A police oversight board, universal resident voting and a name change for the Portland Board of Public Education are among the first proposals the Portland Charter Commission could look at in January.
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 inBusiness, Local & State
Portland restaurants launch petition asking city for indoor vaccine mandate
The City Council is expected to meet next week to discuss whether to repeal a state of emergency and implement an indoor mask mandate.
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Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
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.
Posted inLocal & State
South Portland community delivers brunch and holiday cheer to first responders
More than 50 people were involved in preparing and delivering meals to the city’s fire and police departments and regional dispatchers for the Christmas holiday.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
COVID-19 home test maker with site in Westbrook plans to boost production
Abbott Laboratories, which makes the BinaxNOW rapid test, says it now produces more than 50 million tests per month and plans to raise that number to 70 million in January.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Vigil on longest night of the year remembers lives lost in Portland homeless community
About 250 people gathered in Monument Square on Tuesday night to remember the 51 people who experienced homelessness and died in 2021.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Elections to fill three Portland school board seats to be held in June
The elections will fill the District 5 and two at-large seats now open on the school board.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland city councilors postpone action on emergency order until Jan. 3
The council voted 6-3 Monday in favor of waiting to address the emergency order and a possible mask mandate.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland is stressed as staff shortages and pandemic take their toll, mayor says in State of the City address
The city has 183 vacancies across departments and six department head positions that are being filled on an interim or acting basis.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
New peer support center offers Portland youth a mental health resource
The Portland Peer Support Center will give youth a chance to connect with others their age through drop-in hours, support groups and activities.