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
September 24, 2023

Kickoff to Fall Fair wraps up in Augusta

The four-day fair, which drew hundreds of people to Augusta’s Mill Park, helped usher in fall with food, rides, games and fun.
Published
September 23, 2023

West Gardiner residents push back on ordinance proposals

Following a public hearing at which town residents challenged how selectmen were proposing to regulate solar installations and medical cannabis retail stores and cultivation operations, revised versions will be prepared and posted before they head to an Oct. 5 special town meeting to vote on them.
Published
September 22, 2023

Augusta’s Viles Arboretum opens wetland boardwalk

The arboretum, on the east side of the state’s capital city, used both money from the Bureau of Parks and Lands as well as other fundraising to pay for the boardwalk that allows easy access to the wetland area along the north edge of its 224-acre facility.
Published
September 21, 2023

Ironman 70.3 to remain in central Maine through 2027

Officials announced Thursday that they have reached an agreement that will keep the triathlon in Augusta for three additional years,
Published
September 19, 2023

Farmingdale man bitten twice by fox outside his home

Officials say David Polley was treated for possible exposure to rabies, even though the body of the fox could not be recovered after it was shot.
Published
September 18, 2023

West Gardiner to reconsider restrictions for solar, self-storage and medical pot operations

After setting aside the four proposed ordinances earlier this year, West Gardiner officials are presenting revised ordinances at a public hearing Wednesday, with voting at a special town meeting scheduled for October.
Published
September 15, 2023

Mills urges caution as Hurricane Lee’s landfall looms

At a press conference Friday afternoon, state officials said the large wind field is expected to bring damaging winds and flooding to the state on Saturday.
Published
September 15, 2023

Central Maine prepares for impacts from Hurricane Lee

Emergency responders and public works departments are adding staff, checking equipment and reaching out to people without shelter as the storm heads closer to Maine, with gusting winds and blowing rain.
Published
September 13, 2023

Turnpike traffic to be impacted as work wraps up on West Gardiner interchange

Contractors are removing the old entering ramp at Exit 102 on the Maine Turnpike, which has been replaced with a new ramp.
Published
September 13, 2023

Central Maine likely to experience flash floods, power outages from Hurricane Lee

Four and a half months after heavy rain and flooding damaged infrastructure throughout central Maine, emergency managers are urging communities to prepare for wind and rain.