Designers will look at reduction in traffic and increased use by pedestrians and cyclists.
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
Panel OKs selling downtown Portland plaza
The city must still strike a deal with Rockbridge Capital, which would turn it into an events center and smaller plaza.
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Posted inMaine, News
Redesigned Munjoy Hill performance hall to be unveiled
The latest proposal for a 400-seat venue has incorporated public feedback into the design in hopes of mollifying some of its critics.
Posted inMaine, News
Tension on Congress Square Plaza: Sell public spot to save it?
A plan to turn over most of the plaza to private use incites passions in a city that prizes its open spaces.
Posted inNews
Panhandling a growing concern in Portland
Parallel efforts are under way to tackle the growing issue of panhandling in the city, especially at busy intersections.
Posted inBusiness, News
Group deadlocked over Congress Square proposal
A proposal to build an events center in the downtown Portland plaza will be presented to a City Council committee May 29.
Posted inLife & Culture, News, Politics
Portland street artists pleased with modest rules
City councilors scale back a task force’s tough approach, but those who perform with fire face new safety scrutiny.
Posted inNews, Politics
Officials plan to act on Maine restaurant oversight
Legislators will look into fixes after the Sunday Telegram reported that the state’s inspection program is one of the least rigorous in America.
Posted inNews
Accessing, crunching the state’s results ultimately frustrate bid to create database
PORTLAND – Unlike in most other states, there is no easily accessible way for diners in Maine to look up the inspection history of their favorite restaurant. The inspection reports maintained by the state’s Health Inspection Program are accessible only through a time-consuming and costly manual process. Last fall, the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram […]
Posted inNews
Why do failure rates vary across the state?
Insiders say a code is applied uniformly to inspect eateries, but using ‘common sense’ can still make results subjective.