Kate Irish Collins

The Forecaster

Kate Irish Collins has been doing community journalism around southern Maine since 1997, with a couple breaks here and there. Kate writes for The Forecaster group of weekly newspapers. Her beat includes the Portland schools and the towns of Falmouth and Yarmouth. Kate grew up in Gorham and now lives near the beach, where she walks her dog as much as possible. She always has a book on hand and always enjoys watching a good movie.

Latest

Published
May 1, 2019

Falmouth defends recovery house after neighbors complain

FALMOUTH — Neighbors near a new sober house on Webber Way feel the town is providing insufficient oversight and has not done enough to inform them about how the home is being used. But Town Manager Nathan Poore this week said the town must be “careful to comply with the federal Fair Housing Act, which identifies […]
Published
May 1, 2019

Falmouth reconsiders fate of historic barn, farmhouse

FALMOUTH — The town is reconsidering a plan to demolish a historic farmhouse and barn at Tidewater Farm. Both buildings are vacant and in significant disrepair, but a recent tour of the property offered by the Falmouth Historical Society has some people wondering if the two structures can be saved and preserved. The town recently purchased […]
Published
April 30, 2019

Construction at Yarmouth schools to start in October

YARMOUTH — Architects expect construction of additions and renovations at each of the town’s four schools to begin by October. That means the Planning Board has a tight timeline for reviewing and approving the plans, which include several “meaningful and significant changes to school infrastructure,” board Chairman Tom Federle said. Wendi Holden of Harriman architects said […]
Published
April 30, 2019

Chebeague ferry seeks tax exemption for ambulance service

CHEBEAGUE ISLAND — Residents hope the Legislature will approve a bill that would exempt the island’s nonprofit ferry from paying sales tax for its new vessel. Unlike air- and land-based ambulances, the ferry, which also serves as a waterborne ambulance, must pay the sales tax. The bill under consideration, LD 124, was sponsored by Rep. Janice […]
Published
April 30, 2019

Portland school building panel: Hire contractor, despite higher cost

PORTLAND — The committee overseeing renovations at four elementary schools recommended the School Board hire a contractor for work at Lyseth Elementary, even though the bid came in $2.8 million higher than anticipated. The District Advisory Building Committee met April 25 and said the architect and school administration should find up to $750,000 in cost savings […]
Published
April 30, 2019

Portland High School students use photos to share substance use prevention message

PORTLAND — A photo exhibit spotlights the perspective of Portland High School students who were asked to consider how outside influences – from advertising to social media to family expectations – could impact their decision to use drugs or other substances. The exhibit will be at the Portland Public Library throughout the month of May and will be […]
Published
April 24, 2019

Yarmouth residents, fed up with browntail moth, take action

YARMOUTH — The invasive browntail moth has become such a pervasive nuisance that a group of residents has decided to take matters in their own hands and tackle the problem head-on. Calling themselves the Browntail Brigade, residents Mary Post, Caroline Myers, Matt Chappell and a few others hope to leverage both town funds and private donations […]
Published
April 23, 2019

Portland parent interpreters provide lifeline between schools, new Mainers

PORTLAND — For more than three decades a group of city residents have worked to ensure that families who don’t speak English can be as engaged in and informed as anyone about the school life of their children. The Parent Community Specialists who work with the Multilingual & Multicultural Center at the Portland Public Schools can […]
Published
April 23, 2019

Portland school promotes reading with ‘Teddy Talks’

PORTLAND — In a novel approach to getting students more excited about reading, the East End Community School has introduced a new initiative called Teddy Talks. At least once a week, the school plans to upload a video of staff or members of the community reading a book aloud, which students can then access online anytime, […]
Published
April 16, 2019

Victoria Mansion helps Portland students create history lessons

PORTLAND — Through a unique partnership with Victoria Mansion, a group of Casco Bay High School students are learning to appreciate the threads that connect modern life to the past. The students are creating an interactive curriculum that staff of the museum will share with middle schoolers across the city. During their research, the CBHS students […]