Bob Neal

61 posts

Bob Neal is a seasoned journalist, having worked for daily newspapers in Kansas City, Montreal, Allentown (Pa.), Warren (Ohio), Bangor and Waterville. He reports on western Maine for Monitor Local, an initiative of The Maine Monitor.

As a farmer, he raised turkeys for 30 years in New Sharon. He has taught at UMaine and UMF and has served on the Mount Blue School Board and the New Sharon Select Board. He is a deacon at Shorey Chapel Congregational in Industry.

Contact Bob via email with questions, concerns or story ideas: boMEMONbneal myfairpoint net

select board members listen to a speaker.

Jay Select Board hears opposition to what could become the largest solar farm in Maine

A moratorium petition may be ready for a November referendum, targeting plans to install solar panels across 800 to 900 acres, including the former Jay Hill Drive‑In Theatre site.

ByBob Neal

August 11, 2026

members of the select board sit around a table.

Wilton water project wrapping up ahead of schedule

Crews have nearly finished installing new raw water lines and connecting customers as part of the $8 million upgrade.

ByBob Neal

August 7, 2026

Hidden Circle residents purchase mobile home park in Jay

The $1 million deal is the first resident buyout under Maine’s 2025 first-right-of-refusal law.

ByBob Neal

August 3, 2026

Members of the RSU 73 board during a meeting.

A former Spruce Mountain teacher and track coach is facing assault charges following alleged incident with female student

Multiple sources associated with the school district say the student was bruised during an incident at a track meet.

ByBob Neal

July 28, 2026

RSU 73 board accepts resignations of elementary principal, 3 teachers

Two teachers accepted jobs in home districts and a third at ND Paper, while interim leadership plans are set ahead of the new school year.

ByBob Neal

July 24, 2026

select board members sit a table at the front of the room.

Wilton Blueberry Festival hiring bounce house workers amid volunteer shortage

Prompted by a hallway clash at the July 7 meeting, a resident urges the Board of Selectpersons to enforce meeting decorum.

ByBob Neal

July 24, 2026

Wilton restaurant co-owner demands town code officer be fired

James Butler files a formal complaint against Gary Judkins following a heated public dispute over property lines and monument care.

ByBob Neal

July 10, 2026