ShareThe minivan is 16 years old, with over 209,000 miles on it. Last fall, the rear brakes needed repair, as did the power steering.“It’s been one thing after another,” said Rebecca Johnson of South Portland. “It may need a new ignition switch, and one of the doors doesn’t work, but it’s our only vehicle.”On Saturday, Johnson put the $5,600 in stimulus money her family of four received from the American Rescue Plan toward a second, more reliable means of transportation. She bought a 2010 Honda Pilot.“It’s the newest car we’ve ever had,” she said. “The stimulus helped a lot. It made for...…ShareThe minivan is 16 years old, with over 209,000 miles on it. Last fall, the rear brakes needed repair, as did the power steering.“It’s been one thing after another,” said Rebecca Johnson of South Portland. “It may need a new ignition switch, and one of the doors doesn’t work, but it’s our only vehicle.”On Saturday, Johnson put the $5,600 in stimulus money her family of four received from the American Rescue Plan toward a second, more reliable means of transportation. She bought a 2010 Honda Pilot.“It’s the newest car we’ve ever had,” she said. “The stimulus helped a lot. It made for...WW…

ShareMaine is among the states with legalized cannabis that do not have legal protections in place for recreational users, such as barring employers from testing them for THC, . Meanwhile, the state’s recreational cannabis market has grown rapidly, more than doubling its monthly sales since the market first opened in October.Following the October launch of Maine’s recreational marijuana market, it’s now easier than ever for someone above the age of 21 to partake of cannabis in their spare time, similar to the level of access for someone who might drink alcohol at the end of the day.“The...…ShareMaine is among the states with legalized cannabis that do not have legal protections in place for recreational users, such as barring employers from testing them for THC, . Meanwhile, the state’s recreational cannabis market has grown rapidly, more than doubling its monthly sales since the market first opened in October.Following the October launch of Maine’s recreational marijuana market, it’s now easier than ever for someone above the age of 21 to partake of cannabis in their spare time, similar to the level of access for someone who might drink alcohol at the end of the day.“The...WW…

ShareWhen Scott Howard created the branding for SeaWeed Co., a recreational marijuana retail shop in South Portland, he wanted to emphasize the company’s local roots and evoke thoughts of the Maine seaside. The mermaid seemed like a natural fit.However, despite Howard’s stated intentions and no matter how apt the association may be, the Maine Office of Marijuana Policy has taken issue with the half-woman, half-fish figure clutching a seashell that now graces much of SeaWeed’s merchandise. Howard is facing a $10,000 fine for the “willful use of a prohibited image.”State officials say...…ShareWhen Scott Howard created the branding for SeaWeed Co., a recreational marijuana retail shop in South Portland, he wanted to emphasize the company’s local roots and evoke thoughts of the Maine seaside. The mermaid seemed like a natural fit.However, despite Howard’s stated intentions and no matter how apt the association may be, the Maine Office of Marijuana Policy has taken issue with the half-woman, half-fish figure clutching a seashell that now graces much of SeaWeed’s merchandise. Howard is facing a $10,000 fine for the “willful use of a prohibited image.”State officials say...WW…

ShareHis name is Kevin Finkenaur. He runs a local moving and storage company.He’s also a self-identified insurrectionist.“Saw first hand today how close the citizens of the US came to overthrowing a corrupt government,” said a Facebook post under Finkenauer’s name following Wednesday’s invasion of the U.S. Capitol by thousands of Donald Trump die-hards.“I was there…you weren’t,” said another post under Finkenaur’s name. “On the upper level, there was thousand of US citizens (versus) 40 or so riot police.”Among the many shock waves emanating from last week’s attack on Congress is the brazen,...…ShareHis name is Kevin Finkenaur. He runs a local moving and storage company.He’s also a self-identified insurrectionist.“Saw first hand today how close the citizens of the US came to overthrowing a corrupt government,” said a Facebook post under Finkenauer’s name following Wednesday’s invasion of the U.S. Capitol by thousands of Donald Trump die-hards.“I was there…you weren’t,” said another post under Finkenaur’s name. “On the upper level, there was thousand of US citizens (versus) 40 or so riot police.”Among the many shock waves emanating from last week’s attack on Congress is the brazen,...WW…

ShareA sign outside the home of Shawn McBrearity in Cumberland showing school board member Ann Maksymowicz seated during the Pledge of Allegiance. McBrearity has been a vocal critic of SAD 51’s equity and inclusion training and of school officials. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer Tensions between school board members in Cumberland and North Yarmouth and a resident who has accused the board of illegally hiring a consultant to work on racial equity issues have escalated to the point where some board members say they feel unsafe.Cumberland resident Shawn McBreairty has been a...…ShareA sign outside the home of Shawn McBrearity in Cumberland showing school board member Ann Maksymowicz seated during the Pledge of Allegiance. McBrearity has been a vocal critic of SAD 51’s equity and inclusion training and of school officials. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer Tensions between school board members in Cumberland and North Yarmouth and a resident who has accused the board of illegally hiring a consultant to work on racial equity issues have escalated to the point where some board members say they feel unsafe.Cumberland resident Shawn McBreairty has been a...WW…

ShareWhen the trucks roll into Maine with the first batches of COVID-19 vaccine doses – perhaps as soon as mid-December – the state will need to overcome many logistical hurdles to bring the vaccines to pharmacies, doctors’ offices, hospitals, schools, fire halls and eventually the arms of patients.The mass vaccination effort will be a daunting operation, and . The pandemic has accelerated this fall, so getting people vaccinated as quickly as possible is a top priority for public health officials. Since the pandemic began last winter, more than 255,000 people have died in the United States...…ShareWhen the trucks roll into Maine with the first batches of COVID-19 vaccine doses – perhaps as soon as mid-December – the state will need to overcome many logistical hurdles to bring the vaccines to pharmacies, doctors’ offices, hospitals, schools, fire halls and eventually the arms of patients.The mass vaccination effort will be a daunting operation, and . The pandemic has accelerated this fall, so getting people vaccinated as quickly as possible is a top priority for public health officials. Since the pandemic began last winter, more than 255,000 people have died in the United States...WW…

ShareThe Maine Mall in South Portland on Saturday, including the now closed Sears store.SOUTH PORTLAND — An award-winning plan calls for transforming the 90-acre Maine Mall property into a village center, with the addition of housing, a street grid and outdoor recreational spaces.Built 50 years ago on former farmland, the mall would remain the centerpiece of Maine’s largest retail area, but the underused parking lots that surround it would become a neighborhood where people could live and play, as well as work.The concept plan recognizes the challenges facing malls across America,...…ShareThe Maine Mall in South Portland on Saturday, including the now closed Sears store.SOUTH PORTLAND — An award-winning plan calls for transforming the 90-acre Maine Mall property into a village center, with the addition of housing, a street grid and outdoor recreational spaces.Built 50 years ago on former farmland, the mall would remain the centerpiece of Maine’s largest retail area, but the underused parking lots that surround it would become a neighborhood where people could live and play, as well as work.The concept plan recognizes the challenges facing malls across America,...WW…

ShareSCARBOROUGH — U.S. Postal Service workers have reassembled one of the two high-speed letter sorting machines that were ordered dismantled over the summer in Maine.WMTW-TV reports the machine that can sort more than 20,000 letters an hour went back into operation on Thursday.The American Postal Workers Union pushed management to restore the machine to help deliver election-related mail promptly.It was one of two machines that were mothballed at the Southern Maine Mail Processing Center in Scarborough. The other was discarded for scrap metal.Invalid username/password.Success. Please wait...…ShareSCARBOROUGH — U.S. Postal Service workers have reassembled one of the two high-speed letter sorting machines that were ordered dismantled over the summer in Maine.WMTW-TV reports the machine that can sort more than 20,000 letters an hour went back into operation on Thursday.The American Postal Workers Union pushed management to restore the machine to help deliver election-related mail promptly.It was one of two machines that were mothballed at the Southern Maine Mail Processing Center in Scarborough. The other was discarded for scrap metal.Invalid username/password.Success. Please wait...WW…

ShareA half-dozen pot shops reported $94,643.38 in first-day sales on Friday under Maine’s new adult-use marijuana program, resulting in $9,464.34 in sales tax for the state.The preliminary data were reported Saturday afternoon by David Heidrich, director of engagement and community outreach for the Office of Marijuana Policy. Nine retail stores are nowThe sales data will be updated Tuesday.The stores that opened Friday are SeaWeed Co. and Theory Wellness in South Portland, Firestorm Cultivation in Bangor, Green Cures in Auburn, Northland Botanicals in Stratton and Sweet Relief Shop in...…ShareA half-dozen pot shops reported $94,643.38 in first-day sales on Friday under Maine’s new adult-use marijuana program, resulting in $9,464.34 in sales tax for the state.The preliminary data were reported Saturday afternoon by David Heidrich, director of engagement and community outreach for the Office of Marijuana Policy. Nine retail stores are nowThe sales data will be updated Tuesday.The stores that opened Friday are SeaWeed Co. and Theory Wellness in South Portland, Firestorm Cultivation in Bangor, Green Cures in Auburn, Northland Botanicals in Stratton and Sweet Relief Shop in...WW…

ShareThe long-awaited launch of Maine’s recreational cannabis market will likely fall short of expectations, with some shops unsure if they will even have marijuana to sell, much less the THC-infused food and drinks readily available on the state’s existing medical market.One state-approved shop said it may skip opening day altogether, its owners unsure whether they will have any products to sell Friday, the state’s first official day of adult-use sales. Retailers blame a licensing backlog for the expected shortages. Regulators agree, but say that’s what happens when you try to launch a new...…ShareThe long-awaited launch of Maine’s recreational cannabis market will likely fall short of expectations, with some shops unsure if they will even have marijuana to sell, much less the THC-infused food and drinks readily available on the state’s existing medical market.One state-approved shop said it may skip opening day altogether, its owners unsure whether they will have any products to sell Friday, the state’s first official day of adult-use sales. Retailers blame a licensing backlog for the expected shortages. Regulators agree, but say that’s what happens when you try to launch a new...WW…