As a Lutheran pastor serving at St. Ansgar Lutheran Church, I want to urge the City Council to raise the base wage for tipped workers. One of the central teachings in my tradition is to love others, honoring their human dignity and worth. When we talk about this commandment in my congregation, we are talking […]
Portland Forecaster
City-wide news from The Forecaster.
Posted inCoastal Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Policy Wonk: Maine TIFs are not created equal
The acronym TIF stands for “tax increment financing.” When public improvements (streets, water, sewer lines, etc.) are extended, or so-called “brownfields” are cleaned up to facilitate new development, it is certainly appropriate to use the increased taxes that new development creates to pay for these improvements. Historically, we issued “public improvement bonds” to finance these […]
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Posted inCoastal Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
The Universal Notebook: Keep Baxter forever wild by keeping out
In July, professional ultramarathoner Scott Jurek set a world record by completing the 2,189 miles of the Appalachian Trail from Springer Mountain in Georgia to the top of Mount Katahdin in 46 days, 8 hours, seven minutes. I wasn’t impressed and neither was Baxter State Park Director Jensen Bissell. “Mr. Jurek and the corporate sponsors […]
Posted inNorthern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, The Forecaster
‘Full foodie experience’: Chef camp in session at Falmouth mansion
FALMOUTH — What do you do when your house exceeds your needs? If you are Falmouth neurosurgeon Marc Christensen, you invite the Food Network and a top Portland chef over to experiment. On a lush 3.5 acres, the mansion Mirabelle on Woodville Road is quietly transforming into a gourmet getaway for well-heeled urbanites. Celebrity chef […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Police respond to report of Portland credit union armed robbery
PORTLAND — Police are investigating an armed Friday morning robbery at the University Credit Union at 391 Forest Ave. City spokeswoman Jessica Grondin said the alleged robbery occurred at 9:30 a.m. Two “heavily disguised” men entered the credit union, displayed a gun and demanded cash. Grondin said descriptions of the suspects were “limited” because of the […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Portland Science Center launches with ‘Body Worlds’
PORTLAND — Keeping a large number of corpses in a waterfront warehouse is rarely considered good form. But in the case of the new Portland Science Center, it could bring thousands of people through the doors in a short period of time. The corpses are part of “Body Worlds,” a traveling exhibit that puts real […]
Posted inCoastal Journal, Portland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Data breach at Brunswick hotel possibly exposes cards of 2,600
PORTLAND — Malware on a computer at the Brunswick Hotel & Tavern exposed names and credit card information of as many as 2,600 guests who stayed at the hotel between November 2014 and July 2015. The company managing the 4 Noble St. hotel notified customers of the breach in a letter dated Aug. 21 and […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Portland neighbors oppose Elks-to-offices change on Congress Street
PORTLAND — Another proposed zoning change, this time for seven acres of property on outer Congress Street, is being contested by neighbors. On Tuesday, Sept. 8, the Planning Board will be asked to recommend a zoning change for Portland Elks Lodge No. 188 at 1945 Congress St., to allow construction of two office buildings totaling 40,000 square feet. […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Pingree in Portland: Immigration reform won't come quickly
PORTLAND — Federal officials and their aides Monday said they are ready to try to help asylum seekers more quickly obtain permission to work. But they were also blunt about the likelihood of speedy results. Immigration reform “is a slow political turtle in the House,” U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, said during a 75-minute City Hall […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Back-to-school peeks on Peaks
Tabitha and Calvin Foster enjoy hamburgers and salad at the Peaks Island Elementary School Back to School BBQ on Monday, Aug. 31. They’re a little camera shy and giggle as Tabitha hides behind her hands and Calvin peeks from behind his burger. Teacher Zoe Ryan-Humphrey helps Isaiah Olson with a hot dog at the Peaks […]