Local farm program grows to include seedlings along with produce A new project this summer led to 2,000 seedlings being distributed so people can grow their own food.

Winter is coming: Southern Midcoast restaurants prepare for return to all-indoor dining Gather in Yarmouth is planning ways to stretch the outdoor dining season and the Frontier Cafe in Brunswick plans to reopen with curbside service only.

Harpswell Aging at Home group helps keeps seniors active, healthy The group has launched a survey to determine how best to continue aiding Harpswell's elder residents.

Topsham Police Department enters new chapter with new top cops Bill Collins was promoted to lieutenant in July, Marc Hagan begins as chief Sept. 21.

Bath legislator faces challenge from downtown business owner in bid for reelection Rep. Sean Paulhus, a Democrat elected to the State House last year, is running against Republican Christina Hughes.

Local clerks, Maine officials already bracing for a big election turnout This June's primary election saw far more voters filing absentee ballots than voting in person.

Election 2020: Freeport residents square off in state House 48 race Republican Jay Finegan and Democrat Melanie Sachs seek to fill the post being vacated by outgoing House Speaker Sara Gideon.

SMCC gets support to assist students with disabilities The $2.6 million grant allows the college to expand current offerings for students with physical or learning disabilities.

Freeport to spend $350K to upgrade public safety radio equipment, expand network The work will expand the town's radio communications network for the police, fire-rescue and public works departments from two to four antenna sites.

Closures amid pandemic show the importance of Cumberland, Topsham libraries As the coronavirus shows no signs of slowing down, many families have missed the community education hub that libraries offer.

Faded frenzy: State biologist, victim reflect on Midcoast fox attacks The attack by two foxes of a man in Woolwich last week doesn't lead a regional wildlife biologist to think a new wave of cases has begun.

Several incumbents seek reelection in Brunswick, Freeport elections Nomination papers in Brunswick and Freeport are due back Sept. 4 and 9, respectively.

Bowdoin College prepares for largely off-campus learning this fall New state-of-the-art iPads being issued to every pupil are geared toward ensuring equity of access to online learning and computing among all students.

Many beachgoers undeterred after Harpswell shark attack In response to Julie Dimperio Holowach's July 27 death off Bailey Island in Harpswell, some beaches prohibited wading in past one's waist.

Freeport’s Desert of Maine looks to future expansion and $1M investment The landmark venue's owners look to have a zoning district created that would allow for a cafe, larger musical performances, and an arts center.

Freeport church to enter new chapter as performance hall, arts gallery The Arts & Cultural Alliance of Freeport plans renovations to the 125-year-old church for later this year.

Former Bath Police deputy chief seeks Bath City Council seat If elected, Bob Savary would fill the remaining two years in Mari Eosco's term.

Local nonprofits beating back senior isolation A number of organizations are reaching out to area seniors isolated by the pandemic with a simple message: We know you are there, and we care.

Libraries chronicling personal impacts of COVID-19 A digital archive will allow future historians to understand what "people on the ground were experiencing" and how their everyday lives were altered during the pandemic.

Brunswick Army veteran doesn’t let deafness deter her from competing in World’s Toughest Race Gretchen Evans of Brunswick, who became deaf in 2006 after a rocket attack in Afghanistan, is one of 10 teams to be featured in the Amazon Prime TV show, which debuts Aug. 14.

Daughtry wins Democratic nod in state Senate District 24; Brunswick House race goes to second round Poppy Arford received the most votes in a three-way race for state house District 49, but didn't reach the 50% threshold needed to avoid a run-off vote.

Sachs wins Freeport-area House primary; RSU 5 budget likely to pass The Regional School Unit 5 budget passed in Freeport and Pownal, but results were still being hand-counted Wednesday.

Soaring Senior: Pandemic won’t stop 78-year-old Bath woman from 272-mile hike Dr. Rita Losee had planned to hike the Long Trail in Vermont, but will instead walk that distance mostly in Maine due to COVID-19 travel safety concerns.

New Mt. Ararat High nears completion, old school to be leveled this summer Staff has been moving into the 153,000-square-foot structure, but the pandemic has made it uncertain whether classes will begin there this fall.

Freeport area sees decrease in food pantry traffic, spike in summer student food program Freeport Community Services and Regional School Unit 5 are working together to serve summer lunches, which have risen from about 60 a day last year to 450 this June.

Bath elementary school teacher scores radio station’s ‘Golden Apple’ award Nicole Levesque of Bristol, the June recipient of the 99.9 The Wolf award, was nominated by a Fisher-Mitchell school parent.

Southern Midcoast residents to vote on school budgets, legislative primaries July 14 In all but one case, July 14 marks the only time residents get to vote on their fiscal year 2021 school budgets.

Yarmouth nursing home reunites families parted by pandemic A June 25 parade allowed residents of Brentwood Center for Health & Rehabilitation to see their loved ones for the first time in person since March, when the cornavirus forced the facility to close its doors to visitors.

Election 2020: State House District 49 primary draws 3 Brunswick Democrats Kathy Wilson, Corey Perreault and Poppy Arford are running to fill the seat filled the past eight years by Mattie Daughtry, who is termed out.

Maine Backyard Campout encourages safe outdoor fun amid pandemic Nearly 30 communities have so far signed up for the July 10-11 weekend event.

SAD 75 budget for FY 2021 clears 1st of 2 hurdles with voters The 33 attendees at the in-person district budget meeting approved a $46 million budget, which goes to a secret ballot vote July 14.

Topsham Police lieutenant charts new course after 2 decades with department Fred Dunn, who joins his wife in Florida, laments how the actions of some police officers put others in a bad light.

Freeport council adopts $11.8 million budget for FY ’21 With school and county numbers included, the tax bill for a $300,000 home will be about $69 more, according to town officials.

Legislative veterans square off in Senate District 24 primary election Stan Gerzofsky and Mattie Daughtry are vying to represent the Democratic party and challenge Republican Bradford Pattershall this fall for the seat occupied by Sen. Brownie Carson.

Bath-area school district adopts $38.2 million budget with 2.1% tax increase Residents of Regional School Unit 1's four communities will vote on the budget at referendum July 14.

Municipal clerks encourage absentee voting during pandemic Absentee ballots aren't available until June 14, but clerks are reporting a higher-than-usual number of advance requests.

‘Aura is My Ears’: Veteran’s bond with service dog helps her navigate hearing loss Gretchen Evans of Brunswick, who served 27 years in the U.S. Army, became deaf in 2006 after a rocket attack in Afghanistan. Her dog, Aura, is in the semifinals of the 2020 American Humane Hero Dog Awards.

Brunswick clothing bank maintains emergency-only service The Adventist Community Services Center's clothing bank had provided free clothing, shoes and housewares to more than 100 families prior to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Brunswick-Topsham land trust’s farmers market numbers down amid pandemic The first-day vehicle count this year was 632, compared with 625 the same day last year, but the fifth Saturday saw 599 compared with last year's 829.

Pandemic causes Bath, Brunswick entertainment venues to take shows online The Chocolate Church Arts Center and Midcoast Youth Theater have kept audiences engaged through performances and tutorials.

With bad tick year forecast, new solution will keep them at bay, creator says This year ticks bearing disease will be out in force, experts say, and the owner of Wildwood Medicine says his leg wraps can repel them.

‘She would do anything for us kids’: Topsham-area teacher gets top nod in Sagadahoc County Bree Candland of Bath, a Mt. Ararat High social studies teacher and Bowdoin College graduate, is now in the running to become the state’s teacher of the year.

Jetport to receive $12M in aid to make up for loss of passengers Passenger traffic at the Portland International Jetport is down 90% and it is losing $1.6 million in revenue per month.

Planners to consider Brunswick Landing apartment complex The Brunswick Planning Board is due Tuesday, May 26, to hear the proposal for nine apartment buildings to be built off Admiral Fitch Drive.

Election 2020: State House District 48 primary election draws two Freeport Democrats Kathryn Biberstein and Melanie Sachs are vying for the Democratic nomination in July to fill the Freeport-Pownal post.

Cumberland, Freeport businesses launch, despite pandemic Midcoast Economic Development District director: "The risk that you're taking, particularly with the COVID crisis, is dependent on what their customer base is, and who they're marketing to."

Freeport-area school budget drops by $836K in wake of pandemic pressures The $34.99 million budget, which the Regional School Unit 5 Board of Directors approved Wednesday, is up 2.32% over current spending.

See You Next Summer: Southern Midcoast communities reflect on canceled big-draw events Bath Heritage Days, the Yarmouth Clam Festival and the Topsham Fair are put off until 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, and whether the Cumberland Fair will be held in September is still in question.

Brews News: Topsham business seeks $500K grant to expand coffee, tea operations Funding is contingent upon Wicked Joe Coffee Roasting Co. creating 17 new jobs, nine of them for low- and moderate-income people.

Impacts of isolation: Pandemic takes a toll on solo seniors Loneliness, fear and depression can set in, but older adults have learned to be resilient to get through tough times, an expert says.

Bath-area school district eyes further budget cuts in light of pandemic impact The Regional School Unit 1 Board of Directors aims to adopt next year's spending plan June 8.

‘We’re in it together’: Southern Midcoast students, teachers cope with remote learning amid pandemic Academia from afar presents an array of challenges and concerns about the long-term effects caused by so much time away from the classroom.

Hometown Heroes: Sidewalk messages from Bath mother, daughter spark hope during pandemic Melissa Marquis and her 9-year-old daughter Gracie have been writing upbeat messages each time they go out for a walk.

Freeport launches ‘Grocery Buddy’ delivery program for seniors The effort aims to help residents older than 65, as well as those with autoimmune illnesses.

Meal program initiated to serve Midcoast children Seven lunches and seven snacks are being provided by Midcoast Maine Community Action at several locations during the week.

Bath’s Hyde School continues character-based education remotely amid coronavirus Through methods like Discovery Group, the school aims to continue engaging students and families alike.

Freeport-area school budget would increase taxes 4.36% The RSU 5 School Board OKs a $35.4 million budget for FY '21, now due to go to two district-wide votes. However, it's uncertain whether the votes will go ahead as scheduled amid concerns over the pandemic.

Bath-area school district’s proposed $38M budget could raise taxes 3.4% The first principal bond payment on the new Morse High School, largely offset by state subsidy, accounts for most of the 13% spending hike.

Maine’s First Ship postpones launch of Virginia to October Lack of a wharf and the impact of coronavirus are two reasons the Bath organizations cited.

Southern Midcoast police departments increase vigilance in wake of pandemic Threat of coronavirus infection has made the police even more cautious about how they initiate physical contact with the public.

Bath-area ‘Diaper Project’ comes to rescue for rising number of families United Way of Mid Coast Maine looked to distribute more than 130,000 diapers this year, up from about 23,000 in 2014, but the coronavirus pandemic is posing challenges.

Freeport student’s art earns wall space at U.S. Capitol Building Alek Gideon, a sophomore at Freeport High School, is one of Maine's two 2020 Congressional Art Competition winners.

Brunswick-Trinidad Sister City group cancels celebration amid coronavirus threat Some events planned for Cuba Week could be rescheduled for later this year.

Harpswell cancels most of Town Meeting, postpones budget decision The town could operate at 2019 budget numbers until it has approved a new budget, if legislation being discussed in Augusta is approved.

Habitat for Humanity seeks homeowner for Freeport house Construction on the home, to be located at the corner of Old Brunswick Road and U.S. Route 1, could begin in June.

Brunswick-area senior service centers prepare for coronavirus People Plus has suspended programming, but the agency's volunteer transportation network for the elderly will continue and Harpswell Aging at Home's communication program is ramping up.

Bath-Brunswick-area closes town facilities, schools, meetings, in wake of coronavirus The decisions come as 30 Mainers are confirmed as having COVID-19, and 13 have tested positive but require validation.

Bath plans aesthetic, functional improvements for Front, Elm street intersection The city plans to hold a meeting on the redesign late this month or early April.

Bowdoin students not returning after spring break A bean supper scheduled at the campus for March 14 has been canceled.

Bath community coalition aims to buy youth Skatepark from city Midcoast Community Alliance and Bath officials are working out a timeline and purchase price.

Harpswell Town Meeting to tackle Mitchell Field cell tower lease, master plan update Residents will also vote on accepting an anonymous donation toward renovating an administration building at Mitchell Field.

Maine Street, Bath Road, top public’s wish lists for Brunswick bike-ped improvements Input gleaned from four recent public input sessions is informing the town's update of its Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Plan.

Fur trapper weighs in amid Midcoast plans to tackle rabies Nelson Frost of Brunswick, a trapper most of his life, says it's a more humane way to deal with animal overpopulation, and resultant sickness and starvation.

Harpswell town budget could rise 3% to reach $5.8M The spending plan, which goes to a town vote March 14, includes funds for town office and recycling center improvements.

Brunswick Naval Aviation Museum honors 1978 crash victims with refurbished aircraft A ceremony around the P-3 aircraft on display at Brunswick Landing is planned for August.

Topsham receives $31.5K grant for improvements at Cathance River park The town plans to build a hand-carry boat launch and improve the parking lot at Head of Tide Park.

Brunswick gets $160K in state funds to continue work at junior high school The school department plans to continue making gradual improvements in the next few years to the 1959 building.

Improving appearances: Bath matching grants will shore up building facades The city will offer two more rounds of funding in the next two years.

New Mt. Ararat High School nears 75% completion mark A New Hampshire company will remove hazardous material in the original school before it's demolished later this year.

Harpswell Coastal Academy students share personal stories, poems with new book The students worked with the Portland-based Telling Room to write and publish "Somehow I Knew What to Do: Personal Narratives from Harpswell Coastal Academy."

Chocolate Church tower may need to be rebuilt as part of facade improvement The arts center, built as a church in 1847, is forced to relocate shows elsewhere in the winter and summer.

Plans for new Freeport arts venue taking shape Arts & Cultural Alliance of Freeport has submitted design plans to the town’s Project Review Board and it’s expected that renovations at the First Parish Church will begin in April.

Midcoast residents seek ways to stem rise in youth mental illness In Sagadahoc County last year, 35.7% of students reported feeling hopeless or sad, and 19.3% said they had seriously considered attempting suicide.

Freeport talk spotlights tragedy of Malaga Island evictions Kate McBrien, a Union historian, has been researching the 1911-12 relocation of the island's population for nearly 20 years.

Freeport postpones decision on 144-unit housing project The Beacon Residences could be built on two lots off Desert Road.

Freeport chamber celebrates a decade in business Chamber Choice Award winners will be announced on Jan. 9 at the Shine Bright Like a Diamond gala.

L.L. Bean nixes corporate relocation in favor of expansion Maine's most iconic business had contemplated a move from Freeport before deciding to increase its downtown footprint.

Post-holiday food insecurity puts pressure on Midcoast residents Tontine Mall is donating $5,000, plus about $500 in food boxes, to the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program.

State park visitors encouraged to look up with new stargazing program A grant from Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund will supply telescopes to 12 Maine parks, including Bradbury State Park in Pownal.

Hancock, Renaissance woman, to serve on Freeport-area school board Susana Hancock was a Rhodes Scholar, qualified for the Olympic Trials, plays the cello - and knows magic tricks.

New brews: Longtime friends to open West Bath brewery in 2020 Tyler Inman and Ryan Bisson, both Morse High grads, have teamed up to create Trinken Brewing Co.

Bath offering up to $300K in matching grants for building facade improvements The funds, which come from a tax increment financing district and not taxes, will be available in the next 3 years.

Harpswell woman embarks on new ministry at Cumberland church Allison Smith took the reins of the Congregational Church in Cumberland in October.

Rich Roedner bids farewell to Topsham after 17 years The Saco resident started as Topsham's planning director in 2002, and became town manager in 2014.

Police: Teen charged with Bath burglary after chase Bath police say Saturday "smash and grab" at South End Park may be related to similar Nov. 21 break-ins

Freeport’s Winslow Park campsite policy to be reviewed After the Ordinance Rewrite Committee weighs in, the council could eliminate a longtime lottery system used to assign sites, formalize the policy, or take no action.

Abutters air concerns over planned Brunswick park and ride lot A state-owned gravel pit is to be graded and paved, with 110 parking spots created.

‘Shamelessly old-fashioned’: Bath, Brunswick harken back to days of Yuletide yore Main Street Bath and the Brunswick Downtown Association host a variety of activities over the next few weeks.

Winslow Park campers may lose the lottery The park commission recommends doing away with a decades-old lottery that awards campsites in perpetuity.

Schools, businesses expand career connections A new collective will help students gain access and real-world experience.

Survey says: Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust forming new strategic plan The organization will spend several months analyzing data received from more than 500 to a questionnaire.

Moooove over hay, seaweed is the new feed Cows at Wolfe's Neck Center in Freeport will be fed a seaweed supplement and studied to see if it decreases the production of methane gas.

Bath Housing marks 50th anniversary as rental costs rise The organization owns and manages 185 moderately priced apartment units, primarily for older adults and the disabled.

Proposed Freeport development includes 144 units, clubhouse The Beacon Residences could receive final approval as early as next month.

Bath could borrow up to $130K for new generator, wheelchair lifts The City Council is due next month to vote a second and final time on the bond.

Brunswick schools work to flatten barriers for asylum-seekers The district has expanded its language services to meet the needs of the 26 new students from Africa.

Freeport students gain real-world experience through ‘Mock Trial’ Freeport High will compete with other schools at Cumberland County Courthouse Nov. 16 and 23.

Bath approves charter amendment extending contract lengths The change will allow the city to entertain solar power agreements.

Topsham elects Nixon, Brillant to board of selectmen Newcomer Matthew Nixon drew 1,013 votes and incumbent Marie Brillant trailed behind with 866 votes in the three-way race for the two seats.

Topsham’s Keleher, Ward win seats on MSAD 75 school board Sarah Ward and Bill Keleher beat out Jane Quirion and Donald Koslosky for two unfinished terms on the school board.

West Bath elects Andresen to select board The West Bath resident said she sees an opportunity for growth in the town.

Freeport hires consultant to review fire truck needs The study will ensure the town has the capabilities it needs, Fire Chief Charles Jordan said.

Freeport business owners driving change to allow food trucks The town's current regulations are too restrictive, the owners of Maine Wicked Goods Merchantile say.

Bath receives 3 proposals for Morse High reuse consultant The high school will be repurposed after Regional School Unit 1 moves to its new facility.

Brunswick/Topsham base redeveloper lauds successes The Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority also honored three businesses for innovation.

Bath welcomes Grammy-nominated blues star to Chocolate Church Shemekia Copeland, daughter of Blues legend Johnny Copeland, has won eight Blues Music awards.

Bath voters to consider charter change that would waive limit on contract lengths The amendment would enable the city to enter into a 25-year solar energy power purchase agreement.

Brunswick council race draws 2 candidates for District 6 seat Toby McGrath of Water Street and Jim Trusiani of Pleasant Street are running for the post being vacated by Jane Millett.

Over Easy: So You Want to Be a Writer Faith is necessary when you face a blank computer screen wondering what the next word should be.

Cooking at the Cove: Warming up Save your body some energy this winter by sticking with warm vegetables.

Freeport sees first look at short-term rental ordinance The proposal would include mandatory registration, penalties for non-compliance and a limit on the number of people allowed.

Land of Sand: Desert of Maine boosts community outreach The owners want to increase the destination's presence as an education and artistic resource.

RSU 1 weighs replacement of 2 Bath elementary schools Discussion about replacing Dike Newell and Fisher Mitchell is in the early stages.

Brunswick student food program makes changes to reduce stigma Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program seeks to broaden its outreach to older students through more discreet methods.