Shawna Gatto is accused of killing Kendall Chick, whose death in December 2017, along with that of another child three months later, highlighted flaws in Maine’s child protective service system and led to major changes.
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.
Posted inLocal & State, News
‘Who am I?’ The man who started out as ‘Billy Sunshine’ may never know
The baby who would become Ronald Reed Perreault was abandoned in a car in Portland in March 1937. Now, at 82, he’s scouring records in hopes of solving a lifelong mystery.
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Posted inLocal & State, News
Report says more Maine kids were in state custody, waiting to be adopted, in 2018
The 25th annual Kids Count book also shows that the state led the nation for the highest rate of children with anxiety disorders, and that teen suicide increased dramatically over the last decade.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
New director named for DHHS Office of Child and Family Services
Todd Landry has been named to lead the high-profile office, which is responsible for child welfare.
Posted inLocal & State, Schools and Education
Bill would ban use of Indian mascots in Maine public schools
Lawmakers will take public testimony Monday, less than a week after Skowhegan residents called on their school board to restore ‘Indians’ as the school mascot.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Some fume over mission of antique auto museum
A state lawsuit against the trust linked to the Mount Desert Island site finds a simmering feud over the founder’s charitable legacy.
Posted inLocal & State, Nation & World, News
Four teenagers now face murder charges in killing of Westbrook man in Arkansas
Both Darrius Stewart, 17, and Keith Keshawn Harris, 16, are expected to be tried as adults for their role in the killing of Shawn Mckeough Jr., who thwarted an armed robbery
Posted inCops & Courts, Nation & World
Airman from Westbrook was shot after tackling armed store robber, documents say
Two men plead not guilty to killing Shawn Mckeough Jr. at an Arkansas gas station on Friday, and a 3rd man remains at large.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Family, friends mourn: ‘To fight for your country and then die like this’
Police have arrested 2 suspects sought in the killing of Westbrook native Shawn Mckeough, who was serving in the Air Force and was shot while trying to prevent a convenience store robbery in Arkansas.
Posted inCops & Courts, Local & State, News
For alleged sex trafficking victim, a hard life, abridged
At 38, Carol Swan died before she could testify against her alleged abuser, but the new man in her life said she had finally found a sense of peace.