PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The New England First Amendment Coalition is introducing a pair of annual awards to recognize private citizens and professional journalists who aggressively advance the people’s knowledge of what government is doing – or failing to do – on their behalf. The Citizen Right to Know Award and the FOI Award will be presented for […]
Portland Forecaster
City-wide news from The Forecaster.
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
UPDATE: Portland water safe to drink; water district ends boil order
PORTLAND — Tap water is safe to drink on the Portland peninsula, the Portland Water District announced Thursday morning. The water district lifted a boil order for the peninsula at 8:45 a.m., after tests found no contamination. A water main break Wednesday on Somerset Street prompted the district to issue the boil order for a […]
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Posted inCoastal Journal, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Bad behavior: Workplace settlements cost Maine $1.9M
HALLOWELL — One corrections officer spread a false rumor that the new female officer at the state prison in South Windham was a stripper. Another one called her “Genitalia,” instead of her real name, which also began with a “G.” She was asked by a colleague if he could measure her buttocks. When she said […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Grant may boost cargo shipping in Portland
PORTLAND — A $150,000 federal grant announced Dec. 10 will help create a new type of vessel that could restore coastal cargo shipping through the International Marine Terminal. The grant to the Maine Port Authority will pay for design of a tug-barge hybrid whose lower cost and smaller crew would make it suited for moving […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Panic-button system targets domestic violence
PORTLAND — Assistant Police Chief Vern Malloch last week introduced a panic-button system that will alert police to domestic violence emergencies. As part of a partnership with security firm Protection 1 and social service agency Family Crisis Services, police will provide the in-home alarm system to victims of domestic violence or threats of violence. The […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Portland city councilors, mayor, administrators get 1.5% pay hikes
PORTLAND — City councilors voted unanimously Monday night to give themselves a 1.5 percent raise. Mayor Michael Brennan, City Manager Mark Rees and City Clerk Katherine Jones also will receive the salary bump. Councilors, who now receive a stipend of $5,600, will see that amount increase by $84 a year. Brennan, whose current salary is […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Portland schools make $2M investment in technology
PORTLAND — A $2 million investment from the city has allowed the School Department to purchase 660 new computers for elementary school teachers and students across the district. Before the $2 million was allotted from the city’s capital improvement plan, elementary schools were relying on obsolete technology that did not meet teacher’s instructional needs, the department […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Portland schools offer counseling via video
PORTLAND — In the wake of the Newtown, Conn., school shooting, the School Department has created a video to help parents and students deal with the aftermath of the tragedy. In the video, Sophie Payson, a social worker in the district, explains the importance of listening to children and looking for any changes in their […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Challenge grant offers hope for Portland free clinic
PORTLAND — The Portland Community Free Clinic may keep its doors open a little longer, thanks to a $25,000 challenge grant from the Emanuel and Pauline A. Lerner Foundation. Mayor Michael Brennan and Eliot Cutler, chairman of the Portland-based philanthropy, announced the grant Dec. 14, and called upon other organizations and individuals to match it. […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Portland Police Beat: Dec. 19
Arrests 12/8 at 10 a.m. Akena W. Otunnu, 22, of Portland, was arrested on Danforth Street by Officer Daniel Townsend on a charge of criminal trespass. 12/8 at 10 a.m. Amy M. Cobb, 27, of Portland, was arrested on Cumberland Avenue by Officer Thomas Reagan on an outstanding warrant from another agency and a charge […]