Gorham named nation’s
16th safest college town

Police Chief Daniel Jones announced Aug. 31 that “SafeWise, an online safety resource” has named Gorham as the 16th safest college town in the United States.

Jones said SafeWise analyzed the most recent FBI crime statistics to compile the list.

“The Gorham Police Department recognizes this honor is due to the collaboration between the citizens of Gorham, the University of Southern Maine staff and students, the University of Southern Maine Public Safety Department and the Gorham Police Department,” Jones said in a press release.

USM President Glenn Cummings said in the press release the study adds to the list of reasons the university values its connections to Gorham. “To be the 16th safest college town in all of America and the safest college town in Maine explains one reason why so many parents want to send their high school graduates to our USM Gorham campus,” Cummings said.

“Gorham is a great town and a wonderful qand safe community, and we could not be more pleased than to be part of it.”

SafeWise reported that just 12 violent crimes were reported in 2016 in Gorham with a population of 17,346.

Brookline, Massachusetts, is listed the safest college town. It had only 14 violent crimes in 2016 in a population of 59,033, SafeWise reported.

Land trust annual meeting

Presumpscot Regional Land Trust’s annual meeting and a trail opening is set for Sunday, Sept. 16, at Randall Orchards in Standish.

The Randall Orchards trail opening and ribbon cutting is scheduled for 5 p.m. and a social hour begins at 6 p.m. with appetizers, homemade pie and Randall Orchards cider.  The land trust meeting will follow with a slide show presentation of highlights from the year, volunteer recognition and annual meeting elections.

The event will wrap-up at 7 p.m. in time to watch the sunset over the orchard.

Randall Orchards is owned by the Randall family and the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust holds a 500-acre conservation and agricultural easement on the orchard and surrounding forest. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required due to limited space.

For more information or to register, visit www.prlt.org

Flu immunization clinic

Walgreens Pharmacy of Windham is sponsoring a flu immunization clinic from 9-11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12, at the Lakes Region Senior Center at the Little Falls Activity Center, 40 Acorn St.

Senior doses will be available. Bring medicare or insurance cards, Blanche Alexander, president of the seniors group, said in an announcement.

Historical society to meet

The Gorham Historical Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 10, at the  Gorham Municipal Center, 75 South St.

The program is titled “Remember When …,” a look back at places around Gorham that no longer exist.

U.S. taxpayer debt

The Bureau of the Fiscal Service reported on Aug. 30 that the U.S. public debt was $21,442,467,655,114.31.