Karen Mills says her Maine experience pays dividends in D.C. PORTLAND — The newest member of President Obama’s Cabinet is optimistic about the future of Brunswick Landing, despite the recently failed bid to land a 600-job airplane manufacturing plant.  “We’ll get the next one,” Karen Mills, chief of the U.S. Small Business Administration, said in […]

BRUNSWICK — The Town Council is considering making an exception to its zoning rules to allow town-owned buildings – and not privately-owned buildings – to have larger footprints and parking lots than what is currently permitted. During Tuesday’s meeting, the council also adopted an emergency amendment to allow shellfish harvesting on Sundays, made a number of […]

SOUTH PORTLAND – A 23-year-old Yarmouth resident was arrested Jan. 19 for a sex crime allegedly committed against a child in South Portland. Ronald Grant Thurston III, a former firefighter, was arrested on one count of gross sexual assault, a class A felony. The alleged victim was under the age of 14. Thurston is being held […]

PORTLAND — After nearly 30 years, Portland Fire Chief Frederick LaMontagne announced Thursday he plans to retire. In a press release, City Manager Mark Rees said LaMontagne intends to pursue new professional opportunities. His last day will be April 1. LaMontagne started his career as a firefighter in Portland, rising up through the ranks to […]

CAPE ELIZABETH — A planning study released this week urges a cautious approach to fundraising for a new Thomas Memorial Library. It questions the economic climate, willingness of major donors, and raises questions about library leadership. But it concludes that with time, a public awareness campaign and community support, up to $3 million could be […]

Sunshine dapples the water at Scarborough Beach State Park on Jan. 16 as two walkers take a brisk stroll.

Anne and Wallace Burke were honored Jan. 11 by the Cape Elizabeth Town Council and the Portland post office for their service at the Cape Cottage station, which closed last fall on Shore Road after serving local customers for 113 years. Anne Burke was the postmaster for more than 65 years until about two years […]

Proposal to cut Hampden center could move 120 jobs to southern Maine SCARBOROUGH — Just two months after absorbing work previously handled in Portsmouth, N.H., the U.S. Postal Service processing center here may be adding work now performed in Hampden. USPS says it could save $7.5 million by closing the Eastern Maine Processing & Distribution […]

SCARBOROUGH — Home owners will have a much easier time taking in additional family members if a proposed policy change is adopted. The Town Council on Wednesday gave initial approval to an ordinance change that would streamline and simplify the process of adding “accessory units,” or in-law apartments, to homes. Councilors also initially approved increases […]

SOUTH PORTLAND — The planning is done and the festivities are ready for the city’s upcoming Winter Festival. All organizers need is a little help from above.  “Everything is going to be ready as planned, but it’s a question about whether God’s going to give us snow and a good ice surface,” Dan Mooers said […]