We have a tradition here at Current Publishing. Every year we cull through the top stories and issues that remain unresolved from the previous year and try to make predictions, using the state-of-the-art equipment we have here in the newsroom – the Magic 8 Ball. (It’s cheaper than hiring a real psychic and, usually, just as accurate.)

It’s proven to be popular with readers, or at least no one’s complained. So, thanks to the infinite wisdom of the Magic 8 Ball, here are our predictions for 2008:

Will a new office be built in downtown Westbrook on Saccarappa Park?

Magic 8 Ball: Maybe.

Will Westbrook Mayor Bruce Chuluda decide to move City Hall there?

Magic 8 Ball: Ask again later.

Will York, Cumberland and Sagadahoc counties secede from northern Maine and form the 51st state – North Massachusetts?

Magic 8 Ball: My sources say no.

Will South Portland Mayor Jim Soule be elected governor of North Massachusetts?

Magic 8 Ball: No way!

Will state legislators get new laptops to cut down on paper waste in the State House?

Magic 8 Ball: Yes.

Will they replace their legislative aides with seventh-graders who know how to use their new laptops?

Magic 8 Ball: Absolutely!

Will Scarborough Downs be allowed to build a racino at its track in Scarborough?

Magic 8 Ball: My sources say no.

Will Town Councilor Sylvia Most hit the jackpot on a slot machine and buy “Scarborough at 350: Linking the Past to the Present” for every resident in town.

Magic 8 Ball: Ask again later.

Will the state find good homes for the more than 200 dogs rescued from a Buxton kennel?

Magic 8 Ball: Definitely.

Will the owners of the kennel ever show up in court to face the charges against them?

Magic 8 Ball: Ask again later.

Will South Portland business owners clean up Mill Creek?

Magic 8 Ball: Ask again later.

Having conquered Saccarappa Falls, will Westbrook Police Chief Bill Baker decide to kayak it?

Magic 8 Ball: Definitely.

Will a convicted sex offender ever move to Westbrook?

Magic 8 Ball: Outlook not so good.

Will Stan Sawyer postpone his retirement another year to run a newly consolidated Westbrook, Windham and Raymond school district?

Magic 8 Ball: Ask again later.

Will the Maine Mall get its tax bill reduced?

Magic 8 Ball: Yes.

Will that translate into sales on mall merchandise?

Magic 8 Ball: Yes.

Will Shaw Brothers Construction be allowed to build an asphalt plant and quarry in Gorham?

Magic 8 Ball: Definitely.

Will the company use it to get the contract to build the North Massachusetts Turnpike?

Magic 8 Ball: No way!