Building high pressure ushered in the heat that broke the record Tuesday, a late taste of summer following one of the warmest summers on record.

Existing city ordinances and state laws balance the need to protect the public and allow free speech, officials said.

One year of experience in the field now equates to one year of teaching, resulting in pay increases of $3,000 to $17,500 for some.

Craft beverages, food and games are expected to take over Water Street for the annual Oktoberfest-style event that draws hundreds of people from across Maine and beyond to downtown Gardiner.

Tyon K. Shuron, 46, of Augusta is set for jury trial next month on charges he murdered Andrew Sherman in 2019 and then tried to get a jailed witness to change her story about what had happened.

The 1-month-old infant suffered minor injuries in the collision, which occurred at about 8 p.m. Wednesday.

The fundraiser benefits the Special Olympics Maine Unified Champions Club.

Family members and others gathered Sunday to honor William Dorr, who is buried at Mount Vernon Cemetery in Augusta.

Joining the Maine Community Resilience Partnership would give Gardiner officials access to grant funding that would help pay for projects.

The high school hosted the fall tradition at its campus, attracting hundreds of visitors from towns across the state.

The event took place Saturday and organizers expected around 300 participants.

Memorial at Mill Park in Augusta would pay tribute to pioneer who delivered more than 800 babies in what is now central Maine.

The community is invited to hear and share poetry about life in Maine.

Augusta- and Waterville-area arrests for Sept. 22-29, 2023.

Six years after the rally-style endurance race last motored through central Maine, organizers of the vintage car trek are planning to finish the June 2024 multi-state race with three days in the state, ending in Gardiner.

Here are some of our favorite Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel photos from the past week.

Natasha Venable, 47, was sentenced Thursday for assaulting and photographing a child multiple times.

The USS Augusta, which is to be commissioned Saturday in Eastport, is the second Navy vessel to be named for Maine's capital city.

The new rules, seen in only a handful of Maine municipalities, are to go into effect in January.

The changes would allow accessory dwelling units to be added where one- and two-family dwellings are now allowed.

A moratorium was set to expire on Sept. 30 after a similar motion failed to pass during the last council meeting on Sept. 11.

Police say Annie McKechnie, 22, helped Frank Foss Jr. avoid arrest weeks before his death.

Andrew Redmond, 34, of Augusta is accused of murdering Tyler Robinson, who was found dead on the side of Old Belgrade Road.

The four-day fair, which drew hundreds of people to Augusta's Mill Park, helped usher in fall with food, rides, games and fun.

Following a public hearing at which town residents challenged how selectmen were proposing to regulate solar installations and medical cannabis retail stores and cultivation operations, revised versions will be prepared and posted before they head to an Oct. 5 special town meeting to vote on them.

Susan Robertson, who has held the role since 2021, said she plans to retire next fall.

City officials also expressed frustration with what they say is a lack of timely state support for helping people who are homeless.

Here are some of our favorite Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel photos from the past week.

The arboretum, on the east side of the state's capital city, used both money from the Bureau of Parks and Lands as well as other fundraising to pay for the boardwalk that allows easy access to the wetland area along the north edge of its 224-acre facility.

Administrators are banning the use of cellphones in classes to curb distractions and increase engagement.

An Augusta woman was also charged and sentenced in the case involving a police raid of a camper on Blair Road.

Katherine Spiller, 35, died at the scene of the crash on U.S. Route 202, police said.

Officials announced Thursday that they have reached an agreement that will keep the triathlon in Augusta for three additional years,

The fatal crash happened Wednesday around 2:30 p.m. on Windsor Road.

When the Augusta museum reopens, likely in 2025, it is expected to feature interactive exhibits that boost focus on women and minority groups — and two humpback whale skeletons.

Todd Belaire of The Cote Corp. of Auburn returned this week to the Maine State Museum in Augusta to undo work he had done in 1986.

MSAD 11 officials will send a bid proposal to determine the cost estimate, which is currently estimated at about $75 million.

Paul Hatch, 37, was injured after the truck flipped onto its side on state Route 133, according to officials. He is expected to be transferred to the Kennebec County Correctional Facility in Augusta after being released from the hospital.

Officials say David Polley was treated for possible exposure to rabies, even though the body of the fox could not be recovered after it was shot.

An outside firm says that's the sum the city needs to pay to address concerns with about a quarter of its roads.

Police did not find weapons at the private college preparatory school in Readfield after searching the campus.

After setting aside the four proposed ordinances earlier this year, West Gardiner officials are presenting revised ordinances at a public hearing Wednesday, with voting at a special town meeting scheduled for October.

The Maine Book Fest is expected to bring local authors, bibliophiles and booksellers to central Maine on Oct. 1.

Augusta might use American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, funding to address concerns about those who are homeless.

Tickets cost $55 until Sept. 22 and then increase to $60.

There were several widespread outages in Somerset County, prompting county officials to seek assistance from neighboring states. In Kennebec County, Litchfield witnessed the highest number of outages affecting over 1,300 customers.

Messaloskee girls will host the event in memory of Cassidy Charette.

At a press conference Friday afternoon, state officials said the large wind field is expected to bring damaging winds and flooding to the state on Saturday.

The city has lowered the minimum requirements to be hired as a firefighter and agreed to pay for paramedic training in hopes of attracting more workers.

Augusta- and Waterville-area arrests for Sept. 8-15, 2023.

Emergency responders and public works departments are adding staff, checking equipment and reaching out to people without shelter as the storm heads closer to Maine, with gusting winds and blowing rain.

Here are some of our favorite Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel photos from the past week.

"Always remember — when you make your voice heard, adults listen," the president wrote to Cooper Stevenson, now 9.

Contractors are removing the old entering ramp at Exit 102 on the Maine Turnpike, which has been replaced with a new ramp.

Four and a half months after heavy rain and flooding damaged infrastructure throughout central Maine, emergency managers are urging communities to prepare for wind and rain.

The state treasurer's office says it's holding over $309 million worth of unclaimed cash and items left behind in abandoned safe deposit boxes. For the first time in some 20 years, it will auction them off.

Robert Santerre, the driver who struck and killed two women and a baby walking alongside Cony Road in 2021, had appealed his nine-year license suspension to the state Supreme Judicial Court.

Andrew Redmond, 34, was arrested in Mississippi following a police chase on Monday.

The forum is hosted by the Environmental & Energy Technology Council of Maine.

The donation provides each classroom at Winthrop Grade School with an air conditioner.

Two of three City Council races and two of four Board of Education races are expected to be contested this November.

Three people were taken to the hospital Monday morning after a car hit a guardrail.

The 3-day Litchfield Fair continues Sunday with more agriculture events and showings.

An official ribbon cutting for the new boardwalk will be held Sept. 23.

Regular business meetings will no longer rotate among the four municipalities served by the district. Special meetings will be scheduled in each community to gather input from residents.

A Mill Street apartment appears to have been specifically targeted by home invaders, Augusta police said.

Christopher Vogel, 46, was arrested Tuesday on two charges.

Some of our favorite Kennebec Journal or Morning Sentinel photographs from the past week.

The National Transportation Safety Board has released its initial report on the fatal crash, an early step in an investigation that could take 12 to 18 months.

The Vassalboro course is the venue for an event in memory of Carl Hubbard.

City officials are submitting a proposal to host a Maine Conservation Corps member, and have set aside $15,500 for the position.

Augusta set high-temperature records twice this week. Several schools closed early due to a lack of air conditioning.

Daniel Ross of West Gardiner is accused of over a dozen crimes. Jury selection is scheduled to begin in October.

Kennebec County Administrator Scott Ferguson declined to specify the reason for the action.

Bradford L. Enos of Atkinson could face up to 30 years in prison after his truck allegedly caused the death of a nurse who had stopped to help a motorist on I-95.

The street will be closed to through traffic for up to three weeks after construction gets underway Sept. 18.

With the first installment of property tax payments due Sept. 14, Augusta taxpayers still have not received their bills in the mail.

A lifelong love of books has shaped the career of Lydia Stevens, who as acquisitions editor for Urano World Publishing is building its U.S. branch in Gardiner.

The Maine Service Employees Association, Local 1989 of the Service Employees International Union, used the weekend before Labor Day to demonstrate in Augusta for fair, livable wages as state employees enter their third month working under the terms of an expired contract.

The Maine Service Employees Association, Local 1989 of the Service Employees International Union, used the weekend before Labor Day to demonstrate in Augusta for fair, livable wages as state employees enter their third month working under the terms of an expired contract.

One city councilor says a recent racist demonstration in the city shows work to make sure Augusta welcomes diversity can't wait.

A new Kennebec Valley Humane Society animal shelter is expected to be ready to open in November.

A new Kennebec Valley Humane Society animal shelter is expected to be ready to open in November.

Here are some of our favorite Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel photos from the past week.

Poor construction work directed by Road Commissioner Sam Snow and low-quality materials caused premature breakage on Jewett Road that could cost millions to fix, engineers said.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is testing soil samples from the crash site to determine if additional environmental cleanup is needed.

Ashley Malloy, 22, remains out on bail and is expected to be sentenced in the coming months.

Maine's state university system officials say Michael Laliberte is meeting the requirements of a settlement that has netted him nearly $300,000, but they refuse to provide proof.

Bath photographer captures ‘Lights of Lincoln County.’

All proceeds will support the programs and services of Spectrum Generations, including Meals on Wheels.

Augusta officials will travel Down East to see the ship put into service in September.

Augusta- and Waterville-area arrests for Aug. 18-25, 2023.

Here are some of our favorite Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel photos from the past week.

The pilot of the Wiggins Airways plane has been identified as James Shepard-Kegl, 69, of North Yarmouth, the student pilot was Jumaane Omari Stanley Melville, 37, of St. Petersburg, Florida. 

716 Candles Project plans to offer insight, knowledge and stories from addiction.

News of the world's weather this summer brings a level of dread that most poetry can do nothing about, Dana Wilde writes.

The victims, who were not identified publicly Wednesday, were the only people aboard the Beechcraft turboprop, which was destroyed, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Emergency responders at the scene said body parts were found in the wreckage of the twin-engine Beechcraft BE99 that went down near Buker Road.

In a rare decision, Maine's highest court said officials wrongfully withheld records about a settlement payment to a Black inmate who alleged he had been assaulted by guards while awaiting trial.

The Western Avenue restaurant that closed in 2019 was torn down this week to make room for a new Aspen Dental office.

Owner David Sheperd said that the economy and high interest rates were the culprit, as customers scaled back their purchases of furniture and appliances from The Major's Furniture & Appliance, which is expected to close next month after 37 years in business.

For 35 years, the Winthrop Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce has put on the art festival, which draws people from across the region to Winthrop to see the works of dozens of local artists and showcase what the town has to offer.

No one was injured, but traffic was backed up for miles Friday afternoon as police cleared the scene.

Chris Lewis will succeed Scott MacMaster, who left to become a patrol officer in Gardiner earlier this year.

Augusta- and Waterville-area arrests for Aug. 11-18, 2023.

Course registration for the Kennebec Neighbors Adult Education Program is expected to open next week.

Here are some of our favorite Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel photos from the past week.

The Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future has convened a committee of 40 permanent members who will work together to implement Maine’s 'Roadmap to End Hunger by 2030.'

Kevin Martin, 28, died Wednesday after losing control of his vehicle on Togus Road, police said.

Corrections officers at the Kennebec County jail will receive a 3% raise this year and 7% in each of the next two years, but the starting salary remains among the lowest in Maine.

An office building on Western Avenue was significantly damaged and one person was taken to a hospital after the Tuesday crash, officials said.

Roughly 300 people dressed as Elvis gathered Tuesday to honor the King of rock 'n' roll, falling far short of the record but easily becoming the largest Elvis gathering in Maine.

The recent discovery comes months after Maine legislators passed a law requiring the cleaning, draining and drying of boats to curb the spread of invasive plants.

The report by an architectural consultant also recommends $33 million in improvements to update the Augusta Civic Center.

Michael Miclon, the artistic executive director at Johnson Hall, wants to gauge the city's interest in the donation of a permanent stage to replace the rented stage it funds for its yearly summer concert series.

The event is planned for Aug. 19 at the town’s Waterfront Park.

The Wagner Woods Conservation Area shares borders with 1,368 acres of ecological conservation landscape.

City councilors cold to proposal to regulate murals, but direct city attorney to recommend changes to city regulations to ensure hate symbols and other offensive images or words can't be placed on building walls visible to the public.

Historic buildings, pioneering water systems, kickball, local artisans celebrated at town's annual community gathering.

At least 896 fully costumed, sideburn-donning Elvises will have to sing "Hound Dog" in unison on Tuesday to top the existing record set in North Carolina.

Martin Spahn's body was recovered Aug. 7 in New Brunswick after he was reported missing on Sunday.

Augusta- and Waterville-area arrests for Aug. 4-11, 2023.

The spending plan would require the largest property tax increase in at least a decade, officials said.

While the Planning Board gave initial approval to the project in July, they met Wednesday to review and adopt the findings of fact and conclusions of law on which their decision was based.

Eleven firearms and various illegal drugs were taken from a Mt. Pisagh Road home after officials executed a search warrant, according to the Kennebec County Sheriff's Office.

Libraries in Gardiner, Vassalboro and Readfield are among those to benefit from a $1.7 million statewide investment.

Following a ringleader named Moe, a flock of East Friesian sheep escaped their enclosure and wandered onto a neighbor's lawn Wednesday.

After a summer employee saw the tiny, black kitten scurrying across a Whitefield road, Library Director Dawn Thistle found a job for her.

Brent Elisens, who faces charges of assaulting three state troopers in a 2021 roadside incident, was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation after he asked to represent himself in court.

William J. Heil IV, 46, allegedly beat and strangled a Winthrop woman and is facing aggravated assault and domestic violence charges.

Saleh Omar Kharfan, 19, and a passenger in his car escaped uninjured and swam to shore Monday night, police said.

Two people were issued trespassing notices recently after police found them living at the Lillian P. Hussey School.

Puppet musical, the Petra & Mo show, planned.