Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What will Portland’s new equity investigation actually change in schools?

Also, don't miss Blitz N' Spritz on the Portland Patch calendar

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Wednesday December 17th Patch AM
Wednesday December 17th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Morning Portland! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What will Portland’s new equity investigation actually change in schools?
  • How Portland’s crisis center model is reshaping mental health care in Lewiston
  • Which New Orleans-style bar is taking over Sagamore Hill’s spot?

Also on today's calendar: Blitz N’ Spritz and 6 more events.

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

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Portland? Post it to Portland photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: The doctor told me to drink carrot juice after a hot bath. - Did it help? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Partly sunny and breezy, with a high of 41 and low of 29 degrees.
  • Thursday: Clouds and sunshine, temps: high: 44, low: 39.
  • Friday: Very windy; occasional rain, with a high of 52 and low of 23 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Portland school board approves external equity investigation (pressherald.com) — Portland’s school board has unanimously approved an external investigation into the district’s equity practices, responding to weeks of concerns from staff and community members. The resolution creates a board committee to hire an outside firm, directs new equity oversight tools, and could add a civil rights officer, with findings feeding directly into the district’s strategic plan.
   

2. Spurwink to expand services to Lewiston (mainebiz.biz) — Portland residents should know that Spurwink, the Portland-based behavioral health provider that opened the city’s first crisis receiving center in 2022, is using that model to launch a new 24/7 crisis center in Lewiston by mid-2026. The expansion builds on Portland’s successful “living room” approach, which has already reduced emergency room visits and police involvement for people in crisis.
   

3. Hidden Gem Cocktail Lounge in Portland, Maine, Closing Permanently (wcyy.com) — Sagamore Hill, a Theodore Roosevelt–themed cocktail lounge at Park and Congress in Portland, will pour its last drinks on New Year’s Eve before closing for good. A New Orleans–inspired Marquis Lounge is slated to quickly renovate the space and aims to reopen there by Mardi Gras, keeping a cozy cocktail spot in the neighborhood.
   

4. 'Evening of Hope' aims to raise money for Oakland man injured in home explosion (wgme.com) — A central Maine man badly hurt in a Thanksgiving home explosion is still recovering at Maine Medical Center in Portland, where he was flown after the blast. Neighbors and local groups are rallying with an “Evening of Hope” fundraiser in Waterville to help cover his medical and living expenses while investigators continue probing a suspected propane-related cause.
   

5. Upheaval in Varsity Maine boys basketball poll (pressherald.com) — South Portland has climbed to No. 1 in the latest Varsity Maine boys basketball poll, while Portland High sits at No. 10 in a crowded field. The reshuffled rankings follow Sanford’s upset of previous No. 1 Windham and highlight how competitive southern Maine programs remain this season.
   

📸 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!

★ Featured events ★

    Thursday December 18
  • Blitz N’ Spritz
    Exchange Street, Exchange St, Portland
    4:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Portland Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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

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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
  • Injured female duck with broken wing in the snow by the school.
    Can anyone help? We have two dogs and a sick kid with a flu at home. Andy called Avian Haven and we are waiting for a callback (Nextdoor Peaks Island)
  • Calico cat sighting west end
    West and marshall he wont let me catch him He's hungry trying to go up different steps he was just chewing on dry grass but he won't let me get too… (Nextdoor West End)
  • Stantec, Inc. posted a job opening for Bridge Intern - Transportation Summer 2026 in Portland. Apply here.
  • Colwen Hotels posted a job opening for Housekeeper - Cambria Hotel Portland 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 know. I can never finish drinking the hot bath!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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