Daily
Portland
Wednesday, August 27th, 2025
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Good morning, Portland. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 27th of August.
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ A Maine man, Gregory Heimann, who allegedly faked his death to avoid arrest was captured at an Amtrak station in La Plata, Missouri after a warrant was issued in April 2024—he now faces federal and possible state charges for making false statements to the VA. WGME
- ➤ Police in Massachusetts investigated the death of Declan Perry—a 27-year-old Portland man whose body was found in the back seat of a car with Maine license plates outside South Shore Hospital in Weymouth on Saturday after neighbors saw a man loading a heavy blanket, and authorities later searched a home in Scituate and identified a person of interest with no charges filed. WGME
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The new school year starts next week with classes beginning on Sept. 2 for grades 1 through 12 and Sept. 3 for Kindergarten and Pre-K, and students will face a bell-to-bell cellphone ban along with vape detectors in high school bathrooms. Portland families must also adjust to two new school holidays—Oct. 2 for Yom Kippur and an estimated March 20 for Eid al-Fitr—while expanded early literacy resources and a new halal meals program are rolled out. Portland Press Herald
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Portland voters will decide on a referendum to raise the minimum wage from $15.50 to $19 by 2028 when they vote Nov. 5 after the City Council approved the measure by a 5—4 vote on Monday night. Proponents say it will help low-wage workers with living expenses while the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce warns that businesses may raise prices—affecting essential services. WMTW
- ➤ Portland City Council unanimously banned large coal piles and ordered the 45,000-ton pile near the Veterans Memorial Bridge to be covered by 2027 and removed by 2030—neighbors complained for years and a citizens’ initiative spurred the move. FOX23
- ➤ Officials installed new flexible posts and speed bumps on Washington Ave to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. The temporary redesign is part of a demonstration by the Greater Portland Council on Governments and partners—traffic data will be collected in September before a permanent decision is made on November 15. FOX23
- ➤ The Maine Supreme Court upheld the state's paid family and medical leave law, ruling unanimously that it is constitutional and that employers must pay into the state program when private leave is not offered—this decision has the Labor Department confirming the law's legality while the Chamber of Commerce said it will work with lawmakers and business leaders. The ruling ensures that the program stays in place as intended. WGME
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ On Tuesday, Northern Light Health said it will seek mediation with Anthem after ending contract talks on Aug. 15—leading to scheduled out-of-network dates for physicians, hospitals, and Medicare Advantage plans while emergency care stays covered. The mediation step follows a dispute over rate increases and quality compensation that arose after Anthem refused a counterproposal. WMTW
WELLNESS NEWS
- ➤ TODAY'S SPONSOR Lumineux’s teeth whitening starter set offers a peroxide-free solution, which helps fight common stains from coffee, tea, and wine without leading to tooth and gum sensitivity. The set comes with 14 whitening strips + a two-pack of whitening toothpaste, all formulated with good-for-you Dead Sea salt, coconut oil, and lemon peel oil. The Buy
Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Daily Portland.
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Weekly Pub Trivia Night
6 p.m. — Olive Pit Brewing Company — $25 gift card for winners — Test your trivia skills while enjoying local brews at this weekly showdown.
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Stand-Up Comedy with Greg Warren
7 PM – 1 AM — Empire Comedy Club — Tickets required — Enjoy a night of laughter with Midwestern comic Greg Warren as he shares his hilarious take on life and personal anecdotes.
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Wine Sail - Chef Series with Sommelier Erica Archer
12-2 p.m. — Maine Sailing Adventures — $150 — Experience a scenic wine sail with a sommelier and enjoy exquisite wines from California's Central Coast.
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Community Craft Night
4-7:30 p.m. — Freedom's Edge Cider Tasting Room — Free entry — Connect with local crafters while enjoying some cider and working on your projects.
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Bingo Bash
10 AM – 3 PM — Portland, Maine Elks Lodge #188 — Cards for sale — Enjoy a fun day of bingo with food options and prizes available.
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Gus Constantellis Live Stand-Up Comedy
7:00 – 8:30 PM — Empire Comedy Club — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy hilarious tales from a first-generation Greek-American comic with a unique perspective.
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Liz Cooper Live at SPACE Gallery
8-11 p.m. — SPACE Gallery — All ages — Experience the genre-defying sounds of Liz Cooper, blending psychedelia and indie grunge in her Portland debut.
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Wine Sails in Portland, ME
8:45-10:45 p.m. — 74’ Tall Ship Frances — Ticketed event — Enjoy a scenic wine sail in Casco Bay with expert sommelier guidance and gourmet pairings.
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Old Port Historic Walking Tour
11:00 AM – 1:30 PM — Monument Square — Check website for entry fee — Discover Portland's vibrant past on this engaging 2.5-hour walking tour through the Old Port.
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Wine and Oyster Sail
4:45-6:45 p.m. — Maine Sailing Adventures — $175 — Experience a delicious pairing of wines and fresh oysters aboard a beautiful sailing ship in Casco Bay.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
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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.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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