FALMOUTH — The Town Council banned the sale and use of consumer fireworks Monday in advance of a new state law that will allow people to use the explosives as of Jan. 1, 2012. The council also revisited the town’s investment in the Metro bus service that runs between Portland and Falmouth. Councilors voted 5-1, […]

PORTLAND — Reconstruction of two railroad crossings this week is expected to cause traffic delays and increased noise at two intersections.  On Thursday and Friday, from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., railroad crossings on Congress Street and Frost Street will be reconstructed, the city said in a press release. Both will remain open to traffic, […]

PORTLAND — The beginnings of a Comprehensive Plan for the city schools is taking another step forward this week. The School Board on Tuesday was expected to vote in favor of adopting a framework of the Comprehensive Plan that will outline the district’s priorities for the future, and help the board make curriculum and budget […]

PORTLAND — “We are the 99 percent” – a pluralist slogan against the wealthiest of the economic elite – has become the rallying cry of the Occupy Wall Street movement, including Portland’s OccupyMaine. That “99 percent” includes a lot of people, none more at the bottom of the socioeconomic heap than the homeless, many of […]

Portland Police Deparment Officer Christopher Coyne, right, receives a plaque Sunday from acting Police Chief Michael Sauschuck at the Law Enforcement Dogs of Maine banquet. Coyne’s canine partner, a German shepherd named Tony, retired in October after five years of service.

AUGUSTA — Nearly a year after creating an advisory group to recommend changes to its rules on the restraint and seclusion of public school students, the Maine Department of Education has released its version of the new rules. The new rules were developed after a series of stories in The Forecaster brought light to the […]

FREEPORT — The Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of Freeport and Pownal are collecting non-perishable food, personal-care items and paper goods for the Food Pantry at Freeport Community Services. Scouts placed collection bags and fliers at homes in the two towns on Saturday, Nov. 12. They will return to the houses on Saturday, […]

FREEPORT — Police are investigating an alleged armed robbery on Saturday, Nov. 12, in the lower level of the parking garage at Freeport Village Station. A woman reported she was accosted at 9:57 p.m. by a man who covered his face and head with a hood or scarf and had a gun. The woman said […]

FREEPORT — In an effort to create a possible plan for the town’s future, the Freeport Economic Development Corp. is working with residents, business owners and town councilors to identify what will make Freeport “a vital place to live, work and play” in the next decade. The document they create will be the Vision 2025 […]

YARMOUTH — The School Committee has taken the first steps in considering an all-day kindergarten program. A 13-member task force has been researching the costs, benefits and community response over the past few months. The task force is made up of kindergarten teachers, parents, School Committee members, principals, a guidance councilor, special education teacher and […]