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Mark LaFlamme is a Sun Journal reporter and weekly columnist. He's been on the nighttime police beat since 1994, which is just grand because he doesn't like getting out of bed before noon. Mark is the author of eight published novels and rides a dual sport motorcycle everywhere he goes. Unless it's winter, in which case he just sulks a lot.

Latest
  • Published
    February 5, 2020

    Auburn School Committee talks safety, solar power

    Superintendent Katy Grondin was authorized to explore energy options.

  • Published
    February 5, 2020

    Lewiston prostitution sting nets 8 suspects Tuesday

    LEWISTON — Law enforcement agents arrested eight people from eight municipalities Tuesday in a prostitution sting on Pleasant Street. The Human Trafficking Task Force used online escort sites to target suspects soliciting sex for money, according to a statement from the Lewiston Police Department. According to Lewiston police, eight people were charged with engaging a […]

  • Published
    February 4, 2020

    Julie Shackley, former Androscoggin Home Healthcare + Hospice CEO, dies

    “Julie had big dreams and visions for what home health care and hospice could achieve for the community,” Chief Financial Officer Kathy Applin said.

  • Published
    February 4, 2020

    SJ columnist 100 years ago mused about life, freedom

    Arthur G. Staples wrote about the cost of newspapers and advocated for women’s abilities.

  • Published
    February 2, 2020

    Frequently axed questions

    Here are some FAQs from the Axe Pit’s website. How old do you have to be to throw an ax at the Axe Pit? 18 years old or 13 years old with a parent’s signature on our release form. Am I too old or too weak to throw an ax? No. What if I’m no […]

  • Published
    February 2, 2020

    ‘Chopping firewood across the room:’ Ax throwing is catching on

    “There is not a demographic that I have found who are more predisposed to throwing axes than others,” Connor Winn tells us. “This is a sport for everybody.” 

  • Published
    February 2, 2020

    Keep your hands where I can see ’em

    This, that and the utter thing So last week I complained, in a delirious ramble, that I never got a meaningful tattoo, such as one featuring a cow with a palm tree growing where it’s utter should be. Ask and ye shall receive, my bros. Some enterprising tattooist, who’s clearly been huffing his ink, sent […]

  • Published
    January 31, 2020

    Wilton snowmobiler dies in northern Oxford County crash

    Raynold Chasse, 81, lost control of his sled and hit trees.

  • Published
    January 28, 2020

    Street Talk: Much ado about notebooks

    So, I was assigned to cover a meeting last week and when I got there, I realized I didn’t have a notebook.   End of the world, right?  Five years ago, maybe. Five years ago, showing up at a meeting, event or downtown rumble would have sent me into panic mode. I would have frantically dialed […]

  • Published
    January 26, 2020

    What smells like Bob?

    That’s what SHE said For years I’ve been complaining that when I’m sent to cover school committee meetings at Auburn City Hall, I can’t hear a thing that’s being said in that weird room with its freakishly high ceilings. No matter who’s talking and no matter what it’s about, they all sound like the school […]