William Hall
The Forecaster
Contact William
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by William:
Turf wars: Health debate accompanies Portland-area artificial fields
PORTLAND — Walking by the shuttered stands of Fitzpatrick Stadium, where final touches are now being made on a new artificial turf field, you might believe the adage: The grass really does grow greener on the other side of the fence. But some critics think recent alleged health ... → Read More
New Yarmouth church brings old-time religion
YARMOUTH — Whether its genesis is divine, driven by demographics, or the result of religious sibling rivalry, a new church is opening its doors next week – the first area congregation founded in more than a decade, and the first in Yarmouth since 1973. The Royal River Bapt... → Read More
Yarmouth councilors question use of school budget windfall
YARMOUTH — The Town Council heard unexpected good news about proposed school spending for fiscal year 2016, but not everyone was happy with the surprise. A reduction in health insurance rates will save the School Department about $175,000 next year, School Finance Committee Chairman ... → Read More
Cumberland County to roll out new emergency alert system
WINDHAM — Cumberland County wants to give you a call. On Friday, the county's Regional Communications Center will conduct a test call on its new CodeRED emergency alert system. The system is used to quickly send the public urgent information – such as warnings of severe we... → Read More
Cost proves problematic for proposed Brunswick recreation area
BRUNSWICK — The Town Council on Monday tabled a plan for managing 66 acres of wildlife habitat and open space in east Brunswick that could cost nearly $2 million to fully implement. The Capt. William A. Fitzgerald USN Recreation and Conservation Area, off Old Bath Road, com... → Read More
Maine Jewish Film Festival returns for 18th year
PORTLAND — This year's Maine Jewish Film Festival, from March 14-21, features 23 movies, including comedies, dramas, edgy documentaries, a French film noir and even a documentary starring "the Israeli Bruce Springsteen." The festival, now in its 18th year, is bringing movies to ... → Read More
Brunswick police to acquire armored vehicle
BRUNSWICK — Despite some combative remarks by members of the public during Monday's Town Council meeting, the Police Department received approval to accept a surplus military vehicle from the Department of Defense. The council voted 8-1 to accept a "Peacekeeper" personnel carrie... → Read More
Hannaford revises plan for Yarmouth Route 1 project
YARMOUTH — Plans for a new business complex along U.S. Route 1 near the Hannaford supermarket have been scaled back and may soon be OK'd, but some neighbors remain wary about the possibility of future development. Town staff are expected to decide Friday whether to approve a proposal... → Read More
Portland-area water rates rising as infrastructure replacement needs mount
PORTLAND — Driven by the need to replace aging mains and other infrastructure, the quasi-municipal authority that pumps water to the city and 10 surrounding communities may nearly double capital spending in 2015 and increase water prices by 3.8 percent. The rate increase factors into... → Read More
South Portland councilors put nuisance property discussion on back burner
SOUTH PORTLAND — In its last meeting under the helm of outgoing Mayor Jerry Jalbert, the City Council on Monday postponed for a second time a decision on whether to declare property at 29 Willard St. a public nuisance. On Aug. 4, the council heard public testimony claiming prope... → Read More
Scarborough councilors tap Holbrook as chairwoman
SCARBOROUGH — Three newly elected town councilors on Wednesday were sworn into office, while Councilor Jessica Holbrook, previously vice chairwoman of the council, was unanimously elected its chairwoman. Taking seats for a 2015-2017 term were incumbent Councilor Katherine S... → Read More
Preliminary budget would boost Cumberland County property tax more than 5%
PORTLAND — The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners on Monday unanimously green-lighted a preliminary budget for 2015 operations that would increase the county property tax rate by 5.2 percent. County spending would increase by $1.3 million to a total of $26.7 million. The s... → Read More
GOP wins 2 open state House seats in S.P., Scarborough
SOUTH PORTLAND — Two Republican political newcomers narrowly won open seats, while incumbents easily retained theirs, in a slew of Nov. 4 Maine House elections across Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough and South Portland. District 33 Republican Kevin Battle won a tig... → Read More
Scarborough Republican Volk unseats Democrat Boyle in battleground Senate contest
SCARBOROUGH — Two-term state Rep. Amy Volk, R-Scarborough, unseated incumbent first-term Sen. Jim Boyle, D-Gorham, in the Nov. 4 election to represent state Senate District 30. Volk out-polled Boyle 10,089 to 9,128 – a margin of 6 percent – in the district that ... → Read More
Portland city councilors may weigh proposed hike in minimum wage
PORTLAND — Mayor Michael Brennan last week said a proposed ordinance to raise the minimum wage in the city might be vetted next week by a City Council committee, and could go before the full council for consideration next month. Brennan advocates hiking the minimum wage to $9.50 an h... → Read More
Pennsylvania firms in running to manage Portland downtown arena
PORTLAND — Officials of the former Cumberland County Civic Center, who in June sold its naming rights to Bangor-based Cross Insurance, may soon be outsourcing the ... → Read More
Cumberland council rejects commuter bus proposal; METRO still optimistic
CUMBERLAND — A proposal to extend METRO bus service north of Falmouth hit a second pothole in less than a week Monday, when Cumberland town councilors narrowly rejected an invitation to join the pilot project. The Town Council voted 4-3 against a resolution pledging Cumberland's supp... → Read More
Could Portland go for Olympic gold in 2024?
PORTLAND — The cities and the years are almost synonymous. Sochi 2014. London 2012. Atlanta 1996. Can you say, "Portland 2024"? The region could be a site of international Olympic competition 10 years from now, after Boston last month advanced to the short list of U.S. cities ... → Read More
Public space in Portland, refortified
PORTLAND — Three years after plans were proposed for a sweeping, $1.4 million restoration of Fort Allen Park, and nine months since ground was broken, one of the city's most beloved and historic open spaces will soon be open again. But for now, visitors won't see several of its famil... → Read More
Back from the ashes: Hilltop Superette poised to replace Colucci's on Portland's Munjoy Hill
PORTLAND — Colucci's, the iconic variety store atop Munjoy Hill that has been shuttered since nearly being destroyed by arson last year, is about to resume business – in an old-school style. Now christened Hilltop Superette, the nearly 80-year-old store at 135 Congress St.... → Read More