An unpredictable presidential campaign and a fight by Democrats to regain control of the U.S. House means national eyes — and money — are on the Maine race.
Rachel Ohm
Staff Writer
Rachel covers state government and politics for the Portland Press Herald. It’s her third beat at the paper after stints covering City Hall and education. Prior to her arrival at the Press Herald in the summer of 2019, Rachel worked at the Morning Sentinel in Waterville, covering Franklin and Somerset counties, and the Knoxville News Sentinel in Knoxville, Tennessee, covering higher education. She has a master’s degree in journalism from New York University and when she’s not writing and reporting enjoys running, cooking and traveling to new places.
Posted inMaine, Maine Crime, News
Viles ‘in a league of her own’ after guilty verdict in $500K theft from town, prosecutor says
Former Anson tax collector Claudia Viles was convicted Wednesday on 13 charges — one felony and 12 misdemeanors — that she stole excise tax money, tampered with public records and didn’t pay income taxes.
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Posted inMaine, News, Schools and Education
SAD 74 superintendent to resign in August
Ken Coville, who has worked in the Anson-based school district for 12 years, including five as superintendent, said his last day will be in August and he plans to retire.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
SunEdison sale of Aroostook wind farm concerns Somerset County activists
An anti-wind group in Somerset County says it is concerned that the wind farm sale could mean changes at a proposed development near Moosehead Lake.
Posted inMaine, Maine Crime, News
Auditor testifies to $500,000 gap between Anson excise taxes collected, deposited
In the second day of former tax collector Claudia Viles’ trial on charges she stole hundreds of thousands from the town, Richard Emerson said town officials didn’t heed his warnings about lack of oversight and the risks of not making timely deposits.
Posted inMaine, Maine Crime, News
‘Free range chicken’ Viles took about $100,000 a year between 2009 and 2014, prosecutor says
Former Anson tax collector Claudia Viles, charged with 13 counts related to missing town money, did her job with no oversight, former and current town employees testify, but her lawyer says investigators jumped to conclusions.
Posted inMaine, News, Schools and Education
SAD 12 residents send budget back to school officials
For at least the fourth year in a row, residents in the Jackman-based district rejected a first attempt to pass a school budget referendum.
Posted inMaine, News
Norridgewock selectmen table speed hump decision
Members of the board said they are taking the issue seriously after hearing dozens of comments from residents both for and against the hump on Upper Main Street.
Posted inMaine, Maine Crime, News
Police arrest Newport man they found hiding in bed’s box spring
Zachary McFarlin was wanted on four warrants citing seven charges, and police said they’d been looking for him for ‘a couple of months’ before his arrest Wednesday morning.
Posted inMaine, Maine Crime, News
Jury picked for Claudia Viles trial
The case against the former Anson tax collector goes to trial Monday in Somerset County Superior Court, when the prosecutor said the amount of money the state believes Viles took from the Town Office will be revealed.