Oakland creates new TIF district to support downtown revitalization

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Garvan Donegan

Encompassing 37.27 acres, the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development has approved a newly designated Downtown Tax Increment Finance (TIF) district within the Town of Oakland. The new district will allow the municipality to stimulate investment, encourage business expansion and retention, attract new businesses, and boost beautification initiatives while supporting the Town’s growing vibrancy.

“This newly-created TIF district will make a lasting impact in the Town of Oakland by making the downtown more investable, safer, more pedestrian-friendly, and directly aligns with the town’s vision of supporting business development and retention,” said Oakland Town Manager Ella Bowman. “I want to thank the municipal staff and town council who have worked to help advance this initiative, the Oakland Downtown Redevelopment committee for their dedication to this initiative, who was a key driver behind the project, and all the residents and community groups who voiced their support.”

Plans for TIF funding realized from the district will be utilized to support infrastructure, business growth, facade improvements, marketing the downtown, expanding and improving area trail connections, and more. Funding will also be leveraged to secure additional investment and incentivize business recruitment and retention in the district.

“Oakland is driving impact and support for residents, businesses, and remote rural workers through this project, incentivizing investment, cultivating new business attraction, and ultimately contributing to the overall economic well-being of the town and region,” said Central Maine Growth Council Director of Planning, Innovation, and Economic Development Garvan Donegan. “This newly-approved TIF district will create the necessary conditions to support economic development along Main Street and downtown revitalization in the Town of Oakland as a whole.”

Elmira College recognizes annual Key Award recipients

/0 Comments/in , /by

Elmira College, in Elmira, New York, recently announced this year’s recipients of its annual Key Award. This year’s award was given to 761 students across 14 states and Puerto Rico. A tradition that goes back to 1935, the Key Award is presented to outstanding students in their junior year of high school or preparatory school. Those receiving the award included Emma Fortie and Jonathan Eccher Mullally, both of Oakland.

Matthew Parent named a Presidential Scholar at Clarkson University

/0 Comments/in , /by

Matthew G. Parent, of Oakland, a sophomore majoring in electrical engineering, was named a Presidential Scholar for the Fall 2022 semester at Clarkson University, in Potsdam, New York.

Emma Concaugh named to dean’s list

/0 Comments/in , /by

Emma Concaugh, of Oakland, was named to the College of the Holy Cross, in Worcester, Massachusetts, fall 2022 dean’s list.

A member of the class of 2024, Concaugh was named to the dean’s list for outstanding academic achievement during the fall semester of the 2022-23 academic year.

Dozens take part in 30th anniversary plunge

/1 Comment/in , , /by

Day’s Jewelers’ Craig Adams, left, Jessica Ross, and Tony Cuares, dive into the frigid waters of Messalonskee Lake. (photo by Kevin Giguere, Central Maine Photography staff)

by Mark Huard

The 30th anniversary for the polar plunge, a fundraising event hosted by the Waterville Area Alfond Youth and Community Center, was held on Saturday, March 11, with over 150 folks showing up at Oakland’s historic Pressey House, in Oakland, to enjoy the beautiful crisp weather, Pinky D’s delicious poutine, and watch the over 50 fundraisers take the plunge into Messalonskee Lake. Along with sponsors like Central Maine Motors and Kennebec Savings Bank, the event raised $22,000 to support at risk youth in programs like Summer Camp Tracy and Greenhouse to Your House food security.

Top fundraisers included Tony Tuell for the eighth year in a row at $4,500, and first time dipper Ashton Erving, a participant in the AYCC Unified Champions program, with $2,465. Another first-time dipper was Crista Lavenson who, despite having run the event for 10 years, had never ventured into the water. She put out a challenge to raise $2,000 in 24 hours and with a last-minute flurry of pledges at the event managed to reach her goal and take the plunge!

Izzy Bouchard, back, and Morgan MacMaster, take the plunge with a St. Patrick’s Day theme. (photo by Kevin Giguere, Central Maine Photography staff)

Oakland students make fall 2022 president’s list at Coastal Carolina University

/0 Comments/in , /by

More than 1,100 students earned a spot on the President’s List for the Fall 2022 semester at Coastal Carolina University, in Conway, South Carolina. Area students named to the president’s list include, Delaney Johnston, and Katelyn Robertson, both of Oakland

Area residents named to dean’s list at UNE

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by

Photo credit: University of New England Facebook page

The following students have been named to the dean’s list for the 2022 fall semester at the University of New England, in Biddeford.

Albion: Emma McPherson and Olivia McPherson.

Augusta: Valerie Capeless, Zinaida Gregor, Jessica Guerrette, Brooklynn Merrill, Daraun White and Julia White.

Benton: Jessica Andrews.

Fairfield: Caitlyn Mayo.

Jefferson: Mallory Audette.

Oakland: Kierra Bumford and Francesca Caccamo.

Palermo: Peyton Sammons.

Sidney: Sarah Kohl.

Skowhegan: Wylie Bedard, Elizabeth Connelly, Ashley Mason and Dawson Turcotte.

South China: Richard Winn.

Vassalboro: Adam Ochs.

Waterville: Mohammad Atif-Sheikh, Elias Nawfel, Grace Petley and Evan Watts.

Winslow: Juliann Lapierre, Kristopher Loubier and Justice Picard.

Area Bryant University students named to fall dean’s list

/0 Comments/in , /by

Bryant University, in Smithfield, Rhode Island, is pleased to recognize the students who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to academic excellence and achievement and have been named to the fall 2022 deans’ list. The include:

Jonathan Christopher, of Oakland, Samuel Schmitt and Carly Warn, both of Winslow.

Elmira College recognizes annual Key Award recipients

/0 Comments/in , /by

Elmira College, in Elmira, New York, recently announced this year’s recipients of its annual Key Award.

This year’s award was given to 761 students across 14 states and Puerto Rico. A tradition that goes back to 1935, the Key Award is presented to outstanding students in their junior year of high school or preparatory school. Those receiving the award included Emma Fortie and Jonathan EccherMullally, both of Oakland.

New provider welcomed at Northern Light Primary Care in Oakland

/0 Comments/in , /by

Stephanie Plasse

Northern Light Inland Hospital is pleased to welcome Stephanie Plasse, DNP, FNP-C, family nurse practitioner, to Northern Light Primary Care, in Oakland.

Stephanie received her doctoral degree from Quinnipiac University in North Haven, Connecticut, and her undergraduate degree from Endicott College, in Beverly, Massachu­setts. She is a board-certified family nurse practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Regarding patient care, she says, “I take the time to educate patients. It is important for patients to understand their conditions so that we can make a management plan together. In primary care, we aim to help prevent diseases, if possible, catch other diseases early to improve prognoses, and establish an appropriate plan of care once diseases are diagnosed. Education is critical in all of these areas.”

Stephanie is welcoming new patients age 17 and older. Please contact the office at 465-7342 to schedule an appointment or visit their website to schedule an appointment online. The practice is located at 74 Water Street, in Oakland.