Jason Gayne, the former executive director of the Skowhegan Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County, began his prison sentence Monday for stealing thousands from the nonprofits, but leaders of the two organizations said they have already worked to move forward.
Jake Freudberg
Staff Writer
Jake covers public safety, courts and immigration in central Maine. He started reporting at the Morning Sentinel in November 2023 and previously covered all kinds of news in Skowhegan and across Somerset County. Jake grew up in Massachusetts and graduated from Tufts University. While in school, Jake wrote for various news organizations in the Boston area. He’s also a Maine whitewater rafting guide and lived in Spain’s Canary Islands for a year.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Madison-based TimberHP aims to be fully open this year as more public financing arrives
The $500,000 in financing recently approved by the Finance Authority of Maine is expected to help create and retain more than 100 jobs in Somerset County by allowing the manufacturer to buy equipment needed for its full product line, the agency said.
advertisement
Posted inLocal & State
World War II veteran from Winslow celebrates 102nd birthday
Lionel Duquette is believed to be one of the oldest veterans in Maine and among the less than 1% of World War II veterans still living.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Somerset County partnership between sheriff’s office, public health agency latest effort to tackle opioid epidemic
The new program includes an overdose ‘quick response’ team and 2 community connection centers in Madison and Bingham, all with the goal of connecting Somerset County residents with resources and treatment for substance use disorders.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Fire causes significant damage to Waterville home, displaces 2
The cause of an Oakland Street fire has yet to be determined and the Office of State Fire Marshal is leading the investigation, according to the Waterville Fire Department.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Police chief, sheriff at odds over school resource officer will have to work together
After months of discussions, the School Administrative District 54 board of directors decided that the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office will staff the new position, although Skowhegan’s police chief had previously expressed opposition.
Posted inLocal & State
Skowhegan mill redevelopment halts after flood damage, owners urgently seek public loans
The Spinning Mill project suffered millions of dollars in flood damage in December’s historic storm, and its owners are now seeking financial assistance from state, county and town agencies to continue construction.
Posted inCops & Courts, Local & State, News
Sheriff: Three arrested, hundreds of plants seized in latest marijuana growing bust at a central Maine residence
Officials said they arrested Huansheng Mai, 75; Yuling Mei, 63; and Yiming Hu, 68. Each was charged with illegal cultivation of marijuana and unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs with more than 500 plants.
Posted inCops & Courts, Local & State, News
Former director of 2 Skowhegan nonprofit groups sentenced on charges of stealing nearly $200,000 from them
Jason Gayne agreed to a deal that includes prison time, probation and the payment of restitution in connection with charges that he stole money from the Skowhegan Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County while working as their director.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Vote to move Skowhegan River Park to next phase reignites debate on project’s viability
The Board of Selectmen approved funding for a final design for the park and opening a bid for a contractor, but several selectmen and town residents expressed concern about the project that has been discussed for 20 years.