Drew Johnson

Staff Writer

Drew is the night reporter for the Portland Press Herald. He previously covered South Portland, Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth for the Sentry, Leader and Southern Forecaster. Though he is from Massachusetts, Drew grew up going to his family’s lake house in Denmark, Maine, learning to snow ski at Pleasant Mountain and water ski on Moose Pond. While he started as a “Vacationlander”, Drew adopted “the way life should be” motto and moved to Portland in 2021.

Scarborough library names new director

September 6, 2023

The Scarborough Public Library has named Richard “Chip” Schrader as its new director. Schrader, most recently director of the Louis B. Goodall Memorial Library in Sanford, will begin work on Oct. 1. He succeeds Nancy Crowell, who retired after 45 years leading the library. “To say I’m shocked and over the moon sounds cliche, but […]

Senior resource fair coming up in South Portland

September 5, 2023September 6, 2023

An Age Friendly and South Portland Community Center Senior Programs Resource Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 22 at the Community Center at 21 Nelson Road. Over 40 vendors, including physical therapists, estate attorneys and home and hospice care professionals, will take part. The South Portland Fire Department will provide blood […]

Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster

Here’s what Scarborough taxpayers can expect if new school project is approved

by Drew Johnson August 31, 2023August 31, 2023

At the peak of the borrowing period, an average taxpayer would be paying $200 to $400 more per year for the K-3 school project.

Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster

Long-planned Cape Elizabeth solar field seeing light of day

by Drew Johnson August 31, 2023August 31, 2023

Construction could begin as soon as October on a solar field at the old landfill off Spurwink Avenue.

Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster

Longtime ‘conservation champion’ honored in Scarborough

by Drew Johnson August 31, 2023

Lee Sprague, who has been instrumental in key Scarborough Land Trust acquisitions has received its Conservationist of the Year Award.

Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster

Cape council, school board ballot firming up

August 30, 2023September 12, 2023

At least four candidates for Town Council, and at least three for School Board, will appear on the November ballot in Cape Elizabeth. Council candidates are Timothy Thompson, whose papers were verified Monday, as well as Andrew Swayze, Matthew Grymek and Stephanie Anderson, who will be vying for two seats. Current councilors Nicole Boucher and […]

Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster

Costco scheduled to open in November in Scarborough

August 30, 2023

Maine’s first Costco is set to open in Scarborough in November. The membership-only big box store company has added the Scarborough location at The Downs to its website. The 161,000-square-foot facility at the corner of Payne and Scarborough Downs roads was approved by the Scarborough Planning Board last year and comes with a gas station. […]

Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster

Portland Head Light open to climbers on Sept. 9

August 30, 2023August 30, 2023

Portland Head Light at Fort Williams Park will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Maine Open Lighthouse Day, Saturday, Sept. 9. The Cape Elizabeth park will open at sunrise and, beginning at 8:45 a.m., the U.S. Coast Guard will hand out 280 free tickets, allowing the recipients to climb […]