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Happy Saturday, Lewiston!
It's Labor Day weekend, considered by many the symbolic end of summer, and I wish all of you a restful one before life ramps back up.
My daughter Alaina, who'll be 9 in a few weeks, starts school on Tuesday. She'll embark on her fourth-grade journey in a new school, thankfully still on the same campus. Although she looks forward to going back, she still feels some trepidation about the changes to come.
I can relate. My folks and I moved to a new community the summer before I began fourth grade, so it was quite an adjustment. Plus, I could feel a shift in expectations from my earlier elementary school days; for instance, it was my first full-time exposure to letter grades.
It was ultimately a good experience, and I tell Alaina that as much as she loved third grade, I'm sure there'll be many things she embraces about fourth. I wish all the kids and parents out there a smooth school year.
As always, I encourage you to email me with submissions about upcoming events or other community contributions to be included in this newsletter.
In this week's newsletter: Lewiston-Auburn's WLAM AM 1470 signs off for good; Steve Collins' op-ed on someone who's "from away"; and a look back at a September 1985 story about an astronaut visiting the area.
Thanks for reading. Until next time,
- Alex Lear |
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MORE NEWS |
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Amy Cobb takes a photo of her daughters Wednesday morning on the first day of classes at Farwell Elementary School in Lewiston. From left are Brynn Cobb, third grade; Delaney White, who is starting kindergarten; and Hallie Cobb, first grade. Read more about the start of school for local students. (Russ Dillingham/Staff Photographer) |
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Lewiston voters will see a smaller ballot this November as the city's new staggered terms take effect, with only half of the city council and school committee seats up for grabs. The election brings several contested races, including open seats and new challengers, while longtime School Committee Chair Megan Parks is stepping down to focus on her health.
After nearly 78 years on the air, Lewiston-Auburn's WLAM AM 1470 signed off this month, ending a long run that once made it a community staple for music, sports and local news. The shutdown follows the death of its owner, Bob Bittner, and rising utility costs, though the station is now up for sale.
Lewiston's Maine Legends FC is rallying behind star defender Malunda Destino, who was detained by ICE last week and is being held in Massachusetts while his immigration appeal is pending. Teammates, fans and community members have launched a fundraiser to support Destino's family.
Three Lewiston teenagers, including one already held at a juvenile detention center, have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder after police intercepted calls plotting to force a father and son to take the blame for an Aug. 12 shooting. Investigators say the teens threatened violence if the pair refused to confess, though two of the suspects insist the talk wasn't serious.
Lewiston officials have condemned the Main Street building housing the Church of Safe Injection after inspectors found thousands of discarded needles, fecal matter and signs people had been living in the basement. City leaders called the conditions a serious public health threat.
City residents told officials this week they want the next Lewiston police chief to be approachable, community-minded and willing to speak openly about tough issues. City leaders say they're listening closely as they weigh candidates, with a shortlist expected this fall.
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FEATURED OPINION |
Letter by Dottie Perham-Whittier: Come join the fun at the Franco Center |
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THIS WEEK'S MYSTERY PHOTO |
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If you can identify where this photo was taken, contact us at bmail@sunjournal.com with your answer, your name, town and phone number. Correct entries will be put into a drawing for a $25 gift card courtesy of Hannaford Supermarkets.
(P.S. Did you guess last week's Mystery Photo correctly?)
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COMMUNITY VOICES/AROUND TOWN |
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Lewiston officials seek input from residents to participate in a focused study to improve transportation and street conditions along Main Street, Sabattus Street and downtown (Canal and Lisbon Streets). This study aims to identify strategies to make Lewiston's streets safer and more welcoming for people and businesses. Learn more and take the survey here. |
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SUBMIT YOUR NEWS: Whether it's an upcoming event, municipal update or something else entirely, we're always looking for local happenings to feature in this newsletter. Send us the details for consideration. |
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THINGS TO DO |
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The Lewiston Farmers Market runs tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2 Oxford St. The weekly gathering offers visitors a chance to connect with one another and shop for a wide variety of local foods and goods. Learn more here.
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A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Blue Feather Kitchen & Bar runs from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 49 Lisbon St. The Blue Feather is a new downtown gathering spot offering elevated pub fare and 25 beers on tap. Click here for more info.
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The Central Maine Artists for Justice creative collective is holding "Home is Where...?," a night of art and performances reflecting themes of home and belonging. This fundraiser for Mainers for Humane Immigration will be held at L/A Arts, 168 Lisbon St. in Lewiston, from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6. Get tickets here.
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The Public Theatre and Maine State Music Theatre are co-producing "The Irish … and How They Got That Way." The musical revue runs through Sunday, Sept. 14, at The Public Theatre, 31 Maple St. in Lewiston. Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt ("Angela's Ashes"), the show offers a tribute to the Irish-American experience. Get tickets and see a list of showtimes here.
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Resist Central Maine will hold a Resist Rally on the Longley Bridge on Monday, Sept. 1 at noon. Organizers will also be collecting donations of diapers and cash for the Hope House in Lewiston, which serves immigrants and Asylum seekers.
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THE WAY IT WAS IN LEWISTON |
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Sept. 1, 1985: "To millions of people following the latest Discovery space shuttle mission, he may be known as the space-walking astronaut who on Saturday reached out, grabbed a slowly spinning 7 1/2-ton disabled satellite, and helped doctor it back to life (See story page 3).
"But to many Lewiston-Auburn residents, James 'Ox' van Hoften is just the friendly, quiet, easy-going guy who recently found a soft spot in his heart for Maine and Lewiston-Auburn Rotarians, and a place in his stomach for lobster."
Click here to read more of this story from 1985. Subscribers enjoy exclusive access to search and browse our digital archives on Newspapers.com. |
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Alex Lear is a lifelong Mainer who has spent about 25 years in journalism, the first 20 as a reporter for newspapers in Damariscotta and Falmouth, and the rest as the Opinions section editor for the Sun Journal. His long-running "Learics" column won first place in the Maine Press Association's 2023 Better Newspaper Contest. He and his wife Lauren are kept young by their 8-year-old daughter Alaina. Send feedback and suggestions to Alex. You can support this newsletter by encouraging friends and family to subscribe here. Read more news at sunjournal.com. |
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