July

Oxford Hills was rocked by tragedy July 7 when a Norway resident was murdered by their spouse, Oxford public safety responded to multiple fires and a suicide, a person incarcerated at Oxford County Jail died and three people were killed in a two-car accident in South Paris, all within a span of hours.

Maine Department of Transportation began working on a heavily traveled Oxford Hills pothole obstacle course, also known as Route 26, June 30. Over the course of summer into fall, the section between Oxford and Norway was rebuilt and repaved. Because of staffing shortages, work could not be done at night, resulting in frustrating commutes for residents.

A staple on Main Street in Norway, The Weary Club, celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023 by compiling a community cookbook to raise money for maintenance to its clubhouse, as well as for traditional projects like the Don C. Seitz journalism scholarship and Christmas for Kids.

Norway Downtown honored retiring Town Manager Dennis Lajoie with its second Andrea Burns Main Street Award. The organization established the award to recognize citizens “who exhibit an extraordinary dedication to downtown Norway and community,” according to its board President Scott Berk.

Following an inspection of the Crockett Ridge Road bridge in Norway, Maine DOT announced it was in serious need of repair and posted a 22-ton weight limit. The bridge was listed on Norway’s maintenance schedule – for 2027. The town’s road engineer disputed the department’s determination but was unable to get the bridge’s downgraded status changed.

August

Modernizing education in Oxford Hills took a big step forward July 27 when two community building committees and architectural firms contracted to assess needs and goals districtwide met for the first time. The groups’ purpose is to plan replacement of Agnes Gray Elementary School in West Paris and Oxford Hills Middle School’s two campuses in South Paris and Oxford. Harriman Architecture and Design of Auburn was placed in charge of plans for a new middle school and Lavallee Brensinger Architects of Portland was chosen for the West Paris elementary school.

Along with 22 other daily and weekly newspapers, the Advertiser Democrat was sold by Masthead Maine to the National Trust for Local News, a nonprofit focused on maintaining independent community journalism. The sale was announced on July 10 and finalized on August 1.

Oxford County Sheriff Christopher Wainwright went under renewed scrutiny after it was revealed that between 2020-2021 he covertly sold dozens of guns from the department’s evidence room to J.T. Reid’s Gun Shop in Auburn. The county treasurer’s office had no receipts or funds of his transactions. One county commissioner was quoted as saying that Wainwright had taken liberties with his office and acted as if he was above the law. The three person commission opted to put the sheriff on a “short rope” over requesting that the governor terminate him from his elected office.

Maine Vocational Region 11 announced that a two-story, interactive classroom being built with a $2.1 million grant through the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan would be completed in spring of 2024. The building will be utilized by students in OHTS’ plumbing technology and electrical training programs. Harriman Architecture and Design of Auburn is the design firm and contractor for the project; Benchmark Construction of Westbrook is the builder.

The town of Oxford completed its first real estate revaluation in 14 years, leaving property owners frustrated by the process. Many complained that their new tax values were higher than they would be able to sell their homes for. Others said the assessment company, KRT Appraisal of Haverhill, Mass., made errors during the process and in some cases wrote appraisal reports based on market data without physically inspecting their property.

As students in western Maine began their new school year, administrators reported to the Oxford Hills school board that many jobs in the district remained unfilled. Special education and elementary school teachers made up most of the open positions. Superintendent Heather Manchester said the issue is nationwide, adding that Maine’s universities are seeing fewer students pursuing degrees in education, and those with experience in the field are taking opportunities in higher paying districts with urban and suburban amenities than rural areas can offer.

September

The Maine Dragon Boat Club, established on Lake Pennesseewassee in Norway by Sherri Otterson and a like-minded circle of paddling enthusiasts, officially opened, hosting introductory open paddles from its headquarters at Lakeside Norway.

In Buckfield, residents lost their sole gas station when the Buckfield Mall closed its doors for good. Owners David and Vicki Dean cited online abuse and disgruntled former employees as reasons why they were driven out of business, while their customers returned similar accusations.

Norway’s Board of Selectmen set the mill rate for 2023-2024 property taxes at $14.70 per thousand, a four percent increase over the previous year.

Meanwhile in Oxford, selectmen split on how to balance property tax relief. All agreed to tap Oxford Casino Hotel revenues, however they differed on the amount. The board voted three to two to drop the mill rate from $15 to $8.80. Board Chair Dana Dillingham, Caldwell Jackson and Sharon Jackson voted in favor of the 41% decrease, while Vice-Chair Scott Hunter and Floyd Thayer opposed, stating their preference to not rely as heavily on projected casino revenues.

A novel business partnership opened on Main Street in Norway with casual apparel boutique Sweet Escape and hair salon The Foiled Studio both moving into space formerly occupied by Katherine’s Bakery & Cafe. The bakery had vacated 238 Main Street earlier in the year for a larger, renovated shop a block just a block away.

A home décor store, specializing in salvaged home goods and antiques, opened at Market Square in the building where Bolster’s Mills Decorating had operated for 46 years. “It’s about repurposing, reusing, making new things out of old things,” owner David Robichaud told the Advertiser Democrat.

Unhappy with some of the organization’s policies, two Paris selectmen opposed renewing the town’s contract with Responsible Pet Care animal shelter to take in and care for its stray animals. Michael Bailey and Scott McElravy both indicated they had encountered challenges when attempting to retrieve their own dogs that had been taken to the shelter by animal control. They also felt being charged $40 to reclaim them was excessive.

October

Norway Police Department announced that Officer John Lewis and Investigator Jeremy Pyburn were spearheading a new initiative called the Special Enforcement Unit, focused on gathering evidence during searches and arrests that can be linked to other crimes. Their methods for detecting crime patterns include digital forensics, a capability few law enforcement agencies in Maine have trained personnel for.

Norway Savings Bank and SAD 17 announced the renewal of “Viking FUNds,” a donation of $20,000 that ensures students from Pre-K through eighth grade in Oxford Hills receive the opportunity to participate in experiential learning through field trips and special classroom guests.

Western Foothills Land Trust finalized the purchase of 721 acres that expanded public access to Twin Bridges Preserve along the Crooked River, in Otisfield, Norway and Harrison. The acquisition was facilitated with assistance from The Conservation Fund, a national preservation organization that bought 25,000 acres of western Maine forestland to hold in trust while regional groups like MFLT, the Mahoosic Land Trust and Inland Woods + Trails raised funds to then purchase and preserve habitat, water quality and recreation access.

Norway’s independent business footprint continued its trek away from the village center when West Paris residents Jeff and Alyssa Baker opened a listening lounge, the Wook Nook, at 493 Main Street. Serving drinks, beer and pub food, the Bakers envisioned their bar as a laid back gathering place to put their extensive vinyl album collection to use, spinning songs and album sides to introduce customers to new music genres and performers.

SAD 17 held community classes in October and December to promote working for the district as a substitute teacher, a group that has been difficult to hire in recent years. October’s one-unit session at Central Office in South Paris attracted 20 potential and former educators, many of whom attended the class as a way to research education as a career.

Local attorney and resident Jeffrey Wilson was named Norway’s next town manager, just the fourth person in that position in more than 30 years. Wilson was set to begin his new job Dec. 15, succeeding Bradley Plante, who had served as interim manager starting last April former Town Manager Dennis Lajoie retired. Previously, David Holt held the post for 28 years.

November

Eighteen months after the heirs of Oxford property owner Evan Thurlow informed Oxford Historical Society that it had been his wish to donate the Pigeon Hill School, the one-room schoolhouse was moved from its original site on Rabbit Valley Road to property, also donated by a late Oxford resident, on King Street. The school was built in 1867 and shut down in the 1940s. Thurlow had attended Pigeon Hill as a child.

After the Advertiser Democrat  published a news story about the schoolhouse in June of 2022, Maine Preservation place it on the 2022 list of Maine’s most endangered places. More than $34,000 in personal, corporate and anonymous donations covered the expense for moving and excavation. Once restored, Pigeon Hill Schoolhouse will open as a living history museum.

In timing concurrent with the schoolhouse building project, Oxford voters approved transferring the Kay House property on Pleasant Street to OHS. The Kay House serves as the historical society’s archives, museum and headquarters.

As part of Guy E. Rowe Elementary School’s annual Veteran’s Day celebration, five students participating in an essay contest about honoring military service were chosen to read their essays aloud to their school mates and area veterans attending its Nov. 7 ceremony.

Maine Special Olympians descended on Stars & Strikes in South Paris bowling alley Nov. 5 for their annual tournament, with an awards banquet and dance following at the American Legion Post 72. The bowling tournament was organized by Oxford county’s Special Olympics Area Managers Rhonda Lausier and Ashly Rolfe.

Maine DOT permanently closed Scribner’s Mill Bridge, which connects Otisfield and Harrison, after it failed an annual inspection. Engineers sent a report to local officials listing significant instability, with an unsound structure and unsafe for use. The only way the two towns will be able to reestablish road and foot traffic is by footing the bill to build a new one.

County and municipal leaders in Oxford county mourned the sudden death of Donald Durrah, Jr., the county’s administrator since 2019. Durrah passed away unexpectedly Nov. 1.

Non-profit real estate developer The Caleb Group of Lynn, MA announced the purchase and plans to renovate the old Robinson Woolen Mill at the outlet of Thompson Lake in Oxford and build additional structures that would add more than 75 affordable senior rental units. Stakeholders for The Caleb Group said the project will cost around $32 million and take up to four years to complete, once planning board approval is granted.

Otisfield Community School students were treated to an assembly led by former student and book publisher Stephen McCoy Mulligan and her husband, former Maine Black Bears and New England Patriots tight end Matt Mulligan. Mulligan ran an interactive practice drill and read from his autobiographical children’s book about hard work, perseverance, and encouragement.

Kira Powell, a senior at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, earned a spot in the Eastern Regional Conference Choir with the American Choral Directors Association, which will take place on Feb. 28, 2024. The Otisfield resident has been a chorister since she entered fifth grade. While she plans to major in social work in college, she said it is important the school she chooses to attend also has a strong music program.

Residents around Hobbs Pond in Norway continued to address the select board to identify and eliminate the cause of water contamination occurring over a period of years. Tests conducted by the Norway Lakes Association confirmed property owners’ assertions that algae blooms have been cause by manure fertilizer spread nearby. One resident wanted to know why no action has been taken while testing is repeated, but selectmen said they could not execute a plan until the actual source is discovered.

December

SAD 17 Superintendent Heather Manchester reported to school board directors that educators and administrators district wide are starting to see improvement to chronic student absenteeism. A problem state and nationwide since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, absentee rates since the start of the 2023-24 school year have declined from an average daily rate of 50% to 31% since September. Manchester said concentrated efforts to involve parents and families, along with in-school strategies and individual student improvement plans are the reasons behind increased attendance.

Two OHTS students, Xian Tripp and Jason Wallace, were honored for their art entries to Count ME In’s annual Attendance Matters art contest. Maine school districts partner with non-profit Count ME In to develop programs to improve attendance. Tripp took second place in the poster competition and Wallace won first place in the video category.

Paris Town Manager Dawn Noyes was placed on administrative leave Nov. 13. During their Dec. 26 business meeting, selectmen announced that she had stepped down. No reason for the board’s action or Noyes’ resignation was given, but Chair Christopher Summers said the parting was amicable. Over six years, Noyes had worked for Paris first as bookkeeper, interim town manager for seven months and became the town’s top administrator in July, 2019. Town Clerk Elizabeth Knox was appointed interim town manager in November and will continue in the post, according to Summers.

OHCHS Principal Paul Bickford announced that senior and OHTS CNA student Tristen Durenburger had been honored as school winner in the national Heisman High School Scholarship Competition. A three-sport athlete, Durenburger also works at Norway Health and Rehab as a CNA. She plans to study nursing at Central Maine Community College and the University of Southern Maine, with the goal of becoming an obstetrics nurse at Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway.

Western Maine was pummeled by a major December rainstorm on Dec. 18 and 19. In Oxford county the Swift, Androscoggin, Little Androscoggin and Crooked rivers flooded and roads washed away. Statewide more than 400,000 homes were without power for three or more days. The Harrison Food Bank never lost its power and was able to distribute and deliver provisions to more than 600 families. But the event reinforced that an organization storing that much perishable food with a far-reaching distribution needs a 100 KW on demand generator to keep up with community demand.

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