The stunning move by Justice Paul Fritzsche comes after a testy exchange with a defense attorney during a hearing for 17 protesters who were arrested in Portland last summer.
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 inMaine, News
Portland mayor and councilors reach compromise on elementary school improvements
City leaders would place two competing projects on the ballot under a compromise, which would need approval from the council on April 24.
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Posted inMaine, News
Portland says more than 100 asylum seekers may be cut off from General Assistance
The city is trying to determine whether it can replace the state aid without violating federal law.
Posted inMaine, News
Nor’easter on track to hit Maine this week
Meanwhile, Portland and Augusta set record low high temperatures on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics, Schools and Education
Pivotal Portland councilor says she supports a smaller school renovation bond
Jill Duson is working on a plan to fund improvements at two schools in hopes the state will help pay for the work at two others.
Posted inMaine, News
New security system at Portland City Hall has eyes – and ears
The cameras can record both video and audio, which is unusual in municipal buildings and raises concerns about privacy.
Posted inMaine, News
Big fight over tiny houses placed on Portland lot is headed to court
A spokeswoman says the city welcomes micro homes if they’re properly zoned and permitted, but Brent Adler says ‘temporary living quarters’ on wheels don’t have to meet municipal building codes.
Posted inMaine
Interpretive dancer pretends to vomit, among other things, at Portland council meeting
A man being appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals became an unwitting prop in Sara Juli’s performance of an excerpt from ‘Shadow Artist.’
Posted inMaine, News
To Portland panhandlers, program may offer welcome change: Jobs
Using Albuquerque as a model, Portland would pay $10.68 per hour to those willing and able to work.
Posted inMaine, Maine Crime, News
Attorneys clash as landlord in deadly Portland fire seeks new trial
Testimony conflicts over whether the defense was given an item of evidence before the conviction of Gregory Nisbet, who has been sentenced to three months in jail for a code violation.