The blaze, believed to have started in a large deep-frying machine, gutted the Penobscot McCrum building and left 138 people out of work.
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.
No more changing of the clocks? For some Mainers, it’s a ‘no-brainer.’
A proposal before Congress would make daylight saving time permanent, a change some in Maine say would be better for business, agriculture and outdoor time.
Sen. Collins introduces bill to help asylum seekers get jobs sooner
The legislation, co-sponsored by Sen. Angus King, would make asylum seekers eligible to receive work authorization 30 days after applying for asylum.
Regulators approve $90 electric bill credit for low-income Mainers
The one-time credit is expected to be applied automatically to about 90,000 customers’ accounts by March 30.
Rep. Pingree submits bill to shorten asylum seekers’ wait for work authorization
The legislation, which comes as Portland sees an influx of asylum seekers, would shorten the waiting period for work eligibility to 30 days.
Renowned Maine artist and author Ashley Bryan dies at 98
A former longtime resident of Little Cranberry Island, he wrote and illustrated numerous children’s books and was a prolific painter, illustrator, puppet-maker and stained-glass artist.
Messy storm dumps over a foot of snow and sleet in some parts of Maine
The heaviest snow accumulation was in central and western Maine, though the weather caused messy driving conditions throughout the state.
COVID-19 hospitalizations in Maine continue slight downward trend
There were 339 people hospitalized with the infectious disease on Saturday, the lowest number the state has seen in more than a month.
Hunker down or plunge in? Omicron surge prompts a range of responses
Some people have never let down their guard during the pandemic. Some did for a bit, but no longer. Others are resigned about their risks and think everyone will end up getting COVID.
Fast-spreading omicron variant becoming dominant in Maine
Newly released data show that omicron went from less than 1% of COVID-19 cases in the state to 10% in 1 week this month, and it already may be causing the majority of new cases statewide.