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
March 4, 2016

Author shares story of immigration from Iran to Maine in Augusta speech

Reza Jalali, the University of Southern Maine coordinator of multicultural student affairs, said re-humanizing immigrants and changing the narrative is the way to becoming more accepting as a country.
Published
March 4, 2016

‘Someone other than a student’ might have emailed Augusta schools bomb threat

After searching for five hours, police did not find any bombs in city schools and say the threat might be linked to others made to schools Friday, police said.
Published
March 3, 2016

With some sap running early, maple syrup producers hope for good 2016 season

Many sugar shacks have gotten an early jump on the maple syrup season as producers hope to rebound from a difficult 2015.
Published
March 3, 2016

Flood risk below normal in central Maine

Because of warmer weather and below-average snowfall, flooding is not expected to occur across Maine this spring.
Published
March 1, 2016

Home-school theater group performing Shakespeare in Monmouth

The Southern Maine Association of Shakespearean Homeschoolers is staging a production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” ahead of April’s 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.
Published
February 29, 2016

U.S. Coast Guard completes Kennebec River breakout earlier than expected

Two cutters went up river to Gardiner to clear any jams on Friday, but there were none.
Published
February 27, 2016

Hallowell’s first Charter Commission to consider changes to hiring practices

The commission is holding the first of several planned workshops and public meetings March 9 and is considering changes to the way the police chief is appointed each year.
Published
February 26, 2016

Gardiner among local schools to participate in Read to ME Challenge

Gardiner high school students read to elementary school children, while adults read stories to local middle schoolers.
Published
February 23, 2016

Hallowell fixture Slates announces relocation plans after 36 years

Renovations for the business, including moving the restaurant into the current bakery space, are expected to be completed in late April.
Published
February 22, 2016

Weak ice on the Kennebec River leads to short smelt fishing season

Baker’s Smelt Camps in Pittston didn’t put any shacks on the ice for the first time in nearly 40 years.