Alex Lear
A Maine native and Colby College graduate, Alex has been covering coastal communities since 2001. He lives in the Portland area with his wife Lauren, 4-year-old daughter Alaina, and 7-year-old bulldog Walter. He has released four CDs of original music and does occasional research work for Marvel Comics' collected editions.
Eugene Keene: Lewiston’s election reflects American democracy
Democracy is “power of the people” — a way of governing which depends on the will of the people. On Nov. 7, Election Day 2023, the citizens of Lewiston were called to the polls, tasked with voting to allow three incumbent councilors to continue governing with a lack of respect, trust and ethics, or vote […]
Bruce Bornstein: Golden was right to condemn Talib’s comments
My family has roots in Maine dating back to the early 20th century. I myself was born in Lewiston, raised my family in Wayne and owned and operated a sawmill in Livermore Falls. I am very proud of my heritage as a Jewish Mainer. I am also very proud of my congressman, Jared Golden, for […]
Rose Dubay: Let’s not forget anyone impacted by Lewiston shootings
Our hearts break and we pray for the losses that moms, dads, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and co-workers have had to endure, not only now, but for a loss that they will always feel in their hearts and souls. Deepest condolences go out to all of the many […]
Geoff Gratwick: Mental health care system needs overhaul
The Lewiston killer didn’t suddenly just snap. He left a long trail of signs that he needed mental health care which were unanswered by our failing health system. Other countries with universal health care that guarantee services to all their citizens, no matter rich or poor, also provide better behavioral health than we do. Sweden […]
Steven Westra: Pro-gun politicians should spend time with crisis dogs
The trained therapy and crisis dogs have responded to the crisis in Lewiston as they have at Nashville, Uvalde, Surfside, Florida, Michigan State, University of Virginia and Buffalo. As a dog owner, I get it — dogs have an amazing capacity for caring, understanding and empathy. What I don’t get is why do the politicians […]
Marj Patrick: Mental health, guns and Maine
I know what it is like to have a family member with severe mental illness. My late brother had a psychotic breakdown when he was 17. That was the first time my family would visit him in a locked psychiatric ward. A few weeks later, we were there for his 18th birthday. It was grim. […]
Peter van Oosten: Mass shootings continue to raise questions around 2nd Amendment
The recent atrocity in Lewiston has raised, yet again, the argument about the possession of guns as a right under constitutional amendment No. 2. Much of the discussions revolve around the checks on the mental capacity of people to own guns. It would seem that the vast majority of people agree that a mentally unstable […]
Alex Lear: 4 brothers reunited: The Beatles story ends as it began
Learics: John, Paul, George and Ringo began together, changed the world of pop music forever and blessed countless lives, then arced out apart on their own lives’ trajectories. Now they end together, in one final song.