PORTLAND — An international advocate for economic human rights will be in Portland on Monday, April 6. Cheri Honkala is a former homeless single mother who is now an antipoverty organizer and housing rights activist. Honkala has been arrested several times for leading demonstrations and nonviolent acts of civil disobedience against policies she believes perpetuate […]

PORTLAND — Last year, juniors at Casco Bay High School travelled to West Virginia during spring break to work on a Habitat for Humanities project.  Some students described last year’s Junior Journey as a transformative experience.  This year, students are planning to travel to Biloxi, Miss., April 13-18 to assist Habitat for Humanity’s ongoing relief […]

More state aid headed to Portland PORTLAND — The School Committee will vote Wednesday, April 1, on a more than $91 million budget proposed for next year. Prior to the vote, however, the committee must resolve two remaining issues: whether to budget $100,000 for an assistant superintendent to oversee the district’s high schools and whether […]

PORTLAND — The Portland Water District expects to receive $4.5 million in federal stimulus money to replace aging infrastructure, without increasing water rates. PWD Public Relation Manager Michelle Clements said the district expects to fund 14 projects, mostly water main replacements. Citing the standards of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Clements said the projects […]

PORTLAND — The City Council voted unanimously Monday to adopt Community Development Block Grant recommendations from City Manager Joe Gray. The decision followed two public hearings marked by pleas from social service agencies and largely reflected that of the CDBG Allocations Committee, with a few notable exceptions.  A new allocation process was used this year […]

Deering wants time on a new parquet floor, but PHS parents object PORTLAND — Residents are accustomed to the rivalry between Portland and Deering high schools on the basketball court. But now they’re competing over the hardwood itself. A request has been made by Deering High School for court time at the Portland Expo, which […]

PORTLAND — A group charged with laying the foundation for a strategic plan for the city’s aging school facilities has given guidance to its consultants, who will prepare their report over the next month.  One change being contemplated is reducing the number of middle schools from three to two, while adjusting the age groups that […]