Mark LaFlamme: The sad and mysterious death of Jason Lavoie

Street Talk: Some deaths hit particularly hard in the local community and this was one of those from the start. And the sad news was compounded a great deal by the inexplicable nature of Lavoie's death. 

Mark LaFlamme: Justin Butterfield’s dark night of the soul

Mark LaFlamme: 104 Park St. has always felt like home

Street Talk: This is what a newspaper should look like — a temple where one could worship and study all the great mysteries that local history had to offer.

Mark LaFlamme: Cat twirling, fugitive-chasing, fox-brawling drama like you read about

Recent troubling news offers convincing proof the traditional Halloween vacation is over.

Mark LaFlamme: The only Halloween movie watching guide you’ll ever need, probably

Street Talk: This year, instead of watching the classics I usually do, I've been taking a chance on some more obscure movies in order to get my sleep-with-the-lights-on thrills.

Mark LaFlamme: Naked chickens and runaway bones. Now THAT’S a weather story!

Street Talk: Those of you who have been around a while will know I feel about writing weather stories — I enjoy them about as much as I would enjoy leprosy or a meal of boiled kitty litter. I'm not a fan, me. 

Mark LaFlamme: Gun violence in Lewiston-Auburn: Don’t blame constitutional carry

Street Talk: The matter of constitutional carry, for those who demand stricter gun controls for all, becomes irresistible low-hanging fruit whenever gun violence makes the news.  

Mark LaFlamme: My short and sad history of roller skating

Street Talk: Mind you, I had nothing against roller skating per se. It's just that I flat out hated roller skating and couldn't think of a worse setting in which to woo my young Kate Jackson clone. 

Mark LaFlamme: My secret newsroom weapon

Street Talk: I have Cathy to thank for the fact that I am married; that I ride a dual sport motorcycle; that I no longer waste my moolah on vile cigarettes. And that's not to mention the contributions she made to the craft of news gathering.

Mark LaFlamme: Things got weird last week at the Auburn Burger King

Street Talk: Words like 'overturned' and 'into the building' and 'upside down' were used.