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
April 7, 2020

Gardiner bridge replacement delayed due to coronavirus concerns

Starting Friday, Reed & Reed, the contractor on the Gardiner bridge replacement project, will stop work because of the coronavirus pandemic, putting the work there on hold.
Published
April 6, 2020

Gardiner educators outline plans for continued school closure

As more restrictions on public gatherings are put in place, Gardiner-area educators outline plans to continue to provide education and meals to the district’s students.
Published
April 6, 2020

Gardiner to consider delaying April meetings

The April 15 budget session and the April 22 city council meeting could be delayed.
Published
April 4, 2020

Central Maine distillers turn from spirits to sanitizer

With demand for craft spirits dropping following the closure of bars and restaurants across Maine, distillers are turning their talents to crafting high-proof alcohol needed to make hand sanitizer.
Published
April 3, 2020

Dresden delays April special election until June

Elected officials also extended the deadline for nomination papers for the selecman’s seat that’s up for election on June 9.
Published
April 2, 2020

Coronavirus fears extinguish open burns in parts of central Maine

As more people seek permits to burn off brush in an annual rite of spring, state and local fire officials are urging people to wait — if they can — over coronavirus concerns.
Published
April 1, 2020

Frosty’s permanently closes Gardiner, Freeport locations

Company owners Nels and Shelby Omdal say they are making this move now to preserve their company in the long run.
Published
March 30, 2020

Gardiner convenience store burgled early Saturday

Cumberland Farms, normally open 24 hours a day, was burglarized early Saturday when two suspects broke in and stole several hundred dollars worth of merchandise.
Published
March 27, 2020

Central Maine organizations working to provide essential childcare

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Kennebec Valley is joining the Children’s Place to provide a place where those considered essential workers can send their children.
Published
March 26, 2020

Kennebec, Somerset counties reduce inmate populations to keep coronavirus out of jails

Kennebec County has been working with the district attorney’s office to identify inmates with 30 days or fewer left on their sentences to be released early.