Benton music festival has withstood the test of time and plans for its 50th edition this weekend

As organizer Becky Littlefield explains it, the East Benton Fiddler's Contest, Convention and Bluegrass Festival "is the biggest event of the year in East Benton, the only event of the year in East Benton."

Fairfield man caught once again with child pornography sentenced to 7 years in prison, admonished by judge

Jeffrey C. White was on probation on previous child pornography charges and in sex offender counseling when police discovered he shared videos of children being sexually exploited, which a district court judge described as "real children being tortured."

School officials told harassment of minority students at Lawrence High School a recurring problem

A parent of a student at the school and a teacher there told MSAD 49 directors Thursday that there's a hostile environment at the school where students regularly use racial slurs and LGBTQ+ teens are bullied and harassed.

Fairfield-area residents approve $28.2 million school budget

Residents of the four towns in Maine School Administrative District 49 — Albion, Benton, Clinton and Fairfield — approved the budget Tuesday by a 1,003 to 636 vote.

Benton residents return Cyr to board, approve change to tax payments

In municipal elections held Tuesday, Robin Cyr was elected to a one-year term on the Board of Select Persons.

Fairfield area schools announces summer feeding program

Albion votes to explore leaving Fairfield-area school district

At a special Town Meeting election Friday, residents voted 184-23 to support leaving Maine School Administrative District 49.

Benton residents to vote on select board vacancy, tax ordinance changes

A former member of the Board of Select Persons, Robin Cyr, will be the only name on the ballot when residents go to the polls Tuesday, June 14, to fill a vacancy on the board.

Fairfield-area school board reviews funding plan for new school construction project

The Maine School Administrative District 49 board of directors on Thursday were told the state would cover at least 94% of the cost to build a consolidated elementary school on Neck Road in Benton adjacent to Benton Elementary School.

Drowning victim seen as talented man dogged by addiction, mental illness

Justin Howard, whose body was pulled May 22 from the Sebasticook River in Benton, "would give the shirt off his back to the people he cared about," said his partner, Amanda Howard.