2015 – Page 3241 – The Portland Press Herald

Fed sees stronger economy, but leaves interest rates alone

by MARTIN CRUTSINGER The Associated Press June 17, 2015June 18, 2015

Many analysts say that if the economy keeps improving, the Federal Reserve central bank will likely raise the key short-term rate in September.

South Portland allocates $450K for 'Clear Skies' defense

by William Hall June 17, 2015

SOUTH PORTLAND — The City Council on Monday earmarked nearly $500,000 to defend a law it passed last year preventing the on-boarding of crude oil along the city’s waterfront. The “Clear Skies” ordinance effectively prohibits pumping so-called tar sands oil through the Portland-Montreal Pipeline to South Portland, where the fuel could then be transported by ship. […]

Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster

Cape Elizabeth 250th celebration marches into high gear

by Kate Gardner June 17, 2015August 5, 2015

CAPE ELIZABETH — After celebrating Cape Elizabeth’s 250th anniversary at Family Fun Day last weekend, the town is now focusing on its next “birthday” event. A Night at the Light, scheduled July 25, will be a Portland Symphony Orchestra concert at Fort Williams Park. Although it will celebrate the town’s past, all the proceeds will […]

Animals, Life & Culture

Soggy Doggy, Pup Pot among inventions by, for dog owners

by SUE MANNING The Associated Press June 17, 2015June 17, 2015

These entrepreneurial pet owners invented their own helpful devices and turned them into multimillion-dollar ventures.

Coastal Journal, The Forecaster

DEP gives Brunswick train barn final approval

by Walter Wuthmann June 17, 2015

BRUNSWICK — The Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s approval this week of a storm-water license for a proposed Amtrak layover facility ends more than three years of debate – at least for now. Opponents of the project said they are already working on an appeal to the Board of Environmental Protection, a citizen oversight board appointed by […]

Business, News

CMP, Augusta reach settlement in gas company dispute

by Keith Edwards June 17, 2015June 17, 2015

Central Maine Power agrees to put $95,000 toward rate reduction and to no longer have CMP staffers go on sales calls for Maine Natural Gas.

Coastal Journal, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster

Maine's city lawmakers stand together in support of immigrant aid

by Scott Thistle, Sun Media Wire June 17, 2015

AUGUSTA — A group of lawmakers from Maine’s largest cities banded together in opposition to a new two-year state budget that makes it easier for the state to deny financial help to asylum-seeking immigrants. During a series of floor speeches late Tuesday night lawmakers from Bangor, Portland and Lewiston decried a rejection to changes in […]

Business, News

Retailers under scrutiny for selling dubious ‘brain supplements’

by MATTHEW PERRONE The Associated Press June 17, 2015June 17, 2015

The latest probe into the $30 billion dietary supplement industry focuses specifically on supplements targeting seniors who are concerned about dementia.