PORTLAND — Arguing that investing in public education is of critical importance, nearly everyone who spoke at a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2020 school budget Monday urged the City Council to support the entire amount the School Board is requesting. If the $263.3 million municipal budget and $117.8 million school spending plan are approved as […]

PORTLAND — Through letters and art projects, second-graders at Lyseth Elementary School are brightening the lives of senior citizens at a Falmouth assisted living community. The pen pal project was the idea of teacher Linda Whittum, whose father lives at Foreside Harbor. “When I visit Foreside Harbor and see my students’ art projects adorning the hallway […]

PORTLAND — An urban orchard planted on a hill above the city near East End Community School will hold its inaugural public event from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, May 11. Begun six years ago, the Mt. Joy Orchard consists of more than 100 fruit trees, plus herbs and other edibles, and several native species. The orchard […]

PORTLAND — The pictures could be worth billions. Ligon Durham and Erasmo Benitez of Plano, Texas,-based Tyler Technologies are photographing more than 20,000 properties, the images to be used as building blocks in an ongoing revaluation that will determine property taxes in fiscal year 2021. “I am the tip of the spear, letting them know what […]

PORTLAND — It isn’t uncommon for art to need patrons. It’s just not what you expect as artist Will Sears begins a new mural on the wall that towers over Tommy’s Park at 80 Exchange St. Building owner Jim Brady – the developer behind projects including the Press Hotel on Congress Street, the former Portland Co. property at […]

PORTLAND — Portions of the historic overlay area on Munjoy Hill could soon become a designated historic district. The new zoning plan was revealed Tuesday evening in a community meeting at East End School. “In the materials from last year we had suggested there might be two separate districts. As the work progressed we decided to […]

PORTLAND — Discussion will continue May 2 about potential cuts in city aid to the homeless and asylum seekers. City councilors on Monday reviewed details about the Community Support Fund established by the city to help immigrants ineligible for other assistance, as well as City Manager Jon Jennings’ intent to close the third option for overflow […]

PORTLAND — The committee overseeing renovations at four elementary schools recommended the School Board hire a contractor for work at Lyseth Elementary, even though the bid came in $2.8 million higher than anticipated. The District Advisory Building Committee met April 25 and said the architect and school administration should find up to $750,000 in cost savings […]