Health experts advise mask wearing when going through a drive-thru.

Free resources available for Maine teachers of students in kindergarten to grade 8.

Funds to be used to revitalize Green Street Park.

Students recognized for academic achievement for the first quarter.

Several craft shows, popular with holiday shoppers looking for unique items, have been canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brunswick-based Teens to Trails has awarded trips to clubs at Cony, Gardiner Area and Maranacook Community High schools, hoping to help students explore the outdoors.

Merchants at multiple small businesses said they're trying to strike a balance in the pandemic between drawing enough shoppers to have a decent holiday sales season, but not so many shoppers all at the same time.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Nov. 28, 2020.

If Regional School Unit 2 approves the revised agreement from the town, the next step in the town's effort to leave the school district would be a review by the Maine Department of Education.

While some still gathered en masse, many people found different ways to celebrate in smaller ways and even without turkey as the centerpiece of the traditional meal.

Some hardy shoppers camped out overnight in front of shops at the Marketplace at Augusta, while others rolled up just before doors opened to take advantage of deals.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Nov. 27, 2020.

Children's Discovery Museum recognizes Steve and Tammy Diaz, Hanna Campbell and Joan Sciartilli.

Seven Maine artists honored.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Nov. 25-26, 2020.

Video conferences part of program created by Jenna Burt-Weeks.

With some planning and organization this year, Green Street United Methodist Church was able to continue its tradition of serving Thanksgiving dinner to more than 100 people and providing moments of connection.

The public section of the library is expected to open in early 2021 at 242 State St., while some offices and materials will be stored at a Winthrop warehouse.

The public section of the library is expected to open in early 2021 at 242 State St., while some offices and materials will be stored at a Winthrop warehouse.

This month is an astonishing revelation if you know where to look, as angles of light point us toward cosmic truth, Dana Wilde writes.

One cohort at Gardiner Area Middle School has entered fully remote learning, the second time a school in Maine School Administrative District 11 has entered "red" protocols, while contact tracing is underway for a pair of Regional School Unit 2 buildings.

Winthrop police say Nathan A. Woodard, 18, shot another man early Wednesday. The victim was treated for injuries that were not considered life threatening and has been released from the hospital.

Zoom event hosted by Lithgow Public Library.

The webinar will be held Dec. 2

MaineGeneral CEO Chuck Hayes said 250 tests have been performed on staff members and residents at Gray Birch, and visitation is now "virtual only."

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Nov. 24, 2020.

Historian Mac Smith to share research, interviews about movie.

The cases include the second reported at Monmouth Memorial School, the first at Mount View High School, the third at Nokomis Regional High School and a substitute worker at Waterville Senior High School.

The Capital Judicial Center was closed to the public Tuesday and Wednesday.

Students recognized for academic achievement for the first quarter.

Donation made by Central Maine Power will be used to purchase a walk-in freezer and help support services provided by the food bank.

Students recognized for academic achievement for the first quarter of the 2020-21 year.

Donations can be made through the society's website kennebechistorical.org.

A Kennebec County grand jury handed up indictments last week on a range of cases.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Nov. 23, 2020.

MaineGeneral Health's chief executive officer, Chuck Hays, and Steve Diaz, the health system's chief medical officer, urge people to follow safety protocol and not to spend holidays with anyone they don't live with, except virtually.

Coronavirus has compounded the statewide problem that existed before its onset as it attacks EMTs and those training for the service.

Santa will make Zoom call visits between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Despite fears of shortages, turkeys remain available across central Maine in a variety of sizes in a year when smaller gatherings are encouraged.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Nov. 22, 2020.

To get around the issue of no bathrooms or water for events at the chapel, officials hope to build a caretaker's cottage to provide those necessities.

City officials are considering whether to get rid of the Augusta Parking District, and to install parking meters on Water Street.

With a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in Maine, communities and families are finding new and less risky ways to celebrate the holidays.

An official recount saw Lapointe win 860-857 after one of AuCoin's votes was thrown out Friday after an overvote.

Both Gardiner Area High School and Hall-Dale Middle and High School have seen an increase in need for — and support from — community members.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Nov. 20, 2020.

An Augusta man is expected to spend the next eight years in prison for sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl.

Kennebec County Sheriff Ken Mason, who faced criticism in the wake of a Department of Corrections inspection that showed the jail was not following most protocols it identified, said the jail has had no cases of COVID-19 infection.

A review of a project from Soo Parkhurst on Water Street was tabled until next month to see what proposed decks would look like, while saying no signs should be placed on the exterior of the city's iconic State Street structure.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Nov. 19, 2020.

Orders will be accepted through Tuesday, Nov. 24.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Nov. 18, 2020.

The director of the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future stressed the importance of continuing to focus on economic growth even as Maine struggles with widespread COVID-19 infections.

The Rev. Jack Fles said the coronavirus pandemic was the final bullet for the church, which has a congregation of about 35 people.

Capital Area Technical Center announced a positive COVID-19 case Monday night.

While I still expect the worst, I'm striving to find silver linings amid the pandemic, writes Liz Soares.

Area students earn academic recognition.

Maranacook Community High School in Readfield, Cony High School in Augusta, and the Gardiner Area High School to receive free trips.

Virtual run proceeds will benefit UMaine Extension 4-H.

For years, David Matson has been toying with developing a game around gladiator fights. With some time on his hands this year, the Readfield man has been able to perfect the game that others may have a chance to enjoy.

The Board of Selectmen is expected to meet with the Planning Board early next year to talk about residential growth in town, including how subdivisions should be regulated.

Jonathan Bowers, a convicted felon, pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to unlawfully possessing a firearm.

Police say a small, clean-cut man in a black Cadillac Escalade with New York plates picked the cash up from the woman.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Nov. 17, 2020.

Kennebec Historical Society to host Facebook Live presentation by Shelley Lance-Fulk and Jacklyn Amtower.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Nov. 21, 2020.

Employees give back to Augusta and Waterville communities that has supported them during pandemic.

Works may be delivered from Saturday to Saturday, Nov. 21 to Nov. 28, during regular gallery hours.

Infections are reported at Farrington Elementary School in Augusta and Whitefield Elementary School, part of Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit 12.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Nov. 16, 2020.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Nov. 15, 2020.

Audette, 55, is finally retiring after delaying the move due to coronavirus pandemic.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Nov. 14, 2020.

Diocese calls on Gov. Mills to serve as better 'partner.'

On Election Day, George Lapointe won the race to be Hallowell's next mayor by two votes, leading his opponent Maureen AuCoin to call for a ballot inspection and recount.

In addition to negative comments about the Augusta school district's mask policy, Chris Clarke also used a curse word in reference to Gov. Janet Mills and compared her actions requiring mask to Adolf Hitler's.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Nov. 13, 2020.

Starting with Rachel Meader, three generations have cycled through positions at the Mount Vernon Town Office and broke into municipal government positions in other area towns.

Eric Connor Michael Bachand demanded cash at the Bangor Street McDonald's and sought to flee, but was stopped and held by two teenagers outside the restaurant until police arrived.

A third grade class at Whitefield Elementary School will be quarantined and learn remotely until further notice.

Event hosted by Vose Library.

Local officials continue to rely on education and voluntary compliance with public health orders to wear face coverings, even as rallies against wearing masks continue.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Nov. 12, 2020.

The Art Walk Shop & Studio celebrated its grand opening on Saturday, while dozens of shoppers traveled the town's downtown to visit local shops.

Virtual event hosted by Railroad Square Cinema.

Slideshow presentation will cover the history of Cobbossee waterway, and more.

Augusta officials enacted a moratorium while they consider a permanent ban on retail sales from vehicles.

Even if the district enters "red" model, Regional School Unit 2 students with special needs or without internet access may be able to learn in person, even if the state's gathering limit stays under 50.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Nov. 11, 2020.

During a year when statues and monuments tied to the United States' racist past are being taken down or removed, the state's judicial branch is asking Kennebec County officials to consider moving statue of Maine judge involved in "separate but equal' ruling."

While the world closes down in November, beauty knells up through the tamarack branches on the edge of bogs and winter, writes Dana Wilde.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Nov. 10, 2020.

After rejecting one proposal for a mixed-use development last month, the city is looking to determine how much it would cost to move the police department to the Second Street Fire Station.

The event is drive thru, with option for delivery.

Students in all three Winthrop schools have been fully remote this week, with a planned return to in-person instruction Thursday.

Event hosted by UMaine Extension and MOFGA.

The 4-H for All club is a way for youth and families to learn about 4-H and connect with others across Maine.

Employee Recognition Certificates were presented in October to Anna Satterfield and Shannon Cole.

Honorees include Paul Austin, Robert Ouellette, Earl Sussaman, Ronald Hall, Joseph Paquette and Max Ashburn.

City Clerk Diane Polky said candidates Maureen AuCoin and George Lapointe, along with a representative of each, will inspect the 1,792 ballots this Friday. The ballots are to be recounted Friday, Nov. 20.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Nov. 9, 2020.

City councilors have been meeting in-person in a room at the Augusta Civic Center setup for social distancing but will return to meeting online-only due to a recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Maine.

Fire Chief Dan Brooks said about one-third of his department is made up of father-son firefighters, which is key to keeping the volunteer department staffed.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Nov. 8, 2020.

Niles Krech and Steve Pracher started the Maine Urban Timber Co. after realizing there was no other business in the state producing urban live slab lumber.

As nurses in central Maine reach retirement age, 3,000 positions are expected to open over the next five years.

The Saturday rally was held a half hour after the presidential election was called for Joe Biden.

The student with the probable positive is quarantining and families have been notified of close contact.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Nov. 7, 2020.

Presentation hosted by Winthrop Maine Historical Society.

A Massachusetts-based developer plans to target medical workers from the nearby MaineGeneral Medical Center with efficiency and one-bedroom market rate apartments off Civic Center Drive.

Maine School Administrative District 11 is planning to resume in-person learning Nov. 9.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Nov. 6, 2020.

Registration open for the Nov. 13 and 14 fourth annual event.

Call in advance to order takeout meal.

In the last five days, the number of reported COVID-19 cases in Kennebec County has nearly doubled, from 66 on Oct. 31 to 127, echoing the growth in the number of cases identified across Maine.

Board of Education agrees to one-week, post-holiday remote learning plan. Board also learns of three more COVID-19 cases than reported Tuesday.

The overwhelming answer is no. Here is how central Maine voted in 2016 and 2020.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Nov. 5, 2020.

Reading is getting me through this terrible time, writes Liz Soares.

Shawn O'Leary to talk about “Active Shooter or Threat: Is Your Business Prepared?”

Call ahead to place take-out order to benefit Palermo Community Library.

A 59-vote margin separated Republican Randall Greenwood and incumbent Independent Kent Ackley for the House District 82 seat.

Mason was challenged by Michael Sayers of Rome, a former deputy in the Kennebec County Sheriff's Office who now works for the Oakland Police Department.

State Police spokesperson Katy England said Dana Shulman, 49, shot himself and the circumstances around the death Robin Bowler, 47, are still being investigated.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Nov. 4, 2020.

Elizabeth "Libby" Mitchell and Kevin Sullivan squared off in a repeat of the 2016 race, with Mitchell winning the seat for a second time.

This is the second reported coronavirus case at one of the Augusta Public Schools, and the previous case was reported at Gilbert Elementary School in mid-October.

Courtney Allen squared off against former City Councilor Harold Elliott Jr. for the at-large spot vacated by Darek Grant.

Tim Cusick and Maryann White are elected to their third terms on the Gardiner City Council; Penny Sergent wins the third at-large seat in her second try at a City Council seat.

Matthew Drost won reelection to Randolph Board of Selectmen in a close race against Valerien Bolduc and Andrew Pitteroff.

In unopposed races, Michael Frett and Berkeley Almand-Hunter were elected to the City Council, while Chris Myers Asch was reelected to the Regional School Unit 2 board of directors.

The proposals centered around how subdivisions are regulated in Richmond. Now, the Board of Selectmen is expected to take up the issue in 2021.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Nov. 3, 2020.

Dana Shulman and Robin Bowler were found deceased in their apartment, but police have given no more information about the nature of their deaths.

Despite what is expected to be a record-breaking number of people voting by absentee before the election, numerous central Maine residents voting in person at the polls on Election Day.

Hallowell violinist is a graduate of Bowdoin College.

American Legion Post 6 Goodrich-Caldwell of Hallowell to hold event.

The Military Order of the World Wars and the Portland Chapter of the National Sojourners gifts will be used to buy wreaths to be placed on the grave markers at Togus cemetery.

Sometime this week, Reed & Reed is expected to shift a prefabricated bridge deck into place over Cobbosseecontee Stream, replacing the decades-old bridge that was demolished last week.

As of Monday afternoon, 198 students and 39 staff members in MSAD 11 were quarantining at home, according to Superintendent Pat Hopkins.

State and local police found a male and female, whom they're not identifying, Monday, and members of the Major Crimes Unit of the Maine State Police are investigating.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Nov. 2, 2020.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Nov. 1, 2020.

Exhbit to feature 90 works by 72 artists through Nov. 28.

Hunters say hunting is largely unaffected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Oct. 31, 2020.

Applications sought by Maine residents who are employed by a Maine-based business in the STEM-related fields.

The workshop about film lighting set for Nov. 12.

Workshops are co-sponsoreed by the UMaine Extension and the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension.

About 40 people offer suggestions during a Zoom Community Conversation hosted by Hallowell organizations and the Maine Developmental Foundation.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Oct. 30, 2020.

Contact tracing underway at Marcia Buker Elementary School is unrelated to the Dresden Elementary case reported earlier in the week.

Many families in the area are unable to get internet at their houses because of the remote nature of where they live.

Volunteers handed out boxes containing meat, dairy products, fruits and vegetables and gallons of milk and frozen turkeys.

While the project has taken longer than anticipated to develop, city officials are still committed to finding funding to extend the trail along Cobbosseecontee Stream west from downtown Gardiner.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Oct. 29, 2020.

A total of two positive and four probable cases have been reported this week at Gardiner Area High School, and a total of 156 people from the school are under quarantine until the end next week.

Proceeds benefit Merrymeeting Arts studio clay programs.

Wreaths honor all veterans past, present and future.

Chidren can take home Feast Fixing to Go on Nov. 19 and 20.

For those planning to vote in person this year, area municipalities are taking precautions to ensure safety amid the highest coronavirus case counts in Maine since the pandemic began.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Oct. 28, 2020.

Police searches turned up drugs and guns, leading to arrests of New Yorkers, as well as those from central Maine.

In October comes a certain slant of light that seems to rise up out of some unseen spot of time and gather itself, and head south, writes Dana Wilde.

Rick Sieberg, who has spent his career as a Gardiner firefighter/paramedic, has been serving as interim chief since Al Nelson retired earlier this year.

Students will be notified if they were in close contact of the individual with the coronavirus.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Oct. 27, 2020.

Event hosted by the Augusta Food Bank.

Gardiner/Augusta Lions Club member awarded International President's Award.

A letter from MSAD 11 Superintendent Patricia Hopkins, released to the community Monday afternoon, announced a switch to fully remote learning at the high school, beginning Tuesday.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Oct. 26, 2020.

A Kennebec County grand jury last week hands up indictments on numerous incidents.

Winthrop native Chris Henry will direct ‘Fireside,’ a one-woman show based on four classic literary tales that will have two showings Saturday.

With pandemic restrictions discouraging trick-or-treating, local businesses and organizations are planning a variety of activities for children.

Augusta and Waterville area police reports for Oct. 25, 2020.

Saxon Partners is seeking a tax increment financing deal with the city that would return 70% of the tax revenue over 25 years, or about $7.8 million, to the developer.