Kathleen O'Brien

Times Record

Kathleen was born and raised in Portland. She studied at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York, before moving back to Maine to begin her journalism career at The Times Record in June 2019. She covers Bath & Bath Iron Works, along with Arrowsic, Georgetown, Harpswell, Phippsburg, West Bath, Wiscasset and Woolwich. In her free time, Kathleen likes to read, listen to live music, and spend time with family and friends.

Latest

Published
April 6, 2020

BIW requires workers to wear face masks, over union objections

Chris Wiers, president of Machinists Union Local S6, he’s concerned homemade masks made of cotton and other flammable materials are a severe safety risk.
Published
April 2, 2020

Second positive COVID-19 case reported at BIW; shipyard remains open

David Hench, BIW’s spokesman, said the employee was last on company property on March 31 but he would not disclose the name of the employee or where they work.
Published
April 2, 2020

Bath City Council’s first online meeting cut short by pornographic images

The meeting will resume at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 5. Those who wish to watch must email Bath City Clerk Darci Wheeler before 5 p.m. Monday.
Published
April 1, 2020

Bath shipyard keeps local eateries afloat during virus outbreak

In total, 13 local restaurants supply about 5,000 lunches per day, according to BIW.
Published
March 30, 2020

BIW boosts shipyard sanitation amid coronavirus pandemic

According to the company’s website, cleaning efforts include washing the bathrooms and break rooms once a day, turnstiles, railings and doorknobs will be cleaned during all three shifts, and employees are encouraged to wash their hands frequently.
Published
March 29, 2020

Sagadahock Real Estate offers Bath tenants rent relief amid coronavirus outbreak

John Morse IV, whose family owns Sagadahock Real Estate Association, said he hopes the reductions in rent help employers stay in business and prevents them from laying off employees.
Published
March 26, 2020

BIW extends unpaid leave as worker attendance remains low

While the shipyard hasn’t halted production, despite calls to do so from union leaders and politicians, BIW leadership extended its unpaid leave offer to employees through April 10.
Published
March 25, 2020

Student-built house finds home in Bath, to become affordable housing

The house will go on the market early this summer and will be sold to a family at or below 80% of the area median income.
Published
March 24, 2020

Only 41% of BIW workers came to work after first case of coronavirus at the shipyard

According to Tim Suitter, the communications representative for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers local S6, BIW’s largest union, the low shift count was not a unified statement by employees.
Published
March 20, 2020

Navy calls BIW to remain open despite demands from Maine delegation, union

James Geurts, assistant secretary of the Navy pointed to the president’s coronavirus guidelines, which states “If you work in a critical infrastructure industry … you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule.”