Jason Pafundi

Staff Writer

Jason Pafundi, a native Floridian who moved to Maine from Los Angeles in August 2015 with his wife, covers Hallowell, Togus, education and religion. He began his career at the Kennebec Journal in November 2015 after freelancing for the Portland Press Herald for several months. Pafundi graduated from the University of Florida earlier this century and has taught high school English, coached varsity basketball and worked in media relations for the New York Rangers. The diehard Mets and Redskins fan is a sports, movies, music and television fanatic who enjoys discussing current events, history and pop culture. He’s attended two Super Bowls, two World Series, a Stanley Cup Final and has seen Elton John in concert 13 times and counting. Pafundi’s modest goals for 2017 including cutting back on his cheese consumption.

Latest

Published
April 24, 2017

Hallowell marijuana task force eyes zoning limits for pot businesses

The City Council adopted a temporary 180-day moratorium in order to have enough time to sift through all the possible ordinance and zoning changes the city may make regarding recreational marijuana.
Published
April 22, 2017

Work continues at Hallowell’s Stevens Commons before Friday vote

The controversial $2.36 million bond proposal going to referendum Friday includes $600,000 that would fund infrastructure improvements at Stevens Commons, which its owner says are necessary to move the project forward.
Published
April 21, 2017

Hallowell chooses site for new fire station at Stevens Commons

The station will be built using up to $1 million coming from an anonymous donor, whose gift was contingent on the fire station being located at Stevens Commons.
Published
April 19, 2017

Affordable-housing developer presents plan to Hallowell board

Community Housing of Maine is hoping to convert a Stevens Commons building to a 30-unit afforable housing development for seniors.
Published
April 19, 2017

RSU 38 committee recommends keeping Manchester Elementary open

The school, which has fought a mold problem in recent months, had a new concern raised in late March about carbon dioxide levels on campus.
Published
April 18, 2017

Hallowell expecting increased budget for upcoming fiscal year

Additional expenses for fire protection and legal services contributed to the budget increase, although City Manager Nate Rudy said there is time to ‘creatively trim costs’ before the council votes.
Published
April 15, 2017

Amid new air quality concerns, Manchester Elementary community moving forward

Communication among the district, the school and parents has improved since a mold and air quality problem surfaced in November, yielding frustration about how and when the public was notified.
Published
April 14, 2017

Road construction worth it, Ogunquit business owner tells Hallowell Area Board of Trade

Hallowell business owners have begun preparing for next year’s Water Street reconstruction and will hold public meetings to discuss ways to keep downtown thriving while the work is underway.
Published
April 13, 2017

Augusta home for homeless female veterans nears completion

The Betsy Ann Ross House of Hope should open officially for occupancy later this month, its director said Thursday at a ribbon-cutting event.
Published
April 12, 2017

University of Maine at Augusta president leaving in June

In the coming days, the chancellor of the University of Maine System, James Page, will be meeting with people at UMA to make plans for a leadership transition.