Rachel Ohm

Press Herald

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.

Latest

Published
June 30, 2016

Federal team to look at Maine’s forest products industry in wake of mill closures

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced the formation of the team on Thursday, and members of Maine’s congressional delegation plan to talk about the team and industry jobs at the Sappi Fine Paper mill in Skowhegan.
Published
June 30, 2016

Vassalboro residents protest Masse Dam removal

Residents said they hope to stall a planned lowering of water level next week, but an official with the project and the head of Maine’s Sierra Club chapter said benefits of dam removal geberally outweigh potential concerns.
Published
June 30, 2016

Heavy rain causes ‘destruction and devastation’ on network of private Somerset County roads

Some residents of townships west of U.S. Route 201 are trapped by washouts that may cost up to $200,000 to repair, and officials are concerned about emergency access in the county’s remote northwest.
Published
June 29, 2016

Clinton police chief Johnson retires; sergeant takes over

Stanley Bell will be a part-time chief and focus on administrative work, a structural change from Johnson’s full-time role, which included patrols.
Published
June 26, 2016

Circumstances that made it easy for Viles to steal not unique to Anson

In the wake of one of the largest prosecuted instances of municipal theft in Maine history, experts say other communities should evaluate their financial practices and see if they should make changes.
Published
June 25, 2016

Stakes are high in Poliquin-Cain 2nd District rematch

An unpredictable presidential campaign and a fight by Democrats to regain control of the U.S. House means national eyes — and money — are on the Maine race.
Published
June 22, 2016

Viles ‘in a league of her own’ after guilty verdict in $500K theft from town, prosecutor says

Former Anson tax collector Claudia Viles was convicted Wednesday on 13 charges — one felony and 12 misdemeanors — that she stole excise tax money, tampered with public records and didn’t pay income taxes.
Published
June 21, 2016

SAD 74 superintendent to resign in August

Ken Coville, who has worked in the Anson-based school district for 12 years, including five as superintendent, said his last day will be in August and he plans to retire.
Published
June 21, 2016

SunEdison sale of Aroostook wind farm concerns Somerset County activists

An anti-wind group in Somerset County says it is concerned that the wind farm sale could mean changes at a proposed development near Moosehead Lake.
Published
June 21, 2016

Auditor testifies to $500,000 gap between Anson excise taxes collected, deposited

In the second day of former tax collector Claudia Viles’ trial on charges she stole hundreds of thousands from the town, Richard Emerson said town officials didn’t heed his warnings about lack of oversight and the risks of not making timely deposits.