PORTLAND — A Cumberland and Portland firefighter who faced eight charges of sexual abuse of a minor was found innocent on all eight counts Monday afternoon. Arguments in the case against Craig Rawnsley, 42, of North Yarmouth, began Wednesday, Sept. 16, in Cumberland County Superior Court and concluded on Friday. The jury began deliberating Monday morning […]

FALMOUTH — Before they adopted Maxi, they read up on his history, disposition and intelligence. The 2-year-old seemed to meet – even exceed – what the Falmouth Police Department was looking for. But they weren’t sure until Lt. John Kilbride traveled to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, to meet the German shepard […]

FREEPORT — Organizers of Seeds of Independence, a non-profit organization that helps at-risk youth get back on track, threw a party last week to introduce themselves to the public and raise money for the organization’s future. Willo Wright, program director of Seeds of Independence, said within the past year the organization has gained non-profit status and […]

CUMBERLAND — Rarely has a litter box sounded so appealing. The Homeless Animal Rescue Team of Maine is holding its sixth annual Litter Box Ball fundraiser at the Italian Heritage Center in Portland at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3. Proceeds go directly to the shelter at 302 Range Road – a no-kill facility and adoption […]

YARMOUTH — Initial upgrades to the senior housing units at Bartlett Circle were completed last week, but operators of the non-profit organization still need about to raise nearly $45,000. Beginning in March, operators of Bartlett Circle began a fundraising campaign to raise $107,000 for repairs to units that had become dilapidated. By June, contractors were […]

FREEPORT — The 34th annual Pettengill Farm Day will take place Sunday, Oct. 4, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Freeport Historical Society Executive Director Christina White said the theme will again be “Everything Barnyard,” but will include more music, activities and historical displays. “What sets Pettengill Farm apart from other farm day events is […]

PORTLAND — In what it called the most significant realignment in its 25-year history, the Portland Fish Exchange on Tuesday announced it has agreed to lease about a third of its space to a local seafood processor. The 10-year deal with Cozy Harbor Seafood is valued at $1.1 million, the exchange said in a press […]

PORTLAND — The person killed in a head-on collision early Sunday morning has been identified as 18-year-old Guy Kitoko. Kitoko was the front-seat passenger in a car driven by Yannick Mulongo, a 21-year-old Portland resident. The vehicle, a 2001 Ford Mustang, was traveling on Brighton Avenue at around 2:35 a.m. when it reportedly crossed the […]

PORTLAND — A small group of performers were rehearsing their lines and finding their marks Monday night at Portland’s newest playhouse. The Old Port Playhouse, in the former Head Games salon next to The Works on Temple Street, is scheduled to start its inaugural season on Oct. 9 with a production of “Sylvia,” billed as […]

PORTLAND — Superintendent of Schools James C. Morse Sr. is finalizing a new procedure for tracking grant money flowing in and out of the schools, an area highlighted by an independent study into the School Department’s $2 million deficit in 2007. Teachers and administrators have historically applied for grants without informing central office staff, leading […]