Fire Chief Keith Gautreau, who was photographed without a mask in a firehouse, conceded that ‘we could all do better with this and we should be’ and ‘it starts at the top.’
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’s plan for a temporary homeless shelter falls through
City Manager Jon Jennings says the city is working with the state to secure more hotel rooms, including at a hotel near the jetport, to ensure that anyone seeking shelter has a place to stay this winter.
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Posted inMaine
Eleven Portland firefighters exposed to COVID-19
Fire Chief Keith Gautreau says city officials determined that none of the 11 firefighters working at the Bramhall Station on Nov. 30 was following the city mandate that face masks be worn inside firehouses.
Posted inMaine, News
Portland to form rental board, enforce rent limits as it carries out citizen initiatives
City officials release part of their plan to implement five ballot measures that were approved by voters Nov. 3 and take effect Sunday.
Posted inMaine
State to demolish part of historic train trestle in Portland
The span, which is visible from Interstate 295, has been eyed by both trail and rail advocates but has fallen into ‘critical’ condition after being damaged by fire in 1984, according to the state.
Posted inMaine
Homelessness in Portland approaching record levels
The increased numbers come as efforts to create more temporary and permanent shelter space remain in flux.
Posted inMaine, News, Schools and Education
Portland approves USM’s $100 million plan for dorm, student center
The Planning Board voted unanimously in favor of the project on Tuesday night.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
City says it won’t enforce emergency wage for Portland workers until 2022
Officials’ interpretation of the minimum wage ordinance approved by 62% of voters last week runs contrary to organizers’ intent, their attorney says.
Posted inLocal Elections, Maine, News, Politics
Progressive wave sweeps through Portland election
Portland is a Democratic stronghold, but progressives have had trouble advancing their policies through the City Council. This time they took it straight to the voters and won.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News, Politics
Sixty small-business owners oppose Portland minimum wage initiative
The group includes some who support a gradual increase to $15 an hour but oppose a hazard pay provision that could give Portland the highest minimum wage in the country.