Oscar Geovanny Melgar-Flores was arrested Tuesday in Newport News, Virginia, and is awaiting extradition on charges that he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old.
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 inLocal & State, News
Drug overdose deaths continue to rise at record pace in Maine
The latest figures indicate that Mainers with substance use disorder continue to struggle with the effects of the pandemic, putting 2021 on pace to surpass the record deaths in 2020.
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Posted inLocal & State, News, Uncategorized
Charter commissioner who called city manager ‘white supremacist’ can’t be recalled, lawyer says
The opinion comes as the 12-member commission is slated to meet for the first time later this month, kicking off a year-long review of the city charter.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Iconic Portland building that housed Brian Boru pub may face the wrecking ball
The mutual insurance company MEMIC bought the property in 2019 and is now seeking city permits to demolish it.
Posted inLocal & State
Portland’s economic development director steps down after decade of rapid change
Greg Mitchell, 61, ‘got in on the ground floor’ as the city underwent a major transformation.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Luxury hotel, rooftop bar planned for Portland’s iconic Time & Temperature building
T.T. Maine Ventures proposes 186 hotel rooms, a rooftop bar, meeting and banquet spaces, retail shops and a restaurant at 477 Congress St.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland residents pursue referendum to block 200-bed homeless shelter
The proposal, which organizers hope to put on the November ballot, would limit the size of new shelters to 50 beds and thwart plans to build a new homeless services center in Riverton.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland preserves 27 acres of open space for public use
The Rand Road parcel has been a preservation priority for the city’s Land Bank Commission, which is charged with preserving and expanding public open space.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Bill would impose new fees on vacation homes, short-term rentals
The proposal is generating opposition from real estate agents and tourism officials, who acknowledge Maine’s affordable housing crisis but say a new fee is not the answer.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland mayor rescinds controversial proclamation
The move comes 3 weeks after former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh rescinded a similar proclamation that stirred tensions rooted in a historical conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.