A newspaper poll suggests 780,000 residents know someone who has used heroin or abused painkillers, and shows disagreement over the primary causes: Dealers, disease, moral failing or something else?
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 inNews, Politics
Poliquin and Cain virtually tied in congressional race
A Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram poll shows Poliquin, the Republican 2nd District representative, has just a 41-40 edge over Cain, while Democratic 1st District congresswoman Chellie Pingree has a 20-point lead over her opponents.
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Posted inLocal & State, News
Federal official says LePage’s threat puts food stamps at risk
Gov. Paul LePage’s threat to stop running the program if sugary drinks and candy remain eligible purchases could leave nearly 200,000 Maine recipients without benefits.
Posted inCops & Courts, Local & State, News
Four arrested on drug charges in Oxford County
The arrests come eight months after police investigated the overdose death of a teenager from Harrison.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
LePage threatens to end state’s oversight of food stamp program
The governor tries to exclude sweetened beverages and candy from the program, but the federal government says the state failed to evaluate how to carry out such a ban.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland becomes first community in Maine to raise minimum age to buy tobacco
The City Council votes unanimously to increase the age from 18 to 21.
Posted inNews, Politics
LePage asks Legislature to convene special session
The governor said in a letter that lawmakers need to address four bills that were “improperly funded,” but he doesn’t exercise his own authority to call the Legislature back to Augusta.
Posted inFood, Local & State, News
Maine restaurant owner tells assault rifle supporters: Take your business elsewhere
Anne Verrill, who owns Grace in Portland and Foreside Tavern in Falmouth, stands by her comments in the face of online criticism and unfavorable reviews of her restaurants.
Posted inCops & Courts, Local & State, News
Police say Limington man used machete to kill neighbor
Bruce Akers, 57, is charged with murder in the death of Douglas Flint, whom he had accused of stealing a six-pack of beer in the latest of what police say was a series of run-ins between the men.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Acadia officials ask public’s help in investigating fatal fall of New Jersey man
The death of 68-year-old Mark Simon is believed to be accidental but park officials are looking for any witnesses.