Absenteeism is down in Bethel area schools but still a challenge for district
Chronically absent students dipped below 20% as of Dec. 3, Superintendent Mark Kenney said.
Rose Lincoln
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At Bethel’s airport, regional pilots fly in but few pay out
Pilots registered to area towns benefit from using the airport, but local taxpayers are left footing the bill for operations while no other communities contribute to its upkeep.
Community goes all-in for Telstar’s sophomore football star
Grassroots support surges to name Alex Dougherty Athlete of the Week after six-touchdown playoff performance.
Public interest payphones a critical safety link in Maine
Public interest payphones in Maine continue to provide a crucial and free, yet aging, connection for people who need a dependable way to call for help.
Wreaths a carefully crafted art form at Bethel farm
Alyssa Howe Freeman will make about 60 balsam wreaths this season at How Family Farm on Intervale Road.
Bethel rallies for yearlong celebration of America’s 250th birthday
A creative mix of films, discussions, crafts and a star-spangled Fourth of July highlight Bethel’s plans for 2026.
Small Maine ski areas beat the odds as they struggle for survival
Community ski mountains and their supporters stress the importance of keeping outdoor recreation available to all residents.
What to know as Bethel area towns prep for updated comprehensive plans
Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments Land Use Planner Erica Bufkins answers questions and shares details of what residents should expect as a framework for future growth is developed.
Trees upon trees in Bethel waiting to come home for holidays
Rupert Grover has 800 trees for sale at his Barker Road property.
As backcountry rescues rise, some Maine first responders turning to location app for help
A simple 3-word code can help pinpoint emergencies in remote terrain, yet dispatchers and wardens caution that no app can replace planning and backcountry know-how.
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news from surrounding communities
Deer hunting coming to a close in western Maine
Hunted deer were hung last week, waiting to be processed in a yard on Intervale Road in Bethel.
Toys, volunteers, holiday magic fill West Paris church
Marybeth Ray and Lorie O’Neil organized the West Paris Free Christmas Shop to be held Dec. 13.
Watch: Santa arrives on a fire truck in West Paris
Area children listened to after school Explorer’s Program Director Eileen Storck read stories then saw Santa light the Christmas tree at Town Office.
Meet 15 western Maine boys basketball players to watch in 2025-26
The Sun Journal’s coverage area features plenty of talent this winter.
Fire heavily damages building, equipment, tow trucks in Rumford
About 50 firefighters from seven departments responded Tuesday night to a blaze at Adley’s Auto Sales and Service.
Side job shoveling a good gig on a snowy day
Tim Kamilewicz, 9, shoveled a long swath of sidewalk at Bethel’s Gould Academy. His mother said she would pay him a dollar.
Music, lights, tours and other ho-ho-holiday happenings in Lewiston, Auburn and beyond
Here are highlights of things to do in the area in the next week.
Picking out the perfect fresh Christmas tree a seasonal family affair
With the Christmas season well under way, area greenhouses and tree farms are welcoming customers to choose a precut tree or chop down their own.
More than 4 years after closing, West Paris Post Office set to open in 2026
Despite pressure from U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, the USPS has delayed the reopening of a new West Paris Post Office until ‘after the first of the year.’
Homesteading initiative at Andover Elementary seeks to steer students from screens
A school-initiated book group is finding additional direction from reading from Jonathan Haidt’s, ‘The Anxious Generation.’
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