OccupyMaine eviction deadline passes quietly in Portland
Feb 10, 2012 11:10 am
OccupyMaine protester Harry Brown holds an American flag given to him by Sam Swenson while he packed up his belongings in Lincoln Park on Friday, Feb. 10. Brown gained some notoriety when he burned a tattered flag in the park on Monday, Feb. 6, just hours before the city granted the protesters an extension to continue camping in and cleaning up the park. Brown and Swenson folded the new flag properly, and Brown tucked it in with his other belongings.
For Portland-area seniors, there really is a free lunch; St. Joseph's Rehabilitation gives back with food, companionship
Feb 07, 2012 11:40 am
Jackie Sabatino, left, talks to Bruce Valley during a free lunch for seniors at St. Joseph's Rehabilitation and Residence, 1133 Washington Ave. in Portland, on Feb. 2. Sabatino and her friends Charlene Tracy, center, and Alice Walker, seated at right, live nearby at the Northfield Green retirement home, which they said rarely holds communal meals.
Portland West End residents remain unhappy about proposed zoning amendment
Feb 07, 2012 10:50 am
PORTLAND — A hotly debated proposed zoning change along the western waterfront went before the City Council for the first time Monday evening, paving the way for a council vote on Feb. 22. The proposed changes would transform most of the area of 113 to 201 West Commercial St. from a Waterfront Port Development zone to a Mixed Commercial Use zone. It would also change part of a 10.65-acre property running along a cliff into a West End Residential zone, limiting the potential to build on what is already a challenging incline.
Portland mayor hopes for alternatives to LePage's DHHS cuts
Feb 07, 2012 10:30 am
PORTLAND — As legislators in Augusta continue to work on solving state budget woes centered around a $221 million Department of Heath and Human Services shortfall, city officials remain on edge about how local services to the poor might be effected. “All the uncertainty that existed a week ago continues,” Mayor Michael Brennan said. Brennan met Feb. 1 with Gov. Paul LePage after holding his first press conference as mayor on Jan. 30 to warn that Portland would be disproportionately impacted by LePage's proposed cuts to the DHHS budget.
Maine school aid: Catastrophe for some, relief for others
Feb 07, 2012 9:40 am
AUGUSTA — There are clear winners and losers in the Maine Department of Education's Feb. 2 announcement of revised preliminary state subsidies for public education. Districts including Portland, Falmouth, South Portland and Regional School Unit 1 are all receiving at least $900,000 more from the state than last year, while others, like Brunswick, stand to lose at least that much. DOE spokesman David Connerty-Marin said valuation and enrollment are the two biggest factors in determining state education subsidies.
New Portland police chief ready to continue department's evolution
Feb 07, 2012 9:00 am
PORTLAND — City councilors unanimously confirmed the new police chief Monday evening. “This is truly an honor and a privilege to be standing here as the 19th police chief of Portland,” Michael Sauschuck said as he addressed the councilors just before they voted. Sauschuck, who was second in command under previous Chief James Craig and has been acting chief of police since August, possesses the “right mix of intelligence and skill, humor and compassion to make the right chief,” Assistant City Manager Anita LaChance said.
High school literary magazine in Portland earns mark of excellence
Feb 06, 2012 3:40 pm
PORTLAND — Valerie Carpentier may not have started reading for fun until fifth grade, but she hasn't let that slow her down. Five years after finding inspiration to write after reading the Harry Potter books, the Deering High School junior has found a supportive and creative home away from home. Carpentier, 17, is one of about a dozen students who belong to Breccia, a club that publishes the school's literary magazine. The 100th anniversary edition recently received an "excellent" rating from the National Council of Teachers of English.
Grant to help expand new playground at Ocean Avenue School in Portland
Feb 06, 2012 3:30 pm
PORTLAND — Ocean Avenue School has been awarded a $15,000 grant to help construct a new playground. The $15,000 Let's Play construction grant is from Dr. Pepper Snapple Group and KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit that works to provide places to play within walking distance of every child. Ocean Avenue School was one of 35 organizations that received the grant as part of the Let's Play initiative, a $15 million, three-year commitment from Dr. Pepper Snapple Group to build or fix 2,000 playgrounds by the end of 2013.
Maine Turnpike Exit 53 lane closure begins next week in Falmouth
Feb 06, 2012 3:00 pm
FALMOUTH — The Maine Turnpike interchange bridge at Exit 53 (West Falmouth) will be reduced to one-lane traffic beginning Monday, Feb. 13, as improvements are made to its surface. A one-lane configuration is needed to allow crews to remove and replace the existing bridge deck, the Maine Turnpike Authority said Monday. Traffic lights will be installed to control traffic on the bridge, but motorists should expect delays during high-volume commuting hours.
Unsung Hero: Julie Zimmerman, bringing light to prisoners
Feb 06, 2012 2:50 pm
"A Pelican" Brown and ugly I am told But my reflection off the Sea waters As I dive and swoop Tells me you are blind — Johnny S. BRUNSWICK — “Johnny S.” wrote this poem from jail. He is one of 450 prisoners from around the country taking free correspondence courses from College Guild, a Brunswick-based non-profit organization co-founded by Julie Zimmerman in 2001.