Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Have you heard Portland’s singing police officer this Christmas?

Spotted on the Portland calendar: Continental Shakedown

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Friday December 19th Patch AM
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Hi there, Portland! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Have you heard Portland’s singing police officer this Christmas?
  • Why a Palermo house fire now centers on a Portland hospital
  • Why this cross-country runner chose Portland for his patriotic journey

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings and 2 more events.

Find out what's happening in Portlandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Portlandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Friday: Very windy; rain, with a high of 53 and low of 28 degrees.
  • Saturday: Windy and colder, temps: high: 36, low: 34.
  • Sunday: Turning sunny; breezy, with a high of 45 and low of 20 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. WATCH: Portland Police Share Officer Turner Singing Blue Christmas (ultimatemaine.com) — Portland residents are once again enjoying Officer Turner’s annual holiday song, as the Portland Police Department shared his ninth performance—this year of “Blue Christmas”—on Facebook. The calm, heartfelt rendition has drawn hundreds of likes, warm comments, and praise for how it strengthens community connections with local officers.
   

2. Investigators identify victims of Palermo fire (centralmaine.com) — A man critically injured in a Palermo house fire has been transferred to Maine Medical Center in Portland, where he remains in critical condition as investigators work to confirm the identity of a body found in the home. State officials say the late-night blaze may have followed an explosion in the propane-fueled residence and the case remains under investigation.
   

3. Man running across US to celebrate nation makes stop in Portland (wgme.com) — A cross-country runner marking America’s 250th birthday made a chilly but warm-hearted stop in the Portland area, drawing encouragement from local drivers and residents. Noah Coughlan is on his fifth coast-to-coast trek, carrying an Air Force–gifted American flag and honoring everyday Americans and veterans as he runs through Maine toward a 2026 finish.
   

4. Regular donors help Press Herald Toy Fund bring holiday joy to Maine families (pressherald.com) — Portland’s longtime Press Herald Toy Fund is again rallying donors to bring holiday gifts to Maine children, with recent contributions ranging from small checks to a $10,000 gift. Online donors through Friday are entered to win tickets to Portland Ovations’ “Recycle Percussion” show at Merrill Auditorium, and locals can still give online or by mailing checks to the South Portland address.
   

5. Maine business says Trump's restrictions on work permits are hurting business (wgme.com) — A Portland-based co-founder of Luke’s Lobster warns that Trump administration work-permit restrictions could shutter seafood processors and cost local fishermen income. Speaking from Portland at a virtual event, he and Maine’s Chamber of Commerce leader argue that bureaucratic delays in immigrant work authorizations threaten the state’s heritage fishing economy and broader growth.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Uprise Partners Promotes Tyler Dunlea to Senior Director of Managed Services —Linda Varrell Read on Patch
  • Good morning,
    This morning I saw a very small black and white cat in my yard on westbrook st. I have seen this cat before, but it looks a lot smaller today. Does… (Nextdoor Stroudwater)
  • Does anyone have waste oil they are looking to get rid of?
    I have a waste oil heater in my work. Any ytpe of oil except antifreeze/ coolant no gas no water. (Nextdoor East Bayside)
  • Piscataqua Landscaping & Tree Service posted a job opening for On Call Snow Shovelers- $30 Per Hour in Portland. Apply here.
  • G2 Secure Staff posted a job opening for Ramp Agent in Portland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Portland here.

Ok Portland! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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