WINDHAM — The Town Council unanimously referred proposed amendments about mineral extraction operations and development in at-risk watersheds to the Planning Board Tuesday night, despite concerns that both amendments need further revision. The mineral extraction amendments alter sections of a town ordinance regarding mineral rights exemptions, performance standards, inspections and classification of projects. Councilors discussed the […]
Jane Vaughan
Jane Vaughan has been a reporter with the Lakes Region Weekly since 2018. She covers nine towns in the Lakes Region and a variety of topics, including local politics and education stories across five school districts. She has experience working in print, digital, and radio journalism and enjoys telling stories across platforms. She holds a BA in English from Wellesley College. Outside of work, Jane enjoys swimming, boxing, and spending time outside. She lives in Cape Elizabeth.
Posted inSouthern Forecaster
Standish volunteer keeps pantry doors open
STANDISH — Thanks to the work of a determined volunteer, Catherine’s Cupboard food pantry will not close for good Dec. 19 as previously decided. Saint Joseph’s College, which runs Catherine’s Cupboard, announced Oct. 22 that it would close the pantry. Instead, Amy Fitzgerald, who has been a volunteer at the pantry for six years, will take […]
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Posted inSouthern Forecaster
Windham author hopes to bridge culture gap
WINDHAM — Hawreh Haddadi didn’t write his book “Finding Kurdistan: A Kurdish Iranian American’s Journey Home” for himself, for Kurds or for Iranians. He wrote it for Americans. “Schools and libraries throughout the country aren’t talking about Kurds like they are the Palestinians, like they are the state of Israel,” Haddadi said. With his book, he […]
Posted inLakes Region Weekly, Southern Forecaster
RSU 14 withdrawal committee gets to work
RAYMOND — The RSU 14 Withdrawal Committee has appointed its chairman and is beginning to discuss the particulars of its withdrawal agreement. The committee – which consists of Selectboard member Rolf Olsen, Selectboard Chairwoman Teresa Sadak, resident Joe Bruno and RSU 14 School Board member Kate Leveille – selected Olsen as its chairman at its first meeting […]
Posted inSouthern Forecaster
Farmers: Buy local, buy ugly
NEW GLOUCESTER — Local farmers urged the public at an agricultural economy forum this week to accept the distasteful aspects of farming and less-than-perfect produce, saying a crooked cucumber is just as good as a straight one. The New Gloucester Economic Development Committee hosted the forum Monday to better understand, promote and protect local farms and […]
Posted inLakes Region Weekly, Southern Forecaster
G-NG students build skills, confidence
GRAY — Fifteen students from Gray-New Gloucester High School “gained a tremendous amount of confidence” through their work this month at Libby Hill Trails. At a work day Nov. 1, the ExCEL students worked for three hours — cut short by rain — to build a bridge, install signs and create a portion of new […]
Posted inLakes Region Weekly, Southern Forecaster
‘Exceptional’ Dow Farm restoration honored
STANDISH — Donald Essman first saw the Dow Farm at age 23 and set out to restore it after decades of decay. Forty-two years and a lot of work later, the 18th century farmstead has been recognized by Maine Preservation for Essman’s “exceptional” restoration. The Dow Farm was named this month as one of 14 recipients […]
Posted inLakes Region Weekly
Sugar Plum sisters
CASCO — For the first time in Maine State Ballet’s history, two of the ballerinas sharing the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in “The Nutcracker” will have more in common than the role — they are also sisters. Rhiannon and Adrienne Pelletier grew up in Raymond and have danced at Maine State Ballet since […]
Posted inLakes Region Weekly
Work begins on New Gloucester public works facility
NEW GLOUCESTER — Construction on the new public works facility is underway after the Selectboard earlier this month approved adding an additional detention pond at the site to manage stormwater runoff. The original plan included only one detention pond, but the second was needed to earn a Department of Environmental Protection permit, said Town Manager Carrie […]
Posted inLakes Region Weekly
Casco town manager leaving post after 41 years
CASCO — Town Manager Dave Morton will retire in June after 41 years on the job, and residents say replacing him will be like “trying to replace Bill Belichick.” Morton was 22 when he became town manager. While in college at the University of Maine Portland/Gorham — now University of Southern Maine — he was […]