Two Augusta area schools find ‘forever chemicals’ in their water supplies

The two schools, Helen A. Thompson School in West Gardiner and Whitefield Elementary School, plan to install filtration systems in the next month.

Police provide no update on Gardiner shooting, but more details emerge from early dispatches

Wednesday's shooting, which remains under investigation, caused buses from Gardiner Regional Middle School to be routed around the area where the shooting occurred.

Police investigate shooting of man in face on Gardiner street

Police say the man was shot Wednesday and taken to the hospital in an incident that remains under investigation.

Central Maine organizations struggle to find Christmas trees for year-end fundraising sales

A variety of factors has contributed to the shortage of holiday trees for resale this year, and industry experts say that trend is likely to continue.

Widespread school resignations leave some local districts scrambling as students prepare to return

The need for ed techs is especially great at some local schools, as the jobs have undertaken more responsibilities without corresponding increases in pay.

As housing crunch persists, central Maine leaders chip away at problem one project at a time

Several efforts are underway in Augusta and Waterville to provide more affordable housing options, but until then the two cities together are short of such housing by more than 1,800 units.

Kennebec sheriff’s officer charged with domestic assault, threatening child with gun

Daniel Ross, 29, a deputy sheriff at the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office in Augusta, made his initial appearance in court on Wednesday.

Art to take over Downtown Gardiner Aug. 19

Gardiner officials to consider 4% increase in sewer rates this year, 8% next year

This latest request for an increase follows annual 4% increases in each of the last four years to fund the operation of the city's wastewater treatment department.

Photos: Salvaging wood from Maine’s oldest opera house

Renovations to Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center, considered the state's oldest opera house, began this month. A crew from Barn Boards & More, a local wood salvaging business, was pulling up and saving the tongue-and-groove floor boards from the theater Thursday to reuse as flooring or make into tabletops. By December 2023, the three-story performing arts venue in Gardiner is expected to reopen to the public with a 400-seat theater, a large lobby and concession area, full-service box office, green rooms for performers, and an elevator. Local hotel owner Benjamin Johnson turned the former livery stable into a performance hall in 1884, and it became an opera house in 1888. All photos by Kennebec Journal photojournalist Joe Phelan.