Maine’s governor, already under scrutiny by the Legislature’s watchdog group, is accused of threatening to withhold funds from the World Acadian Congress unless its president stepped down, an allegation his office denies.
Eric Russell
Staff Writer
Eric Russell has been a general assignment reporter at the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram since 2012 and has been a journalist in Maine since 2004. Because he doesn’t have a specific geographic or topical area to cover, Eric often is free to roam the state in pursuit of the most interesting stories, whether it’s tackling the big topic of the day or chasing ideas that fall just outside the boundaries of everyday news. His favorite assignments are ones where he can leave the office and meet with people in their homes or their workplaces to talk about their struggles and challenges – and sometimes their triumphs. Or to try and answer complicated questions. Eric grew up in Southern Maine, went to college at the University of Maine and worked in Bangor for eight years before joining the Press Herald. He lives in Brunswick with his wife, a school teacher, and two daughters.
Musical world eulogizes drumstick innovator ‘Vic’ Firth
Raised in Sanford, he joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1952 and started the company that would grow into the world’s largest producer of drumsticks. He died Sunday at age 85.
Victim blames police for Aroostook County shooting spree
Brittany Irish says she felt threatened, but police turned aside her pleas the day before Anthony Lord showed up at her parents’ house with a gun.
Door closing on long legal saga of convicted Maine killer Dennis Dechaine
The state’s highest court denies his latest bid for a new trial in the brutal 1988 murder of a Maine teenager, despite his army of supporters.
Rep. Chellie Pingree fined $9,750 over 2010 flights with then-fiance S. Donald Sussman
The Democratic U.S. representative also must reimburse her now-husband $13,000 for the flights because they were linked to her congressional campaign.
Two robbed at gunpoint; Portland police hunt suspects
A police dog tracked the suspects into the Riverton Housing complex but they were not located.
Price of politics: $6.5 million in bonds to preserve Maine land effectively expire
Some land projects stall as Gov. Paul LePage uses the funds as a bargaining chip, and friction with the preservation board mounts.
Barber Foods says it knows root cause of chicken recall
But the company with 300 workers in Portland declines to detail why salmonella may have tainted 1.7 million pounds of the product.
In Maine, not all are joining Confederate condemnation
As the issue rages nationally, some Mainers continue to display a Civil War symbol that many see as overtly racist.
LePage not letting up on Eves over Good Will-Hinckley hiring
Gov. Paul LePage says the charter-school hiring controversy is a ‘political hack-o-rama’ as he faces accusations of abusing his power.