Matt Byrne

Staff Writer

Matt Byrne has covered crime and public safety for the Press Herald since 2016. It is his second beat since being hired at the Press Herald in late 2012, when he left the Boston Globe's suburban news bureau. Matt grew up outside Philadelphia, moved to Boston to attend Emerson College and now loves living in Maine. When he is not nerding out on court documents or listening to a police scanner, Matt loves to work on old cars, make things out of metal and try new craft beers. Offers to drive your race car, or news tips, are always welcome.

Health, Local & State, News

Maine drug deaths remained high in early 2018, with fentanyl taking a bigger toll

by Joe Lawlor and Matt Byrne June 1, 2018June 2, 2018

There were 86 deaths, compared with 89 for the first three months of 2017, but more people died from fentanyl, the powerful synthetic painkiller, than in years past.

Cops & Courts, Local & State, News

Homeland Security tip led police to Bath school bus driver accused of taking ‘upskirt’ photos

by Matt Byrne June 1, 2018December 27, 2018

Timothy McGowan, 50, of Bath faces one misdemeanor count of violation of privacy.

Local & State, News

Teenager killed in late-night crash in Weld was 4-time state wrestling champion

by Sun Journal June 1, 2018June 2, 2018

Griffyn Smith, 19, was a passenger in a car that hit a tree and overturned off West Side Road.

Local & State, News

Portland police, heeding quacks, rescue brood of ducklings

by Matt Byrne June 1, 2018June 1, 2018

The baby mallards were stuck in a storm drain on Cumberland Avenue when two officers intervened.

Cops & Courts, Health, Local & State, News

Fate of Rockland man who allegedly talked about school shooting rests with doctors

by Matt Byrne May 31, 2018June 1, 2018

Brandon Luzzi is being held at Pen Bay Medical Center while clinicians determine whether he is well enough mentally to go home or needs treatment.

Cops & Courts, Local & State, News, Schools and Education

A warning, an emergency lockdown – 44 minutes later, the scene is secure

by Matt Byrne May 31, 2018May 31, 2018

On a day when Rockland police were to train on school lockdown procedures, a disturbing tip sent authorities into action.

Cops & Courts, Local & State, News

Police say they could charge Rockland man who heard voices ‘telling him to do a school shooting’

by STEPHEN BETTS and MATT BYRNE The Courier-Gazette and Portland Press Herald May 30, 2018May 31, 2018

Brandon Luzzi remained at Pen Bay Medical Center on Wednesday getting a mental health evaluation, a day after 8 guns were seized from his home within sight of South Elementary School.