🌱 Patch AM: How Portland’s new opioid funds will change winter services downtown

Hi there, Portland! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How Portland’s new opioid funds will change winter services downtown
• How a new fuel order from Portland could affect winter deliveries

Also on today's calendar: Saturdays: Live Music in the Brewhouse! (FREE).

Today's riddle: What did the balloon say to the doctor? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Turning sunny; breezy, with a high of 43 and low of 19 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Monday: Sunny, windy and colder, temps: high: 31, low: 24.
• Tuesday: A little afternoon snow, with a high of 33 and low of 26 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Portland Redirects Opioid Settlement Cash to Expand Services for Unhoused, Addicts (themainewire.com) — Portland’s City Council has redirected opioid settlement funds to expand five programs supporting people struggling with addiction and homelessness, including a new low-barrier day space on Congress Street. The half-day shelter, run by St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen, offers warmth, meals, and on-site services through March 2026 while the city evaluates longer-term solutions.
   

• Gov. Mills signs emergency fuel order relaxing driving time limits for fuel carriers (wgme.com) — An emergency order issued from Portland lets fuel truck drivers stay on the road longer between breaks to keep fuel flowing during supply chain problems and an early cold snap. State police stress that drivers must still pull over if they feel tired, sick, or unsafe, even under the relaxed rules.
   

📸 Around Portland

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Portland

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Monday December 29

• Meet the Designers
  Victoria Mansion , 109 Danforth Street , Portland
  5:00 pm

Saturday January 3

• Saturdays: Live Music in the Brewhouse! (FREE)
  Allagash Brewing Company , 50 Industrial Wy , Portland
  5:00 pm

📣 Portland Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Sunday December 21

• Beginner Silver Ring Bands One-Day Workshop
  Artascope , 48 Railroad Square , Yarmouth
  9:30 am
• Sunday Celebration Service
  Unity Center for Spiritual Growth , 54 River Road , Windham
  10:00 am
• Winter Solstice Celebration
  Unity Center for Spiritual Growth , 54 River Road , Windham
  1:00 pm
• Portland Ballet - A Victorian Nutcracker
  Westbrook Performing Arts Center , 471 Stroudwater St , Westbrook
  2:00 pm
• Orange Bike Brewing Co. — Live Music - Light In The Forest
  Orange Bike Brewing Company , Behind Bite Into Maine , 31 Diamond St Suite D , Portland
  3:00 pm
• Symposium — Hi-Fidelity Brewing
  Hi-Fidelity , 200 Anderson St Ste 6 , Portland
  4:00 pm
• Rock My Soul
  One Longfellow Square , 181 State St , Portland
  4:00 pm

Monday December 22

• Board of Appeals - IN PERSON
  South Portland, ME Calendar , 25 Cottage Rd. , South Portland
  6:00 pm
• Planning Board Meeting
  Windham, ME Calendar , 8 School Road , Windham
  6:00 pm

Tuesday December 23

• Paws and Reflect Book Group
  Unity Center for Spiritual Growth , 54 River Road , Windham
  10:30 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Happy birthday Bill Cooley.
  Here he is at his 90th birthday bash tearing it up on stage. Go Bill go,! (Nextdoor Peaks Island)
• Thanks to those who joined us at the Legion last night to celebrate Bill Cooley’s 90 th Birthday with his music.
  Afterwards he was unable to locate his tan over coat. If anyone accidentally picked it up it would be appreciated if it could be returned. Thanks and… (Nextdoor Peaks Island)

• Piscataqua Landscaping & Tree Service posted a job opening for On Call Snow Shovelers- $30 Per Hour in Portland. Apply here.
• American Cruise Lines posted a job opening for Housekeeper in Portland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Portland here.

🗞 Nearby News

South Portland

• ​Toy Fund helps homeless Mainers give their children joy (pressherald.com)
• Legacy of Portland youth basketball coach lives on (pressherald.com)
• Police arrest two suspects after traffic stop linked to Thomaston theft (wgme.com)

Westbrook

• Cyclist left in serious condition after car collision in Westbrook (newscentermaine.com)
• Westbrook School Committee appoints Ross to fill vacancy (pressherald.com)

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 feel lightheaded!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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