Jessica Lowell

Kennebec Journal

Jessica Lowell covers business and economic development and general news in the Gardiner area. After short but intense aspirations to be an opera singer (age 4) and a deep-sea diver (age 6) her most enduring passion has been telling stories. A University of Maine graduate, she worked for newspapers in New Hampshire, upstate New York and Wyoming, where she has won awards for investigative and explanatory journalism. She’s a fellow of the Knight Center for Specialized Journalism and the Institute for Journalism and Natural Resources. After several years out of journalism, she returned to Maine and to writing, where she spends her free time enjoying both trees and the ocean, two commodities that Wyoming lacks.

Latest

Published
August 24, 2023

North Yarmouth pilot, student pilot identified as 2 dead in Litchfield plane crash

The pilot of the Wiggins Airways plane has been identified as James Shepard-Kegl, 69, of North Yarmouth, the student pilot was Jumaane Omari Stanley Melville, 37, of St. Petersburg, Florida.
Published
August 23, 2023

Two crew members killed in Tuesday plane crash in Litchfield

The victims, who were not identified publicly Wednesday, were the only people aboard the Beechcraft turboprop, which was destroyed, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Published
August 22, 2023

Law Court affirms ‘bad faith’ finding in public records case stemming from Kennebec County jail lawsuit

In a rare decision, Maine’s highest court said officials wrongfully withheld records about a settlement payment to a Black inmate who alleged he had been assaulted by guards while awaiting trial.
Published
August 14, 2023

Arts center proposes building outdoor stage at Gardiner’s Waterfront Park

Michael Miclon, the artistic executive director at Johnson Hall, wants to gauge the city’s interest in the donation of a permanent stage to replace the rented stage it funds for its yearly summer concert series.
Published
August 9, 2023

Gaga black sheep: Residents in Gardiner get creative to corral escaped flock

A Gardiner police officer said he caught the wayward flock’s attention by playing ‘Born this Way,’ by Lady Gaga.
Published
August 7, 2023

Augusta officers acted in self-defense when they fatally shot man at homeless shelter, Maine attorney general says

The recent findings are consistent with every other investigation of officer-involved shootings by the Office of the Maine Attorney General.
Published
August 4, 2023

Brickyard Hollow Brewing Co. to open ninth location in Augusta by fall

The Yarmouth-based chain of brewpubs is testing its quick-service model in Augusta, with pizza, appetizers, bowls and beer available to order at a counter.
Published
August 1, 2023

Beverage makers, enthusiasts to flock to Augusta as Kennebec River Brewfest returns

The annual event, put on by the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce, draws people from across Maine and New England to try out the latest from craft beverage makers from across the state.
Published
July 31, 2023

Woman arrested on charge she hit officer with car in Hallowell after getting angry over Ironman 70.3 Maine traffic jam

Police say Katherine D. Kelley, 34, of Belmont faces several charges, including felony-level assault on a police officer.
Published
July 31, 2023

Two rabies cases, including a rare cat case, reported in Kennebec County amid summer uptick

After an early spike in rabies reports earlier this year, officials are now urging caution and offering tips to avoid contact with bats, which are most active from late July to early September.