NORTH YARMOUTH — It was a document born against the bloody backdrop of war, when America pronounced itself independent of Great Britain. And, more than two centuries after the American Revolution ended, it was still causing quite a stir in North Yarmouth. July 4 marks 239 years since the Declaration of Independence was ratified. North […]
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Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Portland school dropout rates fall, even as alternatives increase
PORTLAND — When Kirkley Lowe was 17, he realized something: he wasn’t going to graduate from Casco Bay High School. “The work they gave us was too difficult,” Lowe, now 18, said. “I felt it was college level starting my freshman year.” Lowe said he made the decision to stop going to school after he […]
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Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Portland Stars & Stripes Spectacular returns to Eastern Promenade July 4
PORTLAND — Grammy Award-winner Melissa Manchester headlines the annual Stars and Stripes Spectacular on the Eastern Promenade on Saturday, July 4. Manchester’s 7:40 p.m. performance with the Portland Symphony Orchestra precedes a Fourth of July fireworks display, also accompanied by the PSO, at 9:20. Independence Day events begin at noon, when historian and former state […]
Posted inCoastal Journal, Northern Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Brunswick Planning Board shuts down farm weddings
BRUNSWICK — When Ian Talmage and Jennifer Banis bought their mid-1800s farm on Round Hill Lane four years ago, their dream was to restore it and make it a destination for couples looking for a rural, farm-to-table wedding. That dream ended Tuesday night with the Planning Board’s unanimous denial of their request for a special permit […]
Posted inSouthern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Strawberry fields endeavor: Sweet season arrives just in time at Cape Elizabeth u-pick farm
CAPE ELIZABETH — Talk about close calls. The town’s annual Strawberry Festival is Friday and Saturday, but Maxwell’s Farm didn’t have ripe berries until Thursday. Farm owners Bill and Lois Bamford said the just-in-time opening date for people to pick their own strawberries actually isn’t out of the ordinary. “We’re opening the 25th and we […]
Posted inSouthern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Scarborough council sends $500K school budget cut to voters
SCARBOROUGH — After failed attempts at amendments, two recesses and one tie vote, town councilors Wednesday proposed a revised school budget. The fiscal 2016 spending plan is $500,000 less than the one voters rejected June 9. It goes to a budget validation referendum on July 7. With Councilors Bill Donovan and Jean-Marie Caterina dissenting, the council […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Grant to South Portland, Portland funds STEM education
SOUTH PORTLAND — The state’s two largest school districts will be collaborating on a new educational program thanks to a multi-year grant from Texas Instruments. The global semiconductor design and manufacturing company, which has a plant in South Portland, will give $150,000 over three years to establish a science, technology, engineering and math academy to […]
Posted inSouthern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Next South Portland assistant manager will have broader responsibility
SOUTH PORTLAND — Jon Jennings’ replacement as assistant city manager is expected to become the public face of City Hall. City Manager Jim Gailey this week said his next assistant will be responsible not only for behind-the-scenes economic development, but communications and community relations. Jennings, who was hired in September 2013, was picked earlier this month […]
Posted inSouthern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Cape Elizabeth committee gets more time for Recycling Center recommendation
CAPE ELIZABETH — A town panel has received a two-month extension to submit its report on a long-term solution for increasing safety at the Recycling Center. The Town Council on June 16 granted the extension at the request of Councilor Jessica Sullivan, chairwoman of the Solid Waste and Recycling Long Range Planning Committee. The committee now […]
Posted inSouthern Forecaster, The Forecaster
South Portland on its own regarding plastic-bag ban
SOUTH PORTLAND — The city will continue to explore its own effort to curb the use of plastic or paper bags and polystyrene food containers, after a failed attempt at a regional solution. The decision came after officials met with the Greater Portland Council of Governments earlier this month and representatives from six other municipalities. The possibility […]