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
July 31, 2021

Longtime West Gardiner selectman honored at surprise celebration

Friends and family turned out to the West Gardiner town garage Saturday for a potluck lunch to celebrate Mert Hickey and his years of service to the town.
Published
July 30, 2021

Two central Maine organizations receive United Way Innovation Fund grants

Created earlier this year by the United Way of Kennebec Valley, the Innovation Fund has awarded grants to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine and Healthy Communities of the Capital Area.
Published
July 29, 2021

Changes come to Gardiner Public Library as longtime leaders retire

Friday marks Scott Handville’s last day at the library, after four decades as assistant director. Library Director Anne Davis, who is also retiring this year.
Published
July 24, 2021

Kennebec County Administrator Robert Devlin to retire at year’s end

Devlin was hired as Kennebec County’s first administrator, after he lobbied the Maine State Legislature to allow counties the independent authority to hire professional managers without seeking permission from state lawmakers.
Published
July 23, 2021

Gardiner wastewater treatment upgrades are underway

The $3.5 million project, funded by a combination of federal loan and grant money, is replacing the aging treatment infrastructure with a newer version that’s more energy efficient.
Published
July 21, 2021

Gardiner At-Large City Councilor Maryann White to step down

Now in her third term, Maryann White said she is resigning from the City Council because she and her husband are selling their house and leaving Gardiner.
Published
July 20, 2021

Protests take aim at Hallowell’s state Rep. Charlotte Warren after social media post

A comment on the now-deleted Facebook page of Rep. Charlotte Warren, suggesting that straight, white men are too emotional to be in politics, has sparked protests, but some fellow legislators are defending her free speech rights.
Published
July 16, 2021

Gardiner Public Library follows growing trend in suspending late fees for books

The move comes as more public libraries across central Maine and the country recognize that imposing late fees is an equity issue.
Published
July 15, 2021

Sold: Augusta’s Western View golf course under contract

The public nine-hole golf course, located on state Route 3 in Augusta, was offered at auction by Keenan Auction Company after a deal to sell the property fell through earlier this year.
Published
July 12, 2021

Gardiner officials kick off city manager search

With the help of a consultant, the search for Gardiner’s top administrative official begins this week, including a chance for residents to give input at a workshop.