Councilors agree to designate $10,000 for an architect to begin designing the new building, which is the final phase of a three-phase construction project.

Monday night's town meeting will address 50 articles, including the Waste Management agreement, food sovereignty ordinances, the removal of speed tables and whether to use $1.6 million to reduce tax commitment.

Images from services in Augusta and Waterville that mark the start of the Christian season of Lent.

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

The two teens are accused of stealing a snowmobile and pickup truck from different properties in Norridgewock.

More and more people are recognizing the reality of effects on the environment by looking at the data right before their eyes, writes Dana Wilde.

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

Residents of Village Green Mobile Home Park off West River Road complained to the board about maintenance problems in their park and said they feared the problem will worsen with 65 more mobile homes.

"We have a really nice, well-thought-out facility that everyone can take ownership and pride in," Fire Chief Dave Coughlin said.

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

The Skowhegan Board of Selectmen voted unanimously Feb. 11 to give the award to the organization, whose volunteers work to better the community through service.

Nanci Greene was voted in as a full-time pastor at the First Congregational Church of Norridgewock earlier this month.

The board on Monday is also expected to consider a request to rezone properties on Park Street to allow a hairdressing business to move to the former site of Redington Funeral Home.

Wearing his new Apple watch, J.P. Devine is like a 9-year-old who has found a new toy and wishing he could go back in time.

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

Members of the Waterville area community have an opportunity to host a canine overnight to determine whether a shelter dog would be a good fit in the home.

Since Tom McCarthy filed the complaint, his business has been beset by losses that he calculates amount to more than half a million dollars.

As Monday's deadline looms for submitting suggested names for Skowhegan's new mascot, columnist Amy Calder weighs in with her own recommendation.

Suggestions will be accepted electronically and on written forms available in district schools, town offices and libraries until Monday evening, Feb. 24.

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

Besides receiving academic help, learning life skills and taking part in all sorts of activities, Teen Center members volunteer in community service projects.

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

Frederick Allen, 40, is charged with the murder of his wife, Anielka Allen, 37, whose body was found in their home by Newport police in January.

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

Learning that a man and woman who were not supposed to have contact with each other were in a motel room on Kennedy Memorial Drive early Tuesday, police knocked on the door and found them, another man and woman who were not to have contact with each other, and drugs.

Cars were detoured for four miles Wednesday after two tractor-trailers crash and block the southbound lane of Interstate 95, closing the roadway.

A year after Pastor Timothy Hunt died unexpectedly in January 2019, members of the church have selected a new pastor who fits with the mission of the church and is well liked by the community.

A roundup of cases closed Feb. 5-11 at courts in Augusta and Waterville.

Timmy Smith of Madison pleaded guilty to trafficking in fentanyl; Robert Smith of St. Albans was sentenced for unlawful sexual contact with a child under 12; Robert Tucker pleaded guilty to multiple burglaries and thefts.

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

Water service was restored late Tuesday to businesses in Shaw's Plaza and those on Kennedy Memorial Drive after workers repaired a 12-inch water main break at the entrance to the plaza that was reported around noon.

Waterville police Chief Joseph Massey presented Officer Timothy Hinton with the Police Department's Medal of Valor on Tuesday for his work during a high-speed chase Dec. 22, 2019, in which Hinton was shot twice.

Emily Baker, 14, and Ashlin Baker, 12, who were recently killed in a car crash, were honored Tuesday morning with songs, slideshows and prayers at a celebration of life at Lawrence High School in Fairfield.

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

The water main break at the entrance to Shaw's Plaza off Kennedy Memorial Drive occurred around noon and crews shut off water service at 4 p.m. and it is expected to be off for at least several hours.

Students at Skowhegan Area High School share their successes from the school's JMG program.

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

The $50,000 tax increment financing grant will allow the owners to reroute sewer lines, repair the roof, secure the windows and remove an old boiler.

The town received the generous donation from the Newbury Fire Department, where it would have been taken out of service.

The philanthropists are donating $3 million to the effort to renovate the buildings at 14 and 20 Main Street where offices of the Lunder Institute will share space with artist studios, and exhibit and performance areas.

Land Rover enthusiasts from across the country gathered this weekend in Benton for the annual Winter Romp to test their driving skills on trails and to meet, eat and shop at local businesses. The Oxford Car, a 65-year-old Land Rover Series I Station Wagon, is the centerpiece of the festivities as it prepares to depart from Waterville on Tuesday morning for an 11 month expedition across North America.

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

While the Waterville department has employed female call firefighters since 1981, Katie Hennessey is the first woman to be hired as a career firefighter and joins a department that counts several women among its ranks.

State funding is now available for reconstructing Trafton Road, with the city's share of the $4.3 million project $500,000, according to City Manager Michael Roy.

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

Thomas "Tommy" Porfirio was remembered by many at Saturday's celebration of life at Lawrence High School, where Porfirio was a freshman.

Derek J. Nickerson was caught on security cameras inside his former spouse's house and was charged with multiple offenses after police chased him down through Skowhegan on Friday.

Bert Languet has for years volunteered time and funds to develop recreational facilities for children and adults, with the latest being an ice skating rink next to City Hall in Waterville.

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

The same architect that has previously worked with the district was recommended by the building committee and approved by the board at Thursday night's board meeting.

Nicholas Blaschke, 26, whom his mother said was mentally disabled, was killed in the fire and a state police lieutenant was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation after pulling the man from the house.

Gathering ideas for a new team name is the start of a multistep process sanctioned by the Maine School Administrative District 54 board last fall after the "Indians" nickname and mascot were retired.

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

In the dark of night Wednesday, battery-operated candles lit a memorial at the pine tree on Hinckley Road where the crash occurred, 6 miles from Route 23 and 2 miles from downtown Clinton.

Strong man accused of firing a handgun in the parking lot of a gas station.

Crews from the Kennebec Water District repaired a break early Thursday in a 12-inch water main on Appleton Street. The break caused erosion, broke up pavement and required the downtown street be closed for several hours.

A public visiting followed by a celebration of life for Thomas Porfirio, 15, one of the victims of Sunday's car crash in Clinton, will be held Saturday at the Williamson Performing Arts Center at the Lawrence High School-Junior High Complex.

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

Two officers with experience from throughout Somerset and Kennebec counties were sworn in Tuesday night.

Portland Bishop Deeley dispensed the "anointing of the sick" to residents to mark holiday.

Commonly known as a house pseudoscorpion, aka Chelifer cancroides, these tiny creatures are sometimes known as book scorpions or false scorpions because they’re arachnids, Dana Wilde writes.

The Charter Commission discussed Tuesday whether it makes sense for the City Council to take final votes on the proposed municipal and school budgets when the school budget is not yet finalized.

Clinton police were conducting interviews Tuesday afternoon in an attempt to draw a picture of what happened prior to Sunday's 7:15 am. crash on Hinckley Road.

Chief Deputy Michael Mitchell said the cause of the crash is thought to be road conditions and excessive speeding.

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

Detective Sgt. Kelly Hooper, who has worked in law enforcement for 30 years, will attend a weeklong course at which she will receive training in forensic analysis and investigative methods.

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

"This is an unimaginable, crushing thing and we're working through these first steps today," Roberta Hersom, interim superintendent for Maine School Administrative District 49 said.

Access to quality health care has long been a problem for Maine's roughly 70,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer residents, officials said.

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

Shocked at the paltry prices for breakfast, lunch and dinner, J.P. Devine suggests the next time the city's mayor should "GO before you go" when visiting the nation's capital.

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

After 18 years of operation, the Children's Place Early Care & Education Center, a program of the Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers, will end and relaunch as the Bright Beginnings Learning Center — Waterville.

Sidney Fire Chief Richard Jandreau says the barn is a total loss, saying that a heat lamp was what caused the fire.

As much as four-tenths of an inch of ice accumulation is expected, along with another 2 inches of snow on Friday.

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

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

Attending a school Valentine's Day party 50-plus years ago meant creating a fancy box at home and bringing it to class to be placed on display in a contest for most the most beautiful box judged by the teacher, Amy Calder writes.

In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak sweeping mainland China, the Waterville college said "none of the individuals in isolation have any symptoms of the virus, and they are being monitored per CDC guidelines."

All proceeds from the "That Ain't Right Comedy Show" will be donated to the theater as it works to become an entity independent from the town.

The ice disk that formed at the Great Eddy in the Kennebec River in January disappeared near the end of the month during warmer weather.

William Stewart, 64, possessed thousands of images and hundreds of videos of child pornography, many depicting children under 12 years old, between May and June of 2018, according to court records.

Paul Ureneck, director of commercial real estate for Elm City LLC, an affiliate of Colby College, spoke Thursday at Thomas College as part of a business breakfast hosted by Thomas and the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce.

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

Donations are being accepted until the end of the month and include cash and pet food donations.

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

The council also voted Tuesday night to appoint Tom DePre to the Planning Board to fill a vacancy created when Mark Champagne resigned last month.

The Waterville market has been working with state officials to make improvements to the store since a food service worker with hepatitis A virus infection prepared food there while infectious.

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

Charges were filed last fall against Peter G. Vigue, 72, of Pittsfield after he fired a small cannon at a Maine Maritime Academy football game and injured a referee.

City councilors on Tuesday also will consider a recommendation by Mayor Nick Isgro to appoint Tom DePre to the Planning Board.

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

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

Jack Dionne of Skowhegan suffered a head injury in the crash, which occurred at about 1 p.m. Sunday on Robinson Street.

On Sunday, 231 children — 15 or younger — participated in the Oakland Fishing Frenzy, according to its organizer.

The sleek, gray, maybe mauve stairlift chair has arrived in the Devine household, signaling a journey into the capricious and unknown future.

The harvest could generate up to $8,000 from wood products, which volunteers hope can be put toward continued maintenance of the China School Forest on Lakewood Avenue.

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

Nick Isgro traveled to Washington, D.C., and attended the United States Conference of Mayors on Jan. 24 where he networked with mayors and other officials and discussed economic development.

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

The department is continuing to maintain its commitment to having the entire force equipped to handle people undergoing mental health scenarios.

"Christina's World," the Andrew Wyeth painting the Museum of Modern Art in New York City placed in storage, ought to be in Maine, Amy Calder writes.

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

There will be two informational sessions on the management plan Saturday, one at 10 a.m. at the Town Office's portable building and another on site at 11 a.m. that will begin at the China Primary School bus circle.

The craft and home decor store, with more than 850 stores in the U.S., will employ between 35 and 50 people, according to the company.

A Kennebec County grand jury also handed up indictments for drug trafficking, theft, assault and other charges.

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

The Education Policy and Programming Committee met on Tuesday evening to address creation of restrooms that are accessible and safe for all students.

Shawn W. Metayer, 60, police said, had a blood alcohol level of more than twice the legal limit when he got behind the wheel of a vehicle involved in the accident that claimed the lives of Derek and Stephanie Trudeau.

The gift from Colby Trustee Seth Lawry and his wife, Cynthia, will create in perpetuity the position of Lawry Family Director of Civic Engagement and Community Partnerships.

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

Trees seem to have a disposition in their bones, as it were, to cooperate with winter, writes Dana Wilde.

The panel also decided Tuesday to postpone discussion about whether it is a conflict of interest for school employees to serve on the City Council until lawsuits related to that same topic are resolved.

The boil order was lifted Tuesday afternoon at about 4 p.m., an official said.

The Waterville Planning Board on Monday night also voted to approve, with a condition, a request by the Alfond Youth Center to reconfigure vehicle and pedestrian access to its building on North Street.

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

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

The Portland Hunt & Alpine Club owners Andrew and Briana Volk are aiming to open Verna's All Day at the end of the year in the Colby College-owned Bill & Joan Alfond Main Street Commons at 150 Main St. in downtown Waterville.

If 32 more people apply for the $130 banners, Oakland would be one of just a handful of Maine municipalities to participate in the Hometown Heroes banner program.

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

The Thomas esports team now boasts 28 members and a national ranking as No. 8 in the game Magic the Gathering.

The anti-war vigil outside the Universalist Unitarian Church of Waterville came three weeks after a U.S. air strike killed top Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani.

Attendees at the first Maine Sci-Fi & Fantasy Nerd Festival were able to enjoy food, vendors, face painting, balloon animals, cosplay and more.

Michelle Pavia of Stamford, Connecticut, was not wearing a helmet Saturday night when she hit the shoreline, was ejected from her snowmobile and struck trees surrounding Ironbound Pond in Solon. Pavia died at the scene.

Waterville has no rules for such businesses, such as Airbnb rentals, but city officials say they are receiving complaints as the short-term rental industry grows locally.

Change is inevitable and may cause you to see things and people in a different light, J.P. Devine writes.

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

Crystal Putek, the director of Saturday's tournament, said the event was better than she could have ever expected thanks to the large turnout and generous donations.

Maine State Police have taken the suspected assailant into custody after locating him in an abandoned building a half-mile from where the injured men were found.

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

The China select board was split over whether to declare that three members of the town's budget committee, who are firefighters or have family members who are, should recuse themselves from discussing and voting on volunteer firefighter stipends.

Ordering groceries online through Hannaford To Go was a seamless process and convenient, Amy Calder writes.

The Maine Center for Disease Control and state Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry are warning customers who may have purchased food from Joseph's Market on Front Street from Dec. 27, 2019 to Jan. 9 this year that they may be at risk of being infected.

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

Police chief David Bucknam suggested in a Facebook post that people looking for something to do could flock to the Somerset County town for a look at the floating circle of ice that's in the Great Eddy on the Kennebec River.

Margaret O'Connell presents statistics on the LGBTQ+ population that exists within the district and requests that the school work to create a private, gender-neutral bathroom option for students.

Robert A. Perkins, whose wife ran a daycare out of their home, was sentenced Thursday to serve 9 years in prison for sexual contact with children.

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

The Central Maine Growth Council, an economic development organization, was one of 10 entities chosen to take part in a national technical assistance program that helps rural communities create digital economy jobs.

The fire Tuesday night is believed to have started when the mobile home's owner ran over a paint can with his electric wheelchair, causing paint to shoot into his stove and burst into flames.

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

The Somerset County Grand Jury handed up indictments on Friday, including drug and assault charges.

Rising temperatures and resulting changes are happening faster and sooner than most scientists were predicting 30, 20, 10 or even five years ago, writes Dana Wilde.

A support group for LGBTQ+ students and community members says the push for changes to the school's bathrooms began last spring, when students brought up the concerns in response to a series of Instagram posts that included derogatory language and threats.

Councilors also waive foreclosure of municipal tax liens on 10 mobile homes.

Mark Nickerson owns a home which overlooks the Skowhegan ice disk and said that this is the first one he's seen in his 25 years of residency on Parkman Hill Road.

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

A roundup of cases closed at courts in Augusta and Waterville.

About 50 people gathered to remember Anielka Allen, a 37-year-old student at Beal College who was found dead Jan. 9 at her Newport home.

Officials believe that the driver, Elwood Yeaton III, 47, of Peru, may have navigated a turn too quickly, causing the vehicle to roll over.

David Deas spoke to and performed for more than 100 people who turned out Monday for the 34th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Breakfast at Spectrum Generation Muskie Center.

A California company wants to buy two leases the city has with Verizon and T-Mobile for space on the city's communication tower atop the fire station for 25 years for $420,000.

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

Steven K. Allard, 56, of South Hampton, New Hampshire, was declared dead at the Greenville hospital after his snowmobile fell through the ice.

The certification means the company meets a Food Safety Management Standard that applies to all products produced at the paper mill after its rebuild of its Paper Machine 1.

James D. Julia, a former Fairfield auction house owner, denies allegations from a Pennsylvania company that bought his business for $7.2 million that Julia breached the contract by referring business to his sister's auction company in violation of the agreement.

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

A pair of true war stories about two young Americans who served their countries in different ways on cold nights in Waco and Bastogne.

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

Route 2 remained closed Saturday morning while crews worked to reconstruct the accident.

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

Officers arrested Mayo Anthony Jones, 44, following a two-month, multi-agency investigation.

St. John Catholic School, which once had as many as 350 students enrolled in the 1960s, will close at the end of the 2019-2020 school year, with enrollment at 34 children.

"You can't have a strong economy in Maine without strong child care for the people in it," said Senate President Troy Jackson, a Democrat from Aroostook County.

Resisting changes in technology can leave a person in the dust, Amy Calder writes.

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

Waterville Fire Chief Shawn Esler said he investigated the allegation that a firefighter was making a hand gesture associated with "white power" in Facebook photo.

After 60 years on the job, the longtime deputy chief is hanging up his helmet, but not without the thanks of the community he served all those years.

"It was an old log home ... so it was really hot and dangerous. We went into defense mode all the way," said the Sidney fire chief.

Students in a new Colby College course volunteered with faith-based organizations, developed relationships with pastors and lay people, and wrote profiles about who they met.

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

Beal College in Bangor has encouraged students, faculty and community members to attend a Monday morning vigil to honor former student, Anielka Allen, 37.

Forest Hills Consolidated Schools in Jackman hasn't had a snow day in more than three years, and some students make their commute more fun by riding their snowmobiles to school.

Hector Munoz, 52, of New York City, pleaded guilty to charges relating to his role in a 2016 attempted drug robbery in Rangeley.

Anielka Allen, 37, studied medical assisting at Beal College in Bangor before her death; posts made to the school's Facebook page described her as a "beloved" student.

Forms can be found in town offices in Canaan, Cornville, Mercer, Norridgewock, Skowhegan and Smithfield by the end of the week and an online form is also available.

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

I'm relieved that my trepidation about new technology is not necessarily due to my advanced age, writes Liz Soares.

It takes a piece of lead the size of a grain of rice to fatally poison a bald eagle, according to the state's raptor specialist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.

The Charter Commission voted Tuesday to form subcommittees to talk to elected officials, former commission members and other towns' officials about their charters.

A public retirement party will be held at the Williams Elementary School cafeteria Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Jared Quirion, 34, faces four criminal charges following the Dec. 5 incident.

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

The thefts began in Oakland when a pickup truck was stolen out of a parking lot.

Four people were injured in the car crash Monday evening, according to Fairfield police.

The Board of Education also elected Patricia Helm to the Ward 1 seat vacated by Sara Sylvester, who resigned last month because she moved out of the ward.

Katherine Prosper, 61, pleaded guilty to federal charges that she concealed the presence of her husband in her household for 13 years so she'd be eligible to receive Supplemental Security Income, a U.S. attorney said.

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

Anielka Allen had submitted a handwritten statement withdrawing the divorce petition a week after filing it, agreeing to marriage counseling, according to court records.

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

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

The Waterville Board of Education on Monday also will interview a candidate for the board's Ward 1 seat, which was vacated when Sara Sylvester resigned.

Firefighters from Madison and Skowhegan were dispatched to the scene 200 yards off Weston Avenue in Madison where they deployed firefighter Brad Bosworth with Skowhegan's Rescue Alive sled to retrieve the deer.

The Maine State Police Evidence Response Team had taped off the perimeter of the home at 16 North St. in Newport where Newport Police had been called at 10 a.m. Thursday.

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

North Elementary has qualified for the state's Major Capital Construction Program, and School Administrative District 54 has started the process for selecting an architect for a new school.

Amy Calder reminisces about North Elementary School in Skowhegan which she attended from kindergarten through grade four and which is second in priority on the state's list of schools to be replaced.

LGBTQ+ support group expresses dismay at hate speech directed at students at Thursday meeting along with delays in designating gender-neutral bathrooms other than the one in administrative office.

Tensions were high Thursday night as the mascot-selection process and gender-neutral bathroom discussions arose during the public comment section of the SAD 54 board of directors meeting.

The plan, unveiled Dec. 11, is focused on three main goals: Increasing the average annual wage by 10%, boosting the value of products sold per worker by 10% and recruiting 75,000 people to the workforce.

Frederick Allen, 40, was arrested late Thursday afternoon in the death of Anielka Allen, 37, Maine State Police say.

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