Kelley Bouchard

Staff Writer

Kelley Bouchard writes about what’s happening in Maine and beyond, with a focus on South Portland, Scarborough, Cape Elizabeth and other communities in Cumberland County. Her interests include housing, immigration, human rights, history, aging issues, sustainability, the environment and the untold story. A Maine native and University of Maine graduate, she was a college intern for two summers at the former Lewiston Evening Journal. Before joining the staff of the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram in 1998, she was a reporter for the Ipswich Chronicle, Beverly Times and Salem Evening News in Massachusetts. Favorite pastimes include gardening, cooking for family and friends, streaming foreign TV series and kayaking at camp.

Latest

Published
April 26, 2023

Maine’s Sudanese community reacts to conflict, loss in their homeland

Roughly 2,000 Mainers have ties to Sudan where 2 top generals are embattled in a power struggle that has raised serious humanitarian concerns.
Published
April 23, 2023

Waitlists grow as developers plan, build and fill affordable housing

Projects across the southern Maine landscape aim to keep up with explosive demand, but advocates say ‘we are not creating new affordable homes fast enough.’
Published
April 22, 2023

‘Every day should be Earth Day’: Celebration, rally held in Portland

The city and its residents tout the strides toward sustainability, with a rally and march from Monument Square to Portland City Hall, and an event at Payson Park.
Published
April 18, 2023

Beloved South Portland police K9 member dies of cancer

Trigger’s handler, Lt. Kevin Theriault, was named the city’s 2016 Officer of the Year for their work together across Greater Portland.
Published
April 14, 2023

Portland’s Jewish, Muslim community members celebrate friendship, understanding

The Friday night gathering was the first communal Shabbat and Ramadan dinner in state history.
Published
April 10, 2023

South Portland imposes June 30 deadline for 7 hotels to cease shelter operations

The June 30 deadline will allow children to finish the school year without disruption, City Manager Scott Morelli says.
Published
March 28, 2023

South Portland Council addresses concerns over possible ban on gas-powered lawn tools

Councilors discussed the gas equipment ban and pay-as-you-throw program as part of a progress report on the city’s climate action plan.
Published
March 22, 2023

South Portland council approves rent control, homeless shelter ordinances

But officials say the city doesn’t have the staff to enforce the new 10% annual rent cap in a similar way to Portland’s stronger rent control measure.
Published
March 19, 2023

Ukrainians find home in Maine despite war’s uncertainty

Escaping the Russian invasion, nine families from Ukraine have settled in Auburn, creating a community in a city built by immigrants even as their own future in Maine remains an unknown.
Published
March 18, 2023

Berwick woman must pay $60,000 in Social Security fraud case

Andreanna Politano pleaded guilty to Social Security fraud and theft of public money in September, after concealing her husband’s income and presence in their home for more than a decade.