Portland
News Feed
Events
Local Businesses
Classifieds
Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What’s new as Portland students head back to school

Coming up on the Portland Patch calendar: Former Lawyer turned Stand Up Comedian Paul Farahvar

Wednesday September 2nd Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hey hey Portland! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What's new as Portland students head back to school
  • When can Portland police actually chase a fleeing driver?
  • How Portland first responders can claim free Sea Dogs tickets

Also on today's calendar: Former Lawyer turned Stand Up Comedian Paul Farahvar and 8 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the bartender say to the jumper cables when they walked in? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Cloudy and cool, with a high of 66 and low of 61 degrees.
  • Thursday: Cool with rain, temps: high: 64, low: 61.
  • Friday: Warmer with a passing shower, with a high of 80 and low of 62 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Portland Public Schools welcomes students back to the classroom (wgme.com) — More than 6,200 Portland Public Schools students returned to 16 schools this week, kicking off a new year that runs into June. Superintendent Ryan Scallon enters his fourth year focused on issues like AI and cell phone use, while the district reports enough bus drivers and staggered start dates for younger students.
   

2. Here's what to know about Portland's police pursuit policy (pressherald.com) — Portland residents can now better understand when police are allowed to start or continue a vehicle pursuit, with city policy limiting chases to violent felonies or serious ongoing threats. The guidelines cap participating cruisers, restrict tactics like ramming and roadblocks, and spell out what happens when pursuits cross city lines or involve outside agencies.
   

3. Portland Sea Dogs honor first responders with free tickets at September 11 game (newscentermaine.com) — Portland first responders can get free tickets for themselves and a guest to the Sea Dogs' September 11 Remembrance Game at Hadlock Field, part of the team's final homestand. The Portland Fire Department will present the colors, and ceremonies will honor 9/11 victims and recognize local firefighters, police, EMTs, and paramedics for their service.
   

4. Friends remember Nichele Roakes, who was killed in a hit-and-run by an unknown driver (newscentermaine.com) — A Portland woman experiencing homelessness was killed in an August 24 hit-and-run on Forest Avenue, and police still have not identified the dark-colored pickup or its driver. Friends who knew her from Deering Oaks Park are remembering her kindness while authorities urge anyone with information or video from the area to contact investigators at 207-874-8575.
   

5. Two uniquely colored lobsters find new home at research institute (newscentermaine.com) — Two unusually colored lobsters from Sea Salt Lobster Restaurant and Portland Lobster Company now live at Portland's Gulf of Maine Research Institute, where they'll greet visiting LabVenture students. One lobster is split-colored and the other bright blue, both due to rare genetic quirks that make them standouts for local schoolchildren and visitors.
   

📸 Around Portland

Subscribe

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Portland

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events
    Wednesday September 2
  • Early Release / Staff PD Students Released at 1:10
    Ocean Avenue Portland, ME 04103
    5:15 pm
  • Thursday September 3
  • Math Key Training in Cafetria →
    Harrison Lyseth Elem School Portland, ME 04103
    8:30 am
  • Friday September 4
  • NO SCHOOL: Labor Day Weekend
    Howard C Reiche Community Sch Portland, ME 04102
  • Saturday September 5
  • Museums on Us →
    Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St, Manchester
    10:00 am
  • Ghostland Beer Release and Merch Pop-Up, feat. Ghost of Paul Revere →
    Allagash Brewing Company, 50 Industrial Wy, Portland
    1:00 pm
  • Monday September 7
  • NO SCHOOL: Labor Day
    Howard C Reiche Community Sch Portland, ME 04102
  • Closed for Labor Day
    Victoria Mansion ME
    10:00 am
  • Wednesday September 9
  • Early Release / Staff PD Students Released at 1:10
    Ocean Avenue Portland, ME 04103
    5:15 pm
  • Saturday September 12
  • Gimme Gimme Disco →
    Aura 121 Center Street Portland, ME 04101
    9:00 pm

📣 Portland Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Portland PatchAM possible:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • New Healthcare Scholarship Opens for Portland High School Juniors and Seniors —Emma Kehoe Read on Patch
  • I was just at Pat's Meat Market (❤️) and asked about the renovation upstairs.
    They are expanding the market, with lots of delicious food and wine items. It likely won't be open until next spring. I can hardly wait! (Nextdoor Dougherty Field)
  • Our cat Rebel is missing as of today, Mon.
    August 31, 2026. He is 5 yo. and is considerably larger than the pic shows. He's 18lbs. He's an indoor cat only. He's missing from 108 Clark Street… (Nextdoor West End)
  • Teleperformance USA posted a job opening for Payroll Tax Processor - Remote in Portland. Apply here.
  • Goodwin Recruiting posted a job opening for Executive Chef - Boutique Hotel - RELO TO ST GEORGE ME in Portland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Portland here.

Ok Portland! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Don't you 2 start anything (Thank you Mary L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Portland Patch

Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.

©2026 Patch Media. All Rights Reserved

Do Not Sell My Personal Information