Daily editionMonday, December 15th, 2025
Good morning, Portland.
The Daily Portland Team
Here’s your local news at a glance for Monday, the 15th of December.
Community
Portland’s Harbor Parade of Lights took place Saturday night as boat owners decorated their vessels and united friends and families - the festive event ended with a fireworks show over the water.
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Culture
Homes across Cumberland, South Portland, Gray, Limington, Monmouth, Waterville and Winslow light up with festive displays featuring synchronized FM music and charity drives—offering free winter wonderlands for all to enjoy.
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Singer-songwriter Dar Williams will perform her Hummingbird Highway set on Dec. 27 at Stone Mountain Arts Center in Brownfield at 8 p.m. This December show is the first of four local performances leading up to her international tour and follows her album’s release in Sept.
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Education
The Maine Community College System and Associated General Contractors of Maine will offer a free training program to help adult Mainers learn building skills.
The pre-apprenticeship will start in March 2026 at five community colleges and expands a summer course for high school students to boost local construction jobs.
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Environment
BACSE sent a letter on Nov. 19 calling for a pause in construction at Brunswick Landing until new mapping checks for PFAS contamination after an Aug. 19 firefighting foam release — recommending a dedicated contact, central online documents, and public forums.
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Government
Former Maine CDC head Nirav Shah announced his 2026 gubernatorial run, outlining a plan to invest in primary care, lower drug prices, support local hospitals, and expand school-based health centers in Maine so locals get quality care + keep hospitals open.
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Sports
On Saturday, Brunswick boys basketball beat Messalonskee by a score of 64 to 30 with 27 deflections turning turnovers into extra points.
Senior guard Brendan Shaw scored 16 points while Coach Ben Clark praised the team’s strong practice and focus.
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The Fitzpatrick Trophy committee announced 10 semifinalists for Maine's top senior football player, including Gatorade winners Connor Ayoob of Thornton Academy and Cordell Jones in Portland.
Coaches and media will select finalists by ranked choice with the winner honored Jan. 18 at Holiday Inn by the Bay.
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Maine’s men's hockey team beat Lindenwood 7-2 on Sunday in Orono, earning their third straight win (record now 11-7-1) ahead of winter break.
They will play two games in Denver on Jan. 2-3.
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The Maine Celtics lost their first home game this season when the undefeated Raptors 905 won 112 & 107 on Sunday, pushing the Celtics to a 9-5 record in the NBA G League Tip-Off Tournament.
The team will play in the NBA G League Winter Showcase on Friday in Orlando.
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UMaine earned a 63-55 win against Quinnipiac on Sunday in Hampden (where Lala Woods made her collegiate debut) as Adrianna Smith had a double-double with 20 rebounds and 18 points to help the team rally from an 11-point deficit.
Asta Blauenfeldt added 15 points.
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Saturday local high school sports saw Poland boys basketball earn a close 47-44 win over Greely at Poland, led by 24-point performer Jake Jamo, while teams from Medomak Valley, Cape Elizabeth and others posted wins in both basketball and hockey contests.
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Portland Events
A Victorian Nutcracker
Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 · 7-8:30 p.m. — Merrill Auditorium — Tickets available — Experience the magic of a classic ballet in the heart of Portland.
Bess Jacques & The Strays Performance
Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 · 7-8:30 p.m. — Blue Portland Maine — Ticket info not provided — Experience an eclectic mix of jazz, Americana, and faux-tango-pop with Bess Jacques & The Strays.
2025 The Polar Express™ Train Ride
Friday, December 19th, 2025 · 5:15 p.m. — Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad — Premium pricing applies — Experience the magic of the holiday season with a delightful ride to the North Pole inspired by the classic story.
Disney on Ice: Into the Magic
Saturday, December 20th, 2025 · 7-11 p.m. — Cross Insurance Arena — Tickets available — Experience your favorite Disney characters realizing their dreams in a spectacular ice skating show.
Maker's Market
Sunday, December 21st, 2025 · 10 AM – 3 PM — Thompson's Point — Free entry — Explore local Maine artisans, enjoy mimosas, and embrace the community spirit.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride
Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025 · 5:15 p.m. — Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad — Premium pricing — Experience a magical journey to the North Pole on a festive train ride filled with holiday cheer.
SAFe® 5.1 Lean Portfolio Management Training
Thursday, December 25th, 2025 · 9 AM - 1 AM — Portland, ME — Early Bird $1299, Regular $1499 — Enhance your agile skills in a hands-on workshop designed for leaders and managers in portfolio management.
Polar Express Train Ride
Friday, December 26th, 2025 · 5:15 p.m. — Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad — Ticket prices vary — Experience a magical journey to the North Pole aboard a festive train ride this holiday season.
Maine Mariners vs Trois-Rivières Lions
Saturday, December 27th, 2025 · 3:00 – 4:30 PM — Cross Insurance Arena — Watch an exciting hockey matchup featuring the Maine Mariners and Trois-Rivières Lions.
Technology Tutoring at Peaks
Tuesday, December 30th, 2025 · 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. — Peaks Island Community Center — Free entry — Enhancing digital skills for all levels of computer users in a community setting.