PORTLAND — The city worker who has been accused of mistakenly allowing Shipyard Brewing Co. to avoid paying for a large part of its sewer use since 1996 may have been unfamiliar with how breweries worked because Shipyard was Portland’s first brewery in modern times, the city’s spokeswoman said Friday.

Maine’s largest brewery, the Shipyard Brewing Co., has been billed for only a fraction of its sewer usage since 1996, an apparent oversight that has cost the city of Portland hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost revenue annually.

PORTLAND — Occupy Maine protesters who have camped in Portland’s Lincoln Park since October told a judge Tuesday that their occupation of the park is protected political speech.

PORTLAND — Occupy Maine protesters who have camped in Portland’s Lincoln Park since October told a judge Tuesday that their occupation of the park is protected political speech.

Occupy Maine presents oral arguments and testimony seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent the group’s removal from Lincoln Park.

As the nation awaits the results of Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary, Maine Republicans are hoping their party caucuses in February will have more effect on the race than in past years.

As the nation awaits the results of Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary, Maine Republicans are hoping their party caucuses in February will have more effect on the race than in past years.

Cold weather and holidays are taking a toll on Occupy Maine. Only five people attended the daily general assembly at 6 p.m. Thursday in Lincoln Park, far fewer than the two dozen people who were attending earlier this month, and the 30 to 40 people in November and October.