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
August 31, 2020

Gardiner officials grapple with emerging cannabis market

A group of Gardiner residents is seeking a temporary ban for new cannabis-related businesses in the city, even as another potential retailer seeks a license for a dispensary on Water Street.
Published
August 30, 2020

Central Maine theaters take cautious steps toward fall season

Theaters and event centers are taking different approaches to welcoming people back through their doors as they wait to see when public health restrictions on gatherings due to COVID-19 might loosen.
Published
August 28, 2020

Central Maine independent record stores celebrate music in a different way

While Record Store Day in April was canceled, the reimagined RSD Drops 2020 is bringing customers back to independent record stores, even as one longtime owner says goodbye.
Published
August 26, 2020

Gardiner motorcycle crash victims remembered as loving young couple

The families of Anthony Fournier and Krissy Doughty remembered them as a couple who were living their lives to the fullest.
Published
August 23, 2020

Gardiner churchyard project reassembles stone pieces

For six years, three people have been working to locate and repair gravestones for the churchyard next to Christ Church Episcopal. With just four identified graves left, they are wondering if more stones will turn up.
Published
August 19, 2020

Winthrop’s Craig Hickman casts Maine votes for Biden at Democratic National Convention

The small businessman and first openly gay, Black man to serve in the Maine House of Representatives generated buzz following his 30-second appearance at the virtual convention’s roll call Tuesday evening.
Published
August 17, 2020

Two from Augusta indicted in 2019 Richmond murder

Tyon K. Shuron, 43, and Chanda Lilly, 31, were arrested earlier this year in connection with the murder last year of Andrew Sherman, who died after being shot in the head.
Published
August 17, 2020

Three New York men arrested on drug charges after I-295 traffic stop in Richmond

Police: The men tossed several small plastic bags from the stopped vehicle. They bags were found to contain cocaine and fentanyl.
Published
August 16, 2020

Opportunities emerge on Gardiner’s Water Street

Some projects, such as the Jokers & Rogues craft brewery, are nearing completion, while newer ones, including Ruby’s Place bakery at 242 Water St., are on a shorter schedule for opening.
Published
August 14, 2020

Fire damages crane, logs at Mount Vernon wood lot

Crews from seven emergency response departments responded for the report of an explosion on Hovey Luce Road, but found only a crane and logs on fire, which they were able to extinguish.