NORTH YARMOUTH — Residents will vote Tuesday, Nov. 8, on a referendum question that asks whether the town should form a Charter Commission. The commission would evidently be the first to review the Town Charter since the document was established in 1982, Selectman Rob Wood said last week. He said minor tweaks have been allowed […]

PORTLAND — Barber Foods on Monday announced it is moving its fully-cooked food operations to Oklahoma and eliminating 71 jobs at the company’s St. John Street plant, effective Dec. 10. This is the second round of layoffs since Barber was acquired by Cincinnati-based AdvancePierre, which employs about 4,000 people and has net sales of about […]

FREEPORT — Two incumbents seeking re-election to the Regional School Unit 5 Board of Directors are being challenged by a first-time candidate with a background in education. Gurdarshan Gill has not sought elected office before. Incumbents Nelson Larkins, the current RSU 5 chairman, and Beth Parker, who has served on the Freeport and RSU 5 […]

Funding formula changes appear not to have large impact AUGUSTA — Contrary to some projections, most schools in greater Portland will receive increased state funding next year if estimates released last week become official. The Maine Department of Education has released its preliminary general purpose aid numbers for the 2012-13 school year, utilizing a new […]

PORTLAND — Political neophyte Ezekiel Callanan is challenging longtime incumbent City Councilor Cheryl Leeman for the District 4 seat on the City Council.  It’s only the second time in the last five elections Leeman has faced a challenge in the district, which is roughly bounded by Veranda Street, Woodford Street, Stevens Avenue, Allen Avenue and […]

PORTLAND — The newest draft of the School Department’s comprehensive plan for the next five years is headed to the staff and School Board for review, but it’s still missing some vital information. The way success will be measured, district-wide, for a variety of subjects, is still up for debate, as are the long-term goals. […]

PORTLAND — The medical marijuana dispensary planned for Congress Street will be part pharmacy and part community center, according to the group’s executive director. Becky DeKeuster, of Northeast Patients Group, said the dispensary will not only be a place where patients can get their medicine, but will also be a place where patients can hang […]

PORTLAND — Any passing motorist or pedestrian has seen the group, fluctuating in size, but constant in presence for the last week, “occupying” Monument Square and Lincoln Park. They declare themselves representatives of the “99 percent,” the mass of American citizens whose voices they say aren’t accounted for in the policy-making process in Washington, D.C., […]

BRUNSWICK — “People don’t see what I see,” Christine Detroy said,  shortly after greeting a visitor to her art studio on the second floor of Fort Andross. One look at the colorful creations that adorn her space confirmed the wisdom of her words. Over there is a jacket made of colorful swatches of old draperies […]

SCARBOROUGH — Town Council Chairwoman Judy Roy, who was arrested on two charges of drunken driving on Sept. 17,  on Wednesday said she sees no reason to resign from the council. Roy was released on a summons and is scheduled to be arraigned Nov. 2. Police allege Roy had a blood-alcohol level of at least […]