PORTLAND — It started in Portland’s pornography district. Wafting among the peep shows and girlie mags, the aroma of freshly roasted coffee was an anomaly on Congress Street in 1994. “Everybody told us we were crazy to open there,” said Mary Allen Lindemann, co-owner of Coffee By Design. “The vacancy rate was 40 percent.” But […]
Portland
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Navy’s newest destroyer showcases cybersecurity challenges
PORTLAND — Combining mechanical and combat systems into an integrated network aboard U.S. warships presents cybersecurity challenges, but there’s no evidence that a Navy ship has ever been hacked, according to one of the Navy’s top cybersecurity officials. The stealthy Zumwalt that’s under construction at Maine’s Bath Iron Works represents the highest level of automation […]
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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 […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Portland woman charged after forcing car off I-295, leaving scene
PORTLAND (AP) — Maine state troopers have tracked down a Portland woman they say left the scene after forcing another vehicle off Interstate 295 and sending four people to the hospital. Police said a vehicle driven by 44-year-old Julie Caton was passing on the right in the southbound lanes in Cumberland just after 4 p.m. […]
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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 […]
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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 […]