PORTLAND — The owner of two Bayside buildings rejected for new state offices on Monday called the bidding process “a waste of time.” As a result of the state’s decision last month, Tom Toye stands to lose the Maine Department of Labor and Department of Health and Human Services as tenants at 185 and 200 […]
Portland
Fire causes as much as $9 million in damage to historic island fort building in Portland
PORTLAND — An early morning fire Saturday did between $5 million and $9 million worth of damage to a historic island fort property being renovated as a hotel. According to an announcement Saturday morning by Deputy Portland City Manager Sheila Hill-Christian, the Portland Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 18 McKinley Court on […]
Portland police say panhandler attacked tourist
PORTLAND — A homeless man is facing an aggravated assault charge after he allegedly attacked a pedestrian who refused to give him money Monday, police said. Richard Sneddon, 45, is being held at the Cumberland County Jail and is expected to be arraigned Wednesday, Portland police Lt. James Sweatt said. A man from the United […]
Federal judge hears testimony in Portland panhandling lawsuit
PORTLAND — A federal judge is hearing testimony as the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine challenges an ordinance banning panhandlers from standing in street medians in Portland. The ordinance was spurred by an upsurge in the number of homeless people looking for roadside handouts coupled with an increase in reports of near misses with […]
Portland City Council approves abortion clinic buffer zone
PORTLAND — Despite a rare show of opposition, an ordinance enacted by the City Council on Monday means anti-abortion protesters now have to carry their picket signs 39 feet away from the entrances to the Planned Parenthood clinic at 443 Congress St. The ordinance, approved 9-0, creates a protest-free “buffer zone” around reproductive health care […]
Portland approves buffer zone around Planned Parenthood to keep anti-abortion protesters back
PORTLAND — The Portland City Council on Monday night unanimously approved a 39-foot buffer zone around abortion clinics, a move supporters said maintains the free speech rights on anti-abortion protesters and potentially saves the lives of clinic patients. After the vote was taken nearly three and a half hours into the meeting, an applause erupted […]
New Portland-Nova Scotia ferry service expects to carry 100,000 passengers its first year
PORTLAND — Nova Star Cruises expects to carry 100,000 passengers its first year of offering ferry service between Portland and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, according to company officials who on Monday afternoon spoke for the first time in public about the new business venture. The ferry, which will be christened the Nova Star, is still in […]
Nova Scotia ferry to be packed with amenities and entertainment
PORTLAND — Passengers who travel aboard a cruise ferry between Portland and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, starting this spring won’t get bored on the trip. The 531-foot-long Nova Star will have three restaurants, three bars, a casino, a conference room and theater, and a children’s play area along with 152 cabins and capacity for 1,215 passengers […]
Michaud says Maine should cancel MaineCare ride contract, get its money back
PORTLAND — U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud is challenging Maine Gov. Paul LePage to exhibit “leadership and action” in light of ongoing problems with a state-funded nonemergency ride program. Michaud is a Democratic candidate for governor in 2014. The $40 million ride program, funded under the state’s Medicaid program, MaineCare, provides rides to medical appointments for eligible […]
AHL: Pirates stymied in shootout
LEWISTON — Mike McKenna was known during his time with the Portland Pirates as an affable, approachable player. Saturday, he was a thorn in the Pirates’ side, allowing just one goal on 36 shots through overtime and stopping four of five attempts in the shootout to lead the Springfield Falcons to a 2-1 win over […]