City staff and immigrants’ advocates welcome MaineHousing’s announcement about funding for 13 temporary overnight warming shelters statewide, including 3 in Portland.
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 inLocal & State
Judge dismisses landlord’s appeal of Portland rent board ruling on increases
The city does not plan to collect $15,350 in fines the rent board asked it to consider for Trelawny 657 LLC, saying ongoing cooperation from the landlord contributed to a decision to not impose the fine.
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Posted inLocal & State, Schools and Education
Audit confirms staffing, lack of controls led to payroll problems at Portland schools
The report by Spinglass Management Group also recommended outsourcing payroll and said the district’s decision to work with ADP Inc. should help resolve many outstanding problems.
Posted inLocal & State
Portland council approves rezoning for Roux Institute development
The vote is a critical step toward building a new graduate school and research center at the site, along with housing and other development.
Posted inLocal & State
Portland councilor says she was threatened for speaking out against white supremacist banner
Victoria Pelletier said she received several hateful messages and threats after condemning a banner on display in Congress Square that read ‘It’s ok to be white.’
Posted inLocal & State
Portland landlords seek rent-control change to allow for larger increases when units turn over
The Rental Housing Alliance of Southern Maine wants the city to allow landlords to reset rents to whatever they want after a tenant leaves a unit.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Eastern Prom food trucks will stay at Cutter Street parking lot this summer
The number of food trucks in the parking lot will be fewer, but some additional spots will open up at the nearby Amethyst Lot.
Posted inLocal & State
Black Portland councilors criticize city and police statement on Tyre Nichols
Councilors Victoria Pelletier and Regina Phillips said they were disappointed that Black members of the City Council weren’t consulted on the statement issued by the mayor, interim city manager and interim police chief.
Posted inLocal & State
Portland to open temporary shelter as Maine braces for extreme cold
With dangerously cold wind chills predicted, the city will operate an emergency shelter at the Salvation Army’s gymnasium on Friday and Saturday nights.
Posted inLocal & State
Portland fires contractor, hires new firm to study historic districts
The city says that PlaceEconomics’ draft report was missing information, but the company counters that the city was difficult to work with and was unhappy that its report was not more critical of historic preservation.