Daily
Portland
Friday, May 16th, 2025
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Good morning, Portland. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 16th of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Portland opened its first dedicated public bike park at Riverton Trolley Bike Park on Wednesday as part of a $500,000 park improvement project that began in October 2024—officials say the park gives all ages a new outdoor space to gather. WGME
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Police arrested 26-year-old Abdirahmon Adbullahi after they seized nearly one pound of fentanyl — along with cocaine, crack, three firearms, and $3,000 — from his home on Elmwood Street as part of a drug trafficking investigation. WGME
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Portland's Wabanaki Film Festival will take place Sunday at the Portland Museum of Art, showing five films including a screening of Harvest of Empire and three films by Maine filmmakers—designed with panel discussions to boost awareness of Indigenous stories. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ Classical Uprising and local elementary and middle school students created the concert 'Growing Up in Maine' using poems, interviews and clapping games, and they will perform it Saturday at Bowdoin College in Brunswick and Sunday at the State Theatre in Portland. The project began nearly two years ago and now seeks album recording funds through a Kickstarter campaign—showcasing the vibrant voices of Portland's youth. Portland Press Herald
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The new board of Saint Dominic Regional High School proposed leasing the Auburn campus and moving middle school students to the high school after the diocese’s deadline passed Wednesday for raising $3 million for a bridge year. The board said it has raised over $1 million (through donations and pledges) and has contacted the Maine Department of Education (for guidance on keeping the school open). Portland Press Herald
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Gov. Janet Mills was honored today as one of three winners of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award for her administration’s lawsuit defending school nutrition funding — she will be recognized at a June 5 ceremony in Washington and receive a cash prize along with legal support and training. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ The CBS13 I-Team held a town hall on Tuesday to discuss contractor disputes and a proposal to require contractors to be licensed in Maine—panel members included a contractor and a lawmaker. Lawmakers will continue debating the proposal as consumer protection concerns remain high. WGME
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Portland has seen a surge in methamphetamine use that now makes up 30 percent of street drugs and has led to rising overdoses and erratic behavior, police said. Local health agencies and community groups are expanding treatment programs—such as rewards for negative tests—to help people beat addiction. FOX23
SHOP NEWS
- ➤ TODAY'S SPONSOR We never have to worry about dead batteries and missed calls thanks to this portable power bank that can charge up to five devices at once. The Buy
Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Daily Portland.
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Outdoor Painting Class in Cape Elizabeth
1-4 p.m. — Scenic Location Near Portland — Booking Required — Capture Maine's natural beauty in a private painting class for all skill levels.
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Scenic Train Ride along Casco Bay
10 AM – 1 PM — Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad — Ticketed event — Experience a picturesque 40-minute train ride while learning about Maine's railroading history and enjoying beautiful waterside views.
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Book Reading with Jamie Loftus
6-7 p.m. — Longfellow Books — No tickets needed — Celebrate the paperback release of Jamie Loftus's bestselling book, Raw Dog, in a fun-filled evening.
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Creative Chaos Creative Retreat 2025
12 PM – 9 PM — O'Maine Studios — $1,100 ticket — Engage in hands-on painting workshops and connect with fellow creatives over three exciting days.
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Brunswick Downtown Hiring Event
11:00 AM - 1:30 PM — Brunswick Town Mall — Free entry — Connect with local employers seeking job seekers at this hiring event.
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Cage Match Showdown
6-9 p.m. — Empire Comedy Club — $15 admission — Witness the comedic clash of Sporks vs Pitch to Pilot in an improv battle for the ages.
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May 2025 Commencement Ceremony
11 a.m. — Merrill Auditorium — Free admission — Celebrate Unity Environmental University’s graduating class of 2025 with keynote speaker Neil deGrasse Tyson.
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Scenic Train Ride
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. — Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad — Check website for pricing — Experience a picturesque journey along Casco Bay in historic passenger cars while learning about Maine's railroading history.
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Visit the CREA Ecology Center – Open Sundays
12-2 p.m. — CREA Ecology Center — Free entry — Explore nature and enjoy the beauty of the Cathance River Nature Preserve with family and friends.
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An Afternoon with B. Dylan Hollis
1-4 p.m. — Books-A-Million — Ticket required — Celebrate the release of Baking Across America with a lively discussion, meet-and-greet, and an autograph from the beloved author.
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No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Daily Portland.
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