The global pandemic canceled the University of Maine at Augusta’s commencement a year ago, but on Saturday both the 2020 and 2021 commencements celebrated the accomplishments of the graduates through a streamed event.
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, Maine
Fire at Whitefield restaurant determined to be accidental
State fire marshal’s office has determined the electrical fire that broke out at Aunt Gin’s early Saturday was accidental.
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Posted inKennebec Journal, Maine
Kennebec County eyes how its offices will reopen to the public
In the short term, both the Kennebec County District Attorney’s Office and the Probate Court are working out how members of the public will access their offices in the historic Kennebec County courthouse.
Posted inBusiness, Kennebec Journal, Maine
Future of Whitefield’s Aunt Gin’s restaurant is up in the air
Co-owner Wyatt Shorey said the Augusta Road restaurant, which opened in 2015, is closed for now — but maybe for good — after a fire early Saturday damaged the bar and dining areas.
Posted inKennebec Journal, Maine
Gardiner’s Wellness Connection to open adult-use cannabis shop Saturday
This is the second of Wellness Connection’s four locations to make the switch, following the launch of the adult-use cannabis market in October, from medical marijuana to adult-use or recreational marijuana.
Posted inKennebec Journal, Maine
Gardiner’s Johnson Hall passes early hurdle in federal funding request
Performing arts center’s request for $350,000, filed through the office of U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, is one of 10 requests Golden’s staff has forwarded for consideration in the appropriations process for funding to be awarded later this year.
Posted inKennebec Journal, Maine
Kennebec County budget undergoes first review
County officials are proposing a $14.3 million spending plan, a 5.12% overall budget increase, which could mean nearly a 5.7% hike in what’s raised through property taxes in Kennebec County.
Posted inKennebec Journal, Maine
Gardiner launches city manager search hoping to avoid lengthy delays of past
Vacancy was created in March when Christine Landes, who was hired in 2018, resigned three months before her three-year contract would have expired.
Posted inKennebec Journal, Maine
Now cooing to a city near you: White-winged dove spotted in Gardiner
The dove, with a distinctive white band on its wings and ring of blue around its eyes, is drawing birders to Gardiner for a rare spring sighting.
Posted inKennebec Journal, Maine
Campaign to promote municipal employment features Gardiner police officer amid candidate crunch
Sam Quintana will be featured in a social media campaign promoting the benefits of working for Maine cities and towns, which officials say are are struggling to fill vacancies.