Better masks will better block transmission of the virus, especially omicron, some say.
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 inLewiston-Auburn, Schools & Education
Fearing omicron spread, Bates College imposes new COVID-19 restrictions
Bates College closes campus buildings to outsiders, shuts down in-person dining hall and more to limit threat from new variant
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Posted inElections, Franklin, Maine, Politics
Paul LePage tells Tom Saviello to ‘bring it on’
Former governor said he would love to see the ex-lawmaker from Wilton jump into the 2022 gubernatorial race, but it’s not clear what will happen.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Police have yet to crack Alpo Martinez murder case in New York
What happened to the drug kingpin who had been hiding in Lewiston remains a mystery, but speculation abounds.
Posted inAndroscoggin County, Lewiston-Auburn
Androscoggin Historical Society plans move to downtown Lewiston
Organization looks to move to 93 Lisbon St. after 85 years at county building in Auburn.
Posted inAndroscoggin County, Schools & Education
RSU 16 cancels classes Wednesday
With a winter storm expected, Regional School Unit 16 decided Tuesday to start its winter break early. The three-town district said on a social media post that, “some of our bus drivers wrote Santa a letter, asking for no school” on Dec. 22. “They got their wish! There will be no school” Wednesday, the district […]
Posted inAndroscoggin County, Coastal Journal, Lewiston-Auburn, Maine
State may upgrade water quality rating for lower section of the Androscoggin River
Lawmakers will consider whether to go along with a state environmental board’s recommendation to hike its classification level from Lisbon to the sea.
Posted inElections, Maine, News, Politics
After COVID-19 nearly killed him, Mike Perkins drops out of Republican primary
Four contenders are vying for Republican backing in Maine’s 2nd District primary for the right to face Rep. Jared Golden next year.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Bates College workers to vote on first-of-its-kind union in January
As many as 630 educators and staff members will get the chance to decide if they want to join a union
Posted inElections, Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, Politics
A toned-down Paul LePage rings in the season in Auburn
LePage talked Friday about Christmas and campaigning outside a bustling Walmart.