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Michael Kelley has been professionally working in the newspaper industry since 2006 writing about municipal news, education news, environmental news, sports and other human interest topics. He has covered the communities of Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Portland, South Portland and Westbrook for several weekly newspapers. His work has appeared in magazines, daily newspapers and weekly newspapers throughout Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont.

Latest
  • Published
    August 24, 2020

    Overnight closures scheduled for Warren Avenue

    PORTLAND — Warren Avenue will be closed overnight for four nights this week and next week for turnpike bridge work. The closures are scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 26, and Thursday, Aug. 27, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day. The road will also be closed during the same time period on Sunday, Aug. […]

  • Published
    August 24, 2020

    $200M in CARES grants available to small employers

    PORTLAND — A major funding source is now available for small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Small businesses and non-profit organizations with 50 or fewer employees can apply to receive a grant of up to $100,000 to replace COVID-19 related losses.  Gov. Janet Mills has committed up to $200 million in CARES Act Coronavirus […]

  • Published
    August 18, 2020

    Homeless camp at Deering Oaks spurs complaints about litter, needles

    Residents say they have seen increased trash, feces and used needles at Deering Oaks.

  • Published
    August 18, 2020

    Neighbors hope Munjoy Hill district will end ‘slash, burn, rebuild’

    Working class neighborhoods also have historic value and need to be preserved, they say.

  • Published
    August 18, 2020

    Portland police staffing levels concern chief

    The proposed fiscal year 2021 budget reduces police expenditures by more than half a million dollars, eliminates three positions and defers the hiring of another seven positions.

  • Published
    August 18, 2020

    Portland library to shelve overdue fees to promote access

    The fees are being eliminated in an attempt to ensure access for everyone and to encourage those with overdue items to return them without penalty.

  • Published
    August 18, 2020

    Maine Bicentennial: Portland

    In commemoration of Maine’s bicentennial this year, The Forecaster is featuring historical highlights from our communities’ past 200 years, in print and online every other week.

  • Published
    August 17, 2020

    Friends of Fort Gorges launches fundraising campaign

    PORTLAND — Friends of Fort Gorges has launched a $500,000 “Your Fort” fundraising campaign to help preserve the more than 150-year-old former military fort in Casco Bay. If the group can raise $250,000, the city is offering a $250,000 match grant. The fundraising campaign is the first for the organization, which is “committed to the […]

  • Published
    August 17, 2020

    Council seeks applicants for racial equity steering committee

    PORTLAND — The city is looking for residents who are interested in serving on a racial equity steering committee. The committee will have nine to 13 members with backgrounds in racial equity work who will make recommendations to the City Council on how city government can address institutional racism and inequities. The first focus will […]

  • Published
    August 11, 2020

    City jobs, services cut under proposed budget

    Due to a projected loss of revenue due to the coronavirus, the no-tax-increase city budget is projected to decrease by $4.2 million and include the elimination of 65 jobs.