News

'Beirut East': State of Portland's Eastern Waterfront disturbs local developer

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,"...

Kate Bucklin • News •
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 10:30 am
South Portland to study potential walking, biking bridge over Long Creek

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 Lan... 1

Randy Billings • News •
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 10:00 am
Portland garden party to benefit teen gardeners, elderly eaters

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 Ur...

Kate Bucklin • News •
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 9:30 am
Portland schools adopt multi-year budgeting

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 on...

Randy Billings • News •
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 9:00 am
Yarmouth Clam Festival promises no shortage of clams, traditional events

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 re...

Amy Anderson • News •
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 8:20 am
Loss of federal waiver could be 'lethal blow' to laptop computers for Portland high school students

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 ...

Randy Billings • News •
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 8:00 am
Portland hosts urban triathlon this weekend

PORTLAND — The Zone Urban Epic Triathlon is set to happen this weekend, with an all-day festival afterwards. The waterfront triathlon, now in its third year, begins at 8:30 a.m. at East End Beach, were participants will – if enterococcus levels aren't too high – jump in for ...

Kate Bucklin • News •
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 7:50 am
Maine joins regional coalition to lobby for Downeaster extension, faster speeds

AUGUSTA — With the filing deadline to present rail projects qualifying for stimulus funding fast approaching, Gov. John Baldacci announced Monday that he has joined a coalition of New England governors to create a unified rail vision for the region. Six priority projects were iden... 1

Steve Mistler • News •
Monday, July 13, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Updated: Auburn developer confirms bid for Brunswick base housing

BRUNSWICK — George Schott, the developer behind several commercial successes in Auburn, confirmed Friday that he is trying to purchase the 702 military housing units associated with Brunswick Naval Air Station. Schott, who last summer purchased the former Atrium Inn & Convention...

Steve Mistler • News •
Friday, July 10, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Scarborough residents seek to buy former sludge dump

SCARBOROUGH — A Tibbetts Road couple has expressed interest in buying a portion of a former sludge dumping ground owned by the town. Dennis and Susan Hall own 33 Tibbetts Road, the property that abuts the 69-acre lot that borders Saco. In a May 28 letter to the town, the Halls' attorn...

Peggy Roberts • News •
Friday, July 10, 2009