The board on Monday also discussed a request by Mayor Nick Isgro to create a zoning district for mobile home parks.

The council is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Mid-Day Cafe of Mid-Maine Technical Center at Waterville Senior High School.

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

Unity President Melik Peter Khoury said the announcement is "not simply a reaction to the pandemic,” although the "financial impact of COVID-19 certainly expedited our plans."

Students worked alongside Barry Dana and apprentice Nathan Dana to build a wigwam, which stands at the Skowhegan History House.

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

The partnership with SVN | The Urbanek Group Advisors is expected to provide FirstPark greater exposure in Maine and New England, and connections nationally and globally through SVN's network of offices and affiliates.

A chance meeting at night with famed actress Olivia Mary De Havilland inside a bookstore remains a powerful memory for J.P. Devine.

Community Service and Outreach Committee launches digital fundraiser July 13, raises $740 for Community First Fund.

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

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

Having a nice camera, the ability to use it may be basic to the job, but a bit of luck, the happenstance of coincidence presents the opportunity.

Along with Coelho, 11 other Democrats were nominated as the party's candidates in the November election.

The 45-year relationship between Temple Academy and Centerpoint Community Church, both of Waterville, is coming to an end so the school can better establish itself as a nondenominational Christian institution.

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

Outstanding nonprofit board service to be recognized.

Tabatha Steward said her eldest son was home when the fire broke out, which killed their five pets over the weekend.

A local landlord said that she has been put in a tough situation after students who had signed lease agreements to live in one of her rental units were told that they had to live on campus.

The Skowhegan Fire Department's response was described as a precautionary measure, according to firefighter Joe Almand.

Becky Hapgood, who worked as the China town clerk for more than 26 years, said she's most excited to continue serving residents in her new role as town manager.

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

I don’t know what else to do except to keep pointing to facts from the real world, writes Dana Wilde.

Despite lacking key information from Gov. Janet Mills, the Winslow Public School District has drafted a plan for instruction in the school year and invested $52,000 in laptop computers to ensure enough are available for remote learning.

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

Since putting its first used ambulance into service July 6, the Fire Department has transported 32 patients, with only two calls requiring coverage from Delta Ambulance.

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

Police: David "Mike" Obert, 51, was driving on Ward Hill Road in Madison on the morning of July 4, 2019, when his dump truck collided with a Pontiac Torrent driven by Joyce Gipson, 85, killing her and her husband, Keith Blackwell, 80.

Chloe Riportella, 17, of Sidney was riding in the back seat of a 2003 Toyota Camry when it rolled Sunday afternoon on Winding Hill Road. She suffered what police described as minor injuries, none related to her having been pinned under the car.

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

Standard Waterproofing had to adjust quickly once the coronavirus pandemic hit, but has remained busy during COVID-19 — including working on the Lockwood Hotel and the sprawling Colby athletic complex, both under construction in Waterville.

As careful as a person might be during the coronavirus pandemic, getting caught without a mask or gloves can trigger a most disconcerting panic, J.P. Devine writes.

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

The restaurant occupies the space It's A Good Pizza operated out of for more than 40 years and its staff hopes to make it a community gathering spot.

The double wide mobile home, located on Hanover Street in Skowhegan, was completely destroyed by a kitchen fire that broke out Friday evening.

It's not just a comet; it's a comet viewed from Maine and that will come this way again in 6,800 years, writes Mike Seamans.

People & Places: Veilleux to join Laflin & Wolfington Realty team in Farmingdale; Kennebec Estuary Land Trust welcomes new board members

Virtual format paves the way for nonprofits to raise funds during pandemic.

The Somerset County Grand Jury handed up indictments on Thursday, charging 29 people with charges that include theft, drug offenses and domestic violence.

Sonnet Myers says she was parking her car across the street from Portland Pie when her car was struck by another vehicle, sending it through the entrance of the Colby College residence hall on Main Street.

Regional School Unit 18 has developed a draft of what the upcoming school year could look like for students, including giving parents the option of having their children taught remotely, whether that is required or not.

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

Hatred, fear and nastiness could be eliminated with a simple, universal vow to be kind to one another, Amy Calder writes.

The Support Services Committee met Thursday to discuss their ideas for mascot names, finishing the list with a total of nine suggestions.

Representatives of marijuana-related businesses have told city officials that Waterville's ordinance governing the development of marijuana businesses is comprehensive and easy to understand.

Peter Reny restores, repairs and sells vintage Fords to those who haven't the time to work on the cars themselves, but appreciate owning and driving a classic car.

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

Waterville police say a woman was injured in the accident, which sent a 2005 Jeep Wrangler into the Colby College residence hall on Main Street.

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

The Education Policy and Program Committee convened on Tuesday evening to discuss their ideas for mascot names, with the next subcommittee meeting on Thursday to do the same.

Smith, a Democrat who represented Ward 3, cited the difficulty of balancing career, family obligations and council work as the reason for resigning her seat.

The City Council on Tuesday voted 4-3 to urge businesses to encourage customers and employees to wear face coverings.

The Municipal Review Committee, which represents the waste disposal interests of 115 Maine municipalities, reported Wednesday that four entities expressed interest in buying the Coastal Maine LLC recycling and waste-to-energy facility.

Buttonbush blossom is a natural miracle you can see performed every year, writes Dana Wilde.

The proposed municipal and school budget for 2020-21 would not increase the current tax rate of $25.76 per $1,000 worth of valuation.

Colby Dyer, 30, of Fairfield, is in critical condition after being struck by a car early Monday morning on the Norridgewock Road.

The Winslow School District's back-to-school committee is trying to plan for the upcoming school year, but is unable to make significant progress as it awaits greater guidance from the state.

Chief Deputy Michael Mitchell at the Somerset County Sheriff's Office confirmed on Tuesday that one adult was treated for minor injuries and a juvenile was LifeFlighted to be treated for a head injury.

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

College to launch Lunder Institute Talks via Zoom, more

The Planning Board on Monday also voted 6-1 to approve a final plan for a marijuana cultivation facility at 46 Industrial Road.

Town Manager Richard LaBelle said that applications will start being reviewed at the beginning of August.

Councilors on Tuesday night are also expected to consider a resolution urging businesses to encourage customers and employees to wear face coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It's been a scorcher outside lately. Central Mainers show off how they're keeping cool.

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

Voters approved a $15 million bond last week to push high-speed internet service into more low-density areas of Maine.

'This is probably the lowest point that I've ever seen,' says one logging industry veteran and association president.

Consumers invited to connect with Maine farms online to explore and support local agriculture.

A lone vehicle drove off the southbound exit ramp Sunday at mile marker 127.

The state's July 14 primary shattered previous records for absentee ballot use in a primary.

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

Those interested in grants of up to $5,000 have until July 31 to submit applications through somersetbusinessresources.org.

After acquiring a plethora of Rice Krispies and cream-style corn, J.P. Devine ponders possible recipes and the mysterious absence of wedding soup.

Amid a nationwide debate over how and when to reopen schools, Maine teachers and staff have concerns about health and safety, how to enforce mask-wearing and what to do if their own children's schedules don't align with theirs.

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

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

The ability to play fall sports will likely depend on each county's risk for COVID-19 spread.

225 people showed up to the Skowhegan Drive-In on Thursday evening for the final screening of the 23rd annual Maine International Film Festival.

Amy Calder remembers the extraordinary life of thespian Emily Rowden Fournier, who perished in a whitewater rafting accident.

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

Onset of pandemic and having to offer courses 100% online enabled the college to more quickly migrate its graduate courses and have them approved.

Although no decisions are set in stone until the state provides guidance, the district is exploring the possibility of returning students to the classroom and the board received an update on choosing a mascot.

The charter commission expects to present its proposed changes Aug. 4 to the City Council. Ultimately, city voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to approve any changes.

Oakland Town Manager Gary Bowman says the Kennebec Regional Diversity Initiative seeks to improve the quality of life in the region.

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

The comet was discovered March 27 by NASA's Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer mission, NEOWISE.

The three-vehicle collision happened around 4:45 p.m. and a Skowhegan woman was arrested.

Voters dealt with town and school budgets, decided who would be running for state office in a couple of contests, and put their trust in people who were elected to school boards and selectmen's panels.

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

Actor Richard Jenkins has always shared the screen with the central players and then slowly drew the camera away from them to his character, J.P. Devine writes.

During Tuesday's heavy rain storm, a stream behind Cumberland Farms and McDonald's restaurant off China Road overflowed, and flooded the area with water 3 feet deep in some places.

I know my anger is really a reflection of my fear. Luckily, there are ways I can show love for my fellow humans, writes Liz Soares.

The Somerset County Sheriff's Department arrests woman and two men and seizes about $12,000 worth of heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, crack cocaine, and a live, 2-foot-long alligator.

Emily Fournier, 32, of Fairfield, died on Saturday in a drowning accident on the Kennebec River.

For Waterville, China, Fairfield, Norridgewock and Skowhegan, Tuesday's primary election ran smoothly despite strict health and safety guidelines and longer ballots brought on by the coronavirus.

The Winslow Public School District has formed a committee that will meet every week to decide how to instruct students in the new school year once they receive information on how to do that safely from the state.

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

Small businesses, entrepreneurs or sole proprietors in Waterville, Winslow, Fairfield and Oakland needing an infusion of cash because of the coronavirus pandemic can apply for grants of up to $2,000.

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

The soup kitchen, which operated at Sacred Heart Church for 40 years, closed temporarily when the coronavirus pandemic hit in March.

The state has issued guidelines concerning social distancing, masks and keeping pens and surfaces clean that towns such as Waterville, Fairfield and China have used to keep voters safe.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the fair this year will be a small agricultural fair to be held in September on the Skowhegan fairgrounds.

Marie and John Kirven say they were told long ago it was not possible to grow lavender in Maine, which motivated them to grow lavender in Maine.

Emily Fournier, 33, died Saturday after being ejected from a raft on the upper Kennebec River.

The Skowhegan-based school district faces several challenges in the coming year including the possible return of students to reopened schools and a final resolution of the nickname/mascot issue.

A grant awarded Bricks Coworking, Thomas College and Tortoise Labs aims to provide training in design, the development of software and accommodations for startup entrepreneurs.

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

The proposed budget on which residents will vote Tuesday represents an 8.6% increase to current spending.

Tracing his own family's hearing difficulties, J.P. Devine is thinking about age-related problems and patching things up.

With an essential job that brings you into close contact with people who may have been exposed to COVID-19, is there a worse time to experience symptoms listed on the Maine CDC website than the first day of vacation?

"American Thief" is a fiction-documentary hybrid film that used real life events that occurred in the United States between 2015 and 2020 to drive its narrative.

"The 11th Green," which the Maine International Film Festival is screening Tuesday, is perfect Skowhegan Drive-In movie fare, writes J.P. Devine.

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

Maureen Davis of Skowhegan tried contacting Gov. Janet Mills and Sen. Angus King about the policy in place requiring people to be tested, and the reality that nobody seems to be able to get a test and there is a significant lack of coordination.

Two Democrats seek party's nomination for state representative from House District 112, which includes Starks, Anson and Kingfield, among 16 communities in Somerset and Franklin counties.

The two cities are less than 20 miles apart and have similar overnight populations, but only Augusta was identified in the executive order on enforcing mask wearing. The answer might be in the numbers.

In the upcoming July 14 state primary, Rick Foss and Edward Cohen are running against one another for State Representative for District 109 in Waterville.

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

Stephanie Wade of Madison has been charged with aggravated assault and aggravated criminal mischief in an altercation where a person was struck with a bat.

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

Orbweaving spiders perceive the world mainly through vibrations of silk and air, parallel to the way we perceive the world mainly through light and sound, writes Dana Wilde.

The $6.5 million project financed in part by Peter and Paula Lunder will break ground this week and is set to be completed in April 2021.

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

The council also voted 4-3 to amend the $4.03 million capital improvement bond to reflect the addition of $250,000 for a police firearms training range.

The first night of the Maine International Film Festival brought carloads of moviegoers to the Skowhegan Drive-In Theatre.

The search for a new town manager, which began with 30 applicants, was narrowed Tuesday afternoon to a single finalist.

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

This year's Maine International Film Festival will be held at the Skowhegan Drive-In, which accommodates 350 cars.

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

Maine State Trooper Mickael Nunez, 30, was released from MaineGeneral after having surgery last month on a severely broken leg.

City councilors are scheduled to take a first vote Tuesday on the proposed municipal and school budget for 2020-21, and consider a final vote on a proposed $4 million bond package.

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

Since J.P. and She won't be dining out anytime soon, it may be a good time to clean out the closet and discard some past adornments, and each has a story to tell, says J.P. Devine.

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

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

Attendance varies from year to year according to parade organizer Earlene Margetts, but this year the Pattee's Pond Fourth of July boat parade saw a group of 21 boats join the procession.

Though commercial shows are canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, the manager at Pyro City Maine says the business has seen an increase in customers that want to do their own fireworks shows.

Though traditional July Fourth celebrations will be altered this weekend because of the coronavirus pandemic, Mainers will likely find safe and fun ways to mark the holiday, Amy Calder writes.

A lack of rain that followed late-spring frosts worried farmers, but pickers are turning out early and often to gather strawberries while observing public health recommendations related to COVID-19.

Officers say they responded to the report of a theft at about 4 a.m. Thursday on Butler Street, where they found the juvenile breaking into a vehicle.

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

The grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration supports communities responding to and recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

If the Three Corners Solar Project in Unity Township, Benton and Clinton is approved by the Maine Public Utilities Commission and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, construction could begin in 2021.

A spokesperson for the company said that the factories sent employees home on Wednesday and that the Norway factory will close on Thursday for cleaning as an employee awaits results from coronavirus test.

Two Massachusetts men have been arrested and charged and are being held at the Somerset County Jail in Madison.

The Municipal Review Committee told member municipalities and others that 3/4 of their trash was being diverted to the Orrington waste-to-energy plant while the Fiberight plant in Hampden is shut down.

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

While I sympathize with the small business owners who are losing money because of the dearth of visitors, this is an ideal opportunity for Mainers to enjoy Maine, writes Liz Soares.

The MSAD 54 board of directors convenes for only its second in-person meeting since the coronavirus pandemic closed school facilities in mid-March.

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

The $10 million opening plan includes input from medical professionals, 50 faculty members and 10 task forces, and involves administering 85,000 tests for the coronavirus to students, faculty and staff in the fall semester.

Farid A. Hamrouni, 18, of Waterville, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident, operating without a license, criminal mischief, and attaching false plates after a Chevy Impala crashed Monday night on Water Street.

The Waterville Planning Board on Monday is scheduled to consider a plan for a marijuana growing operation on Industrial Road, just down the road from another marijuana operation licensed by the city in May.

The Winslow Town Council and School Board meet to discuss using the old junior high school so students can follow social-distancing guidelines.

The community group that began 25 years ago and is an umbrella for local nonprofit groups is working to boost membership and raise at least $35,000 to stay afloat.

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

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

Founded by Colby and Thomas college students, the businesses have their roots in the Greenlight Pitch competitions backed by both schools, which have attracted $20 million in investments over five years of competition.

Musings on masks — both real and metaphorical — have J.P. Devine thinking about what we choose to wear during the grand production of our lives.

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

Brent Colbry was among the first teachers to bring special education to Maine schools, managed school districts through financial crises and seen huge advances in technology that have ultimately helped schools navigate the pandemic.

The project hit a snag Thursday when a valve on a pipe failed near the intersection of Main and Silver streets downtown, flooding Main Street and forcing the Kennebec Water District to shut off water to three restaurants on Silver Street for a few hours.

Recent drought conditions mean a natural fungus that keeps the infestation in check isn't happening, as the caterpillars with poisonous hairs decimate trees in some areas of the region.

Instead of implementing strict safety guidelines and gradually phase students back onto campus, Unity College has decided to forgo in-person instruction for the 2020-2021 school year and continue its instruction remotely.

College officials unveiled the comprehensive safety plan the school has created in order to bring students and staff back to campus despite the continuing coronavirus pandemic.

The mystery of a homing pigeon that appeared last weekend at Amy Calder's sister's house in Skowhegan led to a journey to find the bird's owner and while some questions were answered, others remain elusive.

Michael Heavener, 63, of Winslow. spent 21 years in law enforcement before taking over the town manager position in October 2006, a job he originally said he would never want to take.

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

The bridge study team is looking for feedback from members of the community over the next two weeks to add to the comments gathered from some 40 residents who joined the virtual meeting Thursday night.

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

The suspects, all from Pittsfield, have been identified as Shanna M. Vicnaire, 27; Joshua Cookson, 31; Lori Norrie, 47; and Shane Vicnaire, 51.

The 2021 diesel school bus from the Blue Bird Corporation will be financed through a grant from the Department of Transportation and aid from the Department of Education.

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

City Planner Ann Beverage reported Wednesday that Planning Board member Tom Nale Jr. resigned from the board Tuesday.

Sometimes I get chills when my mind homes in on the fact that spiders are sentient, writes Dana Wilde.

The proposed budget for 2020-21 is $101,000 less than the current spending plan and heads to a referendum vote on July 14.

Melik Peter Khoury, the college's president, said the tuition reduction helps Unity meet its mission to make education more accessible.

Councilors voted Tuesday to add some of Councilor Flavia Oliveira's alternate decree to Phil Bofia's resolution about Black Lives Matter, but the debate proved divisive as another councilor declared, "All lives matter."

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

The board voted unanimously to appoint Krigbaum, 29, a senior software engineer for Tyler Technologies, to the Ward 5 seat vacated by Julian Payne, who resigned recently.

Resident Kelly Couture says Selectman Alan Tibbetts' "LIAR" signs are "divisive" and "borderline hate speech." Couture also accused Tibbetts of moving and damaging Trump-Pence campaign signs, which he denies.

A second meeting after the first one held in September 2019 has been delayed in great part by the coronavirus pandemic.

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

Police: Steven Warfield was arrested Sunday in Canaan and charged with assault, burglary, terrorizing, aggravated criminal trespass and a probation hold.

State Police: Antonio Martinez, 22, was likely texting while driving Sunday night and lost control of his pickup truck near Exit 43 in Richmond.

The Waterville Planning Board on Monday will consider making recommendations to the City Council on creating a solar farm district in the zoning ordinance and rezoning parts of County and Webb roads for solar farms.