GORHAM – After struggling for decades, area farms are closer to the financial precipice than ever before. A Midwest drought and other factors are driving costs up, while government price controls weight revenue down. Exacerbating those problems is the Sept. 30 expiration of the 2008 federal Farm Bill, which will result in a loss of […]

Forum Nov. 1 on charter changes Residents who served on the Westbrook Charter Commission will host a community forum at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 1, at the Westbrook Middle School. Those who attend can ask questions and learn about the proposed charter revisions that will be on the Nov. 6 ballot. Election details for […]

Enrollment down slightly Gorham school enrollment in October is listed at 2,699, down from 2,702 in June, according to figures released earlier this month by School Committee Chairman James Hager. October figures report Gorham High School enrollment at 848 students, which is unchanged from June enrollment. The number of kindergarten students is 170, down from […]

WESTBROOK – The state marching band finals Saturday is shaping up as a touching performance for Westbrook, where 10 seniors are among the 63-member band. Kyle Smith, band director, said Monday the students are excited as the finals rapidly near following its fall schedule of competition. “It’s bittersweet,” Smith said. “It’s over Saturday.” Westbrook will […]

WESTBROOK – The long-discussed sale of Westbrook City Hall, as well as the sale of the now-vacant Prides Corner Elementary School, is moving closer to reality, but not before the public gets a chance to weigh in on one of the proposed transactions. The City Council voted 5-0 (councilors Dotty Aube and Paul Emery absent) […]

Andrew Gattine (D) Age: 49 Occupation: Senior project manager, Optum Insight. Political experience: Westbrook City Council (2004-2009); chairman of the Finance Committee and Committee of the Whole; Westbrook Charter Commission (chairman); director, Westbrook Economic Improvement Corp. Q: What do you think the three most important issues facing Maine are? A: The three most important issues […]

WESTBROOK – A local business is bringing a friendly and competitive battle for laser tag supremacy and bragging rights to kids in the Westbrook area this fall. Trigger Combat Sports offers a weekly laser tag gaming program for children in grades 5-12 called Laser Tag Turf Wars as part of the Westbrook Community Center’s Outdoor […]

Sherrie L. Benner (Fontaine) Age: Not provided Occupation: Sales agent with Keller Williams Realty; past co-owner of Accounts Receivable Management of Maine Inc. and proprietor of 2nd fl Thriftiques. Political experience: None; served as community liaison with USM on several projects relating to university-neighborhood concerns; director of USM Alumni Association Board of Directors; volunteered with […]

Arrests Oct. 8 Mohamed H. Abdi, 22, PO Box 8747, Portland, charged with violating conditions of release and operating a vehicle without a license on Main St. Johnathan A. Hambelton, 26, 49 Westbrook St., Westbrook, on charges of domestic violence assault, domestic violence reckless conduct, obstructing the reporting of a crime, and endangering the welfare […]

WESTBROOK – The lights are coming down at the Olmsted Field complex at Westbrook High School, leaving school and city officials to decide how to pay for their costly replacement. The football field and its surrounding track have been closed since Oct. 3, when an inspection found large amounts of rot in the wooden cross […]