FREEPORT — Only days after she offered the Pownal School Department a $190,000 grant to help offset a potential 36 percent tax increase, state Education Commissioner Susan Gendron on Monday night withdrew the offer. Shannon Welsh, superintendent of Regional School Unit 5, said concerns and questions from legislators about the May 7 grant proposal may […]
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Posted inThe Forecaster
Brunswick incident ends with 2 men arrested for alleged kidnapping
BRUNSWICK — Two Brunswick men were arrested and charged with robbery and kidnapping Monday night following a frantic 911 call from their alleged victims, who claimed the men were going to kill them. Scott A. Coombs, 32, of 3 Swett St., and Manesseh C. Massaline, 39, of 3 Heath St., were arrested by Brunswick police […]
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Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Temporary bridge to preserve pedestrian, bike access during Veranda Street closure in Portland
PORTLAND — A temporary bridge will be built to preserve pedestrian and bicycle access between Martin’s Point and Washington Avenue when the Veranda Street bridge is closed in June. Jim Wentworth, project manager of the Maine Department of Transportation, said the bridge will be closed from June 24 until a new bridge is built. The […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Downtown Portland hotel has new owners
PORTLAND — The Holiday Inn by the Bay on Spring Street has a new owner. Bangor-based Lafayette Hotels announced May 11 that it had acquired the hotel from Harper Hotels of Vermont. The hotel, which opened in 1973 and is Maine’s largest, has been approved by InterContinental Hotels Group to keep the Holiday Inn brand. […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Lawsuit returns against owners of State Theater in Portland
PORTLAND — An attorney for a former State Theater tenant said a lawsuit between his client and the owner of the theater is gaining momentum. Attorney Dan Skolnik said this week that the 3-year-old suit, which has been dormant since 2007 – along with the theater – has come back to life now that a concert […]
Posted inThe Forecaster
Students vs. the economy: College grads face uncertain times
PORTLAND — University of Southern Maine seniors Brandon McKenney and Gwen Merrick have taken the last few weeks one day at a time. Both are wrapping up projects, finishing papers, and preparing for the final exams that will allow them to graduate this Saturday, May 16. Neither has any idea what they’ll be doing once […]
Posted inThe Forecaster
$1M grant to help at-risk elementary students in Portland
PORTLAND — The school district is teaming up with local nonprofit groups to increase academic support and cultural enrichment opportunities for about 110 economically disadvantaged and at-risk youth. Over the next five years, LearningWorks, formerly Portland West, will administer a five-year, nearly $1 million grant received from the Department of Education’s 21st Century Learning Fund. […]
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Portland gets additional $570K in community development funds; budget set for May 18 hearing
PORTLAND – The City Council on May 18 will decide how to allocate $570,000 in federal stimulus funding earmarked for community development projects. At the May 18 meeting, the council is also scheduled to have a final hearing and vote on a proposed $189 million city budget that would not change the property tax rate, […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Artist, local painters finalizing details for South Portland tank art project
SOUTH PORTLAND — Jaime Gili’s artwork revolves around three central elements: color, speed and repetition. At times, those elements come together in a figurative sense, as in a gallery. Other times, they come together in a literal sense, when Gili paintings decorate motorcycles, cabs and helmets. This summer, Gili and the Maine Center For Creativity […]
Posted inThe Forecaster
Long Island to hire town administrator
LONG ISLAND — The town’s three selectmen will soon have some hired help to manage island business. Island residents voted 74-17 at the annual Town Meeting on May 9 to hire a part-time town administrator. A new selectman and a new school board member were also elected. The town administrator will work 12 hours a […]