Volunteers help hang artwork Monday for the third annual Yarmouth Art Festival, which continues through Saturday at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Yarmouth. Seventy-five artists from around Maine are represented in the juried show. Proceeds support community service projects. More information and an online show catalog are at yarmouthartfestival.com.

FREEPORT — The Planning Board will consider amending the zoning ordinance or using site- or project-specific alternatives, like contract zoning or an overlay district, for a proposed indoor soccer arena. The Town Council approved a deal last December with Seacoast United Maine, a nonprofit soccer club based in Topsham, but indoor recreational facilities are not […]

Angus Christie, 9, lets his brother Ian, 3, listen to his heart while firefighter/emergency medical technician Matt Wark looks on last Saturday in the back of an EMS vehicle at Falmouth’s Fire-EMS Open House at Central Station on Bucknam Road.

PORTLAND — The City Council on Monday approved a restructuring of economic development programs to make it easier for businesses to access grant funds and city-backed loans. Changes include increases in the amount and flexibility of loans, especially in support of the creative economy, offered through the Downtown Portland Corp., which was renamed the Portland […]

BRUNSWICK — Two candidates are competing to be the county commissioner in Cumberland County’s new District 3, a seat created when the County Charter was approved last year and expanded the districts from three to five. Mark Grover of Gray and Stephen Gorden of North Yarmouth discussed issues facing the county during an Oct. 13 […]

Sixth in a weekly series on where Portland’s mayoral candidates stand on issues facing the city. PORTLAND — The mayor, who will be chosen Nov. 8 by voters rather than appointed by the City Council, will be in a position to shape the city budget. The popularly elected mayor may claim a special mandate to […]

PORTLAND — The West School, a small school for children with emotional disabilities that has outgrown its space on Douglas Street, will be moving to the former Cathedral School at 307 Congress St. The School Board is expected to approve a 20-year lease for the 22,500-square-foot space formerly used by the Catholic school, which closed […]

CHEBEAGUE ISLAND — A Portland company’s proposal for kelp farms near Chebeague and Jewel islands is being opposed by lobstermen, who say the farms will interfere with their businesses. Paul Dobbins and Tollef Olson, of Ocean Approved LLC, have applied for three-year experimental leases for two, three-acre areas in Casco Bay to grow kelp. Ocean […]

SCARBOROUGH — Supporters say it would be a boon to the economy and the tradition of harness racing in Maine. Opponents say it would make its owners a fortune, but have a negative effect on local economies. Either way, officials in Scarborough say Question 2 on the Nov. 8 ballot could create a great opportunity […]

PORTLAND — The city is working on a plan to make the Fore River Parkway more pedestrian friendly. The problem, according to one Planning Board member, is the parkway was designed to move traffic, not people. The plan came to light during a recent site walk at Thompson’s Point, where developers are seeking approval for […]