Press Herald

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 2, 2020

Hot, dry conditions persist across Maine as summer reaches midway point

While the remnants of Tropical Storm Isaias are expected to begin sweeping through New England on Tuesday night, the forecast for August continues to suggest conditions that are both hotter and drier than average.
Published
July 3, 2020

Canceled Fourth of July fireworks bring economic hardship in central Maine

Professional pyrotechnics display companies across the nation, including Central Maine Pyrotechnics, are on track to lose the bulk of their revenue this year because of canceled fireworks productions.
Published
June 24, 2020

Dry conditions shut down fire permits, drain wells across central Maine

With a moisture deficit that stretches back months, many of the state’s rivers are also running low.
Published
June 22, 2020

Florida man dies in I-295 crash day after graduating from Thomas College

State Police: Antonio Martinez, 22, was likely texting while driving Sunday night and lost control of his pickup truck near Exit 43 in Richmond.
Published
June 21, 2020

Central Maine nonprofits grapple with uncertain funding, event planning

Like their for-profit counterparts, nonprofits are struggling with how to continue fulfill their missions when some external funding sources are drying up and their own fundraisers may have restrictions.
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
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
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 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 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.