Lewiston Sun Journal

With first major snowfall, Saddleback set to open for skiing and riding Friday

Maine’s third-largest ski mountain will start the season with top-to-bottom skiing and riding available on at least 8 trails.

Looking for a Christmas tree? Try these Franklin County small businesses.

These Franklin County tree farms and nurseries will help you find the perfect Christmas tree to bring home for the holidays.

Western Maine food pantries expand support as winter approaches

Food pantries across Franklin County are offering expanded hours, free meals and low-barrier access to help residents meet rising food needs.

Rangeley to purchase .35-acre property despite environmental concerns

The effects of a 2023 oil spill on the Pleasant Street property are not fully known.

Nomination papers available Wednesday for Eustis elections

There are five town and school positions up for election in March.

Mt. Abram schools prepare for withdrawal negotiations

Committees in district towns of Strong, Phillips and Kingfield are researching costs associated with leaving MSAD 58. Strong is ready to negotiate.

Group buys 20 acres in Carrabassett Valley for $10 for workforce housing

Western Maine Mountain Housing hopes to build 40-plus units near Sugarloaf Mountain to help with the shortage of affordable housing.

Preparing home-cooked meals can be expensive. Here are some ways to save.

Whether it is due to the cost of goods or inability to access benefits, food insecurity is a reality of life for many.

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.

Sugarloaf to open for 75th anniversary season Friday

The Carrabassett Valley resort will offer a commemorative 75th anniversary face buff to the first 75 guests in line Friday.

Step-by-step: Training through Franklin County’s local trails a lesson in endurance

Hiking local trails offers more than exercise, it’s a reminder of how much beauty and balance can be found close to home in Franklin County’s…

‘Desperately needed’ wood bank opens in Franklin County

Eligible households will be able to purchase firewood at a reduced rate. Recipients will be referred to a program that will pay up to $15,000…

‘Catastrophic’ Rangeley water main break repaired, but users asked to limit usage for now

Repairs were completed Thursday afternoon but water customers were urged to continue conserving water for the next few days.

Rangeley voters approve property acquisition

Rangeley voters Tuesday approved acquiring land next to the Town Office by a vote of 309-186.

Phillips, Strong, Kingfield continue exploring school district withdrawal

Three of the four towns served by Phillips-based Maine School Administrative District 58 are exploring withdrawing from the district.

Rangeley Child Care Center welcomes early learners

The child care center can accommodate 74 children from 6 weeks old through preschool.

Assessors begin Rangeley property revaluation

Agents will begin visiting properties purchased within the last three years.

Kingfield grocery store reopens with lower prices, greater variety

After a 10-day closure for remodeling, Mainely Provisions reopened Thursday morning as an independent Hannaford affiliate.

Franklin County’s first firewood bank could be ‘vital to many households’

The Salem Township wood bank will host a grand opening on Wednesday, just a week after MaineHousing announced its emergency heating assistance program would not…

Northern Franklin County prepares to feed those facing a potential loss of SNAP benefits

From a newly built food pantry at Mt. Abram High School in Salem Township to food drives, individuals and organizations are responding to help their…

Avon voters approve new loader purchase

The town will purchase a new 2025 Case backhoe loader.

Here’s where to vote and what issues are on the local ballots in western Maine

In addition to state referendums, there will be additional ballot questions in communities from Rangeley to Rumford to Paris.

Avon to vote on financing up to $110,089 for heavy equipment purchase

Voters will consider purchasing a use or a new backhoe loader during a special town meeting Tuesday.

For Maine’s youth hunters, longtime tradition closes the generation gap

The 2-day hunt open for Mainers 16 and under started at 5:55 a.m. Friday.

Western Maine towns plan celebrations of Halloween

From big frights in Farmington to a Halloween dance in Peru, there’s something for ghouls of all ages.

Dozens protest ‘No Kings’ in Rangeley

The small group gathered Saturday on Main Street to join nationwide demonstrations against Trump administration policies.

Bigfoot enthusiasts talk legends and close encounters at festival in Eustis

The 2-day festival celebrating Bigfoot kicked off Saturday with expert speakers, vendors and more.

Day Mountain Middle School in Strong to remain open, for now

Maine School Administrative 58 board of directors considered closing the school, even as three towns have started the process of withdrawing from the district.

Power mishap exposes Franklin County dispatch’s aging backup system

After an HVAC contractor cut power, officials said the outdated battery backup failed, prompting urgent plans to replace it using reserve funds.

Poland Spring cuts water use at several sites due to drought

The company has reduced the amount of water it pumps from its Maine springs, officials said.