Jessica Lowell

Kennebec Journal

Jessica Lowell covers business and economic development and general news in the Gardiner area. After short but intense aspirations to be an opera singer (age 4) and a deep-sea diver (age 6) her most enduring passion has been telling stories. A University of Maine graduate, she worked for newspapers in New Hampshire, upstate New York and Wyoming, where she has won awards for investigative and explanatory journalism. She’s a fellow of the Knight Center for Specialized Journalism and the Institute for Journalism and Natural Resources. After several years out of journalism, she returned to Maine and to writing, where she spends her free time enjoying both trees and the ocean, two commodities that Wyoming lacks.

Latest

Published
April 10, 2023

Investigators unable to determine cause of fire at Monmouth commercial apple orchard

The fire began in the south end of the garage and workshop of Cooper Farms Holdings facility that was destroyed, but the damage is too extensive to determine the fire’s cause.
Published
April 10, 2023

Gardiner’s Christ Church members rally to save 200-year-old steeple

Church officials are working to raise about $1 million to pay for repairs to the steeple of the oldest Episcopal church in the Diocese of Maine, beginning with a fundraiser scheduled for May 6.
Published
April 9, 2023

Fire destroys building at Monmouth commercial apple operation

Official: The fire had been burning for at least two hours Saturday night before it was seen and reported by passersby. The cause is under investigation.
Published
April 8, 2023

Augusta egg hunt draws scores of children in search of Easter treats

Despite chilly temperatures, families from across the region converged on Augusta’s Mill Park on Saturday to collect Easter eggs, hang out with the Easter Bunny and try for a prize basket.
Published
April 8, 2023

Central Maine fires draw crews from across the region

A small fire in an apartment, a brush fire and a vehicle fire that spread to a garage kept fire crews hopping Friday afternoon and evening.
Published
April 6, 2023

Gardiner City Council chooses McGough again for school board vacancy

Cullum McGough, who was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Gardiner-area school board in 2021, was chosen again Wednesday to fill a different school board vacancy as elected officials opted to delay filling the vacant City Council seat.
Published
April 5, 2023

Gardiner names police chief, library director

The Gardiner City Council unanimously approved the permanent appointments of Todd Pilsbury, interim police chief, and Dawn Thistle, interim library director. Pilsbury and Thistle are longtime city employees.
Published
March 30, 2023

West Gardiner endorses spending plan, rejects lot size change

In an advisory vote, town residents on Saturday rejected a proposal to increase the town’s minimum lot size to 3 acres, but they remain concerned about West Gardiner’s fast rate of growth.
Published
March 29, 2023

West Gardiner’s proposed budget to remain flat

West Gardiner residents are expected to elect a selectman and vote on the annual budget during Saturday’s Town Meeting as well as weigh in on banning future solar farms and self-storage facilities.
Published
March 28, 2023

Augusta officials urge caution after report of skunk with rabies

The Maine Center for Disease Control notified Augusta city officials that a skunk in the area of Northern Avenue has contracted rabies.