BREWER, Maine — The historic Brewer Middle School, which has sat vacant for the last two years, may soon have a new purpose now that Brewer Housing Authority has agreed to purchase the building for low-income senior housing.

BREWER, Maine — City leaders are partnering with the Brewer Housing Authority to convert the former Brewer Middle School into affordable housing and a service center for senior citizens. As part of the effort, the city is creating the Highland Street Community Revitalization Plan to improve the block around it.

BREWER, Maine — Cianbro’s Eastern Manufacturing Facility on South Main street has spent the last two years designing, constructing and delivering electrical building modules for a nickel processing plant in Long Harbour, Newfoundland.

BREWER, Maine — The number of Maine pharmacies robbed by those looking for drugs to use or sell has already tripled from just a year ago, and the year isn’t over, Brewer police Lt. Chris Martin said Wednesday.

BREWER, Maine — Residents who went to the polls Tuesday resoundingly supported a $5.4 million school bond referendum to improve the Brewer High School campus, according to unofficial election results supplied by City Clerk Howard Kroll.

BREWER, Maine — Former first lady Barbara Bush and Maine first lady Ann LePage appeared larger than life on a screen as they video-chatted Monday afternoon with third- and fourth-grade students at Brewer Community School.

BREWER, Maine — Former first lady Barbara Bush, who summers in Kennebunkport, and Maine first lady Ann LePage have both “visited” Brewer students in the past through Web-based field trips, and on Monday they will join together to “visit” again.

BREWER, Maine — A warped 6-foot section of steel inside Brewer’s Public Safety Museum is a symbol of much more than the building it once helped support, said Mainers who came to look at the beam Tuesday on the 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

BREWER, Maine — A mangled 6-foot steel beam taken from the wreckage of the doomed twin towers in New York City will be on public display Tuesday, the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, according to Brewer Fire Chief Gary Parent.

Brewer High School is a 54-year-old stick-built structure badly in need of many things. Since a new school is unlikely to be funded by the state in the foreseeable future, it’s imperative that the existing building undergo renovations. Thanks to zero-percent federal funding in the amount of $5.4 million, major changes can be made — but only if Brewer citizens vote for it on referendum on Sept. 18.