Matt Byrne – Page 44 – Centralmaine.com

Portland Press Herald

Matt Byrne has covered crime and public safety for the Press Herald since 2016. It is his second beat since being hired at the Press Herald in late 2012, when he left the Boston Globe's suburban news bureau. Matt grew up outside Philadelphia, moved to Boston to attend Emerson College and now loves living in Maine. When he is not nerding out on court documents or listening to a police scanner, Matt loves to work on old cars, make things out of metal and try new craft beers. Offers to drive your race car, or news tips, are always welcome.

Local & State, News

Broken water main forces boil-water order for Peaks, Cushing islands

by Matt Byrne September 20, 2019September 20, 2019

Island residents will have to boil water they intend to consume until tests can confirm there is no dangerous level of bacteria.

Local & State, News

Sponsor of new hands-free cellphone law seeks to clarify flaw in bill’s text

by Matt Byrne September 19, 2019September 20, 2019

Chief Justice Leigh Saufley is evaluating concerns that an error in the wording of the legislation defies lawmakers’ intent to fine motorists $50 for a first offense, says Sen. William Diamond.

Local & State, News

Hands-free driving law goes live – with one expensive mixup

by Matt Byrne September 19, 2019September 19, 2019

The fine and fees set by a judge Wednesday are nearly triple the amount the bill’s sponsor intended for first-time offenders. The difference is in the language of the law.

Local & State, Maine Crime, News

Bangor woman charged in 1-year-old’s fentanyl-linked death

by Matt Byrne September 17, 2019September 17, 2019

Police say the child died in October 2018 of probable toxic effects of fentanyl, and have charged a 33-year-old woman with child endangerment.

Local & State, Maine Crime, News

Portland man charged with murder in neighbor’s beating death

by Matt Byrne September 17, 2019September 17, 2019

A 63-year-old man died Sunday, more than a month after he sustained critical injuries in an assault police say was carried out by his neighbor.

Local & State

Portland police investigate possible theft at recycler ecomaine

by Matt Byrne September 16, 2019September 15, 2019

A top manager at ecomaine’s regional recycling facility was fired this year and police have opened a theft investigation.

Local & State, News

Hold the phone: That will soon be illegal behind the wheel

by Matt Byrne September 15, 2019September 16, 2019

Starting Thursday, a new statute requires drivers in Maine to use hands-free technology only, and gives police an easier-to-enforce law to crack down on distracted driving.