James Talbot, 80, will face as much as 25 years in prison if convicted of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old boy in a Freeport church nearly two decades ago.
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.
Pastor at Freeport church to encourage members to report any sexual abuse by clergy
The message to be delivered to parishioners at St. Jude comes after a former priest with a history of transgressions is charged with assaulting a 9-year-old boy there in 1998.
Former priest charged with sexually assaulting child in Maine settled civil case this summer
The details in the civil case align with what is known so far in the criminal case against James Frances Talbot, a former teacher at Cheverus High School.
Man who traded welfare benefits at his Portland market pleads guilty to fraud
Ali Ratib Daham, one of 2 brothers charged with defrauding the government of nearly $1.4 million, faces as much as 20 years in prison.
Biddeford boy who inspired ‘Brocktober’ dies
Brock Chadwick had been battling an aggressive form of brain cancer. He was 7.
Man arrested in gas station robbery Down East
Police believe Cameron Reed, 26, used a knife to rob a clerk in Washington County on Thanksgiving
Jamie Dorr
She felt compelled to organize a grass-roots Bath initiative to prevent suicide.
Maine’s top court to decide whether asylum seekers can get food stamps
The case before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court highlights the political debate over both immigration and welfare programs.
Man whose body was found off Congress Street was struck by vehicle weeks ago
Police say an autopsy revealed that Edward Blumenthal died from injuries consistent with being struck by a large vehicle, and they are treating the incident as a hit-and-run.
Maine man’s basement hobby turns into a gift for him and amputees around the country
Using a 3D printer and his own resources, Cumberland’s Dean Rock creates prosthetic limbs for amputees far from home.