The judge of the Ballymoe International Poetry Prize says she ‘fell hard and fast’ for Lee Sharkey’s poem ‘Letter to Al.’
Kelley Bouchard
Staff Writer
Kelley writes about Maine businesses large and small, focusing on economic development, workforce initiatives and the stateโs leading business organizations. Her wider experience includes municipal and state government, immigration, education, transportation, history, human rights, health and elder care, the environment and the housing crisis. A Maine native and University of Maine graduate, she was a college intern for two summers at the former Lewiston Evening Journal. She previously worked at the Ipswich Chronicle, Beverly Times and Salem Evening News in Massachusetts. Favorite pastimes include gardening, cooking, streaming foreign TV series and kayaking at camp.
South Portland authority plans to add 104 housing units in tight rental market
The two housing projects would include both subsidized and just-below-market-rate apartments.
South Portland prostitution arrest helps build case against interstate sex ring
The 2015 arrest of a Chinese immigrant at a Main Street hotel led to the indictments of three New York City residents on federal sex trafficking charges.
South Portland drops bid for sanctuary city designation
City councilors are divided over a new proposal that largely affirms police policies and practices already in effect.
Maine poet is a finalist for international prize with work about husband’s dementia
Lee Sharkey and Al Bersbach of Portland will fly to Dublin this week for the prestigious Ballymaloe awards event.
Zoning changes near Maine Mall could open door to hundreds of housing units
Developers want to build more than 500 housing units off Clark’s Pond Parkway and Running Hill Road, a South Portland official says.
South Portland considers adopting status as sanctuary city
The policy would block federal agencies from using local police to deport immigrants or target Muslims, but the city would risk losing federal funding.
In UNE’s virtual reality lab, medical students can see through aging patients’ eyes
The college is one of four schools in the world using The Alfred Lab technology to let students experience health problems they will be treating, increasing empathy and understanding.
Rising property values in South Portland trigger fear of gentrification
The city will increase property tax assessments on land in neighborhoods near the water to meet a legal requirement for fair assessments based on market values.
Work starts Monday on new Maine Turnpike toll plaza in Scarborough
The wider plaza will allow E-ZPass drivers to cruise through at highway speed.