I think #GorhamME needs to fire their town government officials! WTF! Also, if Amazon builds their warehouse, you can bet they'll be pushing for the #GorhamConnector as well, which will bring more #UrbanSprawl!!!

Gorham residents push back against #AmazonWarehouse proposal

by Bonnie Bishop, Feb 26, 2026

GORHAM, #Maine — "Gorham residents are trying to prevent Amazon from becoming their new neighbor as a proposal to build a warehouse in the town continues to loom.

"The backlash comes despite the town already giving the company the green light to build a nearly 160,000 square foot warehouse. An Amazon spokesperson said the new facility would create economic growth in Gorham. [BULLSHIT!!!]

"Dozens of Gorham residents gathered Thursday to air their concerns about the project.

" 'I think that this deal is a bad deal for Gorham. It is going to create a lot of negative impacts for the town,' Gorham resident Josh Trombley said. 'We're not going to see a lot of benefit in terms of tax revenue.'

"Anne Bilodeau lives on Shamrock Drive, right up against where the project is set to be developed. She said she worries about more traffic and noise surrounding the neighborhood she's lived in for over 20 years.

" 'I can't imagine opening a window in the summertime anymore with that back there,' Bilodeau said.

"The Gorham Town Council said yes to Amazon's proposal to buy roughly 94 acres for about $4 million over the summer. The citizens' group, #GorhamUnited, said Amazon hasn't finalized the sale and they see why an opportunity to stop it."

Read more:
https://www.wmtw.com/article/gorham-residents-push-back-against-amazon-warehouse-proposal/70525740

#MainePol #TrafficPollution #NoisePollution #ResistBigTech #ResistAmazon

#Palestine conference canceled by #USM over speaker’s sanctions has new location

The academic discussion called the ‘#ConsequenceOfPalestine’ will take place at #FirstParishCongregationalChurch in #GorhamME

by Riley Board, February 26, 2026

"A conference on Palestine scheduled for Saturday has found a new venue after the University of Southern Maine said it would no longer sponsor the event because one of the planned speakers is subject to sanctions by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

"The 'Consequence of Palestine' event will now be hosted at the First Parish Congregational Church in Gorham, and is scheduled to proceed on the same date, organizers with the #MaineCoalitionForPalestine and #MaineVoicesForPalestinianRights announced Thursday.

"University officials told organizers late last week they could no longer use Hannaford Hall on the USM’s Portland campus for the event after learning that speaker #FrancescaAlbanese is on the Office of Foreign Assets Controls’ #SanctionsLlist.

"#Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on #HumanRights in the #OccupiedPalestinianTerritories, was slapped with sanctions in July after she wrote letters to several major American businesses, telling them she planned to name them in a U.N. report for contributing to human rights violations by #Israel; the #StateDepartment called the letters campaigns of political and #EconomicWarfare. U.S. businesses and entities are prohibited from doing business with Albanese.

"Albanese was scheduled to speak at the conference remotely, and organizers said they received guidance that her participation was permitted so long as they did not engage in any financial transaction with her or offer an honorarium for her participation.

"Organizers also say they offered to remove Albanese from the schedule, but the university said it still could not host the event because it needed, 'time to assess the risk and put in place measures to ensure compliance with all federal and state laws and university policies.'

"More than 300 people had registered for the event as of Tuesday.

"Albanese is still slated to speak at the conference, an organizer confirmed. The USM Department of Criminology and Sociology, previously a co-sponsor of the event, is no longer involved."

Read more:
https://www.pressherald.com/2026/02/26/palestine-conference-cancelled-by-usm-over-speakers-sanctions-has-new-location/

Archived version:
https://archive.md/8VwxN

#MainePol #Capitulation #USPol #Fascism #Authoritarianism #IsraeliWarCrimes #USWarCrimes #FreeGaza #Gaza #GazaGenocide #LandTheft #Colonialism #FreePalestine #BibiIsAWarCriminal #MaineVoicesForPeace

#Maine - Several people arrested after pray-in outside Sen. #SusanCollins' office in #PortlandME

Police said they charged nine people with criminal trespass after they refused to leave and "asked to be arrested"

by Adam Bartow, Updated: 5:54 PM EST Jan 27, 2026

Excerpt: "Police say there were about 50 people protesting and the group was told people would be charged if they did not leave. Police said after several warnings, most people left, but nine stayed 'and asked to be arrested.'

"The First Parish Congregational Church of #GorhamME shared on Facebook, calling it faithful action with 'a large group of #FaithLeaders and people of faith and #conscience, demanding that she use her power to end funding to #ICE and put an end to their campaign of #terror. If you’re on Facebook, please follow #FirstParishCongregationalChurch of Gorham and share widely to amplify this action.'

"Local faith leaders released a statement Tuesday afternoon calling it a #PrayIn.

" 'Masked federal agents using their anger as a tool, causing harm in already vulnerable communities, is the opposite of loving our neighbor,' said Rev. Sara Bartlett, Pastor at Second Congregational Church (#UCC) in #NorwayME.

"The list of people arrested includes the #pastors at #FirstParishCongregationalChurch in Portland, First Parish Congregational Church of Gorham, #BracketMemorialChurch on #PeaksIsland and the #CongregationalChurch in #CumberlandME."

https://www.wmtw.com/article/several-people-arrested-faith-led-demonstration-susan-collins-office-portland/70162632

#FaithLeaders #WWJD #Maine #USPol #MainePol #ICEOut #ICEOutMaine #AbolishICE

#SouthernMaine - #USM Student, Staff and Faculty

Oakhurst Campus #FoodPantry

"The Oakhurst Campus Food Pantry provides essential resources to the USM community to fight food insecurity and meet the basic needs of students, faculty, and staff using a self-assessed need model.

"We believe individuals should have the autonomy to determine their current level of need and be empowered with accessible, equitable, and inclusive resources to alleviate and eliminate the need.

"We distributed over 10,900 lbs of food to the USM community in 2022

"There is no paperwork to fill out or expectation to 'prove' your current need in order to access the pantry; all you need is your current #UniversityOfMaineSystem (#UMS) ID. We do not limit how often you can access pantry resources.

"We offer a wide range of food (non-perishable, cold, and frozen), household, and personal goods. Shop in-person at our Portland campus location or submit a pre-order online, available for pick-up in #PortlandME, #GorhamME, and #Lewiston-#Auburn Campus.

"The Pantry has experienced a steady increase in need over the last 18+ months as reflected in our data; resources distributed, spending to stock pantry items, and the number of people being served. Pantry regulars include undergraduate and graduate students, domestic and international students, and university staff and faculty. What was once supplemental for many people, has become a resource they regularly depend upon."

FMI:
https://usm.maine.edu/dean-of-students/oakhurst-campus-food-pantry/

#MaineFoodPantries #FoodInsecurity #SNAP #SNAPCuts #USM #USMCommunity #Maine #FoodPantries

ROUNDING UP ALL THOSE DANGEROUS CRIMINALS, EH?

#Maine pastor who founded #SouthPortland church detained by #ICE

According to ICE, he came into the U.S. in 2016 and allegedly overstayed his visa by nine years.

by Jacob Murphy, August 21, 2025

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — "A pastor who worked in #SouthPortlandME and #GorhamME is in custody after he was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"According to an ICE spokesperson, #MichelTshimankinda came into the United States in March 2016 on a tourist visa and allegedly overstayed his visa by nine years. ICE officers arrested him on Aug. 13 during 'targeted enforcement operations.'

" 'Unlike the previous administration, President #Trump and Secretary #KristiNoem will not turn a blind eye to violations of U.S. immigration laws. They remain dedicated to prioritizing safety and protecting the integrity of our nation’s immigration laws,' said James Covington, a spokesperson for ICE.

"According to ICE's Online Detainee Locator System, Tshimankinda is being held in #DoverNH, at the Strafford County Department of Corrections, and he was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

"Church leaders at #LifeChurch in Gorham said Tshimankinda had been coming to the church with his family for several years before he became a pastor.

" 'He sought asylum for his four kids and his wife and himself. And he's just a great man. Great man of God,' said Pastor Tom Pequinot with Life Church. 'He and his wife were very honest, very authentic, very open and shared a lot of their story to everybody.'

"Maine's Total Coverage asked ICE whether Tshimankinda applied for asylum, but the agency did not answer.

"Pequinot said Tshimankinda formed his own church, called #RestorationChurch, in South Portland, renting out space in the Promised Land World Outreach Center.

"Paul Roberts, a leader at Restoration Church, said he has been working closely with Tshimankinda since he started it in March.

" 'You leave the church service, and you're like, 'I really need to hear that,' you know? That's what got me going there,' Roberts said.

"When Tshimankinda was initially taken into custody, both Pequinot and Roberts were among the first people he called.

" 'The phone rang, and it was Michael and I said, 'Hey, Mike, how's it going?' And he started talking pretty fast, he was a little nervous. But, you know, I don't think he's been detained before. So we, we talked through it, we prayed,' Pequinot said.

"In his absence, Restoration Church will continue to hold services as previously scheduled. In the meantime, Roberts said the situation has been concerning for worshippers.

" 'He's been nothing but a godsend to the whole community. I mean, granted, the church is small, but what he did, he's taken in a #ChurchOfAllNations,' Roberts said. 'Because many of them are from a different country, it kind of, it brings a fear factor in for some of them because of the fact that, you know, it could happen to them.'

"Roberts said he wishes the situation could have been handled differently.

" 'You can tell he’s been doing it forever, and he loves the Lord with all his heart. Man, this guy I don't think will even hurt a fly,' he said. 'It doesn't make any sense to me. I understand the law, and I don't blame the ICE, because ICE is doing their job. They just do what the government tells them. [I was in] the military, I know exactly how it goes. Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do, but they detained him and, and for no reason at all. All they had to do is give him a court date.'

"Pequinot and Roberts both said that Tshimankinda's first day in court will be Aug. 28. In the meantime, his family has started a #GoFundMe and has raised more than $20,000."

Source:
https://www.wmtw.com/article/maine-pastor-detained-by-ice-founded-a-church-in-south-portland/65851670

Link to GoFundMe:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-bring-michel-home

#Maine #MaineNews #USPol #ResistICE #ICEKidnapping #ICESucks

#Maine #CoolingCenters: Find a spot near you

As temperatures rise, communities across Maine open cooling centers to keep residents safe from the elements.
Author: NEWS CENTER Maine Staff
Published: 12:49 PM EDT June 22, 2025
Updated: 3:22 PM EDT June 23, 2025

AUGUSTA, Maine — "Summer has arrived in Maine, bringing rising temperatures and longer days. But when the heat becomes dangerous or oppressive, community cooling centers help support those who need an escape from the heat and humidity.

"The centers are often located in public spaces, such as recreation centers or libraries. They typically open for short-term purposes.

"While the primary purpose is to save lives by getting people out of potentially dangerous heat conditions, cooling centers may also provide charging stations, showers, or food.

"The latest listings for cooling centers are on the Maine Emergency Management Agency's [#MEMA] website. We've included a roundup here as well as additional resources to help you stay safe this summer when temperatures rise.

Androscoggin County

#AuburnME

Community Resource Center
121 Mill St.
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or later) Tuesday, June 24
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 25

Auburn

Auburn Senior Community Center
48 Pettengill Park Road
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

Auburn

Hasty Gymnasium at Auburn Recreation
48 Pettengill Park Road
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, June

Auburn

Auburn Public Library
49 Spring St.
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, June 24-25

#DurhamME

Durham Eureka Community Center
606 Hallowell Road
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

#LisbonME

Lisbon Police Department
300 Lisbon St.
Open as needed 24/7

#PolandME

A.B. Ricker Memorial Library
1211 Maine St.
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, June 23-24
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, June 25-26
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 27

#TurnerME

Turner Fire & Rescue
19 General Turner Hill Road
Available as needed

Aroostook County

#CaribouME

Caribou Wellness Center
55 Bennett Drive
6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Cumberland County

#BridgtonME

Bridgton Community Center
15 Depot St.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, June 23-25

#GorhamME

Baxter Library
71 South St.
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, June 23
9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

#PortlandME

#PortlandPublicLibrary
5 Monument Square
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

#ScarboroughME

#ScarboroughPublicLibrary
48 Gorham Road
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Friday
9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday

Kennebec County

#AugustaME

Augusta Civic Center, Cumberland Room
76 Community Drive
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

#WatervilleME

Waterville City Hall Annex
46 Front St.
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

Knox County

#RocklandME

#RocklandPublicLibrary
Rockland City Hall
Flanagan Community Center
Open during "normal business hours"

#SouthThomaston

Public Library (former Gilford Butler School)
54 Spruce Head Road
Noon to 4 p.m. Monday, June 23
Noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, June 24-25

#UnionME

Union Town Office
567 Common Road
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, June 23-25

Lincoln County

#BoothbayHarborME

Boothbay Harbor Town Office
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 24
8:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday, June 25

#DamariscottaME

Central Lincoln County YMCA
575 Maine St.
5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday, June 23-27

#NewcastleME

Newcastle Fire Station Community Room
86 River Road
Closes at 7 p.m. Monday, June 23

Oxford County

#CantonME

Town of Canton Meeting Room
94 Turner Street
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday
8 a.m. to noon Tuesday
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday
8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday
8 a.m. to noon Friday

Piscataquis County

#DoverFoxcroftME

Dover-Foxcroft Town Office, Community Room
48 Norton Avenue
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Wednesday, June 23-25

Sagadahoc County

#TopshamME

Topsham Municipal Building, Russel Room
100 Main St.
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

York County

#AlfredME

Parsonsfield Town Office
634 North Road
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, June 24-25

#BerwickME

Berwick Fire Department
3 Public Safety Way
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, June 23-25

#BiddefordME

#McArthurLibrary
270 Main St.
9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, June 23-25

#BuxtonME

Buxton Town Office
185 Portland Road
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, June 23-25

#KennebunkME

Kennebunk Free Library
112 Main St.
9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

#KennebunkportME

Church on the Cape
3 Langsford Road
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

Kennebunkport

Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library
18 Maine St.
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

#LebanonME

North Lebanon Second Baptist Church
259 Bakers Grant Road
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

#LimingtonME

Limington Municipal Complex
425 Sokokis Ave.
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, June 23-24

#NorthBerwickME

D.A. Hurd Library
51 High St.
9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, June 23
1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 24
9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 25

#SacoME

Saco Community Center
75 Franklin St.
7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, June 23-25

#WaterboroME

Waterboro Town Hall
24 Townhouse Road
Noon to 5 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, June 23-24

Waterboro

#WaterboroPublicLibrary
187 Main St.
Noon to 8 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, June 23-24

#YorkME

York Public Library
15 Long Sands Road
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, June 23-25

#HomelessShelters

"State and local resources are available for people who are experiencing homelessness or are in need of housing or heating support. Link below for more information.

"For direct assistance to find resources available near you, dial 211 or call 1-877-463-6207; text your ZIP code to 898-211; or email [email protected].
What are the risks?

"According to the Maine Emergency Management Agency, heat-related illnesses in the state more often occur when temperatures reach the mid-80s or higher.

“Heat-related illnesses, like heat exhaustion or heat stroke, happen when the body is not able to properly cool itself,” according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “While the body normally cools itself by sweating, during extreme heat, this might not be enough. In these cases, a person's body temperature rises faster "

Source:
https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/public-safety/cooling-centers-heat-stroke-exhaustion-mema-emergency-short-term-shelter/97-d2ddaac2-bbea-4dc8-833f-c78e7dc788f4

MEMA list of Cooling Centers:
https://www.maine.gov/mema/response-recovery/mass-care

Emergency shelters for the #Unhoused:
https://www.mainehousing.org/programs-services/homeless/emergency-shelters

#MEWx #ExtremeHeat #MaineWx #ClimateChange #GlobalHeating #Heatwave #Heatwaves #StayingCool #MaineClimateDiary #ClimateDiary
#Heatwave #Heatwaves #Maine #CoolingCenters #StayCool #CommunityResources

#GorhamME - Friday, April 11, 2025 - 3rd Annual Witchy Fair at the #USM Gorham Campus! Sponsored by the #WomenAndGenderStudies department in collaboration with the #GenderStudiesStudentOrganization

"This event is a fun evening filled with opportunities for community engagement, locally sourced crafts, education and discussion center around #AntiRacist, #AntiColonial, and #AntiCapitalist visions of witchcraft.

"There will be opportunities to have your tarot card read, discuss witchy literature, explore your astrology chart, visit the Magic Market, and more! Our incredible Witchy Raffle is back with great prizes. All proceeds from this year's event will be donation to the Penobscot Nation and Trust for Public Land -- an Indigenous-run Land Back initiative. Come join us for free food and fun!"

Friday, April 11th, 2025
5:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
Lower Brooks, Gorham Campus

Source:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DGyjDf3xk0K/
#LandBack #MaineResists #Witches #MaineWitches #UniversityOfSouthernMaine