Portland Phoenix contributing writer Lance Tapley has a freelance piece in The Crime Report (yes, it went up a month ago, but the holidays had us frazzled and we're just now recovering) exploring the connection (or lack thereof) between casinos and crime. A timely read, given Maine's never-ending series of casino proposals.

Hoboe - the oboe-enhanced rockers led by Zen Ben - need your help. Bob Bergeron, the band's bassist, had two of his basses stolen from his car on Exchange Street early yesterday morning.

They are described as "a black Rickenbacher with a white pick guard and a bartolini pickup in the neck position, and a Jazz Fender bass with a distinct burn mark in the bottom cutaway."

In the latest edition of the Portland Phoenix, which is on the streets now, we tell you about a hate crime that happened at 12:30 am on Saturday morning on Cumberland Avenue. (I'll post the link shortly.)

The Portland police held a press conference this morning on the matter, giving official commentary that will trigger reports in the other local media.