CONSTRUCTION ALERT: WEST RIVER ROAD, WATERVILLE Between Franklin Street and John Avenue affected

/0 Comments/in , /by

Starting next Monday, April 6, Kennebec Water District will begin a high-priority water main replacement project on West River Road between Franklin Street and John Avenue.

In an effort to provide safe working conditions for the construction team and increase construction efficiency, West River Road will be closed to southbound (outbound) traffic from Kennedy Memorial Drive to Louise Avenue.

All southbound traffic on West River Road from Kennedy Memorial Drive will be detoured to Carter Memorial Drive to Abenaki Road and back to West River Road. Northbound (inbound) traffic on West River Road will remain open.

This traffic modification will remain in place until the work is completed in mid-May.

We appreciate your understanding and safe driving as we undergo this critical infrastructure project.

Please plan your travel accordingly.

Questions regarding these projects can be directed to the Waterville Public Works Department (pw@waterville-me.gov).

Mainers urged to apply for refunds following bitcoin scam settlement

/0 Comments/in , /by

April 1 Deadline Approaching

AARP Maine and the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection (“Bureau”) are urging Mainers who lost money to Bitcoin‑related scams to apply for a refund before the April 1 deadline.

Following a two‑year investigation into Bitcoin kiosk activity across the state, the Bureau, with assistance from the Maine Attorney General’s Office, reached an agreement for a Bitcoin kiosk operator to pay $1.9 million to reimburse eligible Maine consumers who experienced fraud at select Bitcoin kiosks.

“Scammers often pressure people to act quickly and secretly, and Bitcoin kiosks have become a common tool in these schemes,” said Jane Margesson, Senior Communications Director with AARP Maine. “If you or someone you know lost money because of a bitcoin scam, this settlement may provide a rare opportunity to recover those losses—but the deadline to apply is coming up fast.”

Edward Myslik, Principal Consumer Credit Examiner with the Bureau, emphasized the importance of acting now. “Mainers who were victimized by these scams should not assume they are ineligible,” Myslik said. “We encourage anyone who believes they may have been affected to review the information and submit an application as soon as possible.”

The April 1 deadline is quickly approaching, and eligible consumers may be able to receive a refund from the $1.9 million settlement fund.

Mainers can learn more about eligibility and apply online through the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection at: https://www.maine.gov/pfr/consumercredit/enforcement/bitcoindepot.html

Consumers with questions about the Bitcoin settlement are encouraged to contact the Bureau at 1-800-332-8529 or (207) 624-8527.

For more information about scam prevention and for additional resources, Mainers can contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network victim helpline at 1-877-908-3360.

PHOTO: Waterville mayor proclaims Martial Arts Day

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Waterville Mayor Mike Morris, center, proclaimed Saturday, March 21, as Martial Arts Day, in Waterville. Huard’s Martial Arts hosted its 44th Battle of Maine Martial Arts Championships all day, at Champions, at Elm Plaza, in Waterville. (photo by Mark Huard)

School counselors Dr. Jamie Routhier and Gina Davis bring nationally known speaker B. Farris to Vassalboro school

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Gina Davis, left, B. Farris, and Dr. Jamie Routhier. (contributed photo)

On Tuesday March 10, Brandon Farris (B. Farris) spoke to over 160 VCS students about the power of his #ICAN movement. Brandon Farris has been traveling across the nation and inspiring over 20,000 students. He has had his music played at LA Dodgers baseball games, been featured on Netflix, and motivates audiences of students with his message of #ICAN. Growing up in a single-family home of eight, Brandon knows first-hand what it is like to face your fears and struggle to overcome them. In this assembly, he reminds students that no matter what they have been through, they can still dream of big things. Brandon focuses on student potential and the opportunity for all students to become who they are meant to be.

A fifth grade student said, “What I remember most about B. Farris is: “Don’t run from your fears because at some point it is always going to catch up to you.”

Dr. Routhier said, “What a powerful message to inspire our students to believe in themselves and dream big. It was a true honor for Vassalboro Community School to welcome B. Farris! We are grateful for his passion, time, grit and perseverance to help make this world a better place.”

Fifth grade student Preston D. said, “I will always remember him saying ‘I can be anything I want to be, I do believe!'”

Women’s History Month at Redington Museum

/0 Comments/in , /by

Redington home on Silver St., now the Redington Museum.

Some stories get remembered. Others fade a bit around the edges… until you go looking for them.

Join them for short, story-style glimpses into the lives of Waterville women—some well-known, others nearly forgotten, all worth hearing. Along the way, you’ll pick up a few surprising details, small mysteries, and the kinds of facts that don’t usually make it into the history books.

We’ll spend time with women like Emma Lovering, Mary Low, Sara Lang Drummond, Mary Anna Sawtelle, Sarah G. Crosby, and Marie Fefa Deeb—each with her own path, her own challenges, and her own mark on this community.

Then we’ll shift gears a bit.

We’re lucky to welcome Waterville’s own Ron Currie Jr., who will share stories of the strong Franco-American women in his family, the kind of personalities that stay with you, and how they helped shape his novel The Savage, Noble Death of Babs Dionne. If you’ve read even a hint about the book, you know those stories carry a little edge of mystery themselves.

Not a formal lecture; just good stories, a little curiosity, and a chance to see Waterville’s past in a new way. You might leave with a favorite story or new question. Or both….

On Saturday, March 28, the door opens at 2 p.m. for light refreshments and social time. At 2:30 p.m. the presentation will begin. Admission is free. Donations are happily accepted; we do not receive federal, state, or city funding. This museum is powered by you.

Marriner Hall at Redington Museum, 62 Silver Street, Waterville.

Waterville Historical Society, 62 Silver Street, Waterville, ME 04901, (207) 872-9439.

Shroud of Turin replica on display at SCCC

/0 Comments/in , , /by

As part of Holy Week, South China Community Church (SCCC) offers several special services: Palm Sunday (March 29 at 10 a.m.), Maundy Thursday (April 2 at 6 p.m.), Good Friday (April 3 at 6 p.m.), and of course, Easter (April 5 at 10 a.m.). As first displayed in 2025, Pastor Paul Harwath is providing a copy of the Shroud of Turin for viewing and contemplation.

The Shroud of Turin is an ancient burial cloth that bears a faded image of a crucified man, thought by many to be Jesus of Nazareth. Historians and scientists have carried out years of intense research, examinations, and detailed studies on the Shroud to determine its authenticity. The original has been at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, in Turin, Italy, for over four centuries, but has been restored several times following fire damage in 1532. There have been multiple exhibitions world-wide and the legitimacy of the Shroud continues to be debated.

SCCC invites and welcomes members of the local communities to join us at 7 p.m., in Memorial Hall, after our 6 p.m. Special Services on April 2 and/or April 3 to take the opportunity to reflect on this image and maybe decide for yourselves the truth behind it. Whether you believe it to be real or not, it is an amazing artifact.

Cub Scouts, start your engines!

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Left to right, Cubmaster Sabrina Garfield, Finn Hood, Oliver Stack, Assistant Cubmaster Tyler Swett and Josh Collins. (contributed photo)

by Chris Bernier

Cub Scouts from Pack #445 gathered on Sunday March 1 to race in the annual Pinewood Derby. This qualifying event for the Kennebec Valley District Scouting Derby was held at Winslow Parks and Rec, in Winslow. Co- hosting the event with Pack #445 was Troop #433-F. The race was open to Cub Scouts, siblings, adults, troop scouts and businesses who sponsored a car.

They event saw 35 racers total with six Cub Scouts qualifying to move onto the district level race and one cub moving onto the district Best in Show competition.

The following businesses were wonderful in making a donation to sponsor a car. O’Connors Auto Group and 201 Battery Tire and Service, both of Augusta, CTB Electronics, Ideal Electric, Mossing Around Photography and Freddy’s Garage, all of Winslow.

The day ended with the following youth moving onto represent Pack #445 at the district level race which is being held on April 11, at Messalonskee Middle School, in Oakland.

Finn Hood – 1st place Over All and 1st place Arrow of Light Den;
Oliver Stack – 2nd place Over All and 1st place Tiger Den;
Joshua Collins – 3rd place Over All and 2nd place of the Arrow of Light Den;
Jackson Waldie – 1st place Lion Den;
Cody McGraw – 1st place Wolf Den;
Kenny Bryar – 1st place Bear Den;
Lorelei Pullen – 1st place Best in Show.

Pack #445 thanks the following individuals for helping to make the 2026 Pack #445, Winslow Pinewood Derby a success. Amanda McCaslin, of Winslow Parks and Rec, CTB Electronics for the AV support, Cubmaster Sabrina Garfield, Assistant Cubmaster Tyler Swett, Millard Davis of Troop #433, Kevin Collins, Rick Pullen, and all of the parents, of Pack #445 who helped to lend a hand in set up and take down.

If you or someone you know, is interested in Cub Scouting, Troop Scouting or Race car sponsoring, please contact Scout volunteer Chris Bernier at circleofone555@hotmail.com with the subject heading of “Cub Scout Pack 445 info”.

100 Women Who Give event will award $10,000 to local charity

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Adrian Phair, board member of Camp to Belong, accepts the $10,000 check last year at Waterville Area Women’s Club “100 Women Who Give” event. This year’s nonprofit organizations on the voting ballot include Hardy Girls, Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area, and Sexual Assault Crisis & Support Center. To purchase a ticket, visit watervilleareawomensclub.org. (contributed photo)

Waterville Area Women’s Club will host its third annual “100 Women Who Give” event Wednesday, April 8, at 6 p.m., at Snow Pond Center for the Arts, in Sidney, where attendees will cast live voting to select one local nonprofit to receive a $10,000 unrestricted gift.

The event invites women interested in supporting their community by contributing together as a group to increase impact. One hundred women will purchase a ticket for $100 each to raise $10,000. The evening includes food, presentations by selected nonprofits, music, in-person voting, followed by the awarding of the $10,000 gift to the selected organization, and new this year, a $2,000 runner-up gift sponsored by Kennebec Savings Bank will be awarded. The evening concludes with an event celebration.

Waterville Area Women’s Club President Alisa Johnson said the club’s members started the event as an opportunity for women who wish to collectively have a greater impact on nonprofits that support women and children.

“As one person, it’s often difficult to make a large financial impact alone, but as a group, we have the ability to make an immediate, direct, and positive impact in our communities,” Johnson said. “The more women who get involved, the greater our impact will be on our friends and neighbors.”

Last year’s “100 Women Who Give” event awarded $10,000 to Camp to Belong Maine, a local nonprofit dedicated to reuniting brothers and sisters who have become separated from adoption/foster care or other out-of-home placement through a week of summer camp and other events. Thanks to the generosity of more than 100 women in attendance, additional donations were presented to Maine Women’s Lobby Education Fund and the South End Teen Center.

The three nonprofit organizations on the voting ballot this year include Hardy Girls, Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area, and Sexual Assault Crisis & Support Center.

To learn more and purchase a ticket to attend and/or vote on April 8, or to make a gift in support of 100 Women Who Give, visit Waterville Area Women’s Club Facebook page or watervilleareawomensclub.org.

Waterville Area Women’s Club and its volunteer members support numerous local charities and service agencies in the greater Waterville area, with a focus on those that benefit women and children. The Club welcomes new female members. For more information, contact Alisa Johnson at 207-629-8317.

From left, Doug Andrews, Renee Murray and Adrian Phair share the mission of local nonprofit Camp to Belong after receiving last year’s $10,000 gift from Waterville Area Women’s Club’s “100 Women Who Give” award. (contributed photo)

Taisen Pilotte receives MPA principals’ award

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

Taisen Pilotte

Head of School Jamie Soule, at Erskine Academy, in South China, has announced that Taisen Pilotte, of Palermo, a senior at Erskine Academy, has been selected to receive the 2026 Principal’s Award. The award, sponsored by the Maine Principals’ Association, recognizes a high school senior’s academic excellence, outstanding school citizenship, and leadership.

Pilotte is a consistent high honors student in a highly competitive academic program that includes honors or accelerated level classes and numerous Advanced Placement and Concurrent Enrollment courses with nearby colleges. He has been commended and honored within the school for his exceptional academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, leadership, and community service. Pilotte is currently ranked among the top students in Erskine Academy’s Class of 2026.

“Taisen’s dedication to academic excellence, leadership among his peers, and commitment to serving others make him an outstanding representative of Erskine Academy. He truly reflects our school’s core values of scholarship, leadership, stewardship, and relationships, and I am delighted to recognize him with this honor,” noted Soule.

Pilotte, Soule, and other award winners and their principals will attend an Honors Luncheon at Jeff’s Catering, on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. The event recognizes outstanding students by presenting a plaque and awarding ten $1,000 scholarships in the names of former Maine principals and MPA Executive Directors: Horace O. McGowan, Richard W. Tyler, and Richard A. Durost.

The Principal’s Award is presented in more than 100 Maine public and private high schools by member principals of the MPA, the professional association representing Maine’s school administrators.

Area scout leaders recognized with 2026 district awards

/0 Comments/in , , /by

2026 District Award recipients and family. Left seated Jamie Santiago. Behind is Chritopher Santiago (son) and Christopher Santiago (husband) all from Troop #410, Vassalboro. Right seated Walter Fails. Behind is Ginger Fails (Wife) and Camaeron Fails (Son), all from Troop #546, Farmington. (contributed photo)

by Christopher Bernier

On March 14, 25 adult leaders and their families attended the 2026 Kennebec Valley District Scouting America District Awards Banquet. This year the banquet was hosted at Winslow Parks and Recreation, on Benton Avenue, in Winslow, home to Troop #433 Winslow. The banquet was catered by Rita’s Catering for the fourth year in a row. The Maine Mobile Scouting Museum was on display during the event, showcasing patches, uniforms, and other memorabilia going back as far as the beginning of Scouting in 1911.

The evening opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and short messages of encouragement and gratitude from the district’s “Key 3.” The Key 3 consists of District Chairman Eric Handley, District Commissioner Peter Lidiak, and District Executive Leah Berry. These three individuals represent the top leadership of the Kennebec Valley District of Scouting, with K-Valley being the largest district in Pine Tree Council. Following the Key 3 remarks, Christopher Santiago, of Troop #410 Vassalboro, gave the evening’s prayer before the meal.

Following dinner was the main presentation of district thank-you certificates and awards. Thank-you certificates and awards were handed out by the district chairman, the former District Commissioner, the program chairman the advancement chairman, and the roundtable commissioner.

Next were the district training awards. These awards are earned by adult leaders in Scouting America who complete additional training for their positions and successfully finish a number of required tasks. The following adult leaders were recognized:

Scouter’s Training Award – Cub Scout Level: Ginger Fails and Walter Fails, of Troop #546, Farmington.

Scouter’s Training Award – Scouts BSA Level: Marcy Gage and Don Gage, of Troop #485, Skowhegan.

Scouter’s Training Award – District Committee Level: Christopher Santiago, of Troop #410, Vassalboro.

Cubmaster’s Key Award: Walter Fails, of Troop #546, Farmington.

Scoutmaster’s Key Award: Don Gage, of Troop #485, Skowhegan,

District Key Award: Christopher Santiago, of Troop #410, Vassalboro, and Eric Handley, of Troop #401, Sidney.

Commissioner’s Arrowhead Award and Commissioner’s Key Award: Christopher Santiago, of Troop #410, Vassalboro, Julie McKenney, of Pack #454, Oakland, Eric Handley, of Troop #401, Sidney, and Chris Bernier, of Troop #433-F, Winslow.

Next were the specialty awards. The following honors were presented:

The Phil Mason Honor Scout Award.

This award is given to a Scout through nomination by his or her peers for outstanding performance and for best exemplifying the Scout Oath and Law. This year there were two recipients: Thomas Gage and Joshua Gilpin, of Troop #485, of Skowhegan.

The Raymond “Papa Bear” Award.

This award is given to adult leaders through nominations from their peers and their youth Senior Patrol Leader through letters of recommendation. This year there were two recipients: Don Gage, of Troop #485, Skowhegan, and Julie McKenney, of Pack #454, Oakland.

The Unit Leader Award of Merit.

This award is also presented through nomination by one’s peers and the unit committee chairperson. This year’s recipients were Don Gage, of Troop #485, Skowhegan, Christopher Santiago, of Troop #410, Vassalboro, and Ginger Fails, of Troop #546, Farmington.

The peak of the evening was the awarding of the District Award of Merit. The District Award of Merit is the highest distinction and recognition that can be given to any adult leader within the district. The nomination process is completed through an application with at least two letters of recommendation from one’s peers. The nomination committee reviews the submissions and may select only two recipients for the award year. This year the committee selected two dedicated individuals whose records show they consistently go above and beyond the call of duty as volunteers in Scouting America.

The first recipient of the 2026 District Award of Merit was Jamie Santiago, of Troop #410, Vassalboro. Jamie joined Scouting in 2019 when her son joined Pack #61, in Norton, Massachusetts, which is part of Narragansett Council. In 2020, Jamie and her husband Christopher moved to Vassalboro. They joined Pack #410, Vassalboro, along with their son. Jamie has held multiple positions of responsibility in her pack, and when her son crossed over into Troop #410 she also volunteered in various leadership roles to help keep the unit running smoothly.

Jamie also volunteered at various events hosted by the Kennebec Valley District of Scouting. As a result of her volunteerism, she eventually became the Kennebec Valley District Vice Chairman for Finance and also serves as a district member-at-large. Jamie later joined the District Advancement Team, where she participates in Eagle Scout candidate boards of review, which are the final step in earning the Eagle Scout Award.

Outside of Scouting, Jamie is very involved with her son’s sports teams and is a huge fan of everything Disney. She serves her community whenever she can and is truly an outstanding individual.

The second recipient of the 2026 District Award of Merit was Walter Fails, of Troop #546, Farmington. Walter joined Scouting with his son in 2017. He quickly became involved, serving as the Tiger Den Leader for their pack. He later became Cubmaster for the Farmington pack and volunteered at many of the events the pack hosted.

Eventually his son crossed over into the troop, and Walter continued his Scouting journey alongside him. During this time Walter also began volunteering at district events such as camporees and Klondike derbies. He later became involved with the District Training Committee, which is responsible for hosting training events for new volunteers and leaders to prepare them for running a Cub Scout pack or Scout troop. From meetings to camping and everything in between, Walter and his team of trainers have helped prepare dozens of new parents and volunteers to provide quality Scouting to youth across the Kennebec Valley District.

Outside of Scouting, Walter loves the outdoors. He enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, Dutch oven cooking, canoeing, and leatherworking. He also volunteers when he can with the American Legion in Farmington. Walter is also a third-degree Master Mason in the fraternal society of Freemasonry.

These two volunteer Scout leaders are truly valued within the Scouting community. Without their dedication and love for Scouting, the Kennebec Valley would be a very different place. The award was presented to both individuals with their families and their Scouting families present. Each received a plaque engraved with their name, a special patch for their uniform, a certificate, a pin, and a bouquet of flowers.

If you are interested in Scouting America or wish to volunteer, please contact your local Scouting unit or Pine Tree Council, Scouting America. You can also visit beascout.scouting.org.