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John Swinconeck is the executive editor of The Times Record, The Forecaster group, American Journal and Lakes Region Weekly. He has spent most of his journalistic career covering local news in Maine. When not working he enjoys collecting cheap guitars, cooking and spending time with his wife and kids. He lives in Bath. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine.

Latest
  • Published
    January 8, 2020

    From the Chamber: Over the Next Decade, Part II: Ease of Service & Your Teeth

    Last week, I began a special series of columns looking at the future as we take our first steps into the new decade. As I laid it out, we must expand our vision past just 2020. We can’t look at only what’s facing us in the next three months, three weeks or three days. We […]

  • Published
    January 8, 2020

    Letter: From a grateful family

    As we come to the close of the Christmas season, the entire Heinig family wishes to thank our community for the generous support and nearly overwhelming number of gifts contributed to ensure our grandchildren would have a Merry Christmas in the wake of their mother’s (our daughter Anneliese’s) disappearance on Nov. 26. I described the […]

  • Published
    January 8, 2020

    Carl Golden: Impeachment isn’t exactly the trial of the century

    Eighty-five years ago this month, Bruno Richard Hauptmann, accused of kidnapping and murdering the infant son of Charles Lindbergh, stood trial in what the news media described as “The Trial of the Century.” Using that standard, the impending confrontation in the Senate over the impeachment of President Donald Trump qualifies as “The Trial of the […]

  • Published
    January 8, 2020

    John Micek: Congress has to reclaim its war-making authority

    It didn’t take long for “World War III” to become a trending topic on Twitter in the hours after news broke that a drone strike by U.S. forces resulted in the death of a top Iranian military commander. Almost simultaneously, those who’d never heard of the now-late Qasem Soleimani until cable news and social media […]

  • Published
    January 7, 2020

    Carson to hold office hours

    State Sen. Brownie Carson, D-Harpswell, has announced three office hours events in Freeport, Brunswick and Harpswell. Office hours will be held 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 11 at Bow Street Market in Freeport;  5-7 p.m Jan. 14 at Brunswick Town Hall; 5-7 p.m. Jan. 28 at Harpswell Town Office. Public office hours provide residents a […]

  • Published
    January 7, 2020

    Merrymeeting to host CNA information night

    BATH — Merrymeeting Adult Education will offer an information session at 6 p.m. Jan. 13, for those interested in becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant. The program will be held at Merrymeeting Adult Education Center and feature an overview by Merrymeeting staff and registered nurse Margot Kovach, a CNA instructor. Topics include information about the application […]

  • Published
    January 7, 2020

    Commentary: In Iran showdown, conflict could explode quickly – and disastrously

    Despite the claims of optimists, the odds that an international conflict will snowball into a bloody war haven’t gone down significantly since the end of World War II. Trump administration officials’ confidence that the present conflict with Iran can be managed could be dangerously misplaced. Since a drone strike at Baghdad airport that killed a […]

  • Published
    January 7, 2020

    Guest column: Democrats’ 2020 outlook is hardly 20/20

    With former housing secretary Julian Castro departed, the oversized Democratic presidential field reaches a critical point: More candidates have dropped out than remain in the race. But that still leaves 14 – a bulky ballot as the marathon moves closer to actual primaries and caucuses beginning next month. It’s to Democrats’ credit that the race […]

  • Published
    January 6, 2020

    Laser Tag Night returns to Patten Free Library in Bath

    Registration opens Friday, Jan. 10 for a night of Laser Tag at Patten Free Library in Bath.  The event, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 25 from 5:30-9 p.m., is offered by the Teen Library Council in cooperation with Gorilla Tactics of Wiscasset, and is open to all students in grades 6 to 12 attending an Regional […]

  • Published
    January 6, 2020

    Bath elementary school earns gold from Let’s Go! Wellness Program

    Dike Newell School in Bath has achieved gold-level distinction from Let’s Go!, a physical health wellness program of the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center. The accolade comes during a time when the state at large is struggling with physical wellness, having been recently identified as the most obese New England state according […]