Posted inLocal & State, sj-web

Maine pot legalization advocates eye statewide law

PORTLAND (AP) — Marijuana legalization advocates in Maine are aiming for a statewide law to legalize pot after voters in the state’s largest city convincingly approved a local legalization ordinance. Portland voters passed a referendum 67-33 percent Tuesday making it legal to possess up to 2 1/2 ounces of pot. The decisive outcome should send […]

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Posted inLocal & State, sj-web

Open spaces proposal to go to vote in Portland

PORTLAND (AP) — A group that’s fighting a plan by the city of Portland to sell a large part of Congress Square Plaza to a hotel owner says it has enough petitions for a referendum on its effort to protect open spaces. The Friends of Congress Square Park had 80 days to get 1,500 signatures […]

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Google says barge will be an interactive learning space

Internet giant Google says it is exploring using a large barge as an interactive learning center. A statement released Wednesday from Google’s press center may help end weeks of speculation about the purpose of structures on two barges, one being built in the San Francisco Bay, another off Portland. The press statement reads: “Google Barge […]

Posted inLocal & State, sj-web

Portland approves recreational pot by wide margin

PORTLAND — Maine’s largest city legalized possession of marijuana for recreational use on Tuesday in a vote that has been eyed as an indicator of support levels in the Northeast following last year’s votes out West. The proposal, making it legal for adults 21 and older to possess up to 2½ ounces of pot in […]

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Portland seeing nearly $540 million development explosion, but office space vacancies still high

PORTLAND — Maine’s largest city is in the midst of a nearly $540 million development boom, and could still see an increase of more than 100,000 new visitors each year starting next summer, according to an economic development report delivered to members of the Portland City Council Monday night. “I’m not aware of any other […]

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Portland approves crackdown on disabled parking scofflaws

PORTLAND (AP) — The Portland City Council has approved an ordinance that allows parking enforcement officers to issue $200 tickets to drivers who misuse disabled parking placards. The ordinance approved Monday takes effect in 30 days. Parking Manager John Peverada estimates his department sees about 50 cases a year of people misusing the placards that […]

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Man with history of OUI’s arrested in South Portland

SOUTH PORTLAND (AP) — Police say a 31-year-old man with a history of at least seven drunken-driving charges is now facing the same charge in Maine. South Portland police say they arrested Lanny Griffin, most recently of Milton, Fla., at 1:20 a.m. Saturday and charged him with operating under the influence, operating without a license […]

Posted inLocal & State, sj-web

Portland considers stiff fines for drivers who misuse parking placards for the disabled

PORTLAND (AP) — The Portland City Council is scheduled to consider cracking down on the misuse of disabled parking placards. The council on Monday will consider an ordinance that would give parking enforcement officers the authority to issue $200 tickets to drivers who improperly use a disabled parking placard. Andy Martin, the city’s senior parking […]

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Glassblowers see pot legalization as a boon to business

PORTLAND — In an anonymous storefront in Bayside, doughnuts are made around the clock. Phish music blares, chocolate frosting drizzles. Brian Owoc grabs a hot doughnut with an oven mitt. It resembles a real bakery, except instead of flour and sugar, there’s glass and fire. You won’t see these doughnuts sold by the dozen, but […]