FARMINGTON — Dr. John Franson has joined the medical staff of Franklin Health Primary Care, one of five primary care practices of Franklin Community Health Network. Franson most recently provided care for 21 years at Caribou Memorial Hospital in Soda Springs, Idaho. Besides primary care, his professional interests include upper and lower endoscopy, and dermatology […]
Alex Lear
Staff Writer
Alex Lear is a lifelong Mainer who has spent 25 years in journalism -- the first 20 as a reporter for newspapers in Damariscotta and Falmouth, then as Opinions section editor for the Sun Journal and now a digital producer with the Maine Trust for Local News. 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 9-year-old daughter Alaina. Send feedback and suggestions to Alex.
Carole Richards: MAGA’s control over USA is dwindling
I wonder if Americans feel it, the slight shift in the air, from the MAGA control of our country. MAGA is hanging off the edge off the cliff by its fingernails, swinging in the breeze of dysfunction and lies. The rejection of Donald Trump’s puppet U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan was a tsunami. Now, there must […]
Penny Labbe: Vote Soule-Leclair for ‘a safer, more prosperous Lewiston’
I’ve had the privilege of knowing Lewiston City Council candidate Eryn Soule-Leclair for nearly 15 years. Her commitment to our community has never wavered. As a dedicated business owner, Eryn offers a unique blend of personal and professional insights that position her as an invaluable voice for the community. She’s deeply committed to restoring safety […]
Nicole Aldrich: Longchamps would make significant, positive impact on Lewiston
I am delighted to wholeheartedly endorse Susan Longchamps for the Lewiston City Council. Having known Susan for several years as a friend, landlord and fellow business owner, I am sincerely impressed by her outstanding qualities. Her unwavering commitment to moral values, including compassion, discipline, honesty, humility and genuine sincerity, distinguishes her character and contributes to […]
Eric Rohrbach: U.S. government is no place for right-wing extremists
The world is in chaos, and we have no functioning government — all thanks to the hubris and dysfunction of the Republican Party. There is a documented insurrectionist who is trying to insert himself as third in line to the presidency. House members who are not supporting him are receiving death threats. This is not […]
Silver Moore-Leamon: Pine Tree Power could have too many unaddressed costs
Central Maine Power is a mess, last in JDPower’s 2022 customer satisfaction survey nationwide, fourth year in a row. Let’s take its assets and turn CMP/Versant into a tax-exempt community-owned electricity provider. Sadly, not so easy. Its impact on our bills is unpredictable, but other points matter. Creating a tax-exempt entity lowers state tax revenue, […]
Mary Hunter: Sheline ‘has my enthusiastic support’ as Lewiston mayor
I write in support of Carl Sheline for mayor of Lewiston. His support of all kinds of events in the city is phenomenal, which makes a huge difference to the morale of community members who put on these events. He is trying in good faith to improve the situation for the increasing number of unhoused […]
Matthew Roy: Jensen offers ‘unmatched understanding’ of governance, budgets
I am writing to endorse Luke Jensen for mayor of Lewiston. As a former member of the School Committee and City Council, Luke would bring an unmatched understanding of governance and budgets, which the other three candidates cannot equal. Also, during the last council term, then-Councilor Jensen prophetically predicted that the budget cycles encountered by […]
Camden Jalbert: Lewiston councilors should be helping, not silencing
What is happening on the Lewiston City Council is an embarrassment to the city. We have four adults who cannot put aside their differences for the betterment of our community. Councilors Bob McCarthy, Rick LaChapelle, Larry Pease and Lee Clement have continued to demonstrate they are narrow-minded, self-serving, power hungry politicians who refuse to do […]