PORTLAND — Downtown businesses have been expressing concern that unruly behavior is making the city less hospitable. Enter Trish McAllister, hired as the city’s neighborhood prosecutor in 2010. Her job is to follow up on quality-of-life issues and ordinance violations. Some of the most prominent issues in her tenure include the adoption of an anti-graffiti […]
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, Politics
Portland mayor to unveil new education initiatives
Part of his plan will include a multimillion-dollar endowment to help Portland public-school students afford post-secondary educations.
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Posted inNews
Portland two-way streets study awaits budget green light
Taxpayers will have to pay the full $150,000 cost, but the proposal likely will be funded.
Posted inNews
Fire damages Portland school bus
No one was injured, but the 5-year-old bus sustained extensive damage.
Posted inNews
Panel endorses study of State, High street conversion
Public Services Director Michael Bobinsky said there is no state or federal funding available for the project, so it would need to be funded from local property taxes.
Posted inMaine Celtics, News
S. Portland hires former Red Claws exec
Jon Jennings will work to attract businesses and jobs for the city, but says he also will retain his ties to The Forefront at Thompson’s Point, which is trying to land businesses as tenants.
Posted inNews
Local tax: Perennial nonstarter gets a push
Even opponents agree that the governor’s budget could spawn a municipal tax on goods, services.
Posted inNews
West End apartment complex going up for approval
The 39-unit development at Pine and Brackett streets would include two retail units and a parking garage.
Posted inNews
Friends striving to save Congress Square Plaza
The group launches a petition drive against the sale of the public park to a private hotel developer.
Posted inLife & Culture, News
Registry likely for Portland street artists
A City Council committee rejects many proposals but backs free registration despite legal qualms.