SOUTH PORTLAND — The Police Department plans to use approximately $18,500 in grant money to help purchase body cameras for officers. The City Council approved the department’s grant application at its June 1 meeting. The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, provided by the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance, would be available this […]
Portland Forecaster
City-wide news from The Forecaster.
Posted inCoastal Journal, Portland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Bath panel OKs Portland developer's plan for Huse School housing
BATH — The Planning Board on Tuesday unanimously approved requests from the Szanton Co. to convert the former John E.L. Huse Memorial School to mixed-income rental housing. The Portland-based developer wants to create 58 or 59 residential apartments, with almost half in a new northeast wing. Along with local approvals, the project also requires financing […]
advertisement
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
UPDATE: Cumberland woman uses gun to scare off attacker in Portland
PORTLAND — Police on Monday said a Cumberland woman repulsed an armed attacker last week when she pulled a gun on the suspect. It was the third report of a violent crime in the city in less than a week. The other two incidents remain unsolved. Lt. James Sweatt said the 35-year-old woman was approached […]
Posted inCoastal Journal, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Lewiston Somalis give new life to New Gloucester, Pownal farms
NEW GLOUCESTER — A new season, a new chapter, and new beginnings are taking root for an immigrant community and unused farmland. Intervale Farm, which ended its nearly 20-year run of harvesting and selling popular pumpkins and gourds last October, has a new crop of farmers. The Somali Bantu Community Association of Maine, a Lewiston-based […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Police seek help identifying woman's body
PORTLAND — Police on Monday again asked for the public’s help in identifying the body of a woman found May 22 on East End Beach. A press release from Lt. James Sweatt said the woman’s death is not considered suspicious. She is described as Asian, 5 feet 1 inch tall, about 100 pounds, with dark […]
Posted inNorthern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Portland planning director leaving for Yarmouth post
PORTLAND — For 34 years, Planning Division Director Alex Jaegerman has helped shape the course of the city’s growth. After June 25, he will shift his sights north to Yarmouth as the town’s new planning director. Jaegerman’s departure is the latest in a year-long personnel exodus from City Hall. City Manager Mark Rees, acting City […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Portland City Council again postpones budget vote, enacts Uber rules
PORTLAND — A vote on the fiscal year 2016 budget was postponed to June 24 as councilors decided to see how the state biennial budget will affect city finances. In the course of two meetings spanning nearly eight hours, councilors also approved a temporary working agreement with Uber, the transportation network service that has operated […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Apathy wins in Portland school budget votes
PORTLAND — Fewer than 1,000 people turned out to vote for the May 12 school budget referendum, but it turns out that number is hardly shocking. Instead, it is just the latest in a continuing decline in voter participation in the spring referendum. School Board Chairwoman Sarah Thompson said the numbers are “a pretty telling […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Congress Street in Portland to close for First Friday Art Walk
PORTLAND — Congress Street will be closed to vehicles from State to Elm streets Friday from 6-9 p.m. as Portland’s Downtown District and Creative Portland celebrate First Friday Art Walk. The street closure includes a parking ban that begins at 4 p.m., according to a Monday press release from the groups. Side streets and the […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Portland Co. gets zoning change; referendum challenge looms
PORTLAND — City councilors on Monday approved a zoning change for the Portland Co. complex at 58 Fore St. But the 7-2 council vote may not clear the way for redevelopment of the 10-acre property. A neighborhood group opposed to the rezoning is collecting signatures for a citizen’s initiative referendum question that could block the […]