Myles Crawford paints an environmental reminder along side a storm drains in the Capisic Brook area of Portland last week. The message “No Dumping – Drains to Bay” is an educational effort by the Casco Bay Youth Conservation Corps, the Cumberland County Soil & Water Conservation District and the Friends of Casco Bay to get […]

PORTLAND — The U.S Department of Transportation has awarded $6.8 million to the state Department of Transportation for two ferry projects, including $5.5 million for construction of a new ferry for Casco Bay Lines. The funding was announced in separate press releases by U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, and U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan […]

PORTLAND — As the city tries to figure out what to do with the Maine State Pier, newly released cost estimates for fixing the structure suggest the pier isn’t in dire straits after all. When Portland put out a request for proposals for redevelopment of the pier in 2006, city officials insisted the city could […]

BRUNSWICK — This time of year, farmer Seth Kroeck is usually handing his 226 customers at Crystal Spring Community Farm a bounty of mixed greens and vegetables every week. The customers own shares of Kroeck’s crop for a handsome price – $515 for the entire season – but most consider the resulting smorgasbord of fresh, […]

PORTLAND — Just a few years ago, the city’s Eastern Waterfront was a hotbed for large-scale development proposals. Now, the properties targeted for condominiums, hotels and shopping sit vacant and some observers think the atmosphere is unfriendly. “I call it Beirut East,” said Joseph Malone, who owns the properties across Middle Street from the shuttered […]

SOUTH PORTLAND — The City Council directed the city manager on Monday to find $12,000 for a feasibility study of a bicycle and pedestrian bridge that would make a critical connection in the greater Portland trail network.  The West End Trails Committee, part of the South Portland Land Trust, presented a conceptual plan to the […]

PORTLAND — An organization that teaches kids to garden while also providing food to elderly residents will host a party at Kennedy Park this weekend to raise awareness and money for the program. Cultivating Community is celebrating its sixth year of gardening at the Boyd Street Urban Farm, a plot of land tucked between Boyd […]

PORTLAND — The School Committee on July 8 approved a multi-year budget process members say will increase accountability to the community. The resolution requires the superintendent of schools to submit a recommendation for funding priorities over five fiscal years along with a one-year budget proposal. The process will also include recent budget history. Superintendent James […]

YARMOUTH — Red tide and clam flat closures will not prevent the 44th annual Yarmouth Clam Festival from happening this weekend. To ensure the tradition continues, festival spokesman Sheldon Perkins said event organizers plan well in advance and always assume the possibility of red tide. “These are local clams, and they are dug, then flash-frozen since […]

PORTLAND — City schools may not be able to participate in a statewide initiative to expand the laptop computer program to the city’s 2,200 high school students.  Participation in the program depended on the district securing a waiver from federal education officials to allow use of Title I stimulus money for the program. But federal […]