News in South Portland

The View From Away: My friend, my teacher

One of my writers’ group colleagues asked me at last week’s meeting if I have to censor my writing for The Forecaster. The question got me thinking about how many of my assumptions I have had to change since coming to Maine. I thought censorship would be a significant issue, gi...

Mike Langworthy • Opinion •

Monday, December 10, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Unsung Hero: Jim Pinfold, from South Portland to Sri Lanka, with love

SOUTH PORTLAND — Why would an ordinary citizen endure a 20-hour trip every spring to go to hot and humid Sri Lanka? The answer begins with birds or, more accurately, bird-watching. In the mid-1990s, Jim Pinfold, who works as a buyer for Bull Moose, began taking bird-watching trips to...

David Treadwell • News •

Monday, December 10, 2012 at 11:00 am

Traditional, fresh events greet Hanukkah in greater Portland

PORTLAND — Eight days and nights of Hanukkah began last weekend with several events in and around Portland. The annual Hanukkah party was held Friday night at the Maine Jewish Museum as a preview to the festival. Saturday night saw the lighting of the grand menorah in front of the st...

Timothy Gillis • News •

Monday, December 10, 2012 at 8:30 am

Southern Meetings: Dec. 7-13

Cape Elizabeth

Community •

Friday, December 7, 2012

Southern School Notebook

Cape Elizabeth High to host TED event for students CAPE ELIZABETH — Cape Elizabeth High School will host a TEDxYouth event Friday, becoming the first public high school in Maine to stage one of the popular youth conferences. TEDxYouth conferences are fashion...

Community •

Friday, December 7, 2012

Robert F. Richard, 87: Decorated veteran

SOUTH PORTLAND — Robert F. Richard, 87, died Nov. 11. He was born in Lynn, Mass., on Aug. 31, 1925, the son of Edmund Roy and Annie J. Hopkins Richard. Richard attended the Lynn schools. In July 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served aboard several ships and at the...

Obituaries •

Friday, December 7, 2012

Portland Regional Chamber CEO to step down

PORTLAND — W. Godfrey Wood, chief executive of the Portland Regional Chamber, today said he will retire from his position at the end of the month. Wood has been the business advocacy group's top executive since 1997. PRC Board Chairman James Cohen said the chamber would immedi...

William Hall • News •

Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 2:50 pm

'He just gave': Veteran South Portland police officer mourned by friends, colleagues

SOUTH PORTLAND — A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Sunday at Westbrook Performing Arts Center for Officer Peter MacVane, a 34-year veteran of the city Police Department. MacVane, who was 61, died Wednesday at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough after a long battle wit...

David Harry • News •

Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 12:00 pm

South Portland Police Beat: Dec. 7

Arrests 11/24 at 3:20 a.m. David J. Ekelund, 39, of Winchester, Mass., was arrested on Cottage Road by Officer Michael Armstrong on a charge of operating under the influence. 11/24 at 4:34 a.m. Robert M. Leighton, 29, of South Portland, was arrest...

Police Beat •

Thursday, December 6, 2012

South Portland mayor sees need for 1% tax hike

SOUTH PORTLAND — New Mayor Tom Blake set out a five-point agenda Monday while calling for a minimal tax increase in the combined fiscal year 2014 municipal budget. Elected unanimously by city councilors to his second, one-year term as mayor, Blake called for a property tax increase "...

David Harry • News •

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 12:20 pm