SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- The materials used for sailing for fishing in Maine has turned into a fashion statement.

Brands like JCrew and Anthropologie have started to tell two made-in-Maine products: the Sea Bag, and the Bait Bag.

Sea Bags have been around since 1999, but their success has exploded in recent years.

The tote bags, made out of recycled sails, hand sewn in Portland, Maine, have been sold in every state in the U.S. and is now entering global markets.

Alaina Marie, a designer in South Portland, makes the bags out of marine-grade material. The bags are inspired by the bait bags that lobstermen hang in their traps.

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- South Portland leaders responded Monday to the removal of the city's "business friendly" designation by the LePage Administration.

The Maine Department of Economic and Community Development took the title away in February because it said the LePage administration was disappointed that the city passed an ordinance last year that blocks the export of tar sands oil. The ordinance caused strong debate in the community, with a few hundred people attending every public meeting before the final vote.

South Portland City Councilor Claude Morgan said he stands by that ordinance and disagrees with the governor's decision.

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- Faculty at South Portland High School officially approved a procedure for saying the Pledge of Allegiance after students sparked a controversy over leading the pledge.

The new proposal makes clear that students are being invited not ordered to say the Pledge of Allegiance, said senior class President Lily SanGiovanni. Principal Ryan Caron said that SanGiovanni will begin the pledge with, "I now invite you to rise and join me for the Pledge of Allegiance."

SanGiovanni, Gaby Ferrell and Morrigan Turner began adding "if you'd like to" while leading the pledge over the school's intercom earlier this school year. SanGiovanni, Ferrell and Turner said they wanted to make clear that the pledge is optional under law.

The controversy gained national attention. Caron told the Portland Press Herald he heard from people in 30 states.