In the first hours after the grisly discovery of a body in the woods, the Journal tracked down a few people who remembered Lizzie and her husband, James M. Lowell.
Steve Collins
Columnist
Steve Collins became an opinion columnist for the Maine Trust for Local News in April of 2025. A journalist since 1987, Steve has worked for daily newspapers in New York, Connecticut and Maine and served as the State House reporter for the Sun Journal since 2016. The Maine Press Association named him Maine's Journalist of the Year in 2022. Among his other awards are the Society of Professional Journalists’ 2016 Ethics in Journalism Award, the I.F. Stone Whistle-Blower Award in 2015 and the Bob Wallack Community Journalism Award from the New England Newspaper & Press Association. Steve is a founder and board president of Youth Journalism International, a charity that teaches students around the globe about news writing, media literacy and issues of the day. His wife, Jackie Majerus, serves as its executive director. Born in Massachusetts, he grew up in a military family that took him to Norway, Ohio and Virginia, where he earned a degree in history from the University of Virginia. He and Jackie live in Auburn. They have two adult children, two collies and not enough time.
Posted inElection 2022, Maine, Politics
Bruce Poliquin on the ballot for first time since 2018 in Tuesday’s congressional primary
Liz Caruso of Caratunk hopes to beat the odds and defeat Poliquin to become the Republican candidate in Maine’s 2nd District
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Posted inAndroscoggin County, Election 2022, Franklin, Oxford Hills
Republicans have choices to make during June 14 primary
Though next Tuesday’s primary will be a sleepy one for Democratic voters in Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin counties, Republicans will have some decisions to make. In addition to a GOP congressional primary that will pick the party’s standard bearer in the hotly contest 2nd District, where Bruce Poliquin of Orrington and Liz Caruso of Caratunk […]
Posted inElection 2022, Lewiston-Auburn
Laurel Libby seeks second term in the State House
Auburn lawmaker aims ‘to give voice to those who feel shut out of the political process.’
Posted in175th anniversary
Chapter 3: The day Lizzie Lowell vanished
When the Lewiston Evening Journal reported the skeleton of a woman had been found near the Switzerland Road, women in town “said with one accord: ‘I think that’s Mrs. Lowell’s remains.’”
Posted inElection 2022, Maine
Republican congressional primary suddenly turns red hot
Liz Caruso and Bruce Poliquin clash as June 14 primary approaches in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District.
Posted inElection 2022, Maine, Politics
Tiffany Bond gains spot on congressional ballot in Maine’s 2nd District
Bond’s entry into the race eliminates the prospect of a one-on-one contest between Jared Golden and Bruce Poliquin.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Lewiston’s Lessard-Bissonnette to be honored with historical marker
Plaque to be unveiled this week remembering contributions of a French-speaking suffrage advocate.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Schools & Education
Putting COVID-19 behind, Bates College holds traditional graduation
Commencement speaker Dr. Nirav Shah, who is leading Maine’s effort to thwart COVID-19, advises graduates to try to “be someone.”
Posted in175th anniversary
Chapter 2: ‘Skeleton of a Woman Found’
Observers quickly discerned that by the standards of the day, the woman had been well-dressed, with beads and silk lace trimming her sleeves down to her wrists and extending over her shoulders to cover down to her waist.