They plan a duplex on the lot, plus a tribute to the victims of a calamity that stunned Portland and led to a landlord’s conviction on a fire code violation.
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 inBusiness, Food, Life & Culture, Local & State, News
Beloved Portland dive bar ends one era, but soon begins another
The establishment that inspired patrons to mobilize when it was threatened with demolition will change owners – but not much else.
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Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Major Portland subdivision moves forward after neighbors drop lawsuit to save farmland
The development on the 55-acre tract once known as Camelot Farm will include as many as 95 single-family homes and 25 townhouses.
Posted inLocal & State, News
A Portland neighborhood asks: Why build city shelter here?
Worried about the raft of trouble they see downtown, residents of Nason’s Corner are angry over plans for a new 200-bed homeless facility there.
Posted inLocal & State, News
A history of Nason’s Corner
Part of Westbrook in the 1800s, the farmland had been home to an almshouse for the poor when it was annexed by Portland.
Posted inElections, Local & State, News, Politics
Mayor and councilor pushing to give non-citizens the right to vote in Portland
The proposal calls for letting legal residents participate in municipal elections, but it faces legal and other hurdles.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Critics of plan for Portland’s homeless push for several smaller shelters, rather than one at Barron Center
But service providers say the plan would be a big improvement over the city’s leased shelter on Oxford Street.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Man injured when explosion sets boat afire in Casco Bay
The incident occurred Saturday night off Chebeague Island, the Coast Guard says.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Hostile crowd criticizes Portland proposal to build emergency shelter at Barron Center
Critics at a meeting Thursday say they fear an influx of drug use and other problems that now plague the Bayside neighborhood near existing city services.
Posted inCops & Courts, Local & State, News
In City Hall realignment, Portland police chief to become assistant city manager
After two decades with the department, Michael Sauschuck will retire from the force July 20 and take on a city role focused on external relations, especially at the State House.