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.
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Posted inBusiness, Noteworthy
American Bankers Association lauds Franklin Savings Bank employee
FARMINGTON — Courtney Austin, assistant vice president, marketing director at Franklin Savings Bank, has received the American Bankers Association’s 2024 Emerging Leader Award. This award, presented during the association annual convention, celebrates emerging bank leaders nationwide who demonstrate a commitment to excellence in the banking industry, along with dedication to their communities. “We are incredibly […]
Posted inBusiness, Noteworthy
Norway Savings Bank donates $36.5K to area student programs, Norway housing and lakes organizations
NORWAY — Norway Savings Bank has recently donated a total of $36,500 to area school programs, as well as a housing project and an environmental organization, both based in Norway. The bank donated $10,000 in October to Viking FUNds, named in honor of the Oxford Hills School District’s mascot. The program pays for field trips at […]
Posted inBusiness, Noteworthy
Norway Savings appoints 2 market supervisors for Brunswick, Topsham branches
BRUNSWICK — Norway Savings Bank has appointed Ashley Morrill and Christine MonteCalvo as market supervisors to serve the bank’s two Brunswick branches (83 Maine St. and 14 Gurnet Road) and its Topsham branch (47 Topsham Fair Mall Road). Morrill has been with Norway Savings since 2021, most recently as a customer relations representative II at […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Ellen Gibson: The American Dream is our north star
My partner was diagnosed with leukemia this summer, starting a journey of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. When his immune system crashed two weeks after the chemo, he spent nine days in the hospital receiving intravenous antibiotics to keep him alive. It was a harrowing summer through a lot of unknowns. So many people helped us through […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Katherine Perron: Vote Kouzounas, Theriault for U.S. Senate, House
On Oct. 6, 2023, we arrived in Tel Aviv, Israel, for a three-week vacation to visit our son, daughter-in-law and five grandchildren. On Oct. 7, the war began. When we returned home two weeks later, I wrote a letter to U.S. Sen. Angus King encouraging him to support Israel. His first reply was positive. However, […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Adrian Dowling: In defense of Lewiston’s ‘mushies’ mural message
Singer-songwriter Jimmy Webb — known for such hits as “Wichita Lineman” and “MacArthur Park” — was so inspired by the beauty and adventure of hot air ballooning that he wrote “Up, Up and Away” in 1967. The song was recorded by The 5th Dimension later that year, and it won four Grammy awards in 1968. […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Bob Duplessie: Bryant a champion for western Maine
I support Bruce Bryant for Maine Senate. He is a champion representing the citizens of western Maine. I’ve known him for many years and served with him in the Maine House of Representatives for two terms (1998-2002) before he moved on to be a senator. Bruce was a strong supporter of educational opportunities for all, […]
Posted inBusiness, Noteworthy
Associate attorney joins Lewiston law firm
LEWISTON — Christian A. Jones has joined the Skelton Taintor & Abbott firm’s family law group as an associate attorney. Jones graduated from Franklin and Marshall College and received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Maine School of Law. His background includes work as a student attorney at the Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic’s […]