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 20, 2020

Two more petitions on rural development submitted in Richmond

The Board of Selectmen is expected to take up the petitions Monday. Under state law, the board is obligated to put citizens’ petitions on the next Town Meeting warrant or hold a special Town Meeting within 60 days.
Published
September 17, 2020

Gardiner continues debate on ‘normalizing’ marijuana

As city officials move closer to approving a temporary ban on more cannabis shops in the city, some people say normalizing marijuana is dangerous for young children and teenagers.
Published
September 15, 2020

Maine Cabin Masters meets the Maine Shack in Manchester pop-up event

Longtime friends who pursued different paths in business are coming together Wednesday in Manchester at a popup event that brings together the Maine Cabin Masters with The Maine Shack, a Denver restaurant.
Published
September 14, 2020

Gardiner officials consider property maintenance standards

The proposed change to the city code sets out minimum standards for property maintenance for residential and commercial properties.
Published
September 11, 2020

Gardiner attorney’s license suspended over sexual advances to clients

Clarence H. Spurling’s license to practice law was suspended by order of the state Supreme Judicial Court after the state Board of Overseers of the Bar alleged he inappropriately touched one client and made sexual advances toward another client who was ‘substantially incapacitated’ after drinking.
Published
September 10, 2020

Gardiner officials to debate temporary ban on cannabis business licenses

The City Council is considering a moratorium to pause new applications for licenses while the Ordinance Review Committee considers whether regulations Gardiner enacted earlier this year need revising.
Published
September 9, 2020

Planning Board to consider revised Gardiner Green proposal

Developer Paul Boghossian has adjusted his proposal for the adaptive reuse of MaineGeneral Healthcare’s Dresden Avenue buildings to create 51 dwelling units, with no new construction unless additional land is bought.
Published
September 3, 2020

Gardiner man angrily rejects city plan to boost mask wearing

Curtis Ayotte says he will not comply with mask-wearing regulations; Gardiner officials convene task force to make recommendations to City Council.
Published
September 2, 2020

Richmond developer petitions for land use ordinance changes

Frustrated by delays in putting proposed changes to the Land Use Ordinance governing subdivisions before voters, Jeremy Purington brought a citizen’s petition to the Board of Selectmen — voters will get weigh in Nov. 3.
Published
August 31, 2020

MaineGeneral officials, Gardiner residents talk about hospital redevelopment

Paul Stein, MaineGeneral’s chief operating officer, acknowledged hospital officials should have met with neighborhood residents while making decisions about the Dresden Avenue property.