PORTLAND — The City Council Finance Committee on Sept. 23 will consider an ordinance requiring background checks on city contractors and giving preference to those who use local labor. The proposal, called the “Responsible Contractor’s Ordinance,” would require contractors to submit certification before being awarded city contracts of more than $10,000. That certification, to be […]

PORTLAND — Cumberland County and a local substance abuse awareness organization have received a $625,000 grant from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to combat youth substance abuse in Falmouth, Cumberland, North Yarmouth, Yarmouth, Freeport and Pownal. Casco Bay CAN, which stands for Create Awareness Now to Reduce Youth Substance Abuse, will […]

PORTLAND — Opponents of a proposed City Charter amendment that would have voters elect the mayor will launch their campaign this week. City Councilor Cheryl Leeman has organized what she is calling a “neighbor-to-neighbor” campaign against Question 1 on the Nov. 2 city ballot. “It’s going to be very grass roots,” Leeman said last Friday. […]

PORTLAND — Parents and public school staff will get a chance to discuss the district’s curriculum priorities on Wednesday, Sept. 29, at 6 p.m. at King Middle School. Chief Academic Officer David Galin, in his first year with the School Department, will outline his proposal for curriculum priorities, the district said in a press release. […]

PORTLAND — At-Large City Councilor Jill Duson will represent Portland on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Local Government Advisory Committee, the city announced in a press release Monday. The LGAC, in existence since 1993, seeks to provide more efficient and effective environmental protection at the community, state and federal levels. The group provides advice and […]

SCARBOROUGH — A group of Maine businesses supporting rebuilding efforts in Haiti have chosen the projects they will fund. The MaineLine coalition will fund construction of 10 schools and community centers in areas worst hit by the January 2010 earthquake. The first school will be built in Cabaret, a small community approximately an hour north […]

Skies over South Portland were filled with huge kites recently when Hank Manseau of Scarborough, a board member of Kites of New England, launched several beauties at Bug Light Park. KONE is a club that holds family friendly events throughout the year and all over New England.

A second shipment of 1,650-foot rails arrived by train last week for the replacement of track between Yarmouth and Brunswick in advance of the extension of Amtrak Downeaster service from Portland. Here crews work near Highland Road in Brunswick.

CAPE ELIZABETH — Bidding continued this week for ownership of Ram Island Ledge Lighthouse. As of Sept. 9, the highest bid was $170,000. The auction, run by the U.S. General Services Administration, was opened on June 30, and did not see any action until June 9 when a $10,000 bid from “jlucas” was placed. In […]

SOUTH PORTLAND — Residents will be asked in November if they want to approve a $41.5 million bond to renovate and expand South Portland High School. The City Council voted 5-2 Wednesday evening to send the bond question to the ballot, with councilors Rosemarie De Angelis and Jim Hughes opposed. The bond amount was reduced […]