Keith Edwards

Staff Writer

Keith Edwards covers the city of Augusta and courts in Kennebec County, writing feature stories and covering breaking news, local people and events, and local politics. He has worked at the Kennebec Journal since 1995, having previously worked at the Camden Herald. He was born and raised in Winthrop and graduated from the University of Maine at Orono with a degree in political science. He is married and has a dog and cat. A lifelong Mainer, he enjoys skiing, hiking, canoeing, camping, and cooking out but spends most of his “off” time restoring and maintaining his 170, or so, year-old home in Richmond.

Maine, News

Augusta Planning Board approves clinic for people recovering from opioid addiction

by Keith Edwards December 13, 2023December 14, 2023

Discovery House plans to open an Acadia Healthcare Treatment Center at 14 Edison Drive in Augusta that would offer counseling and suboxone or methadone doses for patients in recovery from substance abuse.

Maine, News

Substance use disorder crisis center to be created in Kennebec County

by Keith Edwards December 11, 2023December 12, 2023

The proposed facility would be the first in Maine to serve as both an overnight center for people in withdrawal management programs and a walk-in clinic, according to Gov. Janet Mills.

Cops & Courts, Maine, News

Waterville murderer appeals conviction, lawyer says police improperly entered apartment

by Keith Edwards December 6, 2023December 6, 2023

Maine’s highest court hears an appeal by Nicholas P. Lovejoy, who pleaded guilty to murder in the 2019 shooting death of Melissa Sousa.

Maine, News

Proposed Augusta homeless shelter at former church to be ‘sanctuary for all’ as public gets view of plans

by Keith Edwards December 1, 2023December 1, 2023

Green Street United Methodist Church could be sold and converted into a homeless shelter sometime next year with 40 beds and 16 supporting living units.

Cops & Courts, Maine, News

Oakland man sentenced for high-speed police chase, eludes kidnapping charges after one alleged victim dies

by Keith Edwards November 28, 2023November 28, 2023

Brian Charette Jr. pleaded guilty to several charges stemming from police chase in January in the Waterville area and was sentenced to 30 months in prison, even as he escaped prosecution of more serious kidnapping charges because one woman died and another didn’t show up in court.

Cops & Courts, Maine, News

Augusta man who stole city police cruiser found not criminally responsible, placed into state custody for treatment

by Keith Edwards November 15, 2023November 15, 2023

Kyle King, 28, stole an unlocked and running police cruiser in November 2022 and drove it to Shaw’s Plaza at 150 Western Ave. in Augusta, where he followed and confronted a family, before being taken into custody by officers.

Maine, News

Man shot by cop sues Augusta, Fairfield police departments and Somerset County

by Keith Edwards November 13, 2023November 13, 2023

Robert Farrington is seeking recourse after he was injured by an Augusta police officer who shot him in his home in 2019.

Business, Maine, News

Augusta councilors propose allowing recreational marijuana businesses

by Keith Edwards November 12, 2023November 12, 2023

The city, where only medical marijuana businesses are currently allowed now, may allow recreational retail sales, manufacturing, cultivation and testing.