PORTLAND — Reorganized staff, new hires and new software are expected to bring faster approvals for the majority of building permit applications. “It is really going to benefit the homeowner who has been frustrated with the city,” City Manager Jon Jennings said Feb. 12 about ordinance revisions that will be considered Wednesday as a first read by the […]
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Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Cumberland County sheriff: State funding for jail drug abuse treatment isn't enough
PORTLAND — Last month, the Legislature and Gov. Paul LePage found uncommon ground in support for a two-year, $3.9 million spending plan to combat opioid use. Yet while volunteers will set up new 12-step programs for prisoners at the Cumberland County Jail, Sheriff Kevin Joyce doubts the state spending will provide much help for prisoners. “Fifty […]
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Posted inSouthern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Federal judge declines to dismiss Portland Pipe Line lawsuit against South Portland
SOUTH PORTLAND — The city’s attempt to derail a lawsuit filed last year by Portland Pipe Line Corp. was denied last week by a U.S. District Court judge. The lawsuit, filed in February 2015 by PPL and American Waterways Operators, a national advocate for the tugboat, barge and towboat industry, claims the city overstepped its municipal regulatory power and […]
Posted inNorthern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Yarmouth-based DeLorme to be acquired by Garmin
YARMOUTH — Garmin Ltd., the Swiss GPS company, has agreed to purchase DeLorme. DeLorme, based at 2 DeLorme Drive off of Route 1, produces digital maps, mapping software, and GPS systems, and is widely known for the iconic Maine Atlas and Gazatteer. Garmin on Thursday announced it would complete the deal within 30-60 days. Garmin President […]
Posted inCoastal Journal, The Forecaster
Brunswick board supports adding religious holidays to school calendar
BRUNSWICK — A proposed school calendar noting all major religious holidays received nearly unanimous support from the School Board and members of the public Wednesday night. Superintendent Paul Perzanoski created the draft in response to a request in January from a group of residents to add major Jewish holidays to the calendar. The request drew criticism […]
Posted inSouthern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Scarborough plans social media blitz, seeks residents' input
SCARBOROUGH — The town wants to know how residents search for and find municipal information, and has posted a survey on its website to find out. The effort is part of a larger shift toward increasing town utilization of social media to disseminate information. Town Councilors, at their meeting Wednesday, Feb. 17, are also slated to […]
Posted inSouthern Forecaster, The Forecaster
South Portland to allow business ads at school sports venues
SOUTH PORTLAND — The School Board narrowly approved allowing businesses to pay for advertising inside Beal Gymansium and at Martin Field. The 4-3 vote on Monday, Feb. 8, creates a new general revenue stream for the School Department. The decision to allow “modest” signage will provide money for athletic department needs, Superintendent of Schools Ken Kunin […]
Posted inSouthern Forecaster, The Forecaster
GRACE fuels donations in Scarborough
Peter Martin, left, and Marj Desanctis try to attract donors to the Project GRACE Rally to Keep Our Neighbors Warm at the Oak Hill Fire Station on Route 1 in Scarborough on Saturday, Feb. 6. The goal of the fourth annual fuel assistance fundraiser was $10,000. (Melanie Sochan / For The Forecaster) Scott Levesque, 7, […]
Posted inSouthern Forecaster, The Forecaster
South Portland economic development plan: City 'at a crossroads'
SOUTH PORTLAND — The city’s “political climate poses a threat” to its ability to attract new businesses, according to an Economic Development Plan to be presented to the City Council next week. The formal plan, the city’s first in nearly 20 years, says South Portland is “at risk of being viewed as a difficult city in which to […]
Posted inNorthern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Students, adults put world knowledge on the line in Falmouth
FALMOUTH — More than 100 people packed the high school cafeteria last week with a trip to the nation’s capital on the line. And to get there, all they had to do was be on the team with the smartest people in the room. The annual Academic WorldQuest competition was held on Feb. 3 at […]