Sophie Burchell

Staff Writer

Sophie is a community reporter for Cumberland, Yarmouth, North Yarmouth and Falmouth and previously reported for the Forecaster. Her memories of briefly living on Mount Desert Island as a child drew her back to Maine to attend Bowdoin College, and back again to Portland after a year in Alaska. When she is not reporting, you can find Sophie rummaging through a thrift store or jumping in the ocean.

Community, Elections, News, Politics

Bill Follett elected to Cumberland Town Council

by Sophie Burchell June 10, 2026June 10, 2026

Sara Staples and David Noonan were elected to the school board.

Community, Elections, News, Politics

North Yarmouth elects 2 to Select Board

by Sophie Burchell June 10, 2026June 10, 2026

Dana Rogers and Michael Sweatt will serve three-year terms on the board.

Community, Elections, News, Politics, Schools and Education

Despite ‘no’ from North Yarmouth, MSAD 51 budget passes

by Sophie Burchell June 10, 2026June 10, 2026

The $56.7M budget is up 5.46% from the current plan.

Community, Elections, News, Politics, Schools and Education

Falmouth approves fire station project, school budget

by Sophie Burchell June 9, 2026June 9, 2026

Voters elected Bryce Hach and Michael Vance to the Falmouth Town Council.

Community, News

Approved North Yarmouth housing expansion sent back to planning board

by Sophie Burchell June 5, 2026June 5, 2026

The North Yarmouth Zoning Board of Appeals ruled that preliminary plans for the next phase of the York Ridge housing development required further review.

Community, News

The Falmouth Spur bridge and surrounding roads could be getting major overhaul

by Sophie Burchell June 3, 2026June 6, 2026

The Maine Department of Transportation’s proposal is still in the early stages — but its estimated $65-75 million price tag could make it among the most expensive transportation projects in Maine’s history.