Our mission is to watch out for central Maine’s citizens, find the truth and help our readers understand the world around them. We try to live this every day through watchdog reporting on local officials and institutions; narratives that shine light on what needs to be seen, award-winning photography that illuminates the people and places of central Maine, and opinion pieces that bring context and diverse perspectives. Here are 12 stories from the past year that we’re particularly proud of and they represent reporting that’s made possible by our subscribers. If you’ve been moved by something we’ve published this year, please consider sharing that experience with friends and family. Give them all the things that make the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel special.