Pinkham's Treefarm is one of about a dozen Maine Christmas tree farms to donate trees to military bases and families of deployed troops.

Casella Waste Systems, which provides waste and recycling services in Fairfield, bought the funeral home from Lawry Brothers on Nov. 1 with plans to preserve the historical portion of the building while demolishing the back portion.

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

Staff members at the Starbucks at Waterville Commons announced Thursday that they filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to form a union.

Remember to slow down and embrace the holidays, as they are fleeting, Amy Calder writes.

About 8,000 gallons of landfill leachate spilled at about 1:30 p.m. after a tanker truck driven by Allen Hewett, 61, of Sidney, failed to yield to a Maine Turnpike crew that had shut down one of the lanes for maintenance work, officials said.

Councilors hope the change, which starts on a trial basis Jan. 1, will help recruit and retain good workers, boost employee morale, and give the public more opportunity to do business at City Hall before and after regular business hours.

Kelly Paskoski was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on Old County Road, according to the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office.

Councilors voted 7-0 on Tuesday to postpone until Dec. 17 a decision on forming a task force that would address issues involving homeless and marginalized people and problems that have surfaced in the downtown area with criminal mischief, drug activities, panhandling and other issues.

The town requested Dec. 2 that the organizers remove the Nativity scene next to the gazebo in Veteran's Memorial Park, but Tuesday, the town put up a sign clarifying that the display is private, officials said.

Coverage of restaurants, food trucks and food events in the Augusta and Waterville areas.

The legal dispute over five new appointments the Select Board made in March for the joint committee that governs the local park has lasted months.

Blown transformers and $10,000 power bills can make cannabis grow houses easy for utility companies to identify, but Maine utilities question if flagging what might be illegal activity is their responsibility.

County commissioners allocated $50,000 of opioid settlement funds to continue a partnership between the Somerset County Sheriff's Office and Somerset Public Health.

Fairfield's rescue truck, Med-One, broke down in October. Town officials were hoping to borrow Winslow's unused ambulance to fill the void, but misinterpreted legal concerns from the Winslow Town Council shut down the deal.

Proceeds from the sale at the former Suga Country Products store supported the Maine State Troopers Foundation, the Vassalboro United Methodist Church and the South China Community Church.

Jeff Hewett doesn't have any plans yet but has been working to set up his successor to take over the economic and community development office.

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

The Conservation Fund recently acquired the forest land in northern Somerset and Franklin counties, near the Canadian border.

The executive chef at a Waterville restaurant who is moving out of state wanted to leave a "parting gift" — one that was key to his own survival while growing up, Amy Calder writes.

When did the Messalonskee Community Thanksgiving Dinner begin? Volunteers, residents and newspaper archives are not sure.

Girl Scouts prepared Tuesday to bake over 200 pies for this year's Messalonskee Community Thanksgiving Dinner in Oakland, a tradition that has continued for over two decades.

Mathew Woodard, 43, is alleged to have stolen a firearm, Apple AirPods and a small amount of cash Nov. 10, according to the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office.

The Waterville Fire Department responded to three reported fires Monday night, one of which leveled a mobile home on Heather Drive and sent a woman to the hospital.

Kyle Wyman, 31, of Madison and his female passenger, whom police did not identify, died near the intersection of U.S. Route 201A and Father Rasle Road, officials said.

The City Council last week approved hiring a collections agency which will not try to collect from Waterville residents who have used the fire department's ambulance service.

Cameron Arcidi, who has pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor-level charges, was fired in September.

Business owners say customers, tenants and employees have been frightened when coming to the area, and that the city needs to come together to solve the problem for everyone involved.

A Wayne woman was killed in a crash early Monday morning on Trafton Road, police said.

Daniel Nordin, 59, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, according to the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office.

City Manager Bryan Kaenrath said many municipalities use a 4-day workweek, and doing so helps in recruiting and retaining good employees.

The event was held Nov. 8-9 at Colby College and hosted by the Center for Small Town Jewish Life.

The public is invited to a strategic planning session Monday hosted by Waterville Public Schools to give input on the state of city schools and what they envision for the future.

Central Maine Wreath is donating 25% of its sales on Saturday to Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County, which has had financial struggles after its former director embezzled thousands of dollars.

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

In the 1960s, we enjoyed family Thanksgivings that nourished body, mind and soul, Amy Calder writes.

An Oct. 24 search of the property revealed 48 dogs, including 46 that were white or tan shih tzus, and five cats, all of which were seized by the state, according to Maine's animal seizure identification log.

A 16-year-old boy who was believed to have made the threat was located in Albion about an hour after police began their investigation, according to Skowhegan police.

Inspection records show Kennebec Lumber Co. was issued two violations from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration and fined $5,600.50, but has not had many other major incidents in recent years.

Sarah Nale, 39, of Winslow stole more than $800,000 over 20 years from the Waterville lawyer for whom she worked, officials said.

Councilors recommended officials with the First Church Of Waterville meet with the city solicitor to map out a restructured contract zone that would meet the needs of both the church and its neighbors.

Following a plea agreement, Jason J. Cunningham, 50, was sentenced Tuesday during a lengthy hearing regarding restitution that at one point left the presiding justice ‘perplexed.’

Tammy Murray, who held several municipal positions, died unexpectedly last week according to those who worked with her in Anson.

The private 6,600-member group "Fairfield Maine Our Community Group," overseen by Fairfield resident Casey Begin, has become a source of community information sharing but has banned some community members.

Police have yet to identify the victim in the crash, which they said occurred at about 4:30 a.m. Monday.

Isaiah Mathieu was killed Sunday afternoon when his vehicle ran off Interstate 95 and hit a guardrail, officials said.

Children ages 5 to 17 made jewelry, created artwork, painted rocks and baked sweets to sell Sunday as part of The Clever Kids Craft Expo held at Clinton Elementary School and hosted by the Clinton Parks and Recreation Association.

The Parade of Lights and opening of Kringleville in Waterville are expected to draw thousands of people to the downtown Nov. 30.

The fire started Saturday as an outside brush fire.

Jacob Gran's last day as Pittsfield town manager will be Dec. 31.

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

The Last Unicorn Restaurant at 6 and 8 Silver St. in downtown Waterville was destroyed by fire last year, and the property owner has hired an architect and contractor to construct another building.

Pedestrian and vehicle traffic will be detoured around the bridge for six months while replacement work is underway.

Volunteers helped move 348 boxes of books and other items Wednesday from the Taconnet Falls Chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society on Lithgow Street in Winslow to a temporary donated space at the former St. John Catholic School about a mile away.

Construction of a baseball field at the long-planned community center athletic complex began Oct. 1, and town officials are working on plans for the next phases of construction at the site.

Officials: The 3-acre solar array is to be located near the Kennebec Water District Treatment Plant at 462 Main St., and would send all of its power to nearby KWD facilities.

Complete coverage of what's new with restaurants, food trucks and food events in central Maine.

Tyler Couture, 32, has been indicted on charges of burglary, aggravated assault, criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, and tampering with a witness or informant.

Councilor-elect Doris Labranche and Councilors Fran Hudson and Mike Joseph are facing calls to step down after Bowman, among the only openly transgender town managers in the nation, resigned due to "hateful" rhetoric from councilors and residents.

Christopher T. Farrow, 36, was sentenced to 204 days in prison that he has already served in Maine and was ordered to be transferred back to Connecticut to finish serving a separate sentence there.

Guest speaker Donald H. Marden, a U.S. Army veteran, retired major general in the Maine Army National Guard, former Superior Court justice and Waterville mayor and the current first vice commander of Bourque-Lanigan American Legion Post No. 5, addressed the crowd outside City Hall.

Redington, a member of Gen. George Washington's elite Commander-in-Chief's Guard during the first years of independence, was commemorated Monday by local and national historical groups.

Organizers say over 150 vendors and around 750 attendees turned out for the first day of the flea market at the Augusta Civic Center, which continued through Sunday afternoon.

Doris Labranche, who won election to Winslow's Town Council in the past week, said screenshots of her posting anti-transgender rhetoric were 'taken out of context' and threatened a resident with a cease and desist order for posting them online.

The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant Friday at 1111 South Solon Road, finding fentanyl, crack cocaine, crystal meth, a loaded pistol and other drug-related items inside the home, officials said.

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

Cansheng Zhao, 31, and Bolin Zhao, 31, both of Brooklyn, New York, died Oct. 22 at 555 Belfast Road as the result of a carbon monoxide leak, authorities say, at a property that had been busted for growing unregulated cannabis.

State officials say no action will be taken to remediate the spill, which occurred when a barge struck and punctured the pipe carrying all of Winslow's untreated sewage beneath the Kennebec River.

WindowDressers, a volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization that builds insulating window inserts for homes in New England, was working in full force this week in Waterville.

Bowman, who says she is among the only openly transgender town managers in the nation, said heightened vitriol among constituents and town councilors prompted her sudden departure.

At a public meeting Wednesday, the overlooked votes were tallied, and the results of voting for the municipal elections were unchanged.

Incumbent Councilor Dana Wrigley Sr. and resident Kelly Roderick won seats on the Oakland Town Council. Laura Tracy was reelected to the Regional School Unit 18 board of directors.

Catherine Tamara Herard defeated incumbent Thomas A. McCormick Sr. in Tuesday's race for the Ward 7 City Council seat, defeating McCormick by 55 votes.

Dale Macklin and Doris Labranche won election to two open seats on the Town Council amid a tumultuous year in Winslow's politics.

The crash in the southbound lane of Interstate 95 remains under investigation by the Maine State Police.

Poll workers across the region dealt with lines of voters Tuesday, even after heavy absentee voting. 'We want people to know their vote is safe, and it counts,' said one official.

Christopher Todd, 35, was arrested Friday on three counts of sexual abuse of a minor, according to the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office.

The city on Wednesday launched an effort to help nonprofit groups improve housing stock in Waterville, support home ownership and strengthen neighborhoods by offering grants and loans totaling $475,000.

Voters Nov. 5 will find that many communities are having trouble filling municipal positions. Age, apathy and growing vitriol from the public are leaving their mark, officials say.

Hunters who got off to a quick, successful start to the season Saturday morning in areas around two new “Do Not Eat” advisory areas said they avoided the affected areas and were not concerned about contamination in nearby places.

Janusz Jankiewicz, 80, died Friday morning from severe burns he received in the Waterville Road fire, his son said.

The workshop that housed Colorgraphics' screen printing and graphic design business was deemed a total loss, along with everything inside of it.

Jessy Forney veered off the road and hit a tree that crushed half of his SUV. He suffered serious injuries in the crash but is expected to make a full recovery after being pulled from the wreck by an anonymous good Samaritan.

The town will soon begin accepting bids to demolish the nearly 100-year-old schoolhouse, but hundreds of thousands of dollars must first be spent to remove oil and asbestos from the building.

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

The driver was able to escape the SUV following the crash off U.S. Route 2, officials said.

Catch all of our election 2024 updates at centralmaine.com/election.

Toxic pesticides were found in cannabis grown at licensed grow houses and offered to medical dispensaries. Under current regulations, no one can stop it from hitting the shelves but the budtender behind the counter.

Firefighters responded at about 3 p.m. to the fire on Waterville Road, also known as U.S. Route 201, which remained closed Thursday evening.

Gerald King, 64, of Buxton, was arrested Wednesday after failing a sobriety test while driving a tractor-trailer through Augusta, state police said.

Fire chief: The electrical box shorted out Wednesday evening when workers were moving large curtains that divide the gymnasium.

Somerset Woods Trustees, a nonprofit land trust, is working on projects at two local preserves, while other groups are planning more projects to develop a local trail network.

Cornville tree grower Matthew Quinn won third place overall in the People's Choice Awards category for his balsam-Fraser hybrid at the Fryeburg Fair's Christmas tree competition, and it will be displayed with two other winning trees at the Blaine House this holiday season.

Nikeshia Knight, 25, provided money and fentanyl to another person to buy a gun from a Fairfield firearms dealer because she could not pass a background check, prosecutors said.

With a little paperwork and scant oversight, investigators say illegal grow houses tied to Chinese organized crime are increasingly shifting to the medical market, avoiding oversight in the process.

Matisse Fry, 42, of Augusta and a 16-year-old boy from New York face multiple charges after fleeing police Tuesday night in Fry's SUV, officials said.

A new accessible trail and dock-like structure, funded by a $100,000 state grant, are meant to support outdoor education at the school.

A week after the incident, sheriff’s officials are keeping investigation details close to the vest.

The trial for Roland Flood, 62, accused of the July 2023 murder of an Anson man, was originally expected to start this week in Skowhegan.

Moderate drought conditions across much of the state have prompted fire officials to shut off burn permits and urge caution.

All photos by Rich Abrarhamson/Morning Sentinel

The cause of a fire that destroyed two structures and displaced a family Monday afternoon is now under investigation, officials say.

The grant from the Henry P. Kendall Foundation is expected to help fund equipment to allow Maine Grains in Skowhegan to turn local milling, cheesemaking, seaweed, blueberry and soy byproducts into high-fiber, high-protein packaged goods for sale to schools.

Roland Flood, 62, is charged with the murder of Mark Trabue, 57, of Anson, who was found with multiple stab wounds in July 2023 at a Madison cemetery.

A group of volunteers with the Canaan Farmers Hall worked with local elementary school students this fall to paint 28 barn quilts, which were on display Saturday.

Two candidates are vying to fill the remainder of a resigning councilor's term, while five others campaign for two open seats.

Residents Edwin Bailey, Tod Detre and Thomas Rumpf are seeking their first terms on the town's five-person Select Board. Two candidates, Brent Chesley and Blane Casey, are incumbent councilors seeking reelection.

Two juveniles and one 18-year-old were arrested in connection to violent weapons offenses out of Massachusetts, officials said.

A quick polling of Waterville area residents about who they plan to vote for for president garnered an eclectic set of answers, Amy Calder writes.

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

Todd Parsons, 48, has died of injuries suffered in a stabbing Oct. 11 in Palmyra, according to the Maine Department of Public Safety.

Authorities are warning residents not to eat wild deer or turkey after testing found dangerous levels of "forever chemicals" in the area's wildlife.

The Office of State Fire Marshal says it is investigating a recent string of dumpster fires at Skowhegan businesses.

Gov. Janet Mills answered questions Wednesday night as part of “In the News,” an event organized by the Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs at the Waterville college.

Police say Isaac Lemieux, 21, of Lewiston, died Tuesday after his vehicle veered into the median on Interstate 95.

The board voted Tuesday night to hold a special election Feb. 11, 2025.

The ordinances, approved Tuesday at a special town meeting, were posed to voters after months of discussions among town officials.

Law enforcement continues to investigate the carbon monoxide poisonings in Freedom that killed two people and sent two others to the hospital Tuesday.

The First Church of Waterville again asked the Planning Board to recommend to the City Council that it rezone its property at 3, 5 and 7 Park St., but the board rejected the request to seek a restructuring of the existing zone to reflect the needs of an abutting property owner.

The carbon monoxide leak occurred at a house in the Waldo County town of Freedom that had been raided by law enforcement agencies earlier this year because it was the site of an illegal marijuana growing operation, officials said.

The $56.8 million project to replace the bridge spanning the Kennebec River, connecting the two communities, is expected to be completed in May 2027.

Clinton residents are scheduled to vote Nov. 5 on six referendums, including one asking if they want to borrow up to $1.9 million to help fund a new fire station.

Andrew Fertig, 69, is charged with domestic violence elevated aggravated assault, a Class A offense.

About 500 positions in food service and housekeeping at Northern Light acute care facilities, including Inland Hospital and Lakewood Continuing Care in Waterville, will be taken over by Compass One starting in January, according to a Northern Light official.

No direct threat was made against the schools in RSU/MSAD 54, but the Somerset County Sheriff's Office notified district leadership out of caution while they were searching for Stevens this morning.

A home in Corinna that housed another suspected illegal growing operation was also ordered by a judge to be taken by federal authorities earlier this month.

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

The onset of autumn brings opportunity to enjoy the sounds and scents of seasonal change, and to exercise our right to vote in what may be the most consequential presidential election of our lifetimes, Amy Calder writes.

Fidium Fiber is now available to about 1,600 homes and businesses in the rural area, as a result of state funding and collaboration among other agencies.

Tricia Costigan, president of Northern Light Inland Hospital and Northern Light Continuing Care — Lakewood in Waterville, has resigned from her position, effective immediately.

Work planned at recreation area includes paving part of the dirt road leading to the welcome center, improving parking and making changes to the wet meadow area so it may be used year-round.

Iver Cardwell, 43, has a history of domestic violence arrests and has been arrested in Clinton multiple times with violation of condition of release in recent months, police said.

Carl and Janet Quirion allowed their land to be used for a new solar array in Sidney that is expected to produce enough electricity to power about 500 homes.

The town’s Board of Selectmen and Planning Board met for their annual joint meeting Tuesday, discussing more than a dozen goals and priorities for the next year.

Americans have the ability to pick representatives who will make a huge slew of decisions affecting our futures and also our ability to empower ourselves, writes Amy Fried.

Authorities investigated a shooting on Highwood Street that prompted school officials in Waterville, Oakland and Fairfield to take lockout precautions Tuesday morning. On a video from a nearby porch camera, below, what appears to be gunshots can be heard.

Residents are set to vote Nov. 5 on five ordinances, ranging from a temporary moratorium on new electric transmission lines to changes to the town's development district and land codes.

The city plans to build a sukkah, or hut, at Castonguay Square on Tuesday that the public is invited to visit and use.

Students and faculty from Colby College were part of the performance Oct. 5 at the Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts in Waterville. Photographer Rich Abrahamson captured their rehearsals and live performance.

Students and faculty members from Colby College were also part of the recent performance of "The Black Azaleas Song Cycle" from "Post Pardon: The Opera" at the Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts at Colby. Photographer Rich Abrahamson captured their rehearsals and live performance.

The Office of State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the blaze, which consumed a house and damaged a nearby trailer, burning two residents and displacing two families.

The new trailer is to provide winter coats, sleeping bags, snow boots, toothpaste, deodorant and other necessities each month to about 100 homeless veterans and others in need.

The driver suffered head injuries Saturday afternoon after hitting a pothole on the Bald Mountain Trail, a popular spot for off-roading and ATV riding.

Restoration efforts are underway after a wind storm blew through the area Saturday but are being hampered by sustained wind speeds and uprooted trees with leaves still on the branches, officials say.

Halloween activities during the Oct. 26 event in downtown Waterville are to include pumpkin carving, a movie, live bands, a dance performance, a whodunit mystery show, many treats, an adult costume contest and a Taylor Swift sing-along.

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

The Waterville Planning Board told PoPo's Food Truck Court developer PoPo Lu that she must replace the fence she installed around the property at 121 Kennedy Memorial Drive with a stockade fence and extend it to block headlights from shining in neighbors' windows.

The stabbing was reported shortly before 3 a.m. at 482 Madawaska Road in Palmyra, according to Maine State Police.

Jason Begin is one of only a few elevator operators in the country, working out of the Cyr Block Professional Building on Main Street in Waterville, Amy Calder writes.

Kimberly Lindlof, president and CEO of the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce in Waterville, described riding out Hurricane Milton at her condo in Venice, Florida, where she is vacationing.

David Mercier, who is Athens' animal control officer, was sleeping when his puppy woke him, alerting him to the fire.

In a series of posts on Facebook, Wendy Lee MacDowell, who is running against incumbent Rep. Bill Bridgeo in House District 60, falsely claimed the government is manufacturing "weaponized weather" to target conservative states with storms and seize land for lithium mining.

Wednesday's search of the Crosby Street residence took place after a monthlong investigation into illegal drug activity at the dwelling, officials said.

Chris O’Brien, a Cold War historian who was previously a professor of history at UMF, took over as the library’s director in September.

The forecast suggests Thursday night might be a great opportunity to see the northern lights in parts of Maine.

All Maine polling locations will remain open until 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Members of United Steelworkers Local 4-9 recently voted to authorize a strike if needed amid ongoing contract negotiations, with forced overtime, health benefits and proposed changes to earned paid leave policies among their chief issues.

James W. Oliver, 57, allegedly pushed a woman into the bushes and assaulted her in Augusta.

A series of measures proposed by town officials is aimed at improving the Belgrade Lakes' water quality, which has remained poor in recent years.

At town meeting in June, residents voted to have town officials create ordinances that would restrict the location of outpatient substance use disorder treatment programs and allow for retail sales of medical marijuana.

The Select Board decided Monday against putting the purchase of the property on a special town meeting warrant, after plans fell through for a methadone clinic there.

The race pits an incumbent against two political newcomers.

Voters are to decide on three referendums seeking to allocate tax revenue for environmental projects, to repair the bridge on Mill Hill Road and to change the Vassalboro Sanitary District's charter.

Thomas A. McCormick Sr., who is unenrolled, is running for reelection to his Ward 7 City Council seat in the November election, and faces opposition from political newcomer Catherine Tamara Herard, a Democrat.

Christine Schmidt, formerly the assistant director of special education in Augusta, says her role is particularly important as teachers report increasing emotional and behavioral dysregulation among students.

County officials say it has been difficult recently to find a qualified candidate to run the Registry of Deeds, so they are posing the referendum again to voters.

Members of United Steelworkers Local 4-9 voted Sept. 20 to authorize a strike and are a planning a rally for Tuesday, a news release said.

Seven months of talks that both union and school officials say were some of the most strained in the school district's history wrapped up this week with a new contract for the district's education technicians, custodians and food workers.

Investigators are still looking for the cause of a fire that destroyed a vacant house at 864 Unity Road in Benton Thursday. Firefighters returned to the scene around midnight when it reignited.

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

No place is immune from severe weather events that can destroy communities, and we must heed the advice of climate experts and prepare, Amy Calder writes.

Firefighters from several communities battled the fire Thursday afternoon at 864 Unity Road.

Incumbent Dana W. Wrigley Sr. faces opposition from Shawn Michael Nava and Kelly Roderick for the pair of three-year seats on the Oakland Town Council.

Incumbent Councilor Dale Macklin to face Stephen Soucy, who is seeking his first term in elected office.

The Board of Selectmen may soon ask voters to authorize the purchase of 2 Old Point Ave., the former Taylor’s Drug Store in the center of Madison.

William J. Douglass Jr., 39, pleaded guilty to several charges for the assaults, and to charges that he damaged a communication device from a Somerset County Sheriff’s Office vehicle.

Twice a year, Oakland's gardening brigade takes to the streets to bring some floral joy to those who walk or drive through town.

John Wayne Peters, 63, pleaded guilty Tuesday to nine counts of possession of sexually explicit material of a minor younger than 12, and one count of failure to comply with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

The town plans to raze the building at 1113 Kennedy Memorial Drive this year and eventually construct a new Town Office there if voters approve plans.

Sgt. Aaron Skolfield was joined by mental health advocates and a former legislator at a press conference Monday to publicize Maine's Progressive Treatment Program, which they say could have prevented last year's Lewiston shooting.

Members of United Steelworkers Local 449 at the Huhtamaki food service and packaging products mill in Waterville voted overwhelmingly to ratify a three-year contract that includes wage increases and more vacation time.

As part of her “Gather Hear Tour,” Boston-based pianist Miki Sawada has been playing the piano across Maine, the seventh state she has toured since the project began.

The festival on the Skowhegan-Canaan line features vendors, live music and other activities, and is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

The proposed acquisition of the Maine DOT lot on U.S. Route 2, where the district now parks its buses, would come at no cost to local taxpayers since it is part of MSAD 54’s new elementary school construction project, according to district officials.

Maine awarded its nonemergency medical transport contract for eligible MaineCare recipients to Modivcare, but Penquis Community Action Program has appealed that decision, with KVCAP officials saying moving to Modivcare could devastate KVCAP's transportation system.

While an appeal process is ongoing, the state extended the contract with Penquis to the end of this year.

Star Cunningham and her son had been missing from their family's Fairfield home since Monday.

Some say the proposal for a new flag on the Nov. 5 ballot is an attempt to erase history, while others argue it's related to Christian nationalism. To most, though, the meanings of our state flag and its potential replacement are more personal.

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

While much changed around the Island Dairy Treat in Skowhegan during the 72 seasons it was in business, the ice cream stand soldiered on as a tradition that brought much joy to longtime residents and customers, Amy Calder writes.

The Nov. 5 election will decide who replaces Ray Caron, who stepped down abruptly from the council earlier this month and ended his reelection bid.

The former owners of the decades-old ice cream stand said that they could not come to an agreement with the new property owner about how to keep the business in operation as it was.

Charles Robbins, elected to his second term in 2023, said he could no longer balance his duties as a selectman with family responsibilities and a busy professional life.

The board had voted in August to continue withholding a final payment of $20,000 to Benchmark Construction of Westbrook. Selectmen decided Tuesday to move forward with the payment.

The 'All out for Lebanon' protest was held concurrently with hundreds of others in cities across the country in response to a barrage of Israeli attacks that have killed nearly 600 people in the last week.

Nicholas Carter, 31, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with all but 10 years suspended in lieu of probation, after he was convicted earlier this month of aggravated assault.

Amid months of turmoil in the town office, councilors were set to discuss giving the town manager a higher payout if she was fired by the town. Instead, councilors voted to revoke their ability to fire her without cause altogether.

Those who owned the ice cream stand at 23 Island Ave. said the property’s new owner has other plans for the location.

A Somerset County Sheriff's Office official has identified the inmate found dead inside her cell late Friday as Amber Marie Mills, 29.

A car hit Mezza at 34 Temple St. on Friday morning, causing substantial damage. The vehicle then left the scene, according to Tom Nale Sr., the restaurant's owner.