Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

March 5

Local & State Dispatches

From staff and news service reports

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AUGUSTA

Program aims to preserve public access to private land

Maine's wildlife department has a new program aimed at preserving and enhancing public access to private land.

People who join the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's Outdoor Partners Program agree to abide by a code of ethics to respect the law, public land, landowners and the environment. They also agree to assist a landowner in the upcoming year. The cost is $15.

In return, participants receive periodic newsletters and free passes to the Maine Wildlife Park, Swan Island and the North Maine Woods, as well as discounts to retailers including the Kittery Trading Post, L.L. Bean, Cabela's and DeLorme.

The money helps fund law enforcement in problem areas, investigation of trespassing complaints, and educational programs designed to maintain and improve public access.

More information is available on the department's website, www.mefishwildlife.com.

AUGUSTA

Brigadier general takes over at Maine Air National Guard

There's a new person in charge of the Maine Air National Guard.

Brig. Gen. Gerard Bolduc of Bangor was appointed during a ceremony at the Augusta State Armory on Monday.

Bolduc will serve as the primary adviser to the adjutant general for all Air National Guard units in Maine. He is responsible for the command, control and operations of plans and programs affecting more than 1,000 Maine Air National Guard personnel based in Augusta, Bangor and South Portland.

Bolduc's previous assignment was as the vice commander of the 101st Air Refueling Wing in Bangor.

He succeeds Brig. Gen. Stephen Atkinson, who is retiring.

PORTLAND

Residents get to speak on India Street neighborhood

Residents and others will have a chance to weigh in on the future of the India Street neighborhood on March 16.

An informal open house will be held from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Maine Jewish Museum, at 267 Congress St.

Residents, business owners and visitors are invited to share their thoughts about what parts of the neighborhood should be preserved and what should change.

Brief talks about the neighborhood's history and architecture will be given by Greater Portland Landmarks and the Portland Society of Architects.

A walking tour will also be offered, as will complimentary snacks, chocolate and hot chocolate.

The India Street neighborhood was one of 10 communities selected as centers of opportunity by Sustain Southern Maine, a $1.3 million initiative funded by a federal grant and involving 40 organizations.

Sustain Southern Maine will issue a report that will assist the city in a neighborhood-wide planning effort.

The India Street neighborhood lies between the Old Port and Munjoy Hill. It is generally bordered by Franklin, Congress, Thames, Commercial, Fore and Mountfort streets. 

Poet laureate project seeks nominations from the public

Are you a poet?

The Portland Poet Laureate Project is seeking nominations from the public of local poets who are qualified and interested in assuming the two-year post of Portland's fourth poet laureate.

Nominators must live in Maine, and nominees must live in Portland, South Portland, Westbrook, Falmouth, Scarborough, Cape Elizabeth or any of the islands off the Portland coast.

The deadline is April 25.

For further details, visit mainepoetrycentral.com. 

Water main maintenance due to begin next week

Maintenance on water mains in Raymond, Standish and Scarborough is scheduled to begin next week.

Crews will work from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays starting next Monday, according to the Portland Water District.

Once that work is finished in May, the crews will start working overnight, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday in Gorham, Cumberland, Portland and Scarborough.

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