PORTLAND — While plans call for Starbucks Coffee Co. to open its third downtown shop in the coming weeks, coffee lovers seem unperturbed by the java giant’s growing footprint in the city. The Seattle-based coffee company is opening a shop at 145 Commercial St., according to Katie Allen, a real estate broker who helped arrange […]
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Posted inCoastal Journal, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Consensus reached on revised student restraint rules
PORTLAND — Even the staunchest opponents to revising Maine’s student restraint and seclusion laws are accepting proposed changes that would loosen the existing law. “Overall I am really pleased (with the changes),” said Deb Davis, a disability rights advocate who helped draft the law. “I was losing sleep last week and I am totally at peace […]
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Posted inNorthern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Panel backs adding a Cumberland representative to SAD 51 board
CUMBERLAND — A committee charged with looking into reapportioning the membership of the School Administrative District 51 Board of Directors voted 4-2 Monday in favor of adding an additional Cumberland representative. Population change prompted the eight-member SAD 51 Board of Directors to consider the action, Superintendent of Schools Robert Hasson said. The Cumberland-North Yarmouth board […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Colucci: Portland market could be closed for months after alleged arson
PORTLAND — Colucci’s Hilltop Market, a decades-old, family-run fixture at 135 Congress St. on Munjoy Hill, will likely be closed “a couple months” after it was severely damaged by an alleged arson early Saturday, store co-owner Dickie Colucci said Monday afternoon. “There’s smoke damage, there’s water damage. The ceilings came down, and the tiles on […]
Posted inCoastal Journal, The Forecaster
Daniel wins Harpswell selectman seat in landslide
HARPSWELL — Rick Daniel won a seat on the Board of Selectmen in a landslide vote at the March 9 Town Meeting. Official results gave Daniel 443 votes, or 65 percent of the votes cast in the three-way contest. Ellen Shillinglaw, with 156 votes, and C. Matthew Rich, with 82, trailed Daniel. Meanwhile, uncontested candidates […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Portland 'walking school buses' need 'drivers'
PORTLAND — The School Department is seeking volunteers to safely shepherd students to school as it hopes to be the first city in the state with a coordinated, regular “walking school bus” program. Volunteer leaders will supervise students walking to either Reiche Community School or East End Community school as a part of the new program, […]
Posted inCoastal Journal, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
High-speed toll lanes coming to Maine Turnpike
PORTLAND — Starting April 1, drivers won’t have to slow down to pay their fare at the Maine Turnpike toll plaza in New Gloucester. The plaza will open two dedicated lanes, one in each direction of travel, that will allow drivers to pay using E-ZPass electronic toll collection devices while traveling at 65 mph, the […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Portland offers guide for city businesses
PORTLAND — The city last week launched a free, updated online guide to help businesses navigate licensing and permitting rules, get financial assistance and find information about city services. The “Guide to Doing Business in Portland” also includes links to downloadable city applications, a check-list of requirements for starting a business, and contact information for […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Forums scheduled on school improvements
PORTLAND — Public forums on planned improvements to five city elementary schools will take place over the next three weeks. The forums will present an opportunity for the public to review two or three concept designs for improvements to Hall, Longfellow, Lyseth, Presumpscot and Reiche elementary schools. Oak Point Associates, the consulting firm hired by the […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Enrollment growing at Casco Bay High School
PORTLAND — Casco Bay High School enrollment will grow next year as a part of a three-year expansion project to meet increasing demand. The high school is now capped at 70 students per grade level because of space limitations. But with the expansion, ninth- and 10thgrade class sizes will increase by 30 students. The additional students […]