat newsletter. He joined the KJ in 2024 shortly after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he majored in journalism and political science and was an editor for The Daily Tar Heel. For better or worse, Ethan always wanted to live in Maine.
Hallowell officials directed to come up with final round of cuts
The city’s Finance Committee has asked City Manager Gary Lamb to work with department heads to find an additional 7% to 10% in spending to freeze in the current municipal budget in an effort to limit increases to property taxes.
Wayne extends campground, RV development moratorium
The moratorium, largely targeted at preventing the expansion of Jellystone Park — which is split over Monmouth, Leeds and Wayne — was approved overwhelmingly by voters in April.
Hallowell committee to review cuts to lower next year’s taxes
The City Council froze about $190,000 in spending at its last meeting to help pay down expenses next year and relieve residents’ tax burden.
The story of Hallowell’s colorful Adirondack chairs
The chairs have become an iconic symbol of the city in their 10 years on the Granite City Park bulkhead.
Rae Ann Lajoie, Vassalboro: Coming through for people when they need it most
From taking people into her home to caring for family members, she’s always ‘doing something for someone.’
No injuries reported in fire that ‘gutted’ Vassalboro garage
The fire led crews to close a stretch of Main Street for several hours Saturday.
Johnson Hall Opera House in Gardiner to show locally made movie
The film, ‘a Peace of Forest,’ was made by a Maine couple in Whitefield over four years. It is the first feature-length film to be shown in Johnson Hall since 1958.
Sewer rate to jump 7.5% for Winthrop Utilities District customers
The rate increase, to be followed with another hike in 2026, will help pay for extensive upgrades to the district’s eight sewer pumps, which are well beyond their projected operating lives, officials said.
Update: Lock-in at Gardiner-area schools cleared after ‘known safety concern’
No threat was made directly against the schools Wednesday morning, but no one was allowed into school buildings for a short time, Superintendent Patricia Hopkins said.