City Council votes unanimously to allow the shows again this year at the Maine State Pier.
Randy Billings
Staff Writer
Randy Billings is a government watchdog and political reporter who has been the State House bureau chief since 2021. He was named the Maine Press Association’s Journalist of the Year in 2020. He joined the Press Herald in 2012 as the Portland City Hall reporter, where his beat touched on a wide range of topics, including municipal government, immigration, homelessness, housing and social services. Prior to that, he worked at various weeklies as well as business and arts publications. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine, Orono. He lives in North Yarmouth with his wife and two children and enjoys the outdoors and playing his upright bass.
Portland mayor says he’ll keep promise to shave his head
Ethan Strimling, known for his thick, wavy hair lost a Super Bowl bet with the mayor of Portland, Pennsylvania.
Portland’s jobs-for-panhandlers venture has earned its keep
The pilot program has ended, but city officials say if funding can be found they’ll start an expanded version based on success stories like Katie and Trish Farr’s.
Portland still struggling to honor M.L. King Jr. after years of failed efforts
Multiple attempts since 2008 have fizzled – partly because of the difficulty of adequately honoring the civil rights leader’s achievements – but the city hopes to take up recommendations this year.
Sanford officials investigate videotaped clash between student, teacher
The superintendent says he would ‘never condone’ the remarks made by the substitute teacher at Sanford Regional Technical Center.
Portland landlord hit with $500,000 in fines for multiple violations in 5-unit building
A judge imposes the unusually large fines based on longstanding violations, including a lack of smoke detectors and obstructed exits.
Woman hit by vehicle recovering from injuries, Portland police say
The driver is not currently facing any charges in the incident Saturday night on Forest Avenue.
Developer files plans for condos at former site of Portland public works
Jack Soley’s project is the first of several proposals for the Bayside land to reach the permit application stage.
Attorney alleges racial profiling by state police in Portland traffic stop
In federal court, the lawyer for a Honduran man seeks a dismissal, but a state trooper defends his actions in stopping a van with a cracked windshield on I-295.
New version of pesticide rules set for public hearing in Portland
City councilors will likely postpone action because of more than a half-dozen proposed amendments.