Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How will Congress Street businesses rebound now that the scaffolding is gone?

Coming up on the Portland Patch calendar: Dr. Steve Taubman's Mind Magic: A Night of Laughter and Astonishment

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

In today's newsletter:

  • How will Congress Street businesses rebound now that the scaffolding is gone?
  • Why a 1987 Westbrook murder case is still awaiting trial
  • How did Portland's girls soccer squad fare against Westbrook?

Also on today's calendar: Dr. Steve Taubman's Mind Magic: A Night of Laughter and Astonishment and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call a paper airplane that can't fly? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 60 and low of 52 degrees.
  • Thursday: A brief shower or two, temps: high: 69, low: 49.
  • Friday: Breezy in the a.m.; sunshine, with a high of 65 and low of 43 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Scaffolding comes down at Portland's Trelawney Building after years of complaints, court action (newscentermaine.com) — Downtown Portland's historic Trelawney Building on Congress Street is finally free of the scaffolding that has frustrated nearby businesses and tenants for nearly three years. Shop owners say the structure hurt visibility, foot traffic, and safety, while upstairs residents endured dust and blocked light. City enforcement and court action preceded this week's sudden removal, restoring a more open streetscape for pedestrians and customers.
   

2. Lawyers for man charged with 1987 Westbrook murder request speedier trial (newscentermaine.com) — A long-delayed Westbrook murder case is moving through Portland's courts, as lawyers for defendant Stephen Bouchard push for a faster trial than the current August 2027 date. Prosecutors withdrew a request to shield a state employee's records, instead asking the judge to privately review them, while the defense argues expert reports should be ready much sooner given the case's age.
   

3. High schools Tuesday: Yarmouth girls soccer gets back on track (pressherald.com) — Portland High's girls soccer team took a tough 6–0 loss at Westbrook, where Ava Bolden scored four goals and reached the 50-goal career mark. The roundup also highlights strong performances from several other southern and central Maine high school teams, offering a quick look at how regional soccer standings are shaping up.
   

4. Collins and Jackson show stark contrasts in Maine Senate debate (newscentermaine.com) — Portland hosted the first U.S. Senate debate between Republican Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson, giving local voters a close look at their sharp differences on abortion rights, aid to Israel, and voter ID. Collins defended her pro-choice record and support for Israel, while Jackson criticized her Kavanaugh vote and called for limits on offensive weapons to Israel. Three more televised debates are scheduled, including one co-hosted by NEWS CENTER Maine.
   

5. 40 miles for 40 acres: Maryland minister walks from Brunswick to Augusta for reparations (pressherald.com) — A Maryland minister's 38-mile walk from Brunswick to Augusta for Black reparations is tied to Portland's history, marking the anniversary of an 1841 Colored Convention held in the city. He invokes Maine's abolitionist legacy and ongoing racial disparities, urging state leaders to consider reparations while honoring figures like Gerald Talbot and historic sites linked to Portland.
   

📸 Around Portland

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • O'Reilly Automotive posted a job opening for Retail Service Specialist in Portland. Apply here.
  • Insomnia Cookies posted a job opening for Bike Delivery Courier (PM Shift) 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: "What do you call a paper airplane that can't fly?" — Stationary (Thank you David H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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