A divided Westbrook School Committee on Dec. 11 elected Andrea Mancuso its chair and Katy Rice, vice chair.

Critically wounded, Staff Sgt. Harold "Butch" Freeman of Gorham survived the Christmastime bombing. Portland Press Herald Columnist Bill Nemitz and Photographer Gregory Rec were at the scene. "People need to remember," Nemitz said last week.

Ellis Ledoux succeeds Angela Holmes, who is now a full-time assistant for City Administrator Jerre Bryant.

Alex Stone, owner of Blazes Burgers in downtown, has details of what students need for the winter, and community members can drop off donations to be delivered to the schools.

Wreath donations have dropped this year at South Buxton Cemetery.

The Friends of the Cornelia Warren Recreation Area met last week to discuss Westbrook's future water amenity.

Morse will step down as City Council president Tuesday to be sworn in as mayor.

Bicycle groups came together for "Cranksgiving," a scavenger hunt to buy food across Portland to donate to the Westbrook Food Pantry.

The nonprofit organization is looking to raise $1.5 million toward its new 16,000-square-foot building on Congress Street in Portland and to stock it for up to three years.

The recount showed Faulkingham at a margin of 13 votes, two less than the initial results.

The city survey received 632 responses, with the most in favor of a $5 million swimming pool, particularly if grants and donations covered half of the cost.

The fountain, dedicated decades ago to former city Arborist Wes McKague, reportedly needed repairs, but was replaced in 2020 without the plaque for McKague. The old fountain was found discarded, with parts missing, at Public Services.

A multi-use development is planned on the "long-blighted downtown parcel" on Dana Street, across from the city's newest parking garage.

The council reinstalled Suzanne Phillips as chair, chose Rob Lavoie as vice chair, and welcomed new Councilors Janet Kuech and David Willis.

The result of the city's meetings and survey will be announced at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, at the Community Center. Meanwhile, a separate citizen-led survey is expected to close at the end of the year and have results presented to the city.

After nearly a decade and at age 78, he decided it's time to "slow down."

He said he'll focus on economic improvements and lowering property taxes.

House District 137 incumbent Nathan Carlow garnered 2,276 votes, to Elizabeth Gleason's 1,629. For House District 138, incumbent Mark Blier led with 696 votes, Michael McKinney had 329 and Michael Barden, 141.

The total cost of the school upgrades project, including interest, is set to be $12.7 million over 20 years.