PORTLAND — The Portland Public Library is encouraging patrons to participate in its 2019 Reading Challenge. The challenge is to read 24 books over the course of the year, or two books a month. The library has provided 24 categories, including choosing a book set in the decade the reader was born, a book about science, a […]

PORTLAND — A task force appointed by City Manager Jon Jennings could begin looking at how to protect the marine industry and manage contrasting uses of Commercial Street next week. “It is all just a plan right now,” Jennings said Monday as city councilors approved a 180-day moratorium on “the development of new non-marine structures and […]

PORTLAND — Presumpscot may be the smallest of the city’s mainland elementary schools, but supporters say that doesn’t mean it should constantly be at risk of being closed or not having its infrastructure needs met. Presumpscot is just as vibrant and vital to its neighborhood as any other school in the district, according to its backers, […]

PORTLAND — The third and final phase of the $525 million expansion of Maine Medical Center was approved Monday by the Planning Board. The board approved the construction of a six-story office building that will replace the 360,000-square-foot staff parking garage at the corner of Congress and Gilman streets. In a press release Tuesday, MMC spokesman […]

PORTLAND — With the flip of a switch, the sun is shining on City Hall and Merrill Auditorium. On Tuesday, the city and ReVision Energy began drawing power from the solar farm at the capped landfill on Ocean Avenue. The 2,800-plus solar panels spread over 4.3 acres on top of the 45-acre landfill site are expected to […]

PORTLAND — The wish list may not have changed much, but the odds of it getting filled may have increased. With Democratic Party majorities in the Legislature, and incoming Democratic Gov. Janet Mills set to be inaugurated Jan. 2, 2019, city councilors on Dec. 13 met with nearly all of the city’s legislative delegation to […]

PORTLAND — The Parent Teacher Organization at Reiche Elementary School is holding a pasta and sauce food drive through Jan. 31, 2019. Donation boxes are in the front office and community room. “Just one box of pasta can feed a family of four and really make a huge difference,” the PTO said in a Facebook post. “The […]

PORTLAND — A proposal for a 180-day moratorium on development on the central waterfront will go to the City Council Monday, Dec. 17. The moratorium could go into effect before supporters of a referendum to revise zoning in those areas turn in petition signatures to get the referendum on a ballot in 2019. Referendum supporters have […]