Dr. Beth Orcutt spent 10 years thinking about an octopus she saw near Costa Rica. She went back last year with a team and found at least 4 new species, 2 of which brood their eggs on hydrothermal vents deep in the Pacific Ocean.
Gillian Graham
Staff Writer
Gillian Graham reports on social services for the Portland Press Herald, covering topics including child welfare, homelessness, food insecurity, poverty and mental health. A lifelong Mainer and graduate of the University of Southern Maine, she has worked as a journalist since 2005 and joined the paper as a staff writer in 2012. During her time with the Press Herald, Gillian has told the stories of everyday Mainers and tackled issues of poverty, hunger and homelessness. She enjoys telling compelling stories that help people better understand and connect with the communities and people around them. In her free time, Gillian loves spending time with her husband and family, hand embroidery, and hunting for vintage treasure at flea markets and antique stores.
Posted inElections, Maine
Cumberland voters reject affordable housing project
The proposal to build a $40 million, 107-unit apartment complex near the town center drew heavy turnout, with preliminary results showing the referendum failed 2,545 to 1,163.
advertisement
Posted inMaine
South Berwick residents travel to Alabama for anniversary of Selma Civil Rights walk
The group will join residents of Tuskegee, Alabama, South Berwick’s sister city, for the walk to mark the 59th anniversary of Bloody Sunday.
Posted inMaine, Schools and Education
Sanford alternative learning program back in school budget – for now
The Sanford School Committee voted to keep the program in next year’s budget, but the City Council could still send the budget back to the committee to make more cuts.
Posted inMaine
Power restored to most electric customers in Maine after gusty winds had caused 11,000 outages
Winds gusted to 50 mph in southern and central Maine on Thursday.
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Outlets at Kittery will be razed and replaced with housing, hotel
The town has been exploring for years how to convert dying retail space into mixed-uses. The project includes a hotel aimed at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard workers.
Posted inMaine, Schools and Education
Students fight to save Sanford High’s alternative learning program
The district is considering cutting the program, which supports 40 students with serious mental health concerns, in an effort to close a projected $5 million budget gap without raising taxes 30%.
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Wiggly Bridge proposes scaled-back expansion following whiskey fungus concerns
The distillery in York had hoped to build two new barns to store and age its whiskey. They’re altering those plans to alleviate concerns that the distillery is spreading a fungus to its neighbors.
Posted inMaine
South Portland may not be able to rebuild iconic fishing shacks
Fisherman’s Point is in federal flood and shoreland zones, and rebuilding there could affect flood insurance for neighboring property owners. But the historical society is holding out hope.
Posted inMaine
Unidentified driver killed in fiery crash on Maine Turnpike in York
Police and the state medical examiner are working together to identify the driver, according to police.