Health and Human Services investigators visited the home of Jasper Smith 7 times without taking action. On May 17, he died from a gunshot wound when he accessed a handgun registered to his stepfather.
Joe Charpentier
Staff Writer
Joe Charpentier came to the Sun Journal in 2022 to cover crime and chaos. His previous experience was in a variety of rural Midcoast beats which included government, education, sports, economics and analysis, crime, and environment. He loves surprising his editors with spontaneous enterprising stories and prides himself on mastering the ability to slip the odd Oxford comma by the copy editors. When not on the beat, Joe enjoys spending time with family, writing fiction and woodworking.
Posted inAndroscoggin County, Franklin, Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, News, River Valley
Androscoggin River, once a ‘national disgrace’, should be recognized for cleanup efforts, advocates say
Advocates propose reclassifying the water quality of the river from Rumford to Lisbon — a move they say could spark economic growth.
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Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine, Maine Crime, News
Illegal firearm purchases in Maine feeding gun trafficking across U.S.
In places like Lewiston, a sharp rise in gun violence begs the question: How many firearms are acquired by people lying about who the gun is for?
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine, News, Politics
Maine lawmakers to consider beefed-up gun storage rules in effort to prevent accidental injuries, deaths
The debate over LD 1120 comes after a 4-year-old Lewiston boy died this weekend in a shooting, the latest tragedy of its kind in Maine.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine, News
Proper firearm storage saves lives, experts say
As Maine lawmakers look to add gun storage laws to the books, we take a look at the best practices for safe firearm storage.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, News
Two dead after Wednesday night crash in Auburn
Two passengers traveling in a van owned by John F. Murphy Homes died Wednesday night after the vehicle pulled onto Washington Street from Beech Hill Road and was struck by a pickup truck.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine Crime, News
Lewiston police investigate single gunshot on Pierce Street
Police say no one was reported injured Monday afternoon.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine Crime, News, Oxford Hills
Man sentenced for stealing from postal workers, post offices in central Maine
Lance Funderburk and his accomplice targeted post offices in Paris and Monmouth, and postal carriers in Lewiston.
Posted inFranklin, News
Jay, Wilton to explore collaboration between police departments
Jay and Wilton will be working together to explore options for their respective police departments to work together.
Posted inMaine, News, Religion & Values
Mainers witness selection of new pope as white smoke rises in Vatican City
Cardinal Robert Prevost, who will become Pope Leo XIV, appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica after the conclave election.