Mark LaFlamme

Sun Journal

Mark LaFlamme is a Sun Journal reporter and weekly columnist. He's been on the nighttime police beat since 1994, which is just grand because he doesn't like getting out of bed before noon. Mark is the author of eight published novels and rides a dual sport motorcycle everywhere he goes. Unless it's winter, in which case he just sulks a lot.

Latest

Published
March 22, 2020

Face Time: Deputy Randy Williams — the pipes are calling

If you live in Androscoggin County, there’s a good chance you’ve seen Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Deputy Randy Williams patrolling the back roads. He’s been out there nearly two decades, after all, and he’s covered a lot of ground in that time. If you’ve ever been to a police memorial or a Kora Shrine parade, it’s […]
Published
March 22, 2020

Mrs. Sun Spots knows all

For almost 50 years, long before crowd sourcing, Mrs. Sun Spots has been answering readers questions and connecting the community. “It never ceases to amaze me how generous people can be,” she says.
Published
March 21, 2020

The art of social distancing: How to stay healthy and sane

For most, it’s an inconvenience, but not a life-changing one.
Published
March 21, 2020

Social distancing causing confusion, misunderstandings

LEWISTON – It’s a reasonably quiet day in downtown Lewiston, but near the end of Pierce Street, off Birch, comes the sounds of laughter, shouting and horseplay. It’s the clamor of young people at play and in ordinary times, it’s a common sound, even a cherished one. But these are not ordinary times. With the […]
Published
March 19, 2020

Coronavirus case confirmed at Bates College

LEWISTON — A case of COVID-19 has been confirmed at Bates College, school officials announced Thursday night. Although, officials didn’t specify whether the patient is a student or faculty, he or she was said to be at home in self-isolation. “We became aware of this case today,” Bates President Clayton Spencer wrote on the school […]
Published
March 18, 2020

How to apply for unemployment and disaster loans

About 4,900 Mainers filed unemployment claims with the state Department of Labor between Sunday and Tuesday, according to Department of Labor officials.
Published
March 16, 2020

The COVID-19 economy is on a roll

The dude’s name is Clyde, but on the streets he’s known as “The Depot.” No matter what you need or in what quantity, The Depot can hook you up. Guns? The Depot’s got guns. Dope? Liquor? Party girls? If you’ve got the cash, my friend, you’ll find everything you need in the back of The Depot’s windowless […]
Published
March 15, 2020

Does anybody really know what time it is?

My own personal time zone Excuse me if I’m an hour late, or possibly early, for that thing we have lined up today. Neither of the clocks in my home office sprung forward last Sunday morning to usher me into, or possibly out of, daylight savings time. My computer, which runs Linux Mint and is […]
Published
March 13, 2020

Maine courts announce restrictions for coronavirus

Courthouses will remain open, but some proceedings will be postponed.
Published
March 12, 2020

Maine’s first presumed COVID-19 case is a Navy reservist tested at CMMC

A Lewiston day care owner — who is not exhibiting any symptoms — picked the patient up from the airport Tuesday and is now in self-quarantine. She closed her day care temporarily.

Sign In: