The Forecaster
Hello reader. Our southern Maine community news can now be found at the Leader for news from Scarborough and the Sentry for news from South Portland and Cape Elizabeth.
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A public meeting on the proposed Gorham Connector that would cut through the farm draws hundreds of opponents to the plan.
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Many libraries are distributing free solar eclipse glasses to patrons to prepare for the April 8 event.
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The plan calls for a new firefighter, a part-time library position for a student and funding to cover costs associated with the November presidential election.
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The South Portland police chief says the site of the now vacant middle school is not right for a new police station.
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The nonprofit, which has expanded is offerings, is holding a leadership retreat and a prom for ages 12-17 next month in Bridgton.
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The suggestion comes as the Town Council hears an update on an $842,000 plan to address traffic and safety concerns at the Route 77 intersections with Scott Dyer and Shore roads.
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The primary beneficiary of the March 24 event will be Make a Wish Maine.
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The owners say they have no current plans to also build a homeless shelter at the site, but some Thornton Heights residents oppose any type of development because they say the Howard Johnson has been a bad neighbor and their neighborhood has suffered.
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Westbrook Regional Vocational Center expects $1.5 million in federal funding to build a "live fire" facility.
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Matthew Beck received 1,206 of 1,678 votes in Tuesday's special election and was sworn in on Wednesday.
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The museum showcases young artists' work throughout the month of March with a celebration to be held Saturday.
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MaineHealth's Cardiac Fellows program and NorthStar division have come together to bring cardiac care to patients who can't travel or get access to outpatient services.
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Brant & Cochran, South Portland's Maker of the Year, is ramping up production to meet a big demand for their axes.
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Town councilors and residents question whether Scarborough interchanges would create traffic problems there and cite concerns about wetlands protection.
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The proposals range from renovating and expanding the existing elementary and middle schools to building a new middle school.
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An independent facilities assessment suggests options to rebuild or renovate City Hall, the library and the central fire/police station.
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A nonprofit group for immigrant women says its swimming lessons for elders combat social isolation while teaching the participants a new skill.
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Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough plan to remove the portion of Sawyer Road/Sawyer Street that routinely floods during storms and is damaging marsh habitat.
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FPL Energy Cape in Knightville, which has two 12,000-gallon tanks, wants to increase its capacity by 40,000 gallons to provide power during grid blackouts, but a South Portland ordinance does not allow the addition.
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One Democrat and two independents are running to fill the House District 122 seat, which represents the city's District 1 and part of District 2.
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Pam Leo's 5-year-old nonprofit is getting books into the hands of children and their parents around Greater Portland.
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The public is encouraged to vote in the online contest, which gives club members the opportunity to explore and set career goals for their own futures.
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Geoff Bruno has submitted his resignation to accept a job in Massachusetts.
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Councilors will begin work to set goals and enact strategies to meet them based on the housing committee's recommendations.
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U.K.-born John Thompson and his wife, Carol, founded a nonprofit to improve the lives of residents in a South African township.
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South Portland will hold a public workshop with state officials this month to discuss its approach to repairs and funding.
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The annual food drive, usually a contest between individual neighborhoods but with just two teams this year, helps boost the food pantry's supply during a time known for a drop-off in donations.
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A group of seven high school and college students hopes their performance will humanize the plight of Palestinians in Gaza.
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About six people are living outside along the Payne Road Corridor, according to a town report.
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The event is at the Gull Crest rink from 11 a.m. to noon for skating, with other activities running through 1 p.m.
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The book is dedicated to the Marine Mammals of Maine rescue and rehabilitation center in Brunswick and some proceeds will go to support the group.
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The historic fishing shacks that were swept away in the Jan. 13 storm played a big role in the lives of South Portland residents.
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Roadways were damaged and the iconic fishing shacks at Willard Beach were swept away.
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Maine Audubon is offering online Birding Basics courses and other activities so participants can gear up for the Great Backyard Bird Count in February.
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Held at Highland Lake in Bridgton, the carnival features a rail jam, polar dip, live music and many more wintry amusements.
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The minor league teams have plenty of events planned this winter to delight fans of all ages.
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Mo Willems' adaptation of his popular book will be performed Jan. 26 to Feb. 25.
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The 53 families at the temporary shelter at the Howard Johnson hotel will be moved to permanent housing by the June 30 deadline, according to the state.
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Driving rain and gusting winds close roads and cause damage in South Portland, Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough.
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Phil Rumery of Gorham has a new gig after 25 years with the South Portland Fire Department.
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"Big Conversations in 10 Short Minutes" will virtually connect people from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, in an effort to prevent social isolation.
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A recent survey of residents raises questions for town councilors, who say the concerns conflict with each other. Meanwhile, Public Safety received a 93% satisfaction rate.
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"Conversation with a Cop" with Police Chief Dan Ahern will be the first event of the Monday Matinee and More series.
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Artists from Maine and around the country will be featured in "Ringing in the New Year," an exhibition at the Richard Boyd Art Gallery curated to make viewers stop and think about the beauty of the natural world or about the state of society.
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The Town Council hopes to have a plan in place before a moratorium on new cultivation facilities in Pine Point expires in February.
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The system now in place leaks, taking a toll on the Cape Elizabeth beach, and is in danger of failing completely.
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Computers and internet access will be loaned out in a collaborative project aimed at overcoming a key obstacle to employment.
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The Town Council agrees to fund up to 78% of the $270,000 cost of the parcel, which connects to more than 700 other acres of preserved land on the west side of town.
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The Housing Diversity Study Committee nixes an earlier suggestion of building a housing development at Gull Crest Field.
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Residents and town officials say communication and inclusivity around controversial issues needs to improve.
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Councilors voted 4-3 to take back amendments agreed upon last month in order to comply with a state mandate and replace them with the new chairman's plan, a move the town attorney says could be illegal.
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The annual South Portland Toy Drive will deliver gifts to 480 South Portland kids this year, up from about 300 last year.
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Third Act Maine, made up of retirees, is making itself seen and heard in its effort to get companies to divest in fossil fuel companies.
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The merger allows the conservationists to put forth one voice and one vision to protect the marsh, they say.
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The council also repeals an ordinance requiring owners of large buildings to report their energy and water use to the city.
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Cynthia Gorham, respected by colleagues for her selflessness and compassion with those she assisted, says everything is working out for her in retirement.
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The Cape Elizabeth family farm received $250,000 in federal funding last week.
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Broadway Bowl opened Tuesday in South Portland with 10 lanes and a restaurant and bar.
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Festivities will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. at Mill Creek Park.
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The project, a few years away, would heighten low-lying sections of Route 1 and Pine Point Road by 4 feet.
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Rising costs, the housing shortage and climate change are among the reasons for the increase, shelters say.
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Changes include decreasing the minimum size of ADUs, increasing the maximum and incentivizing higher-density affordable housing development.
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The Town Council reserved the right to reinstate, if needed, the suit against the small business for zoning noncompliance.
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The ordinance is intended to cut back on the number of trees lost to development.
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For every 1 voter in support of the $160 million proposal for a consolidated K-3 school at The Downs, 1.75 were opposed. The Town Council wants to find the key reasons behind the opposition.
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Jennifer McVeigh and Cynthia Voltz will return to their seats on the School Board.
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Voters choose Claire Holman, Jennifer Ryan and Rosemarie De Angelis for the School Board in Tuesday's elections.
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Voter turnout in Tuesday's election was 55%.
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The town has until Jan. 1 to implement state-mandated changes to reduce barriers to new housing construction.
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A plastic force main being installed will cause fewer problems than the old metal piping in place now, a city official says.
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Nolan Moon will host his second annual 'haunted walk' Oct. 27, 28 and 31 at his home on Dawson Street.
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The $160 million K-3 consolidated school project goes to voters Nov. 7.
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Two challengers for the two incumbents' seats say the rejected school project proposal last November failed to get input from taxpayers.
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The three candidates for two at-large seats and two candidates for the District 3 seat have different ideas on how to do that.
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Voters will elect two new councilors from a slate of four on the Nov. 7 ballot.
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The sale of the 38-year-old family-owned restaurant, a community institution, will close Nov. 2.
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Linda Cohen and Brendan Williams say the city must also find a way for other communities and the state to assist in supporting asylum seekers.
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A four-way race for three council seats is on the Nov. 7 ballot.
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The fresh coat of paint and some repairs are part of an ongoing effort to preserve them and the Willard Beach area's fishing history.
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Chip Schrader aims to continue the library's reputation as an innovator and has an eye toward expansion "when the community is ready to see it."
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Rachael Coleman and Jeffrey McDonald discuss possible long-term solutions they'd pursue if elected.
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The sister and daughter of the Georgia woman are seeking $1 million from the owners of the Black Point Inn on Prouts Neck.
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The positive impact on the town so far can be seen in lower taxes, more housing and traffic improvements, and the developer will break ground on the downtown phase of the project in a few weeks.
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The town electric rate would be $43,000 less than what the group would have to pay for power at its temporary rink.
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The 25,500-square-foot Wicked Pickle, with eight courts, will offer lessons and clinics and host tournaments.
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The retirement community in Scarborough, with a thriving art culture, presents an Autumnal Equinox Resident Art Show on Saturday.
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Over 22% of the town's adult population responded to a recent survey about the failed $119.5 million proposal.