Local school districts will reap a windfall of federal money in the next few weeks, but officials in Scarborough, South Portland and Cape Elizabeth plan to save the money for rainy day budgets. South Portland School Superintendent Suzanne Godin said $1.22 million from the Maine Department of Education will offset an expected $1.9 million loss of aid in fiscal year 2012 budget.<< MORE >>

Close it and they will come. That may be the defining idea behind a proposal before South Portland city councilors to close more than 800 feet of Gorham Road Extension between MacArthur Circle and Western Avenue in the Redbank area.<< MORE >>

South Portland councilors unanimously passed a resolution last month calling for the creation of a sustainable city environment to reduce pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and save energy and money. Ann Archino Howe, a civil engineer now serving as the energy and sustainability coordinator in South Portland and Scarborough through a grant from the federal Department of Energy, spoke this week about making the resolution a reality. << MORE >>

These club members don’t mind being told to “go fly a kite.” Last Saturday, with long strings and all manners of design and a steady breeze on a sunny day, about a dozen members of the Nor’Easters Kite Club converged on Bug Light Park in South Portland for what they hope will be an annual vintage kite fly-in.<< MORE >>

A Sanford man faces assault and other charges after his arrest Sunday for allegedly tattooing two underage girls in South Portland. Rayvon Freeman, 23, was charged with Class D assault, and Class E charges of tattooing without a license and tattooing a minor. << MORE >>

A former South Portland resident was sentenced to the next four years in prison for his role in a fatal accident in Portland almost a year ago. Yannick Mulongo, 22, pleaded guilty in Cumberland County Superior Court last Friday to charges of manslaughter, aggravated assault and causing a fatal accident while operating under the influence.<< MORE >>

Russell E. Blanchard, 96, of South Portland, died Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010, surrounded by his family. He was born July 13, 1914, to Ethel and Harry F. Blanchard. << MORE >>

Barring a change of heart between now and Sept. 8, South Portland councilors are prepared to ask voters to approve or reject a $44.2 million bond to renovate and expand South Portland High School. Councilors in a 4-2 vote Monday approved the first reading of an ordinance to put the bond question on the Nov. 2 ballot. Councilors Jim Hughes and Rosemarie De Angelis voted against the first measure.<< MORE >>

Cape Elizabeth Town Manager Mike McGovern has conceded broad-based admission fees may not happen at Fort Williams Park and is circulating ideas how to maintain the park and increase revenues. McGovern called for a budget increase of $80,000 annually for maintenance and suggested increasing group fees and possibly charging fees for high-capacity vehicles. They were among six ideas he said could add $75,000 annually to park revenues.<< MORE >>

CBGB’s, a well-known punk club, may have closed four years ago in New York City, but Kymara Leechi Lonergan has a new place for the art and music of alternative media to thrive: southern Maine. Leechi Lonergan has scheduled a “happening” – a constantly changing mix of visual art and music – at North Dam Mill in Biddeford and a “museum” at her bed and breakfast, Dock Square Inn and Antiques in Kennebunkport.<< MORE >>

Fall court dates have been scheduled for two men arrested on burglary and other charges in South Portland last Friday. Eric White, 21, called a transient by police, and Portland resident Adam Rice, 27, remained in Cumberland County Jail this week after their initial appearances Monday in Cumberland County Superior Court in Portland.<< MORE >>

The plastic age will soon reach South Portland City Hall: Councilors on Aug. 16 approved a plan to accept residents’ credit and debit cards to pay tax their tax bills. << MORE >>

Saying he was at the right age to retire, Cape Elizabeth School Superintendent Alan Hawkins announced Tuesday night he will step down later this year. Hawkins, 63, offered to stay on as a part-time consultant until April 15, 2011, and will retire Dec. 31.<< MORE >>

Everyone has a favored method for preparing and eating hot dogs: grilled, steamed or boiled; topped with mustard, relish or ketchup; red, all-beef or regular. But one business in Kennebunk is offering another option – flat or round. Shields Market & Produce, owned by brothers Dean and Greg Shields, has invented a flat hot dog, called a flat-furter. The new product is shaped like a hamburger patty with hopes it will be safer for children.<< MORE >>

A South Portland resident detained on immigration violations remained in jail Wednesday morning despite reinstatement of his $10,000 bail. Mohammed Shafiq Rahman, 34, who was arrested by federal agents May 13 in Portland, was ordered released on bail Tuesday by Judge Brenda O’Malley in U.S. Immigration Court in Boston.<< MORE >>

I want to give public thanks to Dana Anderson, South Portland Public Works and Chief Ed Googins of the South Portland Police Department. I wrote an e-mail tothese department heads asking them to consider improvements to theintersection of Fickett Street and Candlebrook Lane. << MORE >>

Ansel N. Norton << MORE >>

The razing of Red’s Dairy Freeze in South Portland on Monday brought down a local landmark and left loyal customers of the 58-year-old ice cream shop eager for the opening of the new store.<< MORE >>

South Portland resident Gary Morin said he knows how to make his food last. Disabled with foot problems but ready to start a new part-time job, Morin was one of 51 visitors last Thursday to the South Portland Food Cupboard at St. John the Evangelist Church.<< MORE >>

A man considered a witness in the disappearance of a Scarborough woman remains in Cumberland County Jail in Portland this week on drug trafficking charges.<< MORE >>