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
June 3, 2020

Richmond to fete its 2020 graduates in new way

Balancing celebration with public health concerns, Richmond will hold an outdoor graduation, followed by a reverse parade to honor graduates.
Published
June 1, 2020

Gardiner officials to consider reduced budget proposal

City councilors will also be asked to confirm the appointment of Michael Vella as director of the Department of Public Works.
Published
May 31, 2020

Richmond’s RSU 2 withdrawal committee continues work toward June 30 deadline

Despite delays in receiving information, the committee appointed to negotiate Richmond’s withdrawal from its school district still hopes to meet deadlines for leaving RSU 2 in 2021, if Richmond voters agree.
Published
May 31, 2020

Gardiner City Hall, Public Library reopening to public Monday

Gardiner residents will be able to transact business in person at Gardiner City Hall, as long as they wear masks, observe limits to the number of people allowed into the public areas and bring their own pens.
Published
May 31, 2020

Central Maine gym owners chafe at restrictions, await reopening decision

With their focus on health and safety, gym and fitness facility owners say they are frustrated with delays in reopening their businesses
Published
May 28, 2020

Gardiner officials look to cut spending, add firefighter-paramedics

In their first debate on the proposed $6.6 million city budget, Gardiner city councilors said Wednesday night they seek to trim more than $200,000 from the spending plan, while figuring out how to add three firefighter-paramedics.
Published
May 26, 2020

Gardiner Public Library officials look to freeze fees

In response to economic uncertainty brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, the library’s board of trustees is recommending city officials not increase the fees neighboring communities pay to use the library.
Published
May 25, 2020

Richmond readies for summer, but without recreation program, Richmond Days

While Richmond’s KOA campground can be open to Maine residents starting Memorial Day weekend, other summer activities have been canceled.
Published
May 25, 2020

More changes shape summer season in downtown Augusta

Outdoor dining, a new gallery and new apartments now under construction mark the latest chapter in downtown Augusta’s revival.
Published
May 22, 2020

Downtown Gardiner businesses proceed with caution

Downtown Gardiner retailers are opening their doors to customers again with public health protections in place, hoping to draw their customers back.