Councilors cite concerns about taking the step on short notice, just one day before Mainers vote on legalizing pot.
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 tells owner of tiny RV homes in Bayside: Hit the road
Brent Adler says he has tenants lined up but he now faces a dilemma, as the city deals with its first case of code issues raised by the mini-homes-on-wheels movement.
advertisement
Posted inCops & Courts, Local & State, News
Landlord Gregory Nisbet acquitted on all 6 manslaughter charges in Noyes Street fire
Justice Thomas Warren delivers his verdict in a packed courtroom, including families of the fire’s six victims.
Posted inCops & Courts, Local & State, News
Verdict expected today for owner of Portland building where fire killed 6
Gregory Nisbet is charged with six counts of manslaughter, one for each victim of the fire at 20-24 Noyes St. two years ago.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Verdict likely next week in Maine landlord’s manslaughter trial
Although the trial ended a week ago, prosecutors and defense attorneys filed additional legal arguments this week.
Posted inCops & Courts, Local & State, News
Judge to rule in manslaughter case against Portland landlord as soon as next week
After a final day of testimony in Gregory Nisbet’s trial, Justice Thomas Warren will evaluate evidence including conflicting testimony on fire codes.
Posted inCops & Courts, Local & State
Complaint didn’t prompt third-floor inspection before fatal fire, official testifies
Prosecutors in Gregory Nisbet’s manslaughter trial have called the third-floor rooms at 20 Noyes St. ‘death traps,’ but a 2012 complaint about an illegal apartment did not trigger a physical inspection.
Posted inCops & Courts, Local & State, News
Sides in landlord’s trial clash over safety requirements for building where fire killed six
The defense tries to refute a state official’s testimony that 20 Noyes St. was run as a rooming house and lacked adequate detection systems and escape routes.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Survivor describes efforts to escape fire as trapped occupants screamed
Day two of landlord Gregory Nisbet’s manslaughter trial includes graphic testimony of the fire that killed six people.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Survivors describes efforts to escape fire as trapped occupants screamed
Day two of landlord Gregory Nisbet’s manslaughter trial includes graphic testimony of the fire that killed six people.