Archive for ‘News’

  • Sweet payoffs for public on Maine Maple weekend

      By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NORTH BALDWIN — It would sweeten the day of local maple syrup producer Ben McKenney if a visit to area maple farms changed someone’s diet. “The goal is to educate people about maple syrup. Buying some syrup products is great. What would be better is a shift in […]

  • Board eyes shoreland permit for Shorey Park

    By Gail Geraghty Staff Writer Bridgton Selectmen have agreed to ask for a full-blown Shoreland Zoning Permit from the Department of Environmental Protection in order to make some long-needed improvements to Shorey Park. Public Works Director Jim Kidder, who is in charge of park maintenance, said the town has tried several lesser approaches with the […]

  • District hopes second time’s a charm for Crooked River project

    By Gail Geraghty Staff Writer At first blush, $7.8 million sounds like a lot of money to spend on renovating and expanding the Crooked River School in Casco. And to many, it is. But if you consider that 17 years ago, $7.3 million was spent to build Stevens Brook Elementary School, $7.8 million “is sort […]

  • Casco board endorses Crooked River School project

    By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — Grant Plummer led the charge to support renovations to the Crooked River School, and to give the Songo Locks Elementary School students and teachers some breathing room. After all, the elementary school is overcrowded; the well-water system can barely keep up with peak usage; the parking lot […]

  • SAD 61 proposed budget up $272,182; Bridgton hit hardest

    By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer Area selectmen and town managers always keep their fingers crossed at this time of the year as they await news of how much their school tax will be. As do area taxpayers. Well, for three of the four SAD 61 towns, the news is quite good. The proposed 2016-17 […]

  • Casco Town Hall design to meet 50 year needs

      By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — The lifespan of the future Casco Town Hall — which will be built from the ground up, starting this spring — is about 50 years. Yes, residents can use the Internet to take care of town business such as registering vehicles. But, that modern convenience most […]

  • Putting rural bus on awareness map

    By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — What do these people have in common? A stockbroker who owns an electric vehicle and commutes to his job; a city-dwelling cycling enthusiast who yearns for varied scenery and hills as challenging as Quaker’s Ridge; a group of elderly ladies who have a zest for live theater […]

  • SAD 61 superintendent clarifies Sebago withdrawal discussion process

    By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer When the Sebago Withdrawal Committee drafts a proposal for the school district to consider, there will be no verbal negotiating with SAD 61 leadership. Superintendent of Schools Al Smith outlined the process at Monday night’s school board meeting held in the Great Room at Lake Region Vocational Center. When […]

  • ‘Catch-up’ year for Bridgton budget

      By Gail Geraghty Staff Writer As things now stand, Bridgton’s proposed $6.83 million municipal budget is up by 7% over last year, with a gross increase of $457,000 in appropriations. But if that seems alarming, consider that the net increase, after revenues, is 3%, and the ever-frugal Budget Committee and Selectmen are not yet […]

  • Bridgton man charged in Sebago fatal shooting

    By Gail Geraghty Staff Writer SEBAGO — A Bridgton man is facing a murder charge following a shooting in Sebago Saturday which left Charles L. “Charlie” Cross, 66, dead. David Pinkham, 67, appeared in the Cumberland County Courthouse in Portland on Monday and was ordered held without bail by Justice Lance Walker. No plea was […]