Insiders say a code is applied uniformly to inspect eateries, but using ‘common sense’ can still make results subjective.
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 inNews
Oversight of Maine restaurants diminishes, just as complaints rise
Maine’s guidelines for overseeing restaurant safety were quietly scaled back last year, even as the number of health-related complaints about Maine restaurants has been on the rise. An investigation by the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram has found that restaurant kitchens in Maine are subject to fewer inspections and less transparency than restaurants in much […]
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Posted inNews
Rentals in Portland hard to find, costly
The Portland area rental market is tight these days, and some are finding it difficult to land a good spot to call home.
Posted inNews
Maine mayors to unveil $85M bond request Monday
The bond package, which would need legislative approval before going to voters, would fund education, research and development, transportation and environmental initiatives.
Posted inNews
Portland launches effort to ban polystyrene cups, plastic bags
The non-biodegradable, petroleum-based products cannot be recycled in a cost-effective way and pose a serious environmental and public health risk, the city says.
Posted inPolitics
Portland mayor: General Assistance cuts would swamp state
Because it provides more aid than most communities, Portland faces a potential catastrophe, Michael Brennan warns.
Posted inPolitics
Portland names new deputy city manager
Sheila Hill-Christian of Richmond, Va., will fill a post left vacant by one of two assistant city managers.
Posted inPolitics
Portland councilor: Let cities make own gun rules
Edward Suslovic says state law doesn’t give cities and towns enough flexibility to regulate guns.
Posted inNews
Bangor student’s ‘Mainah’ Gangnam spoof catching on
Ryan Lovett, 18, of Oakland, produced a spoof of PSY’s video, “Gangnam Style,” and posted it on YouTube.
Posted inNews
Ferry service linking Portland, Nova Scotia may return
PORTLAND — Canadian officials are poised to initiate a bidding process for private companies interested in a renewing ferry service between Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and Portland.