The Forecaster

The owner of a home assessed at $400,000 would pay $272 more in property taxes under the proposal.

Resident involvement is needed to protect the environment from harmful microplastics and PFAS, the town sustainability coordinator says.

The popular Lee Twombly Pond rink is in need of a new refrigeration system and has hopes of reopening next winter.

The ordinance will put a 10% cap on rent increases, with exemptions, and will take effect May 27.

The city itself will not be operating the shelters, and two independent groups have expressed interest but have made no immediate plans, according to City Manager Scott Morelli.

The town will hire a search firm to assist in finding a permanent town manager to replace Peter Joseph.

A special committee is currently reviewing three challenged books and is expected to recommend soon whether they should be removed from RSU 14 library shelves.

The Town Council will outline plans for at least 225 new residential units next week.

With sufficient access to high-speed internet in just 13% of the state, a regional coalition is working to increase availability throughout Cumberland County and in other underserved or unserved areas.

Sugarhouses open their doors for Maine Maple Sunday Weekend events March 25-26 with demonstrations, samplings and sales, pancake breakfasts and other family activities.

Five high school students are developing a filtration system for the forever chemicals and hope to advance to the national finals in a Samsung science competition.

The seal pup rescued after wandering town streets in January and another pup rescued a week earlier were safely returned to the ocean Thursday.

The $18.5 million proposal includes two new town positions, replacement vehicles and improvements at Fort Williams Park.

Residents with at least 1 acre of land can be the keepers of two animals, such as goats, sheep or pigs, weighing up to 180 pounds each.

The nonprofit organization's founder says supplying books to prisons builds community and inspires hope among the incarcerated.

A federal grant will allow the town to proceed with planned upgrades, including improved lighting, trail work and additional pickleball courts.

The town’s tree warden said he has already spotted nests around town and has a plan in place to eradicate them and others that crop up.

The therapy dog is part of Greely High School's neuroscience-based animal-assisted education program, now in its 23rd year.

The City Council backs recommendations from the Clean Air Advisory Committee, paving the way for future action.

The proposed ordinance would prohibit the use of synthetic pesticides on residential properties and bar any pesticides at all near water or wetlands.

Harpswell plans to be among the users of a new inventory template to assess the economic impact of their marine industries.

Lacking a permanent residence, the self-proclaimed "adventurer" is not interested in shelters or any type of official assistance, preferring to take care of himself.

High school student Brynn Vogel's artwork was selected for the Youth Art Month exhibit.

The Cumberland-North Yarmouth School Board also calls for a community survey on the project to determine why last November's effort failed.

The grants from the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership will fund sustainable landscaping workshops in Cumberland and a nature backpack program in Falmouth.

The $18.9 million spending plan includes $300,000 to launch a fund for major projects over the next 10 years, including expansions and renovations at the town's two fire stations.

Matt Dyer's 5,871-mile journey has evolved from a fitness challenge to a "people challenge" motivated by the kind people he meets on his route.

Pond Cove Elementary School was fully reopened Thursday after going remote earlier this week.

The plan is for the discarded trees to trap sand in the damaged dunes so the city can then replant dune grass, but when results will be seen depends on the weather.

The creation of a diversity, equity and inclusion committee and the help of a consultant to set goals will allow the schools to work on racial and inclusion problems, Superintendent Steve Connolly says.

The lead-up to the gnome-themed May event starts Saturday with a fireworks display at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth.

You Regatta, with a shop in Falmouth, has joined forces with Logo Owl in an eco-friendly venture to provide customized and promotional products.

The idea for the club came from a Cape Elizabeth student who played the game with her grandfather, who had dementia but "always remembered how to play chess."

The 114-year-old Boston Post Cane tradition is alive and well in some towns, but waning in others.

The council postponed a preliminary vote to March 7 after criticism from the attending public.

The plan, which allows different sizes of shelters to be built in specific areas, gets preliminary approval and goes to an enactment vote March 7.

MARCH 2 EDITOR'S NOTE: Winterfest has been rescheduled for Sunday, March 5, due to a stormy weather forecast.

With a mostly favorable opinion of the overall project proposed for Main Street, the Project Review Board requests some exterior and landscaping changes and the developer says those changes will be addressed.

In addition, the town's housing authority should take on a bigger and more proactive role, the task force chairperson says.

The Cumberland-North Yarmouth school board has approved a rearrangement of modular classrooms at Mabel I. Wilson school and the addition of more of the units at the middle school.

Greater Portland Metro, South Portland Bus Service and Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit will cut fares from March 1 through Sept. 30 in hopes of getting ridership back to pre-pandemic levels.

Ruth Thurston-Coffey, who is having heart surgery this week, said she is “overwhelmed” by the outpouring of support.

Two new programs from Finally Home in North Yarmouth will provide financial assistance to eligible Mainers whose old dogs require medical services, including being put down.

Town councilors say the building permit allotments allowed in the draft plan to revise the town's growth management ordinance may be too high.

The city bestows eight honors at its annual Business and Economic Development Awards ceremony Wednesday.

The Scarborough Police Department is ending its involvement in the diversion program that finds treatment for people with opioid addiction but is optimistic it will continue and grow.

Construction workers have an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease and the American Heart Association will promote a prevention program designed for them at a Feb. 28 event in Westbrook.

The GPS and navigation device company is expanding their Yarmouth offices to accommodate more employees.