Augusta elections, chief resigns, a Hallowell memoir

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October 29, 2025

Morning, folks!

I met Bob Briggs, a fellow Hallowellian, in the coffee shop on Friday. Bob was a correspondent for the Kennebec Journal back in the day; he'd noticed my KJ sweatshirt, and we struck up a conversation. He told me about his adventures covering meetings and filling the religion columns.

Bob was also carrying around a marked-up book. "Hallowell: A Memoir," tells embellished stories of Bob's childhood memories growing up in this little city in the '60s and '70s. He writes in the introduction that he thinks he grew up at the right time in history, when kids ran around outside after school and got into just the right amount of trouble.

At the end of the intro, there's a grainy picture of a young Bob. He's on a snowy Hallowell street, wearing a big coat and a cheesy grin.

It made me think, as a 20-something who grew up in the South: Did I grow up in the right time? In the right place? My answer's still yes. I'm curious if yours is.

In today's newsletter: Meet the candidates in this year's Augusta elections; a candidate forum in RSU 2; Mainers to be Thankful For.

See y'all next week,

- Ethan Horton

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THIS WEEK'S NEWS

Capitol police chief, accused of assaulting Hallowell officer, resigns

Matthew Clancy, who is facing a criminal charge of assault, resigned Oct. 8.

MORE FROM: AUGUSTA | HALLOWELL | GARDINER

Lawmakers order review of DHHS actions in case of Chelsea teen charged with murders

The Government Oversight Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to authorize a review of the state’s involvement in the case of a Chelsea teen accused of killing two people in June while he was allegedly in foster care.

Augusta makes Election Day shuttle available to voters

The city has rented two vans to transport people from previous voting sites to the Augusta Civic Center and back.

Meet the at-large Augusta City Council candidates

Incumbents William Savage and Stephanie Sienkiewicz and newcomers Wyatt Beaulieu and Joshua Lilley are vying for spots on the council.

Meet the Ward 3 Augusta City Council candidates

Councilor Michael Michaud faces a challenge from newcomer Amanda Heath.

Meet the candidates battling for Augusta Board of Education seat

Rita Pello, an incumbent, faces Kelly Smith, a senior tax examiner.

Readers' pick: The most-clicked story in last week's newsletter was about protestors stripping during an Augusta School Department board meeting.

FEATURED PHOTO

Wild turkeys blend with fall colors Wednesday in Augusta. The fall hunting season with shotgun or archery equipment for wild turkeys runs through Nov. 7. (Rich Abrahamson/Staff Photographer)

MAINERS TO BE THANKFUL FOR

Every Thanksgiving, we recognize a group of Mainers To Be Thankful For. This year, we're focusing on school workers, and we want your suggestions. We’re looking for unsung heroes who go out of their way for others, simply because they care.

If you know someone worthy of this recognition, please send their name, contact information and a couple of sentences about why they are a Mainer To Be Thankful For. The story will publish before Thanksgiving.

THINGS TO DO

Take the kids in costume to downtown Gardiner Friday for a trick or treat from 3-5 p.m. Many downtown businesses and organizations, from the Gardiner Public Library to the A1 Diner, will hand out treats of all kinds.
The 15th annual Hall-Dale High School Fine Arts & Crafts Fair is planned from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the school in Farmingdale. The gym will be filled with Maine-based artists, and all profits go directly to the music program.
Meanwhile, Saturday and Sunday, another arts and crafts fair is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Augusta armory on Western Avenue. The 46th annual Augusta Armory Fall Arts & Craft Show will welcome artists and crafters from across New England for the start of the holiday season.
See our extensive guides of things to do around Maine, including hikes, restaurants to try and more.

DON'T MISS OUT: To thank you for being a loyal reader of The Kennebec Beat, we're giving you this special subscription offer! Get unlimited digital access to Centralmaine.com for just $1 a week and enjoy even more local coverage.

COMMUNITY UPDATES

HALLOWELL — A candidate forum is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall for the two write-in candidates for the Regional School Unit 2 Board of Directors. The two candidates, Dave McIntosh and Charles Urquhart, plan to explain why they are running, and residents will have a chance to ask questions of the candidates.

GARDINER — City officials plan to host a listening session for community stakeholders at 9 a.m. Saturday at Johnson Hall Opera House as they develop Gardiner's next comprehensive plan. All are welcome, and free coffee and snacks will be provided.

THE WAY IT WAS

Oct. 20, 1983: Gardiner cleans city well for the first time in 27 years

Click here to read more of this story from 1983. Subscribers enjoy exclusive access to search and browse our digital archives on Newspapers.com.

GUIDES | HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS | GAMES | EVENTS CALENDAR

Ethan Horton is a reporter for the Kennebec Journal and the author of this newsletter. Send feedback and suggestions to Ethan. You can support this newsletter by encouraging friends and family to sign up and explore our other newsletters.

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