Posted inCoastal Journal, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster

Maine lawmakers use timing, creative wording to skirt spirit of fundraising rules

AUGUSTA — Sen. Justin Chenette, D-Saco, came to a Statehouse committee room on Feb. 27 to slay dragons. His target: the lobbyists and special interests whose money and power, he said, “create an appearance of corruption” in the Legislature. His plan: ban lobbyists from ever again throwing money at legislators. Chenette came armed not with a […]

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Posted inNorthern Forecaster, The Forecaster

Cumberland church preaches energy efficiency

CUMBERLAND — Strides taken to enhance energy efficiency earned the Cumberland Congregational Church $1,000 in Interfaith Power & Light’s annual Cool Congregations Challenge. The 282 Main St. church was one of five congregations across the country to receive an award; CCC earned top marks in the Renewable Role Model category. More information on the various […]

Posted inNorthern Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster

LePage taps South Portland's Hasson for education chief

SOUTH PORTLAND — Robert Hasson Jr., acting commissioner of the Maine Department of Education since last November, was nominated by Gov. Paul LePage to serve as commissioner. Hasson, a South Portland resident, started his education career as a teacher, then a principal, and was superintendent of the Cumberland-North Yarmouth School Administrative District 51 from 1993-2013. […]

Posted inNorthern Forecaster, The Forecaster

‘It lightens my life’: Cumberland Friendly Visitor Program creates bonds across generations

CUMBERLAND — They’ve barely known each other two months, but Liz Richter and Susan Smith already enjoy a tight bond. Smith, who, like Richter is a Cumberland resident, is a volunteer through the town’s Friendly Visitor program, an arm of the community’s Aging in Place initiative. It’s one of several ways Cumberland’s senior population can […]

Posted inNorthern Forecaster, The Forecaster

'Meow Madness': Cumberland animal shelter launches online auction

CUMBERLAND — The Homeless Animal Rescue Team of Maine, also known as HART, is looking to raise $40,000 this month through its first online auction. The no-kill, cage-free adoption center kicks off its “Meow Madness” fundraiser Friday, March 17. The auction, which can be accessed via hartofme.com, concludes two weeks later. People can bid on […]

Posted inCoastal Journal, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster

New Portland flower show to provide ‘taste of spring’

PORTLAND — Spring really is coming, and members of the Maine Landscape & Nursery Association want local gardeners to be ready. That’s why they are launching a new Maine Flower Show. The inaugural show will be held March 29-April 2 at Thompson’s Point, and will be the first event to be showcased in the newly renovated Brick […]