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.
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 inLocal & State, News
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.
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Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
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.
Posted inLocal & State, News
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.
Posted inLocal & State, News
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.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
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.
Posted inLocal & State, Maine Crime, News
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.
Posted inLocal & State, News
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.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Official admits Portland didn’t initially follow proper protocols in disclosing patients’ information
Communications Director Jessica Grondin says the city and USM worked quickly to remedy the situation after former HIV patients at a city-run clinic complained.
Posted inLocal & State, News
HIV patients accuse city of violating privacy by giving out personal data without notice
Officials will apologize for mishandling the sharing of information for over 200 people with researchers at USM, but say confidentiality rules weren’t violated.