LEWISTON – The Forecaster, which has published community newspapers in Greater Portland since 1986, announced it will start a weekly edition to cover the city of Portland.

“We think this new edition will be a natural extension of the community coverage that The Forecaster has provided in this region since 1986,” said David Costello, a vice president of the Sun Journal, which owns The Forecaster. “We are very excited about this new project, and look forward to serving the residents of Portland.”

The Forecaster now publishes two editions: one that covers the northern suburban towns from Falmouth to Freeport and a new southern edition, that covers the towns of South Portland, Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth.

Karen Rajotte, publisher of The Forecaster, said readers and advertisers had been asking for The Forecaster to expand its coverage area.

“Once we began publishing the southern edition in 2001, more people began asking for us to come in and cover Portland,” said Rajotte.

“This means our advertisers can reach readers in the communities along the entire greater Portland coastline from Scarborough right through to Freeport.” Rajotte added.

The first issue will appear Wednesday, Nov. 19. The Forecaster will continue to publish its northern and southern editions on its usual schedule.

The Portland edition is expected to feature the same kinds of local government coverage, police log reports and community news that are hallmarks of the two current editions. In addition, it is expected to present an expanded arts calendar, as well as detailed news and information about Portland’s varied neighborhoods.

The Sun Journal recently purchased The Forecaster from the former owner, Marian McCue. She remains as editor of The Forecaster.

“I am delighted that we are now able to expand our coverage area into Portland,” said McCue.

“We have always wanted to serve city residents with the same kind of detailed local government coverage and community news that we have provided in other towns,” said McCue.