SOUTH PORTLAND — The School Board on May 13 approved a $52.3 million budget for fiscal year 2020 that now moves to the City Council. The budget, up $2.3 million from current spending, requires a 3.41 percent tax increase. Superintendent Ken Kunin said the bottom line is the same as what was proposed March 11, although some items changed […]

SCARBOROUGH — The Scarborough Land Trust is requesting $90,000 to protect 14 acres of town-owned land in the Pine Point area, effectively emptying the town’s Land Bond account. The goal is to make the land available for walking trails and access to Scarborough Marsh for birding, photography, nature appreciation, and other passive uses. Rich Bard, executive […]

SOUTH PORTLAND — City councilors postponed a vote May 14 on an ordinance that would have prohibited the sale of some flavored tobacco products. Councilors on Tuesday also unanimously approved a first reading to prohibit the sale to and possession of tobacco products by individuals under the age of 21, effectively closing a gap in […]

SCARBOROUGH — When Vicki Gelinas started her career as a certified life coach in 2010, her goal was to cultivate an atmosphere of healing and self-reflection. Integrating horses into the curriculum, she said, has proved beneficial both to her and the people she works with at her alternative therapeutic practice. Gelinas, who also lives at […]

SCARBOROUGH — The School Board plans to hire an interim superintendent and has started interviewing candidates. The decision to hire a temporary administrator comes almost six months after Julie Kukenberger’s November 2018 announcement she would resign from her position and step down when her contract expires in June. “Hiring a superintendent is one of the most important […]

SOUTH PORTLAND — Police and residents are partnering to try to curb drivers who speed. On May 13, residents will have the chance to discuss the problem in a “Calm the Traffic” event from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Police Department on Anthoine Street. The meeting aims to spread awareness about speeding and its impact on […]

SOUTH PORTLAND — Despite some concerns from city councilors and Planning Board members, new marijuana businesses are moving closer to opening in the city. The Planning Board on Wednesday approved site plans from two businesses, including a retail shop in Knightville, while the City Council OK’d licenses for a pair of medical marijuana operations. “Do […]

SCARBOROUGH — With less than two weeks until budget approval is expected, residents expressed discontent about the spending plan in a May 1 Town Council public hearing. The criticism came after the $70 million school and municipal budget proposed for fiscal year 2020 by Town Manager Tom Hall and Superintendent of Schools Julie Kukenberger was reduced […]

SCARBOROUGH — Town officials and representatives from ecomaine say residents must be re-educated about changing their recycling habits. They held a workshop May 1 to further develop a comprehensive public outreach program about what can and can’t be recycled. The group discussed several educational methods, including sending letters to residents, regularly posting to Facebook, creating brief educational […]

SOUTH PORTLAND — The owner of The Lamp Repair Shop in Knightville said his business has managed to succeed, despite taking a hit from parking changes on Ocean Street. “We instantly saw a 40 percent drop in business and I don’t think we’re alone down here,” owner Brian Allen said. “We used to have 19 (on-street) parking spots, […]