While a plan has emerged to handle 911 calls across northern and western Kennebec County by splitting the duties between Waterville and Androscoggin County, the county’s Emergency Management Agency director is working to identify whether a different long-term solution is possible.
Jessica Lowell
Jessica Lowell is the managing editor of the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel. She previously covers business and economic development and general news in the Gardiner area.
After short but intense aspirations to be an opera singer (age 4) and a deep-sea diver (age 6) her most enduring passion has been telling stories.
A University of Maine graduate, she worked for newspapers in New Hampshire, upstate New York and Wyoming, where she has won awards for investigative and explanatory journalism. She’s a fellow of the Knight Center for Specialized Journalism and the Institute for Journalism and Natural Resources.
After several years out of journalism, she returned to Maine and to writing, where she spends her free time enjoying both trees and the ocean, two commodities that Wyoming lacks.
Posted inKennebec Journal, Local Elections, Local Government, Maine
Vienna votes for broadband authority, adds to proposed budget
At its Town Meeting, residents unanimously approved setting up guidelines and oversight of the town-owned high-speed broadband network that could deliver reliable internet service to every home in Vienna.
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Posted inKennebec Journal, Maine
Justice orders demolition of downtown Gardiner building damaged by fire
Maine Superior Court Justice Thomas McKeon ordered the demolition Wednesday of 235 Water St. after Gardiner city officials evacuated the adjacent building in February after fears of its catastrophic failure.
Posted inKennebec Journal, Local Government, Maine
Kennebec County commissioners endorse $19.3 million budget with 5% increase to taxes
The budget reflects nearly an 11% increase in county spending, in part to pay for unfunded state requirement to provide medication-assisted treatment at the county jail.
Posted inKennebec Journal, Maine
Environmental group alleges Casella Waste Systems manufactured sludge crisis
Defend Our Health officials say Casella, which contracts with 30 wastewater treatment plants for sludge removal, says company data shows the situation for Casella is not as dire as portrayed, but Casella characterizes the allegation as insulting and dishonest.
Posted inKennebec Journal, Maine
Gardiner officials consider consequences of sludge crisis
As the cost of hauling sludge from wastewater treatment plants spikes after two state laws have limited how it can be handled, city leaders are weighing how to pay for the additional unanticipated costs of shipping it to Canada.
Posted inKennebec Journal, Maine
Crisis building at Kennebec County wastewater treatment plants
Wastewater treatment plant operators across Maine face paying higher fees to truck sludge to New Brunswick after two state laws curtailed how biosolid disposal is handled.
Posted inBusiness, Kennebec Journal, Maine
Near-record sale in Augusta puts large office building in new hands
The Central Maine Commerce Center changed hands earlier this month for $18.5 million, the largest commercial real estate transaction in the Augusta area since 2019.
Posted inKennebec Journal, Maine, Maine Crime
Bail denied to man charged in 2019 Richmond murder
Tyon Shuron, who is accused of fatally shooting a Richmond man, has spent three years in jail awaiting his trial.
Posted inKennebec Journal, Maine, Morning Sentinel
Somerset County cuts 911 answering service for Kennebec County, citing staffing challenges
Kennebec County officials are now considering what steps they can take to fill the gap in emergency communications after Somerset County commissioners voted to not renew contracts with 16 communities across northern and western Kennebec County.