The city-run facility offers homeless people from all over a low-barrier refuge. Municipalities ought to help, city officials say, but some are pushing back.
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.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Report touts immigrants’ economic contributions to Greater Portland
A study done with the Portland Regional Chamber finds foreign-born residents pumped $1.2 billion into the area’s economy in 2016.
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Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
South Portland’s ‘Clear Skies’ ordinance survives challenge as federal judge finds it constitutional
Portland Pipe Line Corp. had sued to overturn the ordinance adopted in 2014 to prohibit the bulk loading of crude oil onto tankers on the city’s waterfront.
Posted inMaine, Maine Crime, News, Sports
‘Tiger Pride’ stolen from newly renovated athletic field in Biddeford
The orange letters were taken off the press box at Waterhouse Field sometime Thursday night, the superintendent says.
Posted inMaine, News
State police looking for woman who has been missing since July 23
Troopers would like to talk to anyone with information about Jessica Grindle, 37, who is from Blue Hill and has lived in and around that area.
Posted inMaine, Maine Crime, News
York police investigating fake bomb threat seek public’s help
Police say they found no evidence of a bomb at a house on Shelton Avenue after someone called the threat to a woman’s cellphone while she was out of the house.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
LePage tells Portland mayor it’s illegal to give voting rights to non-citizens
The governor points to several state laws and suggests dropping the ‘politically correct boondoggle,’ but his opinion is unlikely to influence city voters, Ethan Strimling says.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Short-term rental tensions surge in Portland, and some neighbors just can’t live with it
Portland’s over 700 registered units is more than it expected, sparking neighborhood opposition and talk of heightened regulations by the city.
Posted inMaine
Portland assistant city manager is out after 3 months
A city spokeswoman confirms Mona Bector no longer works for Portland but would not provide any other information.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Like it or not, new Maine law doubles the season to display political campaign signs
Campaign and other posters can now be in public ways for 12 weeks a year, a benefit to some and a blight to others.