Winds and snow combine for wild winter storm

High winds and heavy snow combined Monday to create a wild winter storm across Maine.

The National Weather Service in Gray said some sections of the state may have had an actual blizzard, while most areas were battered by a classic nor’easter.

“It’s about as close as we ever come to getting a true blizzard,” said Eric Sinsabaugh, a meteorologist with the weather service. “But I’m looking at this as more a run-of-the-mill nor’easter.”

Group grows winter business with online farmers market

A group of farms in Cape Elizabeth is creating an online winter farmers market that draws on their products and those from other Maine growers.

Cape SoPo Winter Share got its start when the farmers from the William H. Jordan Farm and Green Spark Farm started talking about their winter plans. They enlisted Alewive’s Brook Farm as well as South Paw Farm in Unity, which they are treating as an honorary Cape Elizabeth farm for the effort.

The Maine count is in: Population grew 4.2%

That’s less than half the national growth rate over the decade, but more than experts predicted.

Census: Maine population grows 4.2 percent

The number of House seats representing Maine remains unchanged at two.

Artisan creates banner gear

Don’t be surprised if you start seeing glimpses of city life slung across someone’s shoulder or toted in her hand.

Banners that once hung from lampposts to promote Portland’s downtown are finding new lives as purses, tote bags and duffels.

Some of the items feature iconic images of Portland, like the dome of City Hall’s clock tower or the peaked front of the Hay Building. Others are more abstract and some include type. Names of institutions like the Maine College of Art might be highlighted in some instances while in others phrases — like “lifelong learning” from a Portland Public Library banner — are prominent. Some of the banners carry the names of businesses that sponsored them.

Neighbors group looks at conservation

Having won a fight against rezoning, Save Green Acres considers another strategy.

Wentworth panel backs building a new school

The committee does not have a final concept plan or cost, but said renovations would take too long to complete.

Council tentatively OKs beach parking plan

The amended proposal for Higgins Beach drops a 30-minute limit in the off-season that had ignited protests.

Police probing if body found in N.Y. is missing Scarborough woman

Megan Waterman, 22, was last seen in Happague, N.Y.

Higgins Beach parking plan making waves

Opponents of a proposed year-round ban, many of whom are surfers, call the complaints exaggerated.