AUGUSTA — The Maine Office of the Public Advocate is warning Central Maine Power Co. customers that their new wireless “smart” electrical meters could be interfering with other electronic equipment. CMP is replacing 620,000 traditional meters as part of a smart grid program supported by the U.S. Department of Energy. This will eliminate the company’s […]

PORTLAND — At least one city councilor is urging her colleagues on the council to set a deadline for OccupyMaine to leave Lincoln Park. “For me, that’s it!!,” Councilor Cheryl Leeman said Monday in an email response to a message from acting Police Chief Michael Sauschuck about incidents at the park over the weekend. “Time […]

SOUTH PORTLAND — The School Board on Monday extended Superintendent of Schools Suzanne Godin’s contract through June 30, 2015. The new contract includes a raise of $13,000 per year, bringing her total salary up to $125,000. The superintendent had not had salary increase since her contract was signed in April 2008. In other School Board […]

FALMOUTH — What was initially a frightening moment for a family, some students, a school and a community, became a lesson in being prepared for the worst and reacting quickly. Three weeks ago a 15-year-old Falmouth High School student’s parents discovered the boy had written a list of names in his school notebook. “A student […]

SCARBOROUGH — After losing what it called a “crucial” statewide bid to move to Biddeford and add slot machine gambling, uncertainty again envelopes Scarborough Downs. The track recently applied for 110 race dates for the 2012 season, which will open on March 31. But no one is sure what comes after that. “If Scarborough Downs […]

SCARBOROUGH — In the latest round of policy pingpong, the town is poised to allow the sale and use of consumer fireworks. The short-handed Town Council on Wednesday rejected an ordinance change that would have banned the products. The vote was 3-2, with Councilor Carol Rancourt absent and the seat formerly occupied by Michael Wood […]

BRUNSWICK — When the U.S. Department of Defense announced the closure of Brunswick Naval Air Station in 2005 , the one of the biggest concerns was what would happen to the military housing. Town Council Chairwoman Joanne King, who would later serve on the Brunswick Local Redevelopment Authority’s housing subcommittee, said the question was on […]

BRUNSWICK — The tattered blue tarp and sooty steeple that have loomed over lower Pleasant Street since a fire nearly destroyed the Unitarian Universalist Church in June will likely be gone before winter. The church has been designated a “dangerous building” by the code enforcement officer, meaning it can be torn down without approval from […]

CAPE ELIZABETH — Town councilors Monday night imposed a fee for commercial buses and trolleys at Fort Williams, and banned the sale and use of fireworks. After several meetings and workshops, public hearings and referendum votes – and over the objections of tour operators who warned Monday that the fees would drive away tourists – the Town […]