PORTLAND — The owner of a Forest Avenue market targeted in an FBI welfare fraud investigation is eager to share is his side of the story, his attorney said Tuesday. “We have been aware of this investigation,” attorney Walt McKee said about government claims his client, Ali Dahman, paid cash to federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program […]

PORTLAND — School Board Chairwoman Marnie Morrione praised academic improvements students are making, and touched on the need for increased state funding for education, in the annual State of the Schools address Monday. In remarks to the City Council, Morrione said that of the approximately 6,800 students in kindergarten through 12th grade, more than half […]

PORTLAND — After 50 speakers were heard at a recent meeting, the discussion continues next week about regulating short-term housing rentals in the city. The City Council Housing Committee on Oct. 26 at 5 p.m. is expected to discuss a package of recommendations from city Housing Planner Tyler Norod to better control the burgeoning short-term rental […]

PORTLAND — Nat May, executive director of Space Gallery at 538 Congress St., is resigning, effective Nov. 18. May’s departure was announced in an Oct. 14 press release. He has directed programming, events and studio rentals for 13 years, and said he is leaving to focus on Hewnoaks Artist Colony and Common Field, which he helped found. […]

Arrests 10/9 at 3:39 a.m. Christopher M. McMahan, 22, of Portland, was arrested on Godfrey Street by Officer Joseph Jaynes on a charge of violating probation. 10/9 at 7:47 a.m. David M. Fitzgerald, 39, no address listed, was arrested on Cumberland Avenue by Officer Brent Ross on charges of public drinking, violating conditions of release and failure to […]

PORTLAND — New life has been breathed into 585 Congress St., although most of what is now housed in the space is rather old. The Portland Flea-for-All, which was on Kennebec Street in Bayside, opened for business Oct. 6 in the space occupied for about 40 years by Paul’s Food Center. The owners, husband and wife team […]

PORTLAND — State term limits require state Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland, to step aside after serving four terms in House District 39. Republican Peter Doyle and Democrat Michael Sylvester are competing to replace her. Sylvester, 47, of 159 Central Ave., Peaks Island, is married with three children. He is a co-founder of the Southern Maine Worker’s Center, […]

PORTLAND — The New England Cannabis Convention will be held in Portland for the second time from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at the University of Southern Maine Sullivan Recreation Complex, 22 Falmouth St. The convention, organized in part by the Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine, brings together caregivers, doctors and more than 60 local and national […]

PORTLAND — An Old Orchard Beach woman died at the scene of a Commercial Street accident Wednesday morning. In a press release, Portland Police Lt. Aaron Pepin said Rachel Schwartz, 30, was killed after her 2009 Honda Fit struck a utility pole at the intersection of Commercial and Beach streets. Police responded to the single-car accident around 1:45 […]

PORTLAND — It is coming down to dollars and cents for the ad hoc School Facilities Committee. The committee, led by Mayor Ethan Strimling and School Board Chairwoman Marnie Morrione, will meet at 5 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Merrill Auditorium Rehearsal Hall, 20 Myrtle St., to discuss the financial impact of a proposed $70.6 million […]