The Forecaster

Food pantries in Cumberland, Falmouth, and Yarmouth offered food boxes to those in need this week.

Advocates, including students and parents, speak out on the proposal at an event organized by Flavors Hook Kids Maine.

The goal of the project is to look for areas for new housing, housing density and to "clean up" the city's outdated zoning code, officials say.

Some have had to forgo their annual fundraising tree sales, but others have secured stock.

School Board members and town councilors agree that better communication about the project and more collaboration is needed to secure residents' approval for new elementary and middle schools.

Among the reasons for denying the funding is that there is no guarantee the Portland project would house asylum seekers now living in South Portland, councilors say.

There's room for 400 at the table starting at 11 a.m. Thanksgiving day.

A new space would serve 16- to 24-year-olds in the MYC's new workforce development program.

Short-term solutions to overcrowding in Cumberland-North Yarmouth schools will be the immediate focus, the superintendent says.

The family of Ryan Rogers, who died in April 2021, dedicate a renewed basketball court at Huston School Park to his legacy.

The tree will be transported to Monument Square on Thursday and set up for the annual tree lighting on Nov. 25.

The Genesis Fund is honored for its support of affordable housing projects along with health care, child care and recovery programs.

The controversial revisions, designed to pave the way for an affordable housing project, were repealed in a citizens referendum, 3,090 tp 2,888.

Voters turn down the request to borrow $115.9 million for the project, 3,817 to 2,337.

A $12.9 million bond referendum for the project fails at the polls Tuesday, 7,097 to 4,817.

Councilors Penny Jordan and Caitlin Jordan are re-elected, and Caitlin Sweet and Philip Saucier were elected to School Board.

Susan Rauscher wins the District 1 seat on the South Portland School Board.

The Yarmouth Elementary School students are working with BirdSafe Maine to find prevent bird strikes against school windows.

Royal River Conservation Trust has create new trails on the Thayer Brook Preserve and plans to connect them to Libby Hill Trails.

Cinematic Celebration this Saturday features 12 films about work in and for the environment.

Accessory dwelling units can now be built in all residential zones.

The Community School model uses a coordinated approach involving families, social service organizations and others to provide needed resources.

The council also requires landlords to give tenants more notice of upcoming rent increases.

A parent had called for the removal of "Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out," charging its subject matter was inappropriate for young students.

Maine's First Ship will host its annual Women's Shipbuilding Day Nov. 13, dedicated to encouraging female involvement in the construction of the replica of the historic pinnace Virginia.

North Yarmouth resident Brad Smith was honored for laying the groundwork for the prep school's successful athletic program.

The elementary and middle schools need to be fixed, both sides say, but how and at what cost to taxpayers is in dispute as the Nov. 8 vote on a $115.9 million proposal nears.

Voters will decide Nov. 8 whether to approve borrowing $13 million toward the project's $16 million total.

The city of Bath also awards Maine's First Ship, a co-founder of Sagadahoc Preservation and an active student volunteer.

The new manager of volunteer programs is working to build up the base of the museum's base of committed volunteers.

The Forecaster's "Homeless in Cumberland County" wins second place in its division for investigative reporting from the Maine Press Association.

A referendum to overturn rules that would have allowed an affordable housing development in the town center is on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Freeport Meetinghouse Arts will perform 'Our Town' this weekend, dedicated to Theo Ferrara and Maddison Cunningham with the hope the story will help heal the grieving community.

Laurie Dorr of the Finally Home shelter in North Yarmouth will hold a Pack Party this weekend to raise funds to help care for the old dogs she has taken in.

This year's annual show features 166 pieces by Maine artists.

Medical professionals support the ban targeting the use of the products by minors, but retailers say it is not needed because they already prevent those sales.

Susan Rauscher and Martha Riehle are vying for the District 1 seat on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Voters will decide on widening the timeframe for Town Meeting and on changes to the land use ordinance about setbacks and street frontage requirements.

The new school would be built at 80 Gray Road in North Yarmouth for students in pre-K through second grade.

Necessary upgrades at the town transfer station are expected to be completed by January, when the new waste disposal system will go into effect.

Proceeds from the Homeless Animal Rescue Team's medical appeal campaign and annual yard sale go in part to pay for medical treatment.

The Scarborough Town Council amends its Growth Management Ordinance, which limited the number of yearly permits allotted to developers.

An incumbent and three newcomers are running for two School Board seats in the Nov. 8 election.

Residents will elect two of the four candidates in November.

Alysia Coats is appealing the denial of her request that "Beyond Magenta: Trans Teens Speak Out" be removed from the Woolwich Central School library, saying that it is inappropriate for elementary and middle school students.

District 1 challenger Robert Moulton wants the town to do more to combat climate change, but incumbent David Watson says it's difficult for the town to respond to a natural, global issue.