According to documents filed in York County Superior Court, the city of Biddeford is asking the Court to dismiss a complaint filed earlier this year by former city manager James Bennett. In his lawsuit against the city, Bennett claims that he is entitled to more than $200,000 in wages and other compensation, as outlined in … Continue reading City alleges ‘breach of contract’ by former city manager
Month: June 2025
City manager files lawsuit against Biddeford
Despite receiving a blistering and somewhat embarrassing report last week about the city’s financial controls and procedures, Biddeford officials are remaining tight-lipped about the abrupt departure of former city manager James Bennett. In fact, Bennett has filed a civil complaint against the city in York County Superior Court. During a public review of the city’s … Continue reading City manager files lawsuit against Biddeford
New Chamber director: ‘Lots of opportunities here’
Matt Lewis sees nothing but potential in the Biddeford-Saco area. Lewis, 58, was hired in May as the new executive director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Lewis moved to Maine from the San Francisco area a little more than two years ago. California, he said, is still struggling from the aftermath of … Continue reading New Chamber director: ‘Lots of opportunities here’
Fecteau’s housing bill gets bipartisan approval
According to a press release, both the Maine House of Representatives and Senate voted unanimously last week to approve a housing bill that was introduced by Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford). The bill, LD 1829, is intended to make it easier to build new housing units by amending zoning requirements and providing clarity for municipalities, developers … Continue reading Fecteau’s housing bill gets bipartisan approval
Biddeford receives ‘troubling report’ about the city’s financial management.
Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman and members of the Biddeford City Council received a blistering report Tuesday from the city’s independent financial auditor, Runyon, Kersteen and Ouellette (RKO). Although Tuesday’s audit presentation focused on the FY 2023 audit -- overdue for more than two years -- it also painted a troubling picture about how the city’s … Continue reading Biddeford receives ‘troubling report’ about the city’s financial management.
Two Biddeford men convicted for drug trafficking
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, two Biddeford men were convicted for drug trafficking and other felony offenses. The two men were found guilty on June 17, of interfering with commerce by robbery; conspiring to traffic cocaine, cocaine base, and fentanyl; using a firearm during and in relation to drug trafficking; … Continue reading Two Biddeford men convicted for drug trafficking
Biddeford Tigers will face Mt. Ararat Eagles for Class A state championship
In just a few hours, fourteen young men from Biddeford will create a memory that they will likely never forget. Tomorrow, the Biddeford High School Tigers (15-4) will face the Mount Ararat Eagles (17-3) in the Class A Maine State Championship baseball game. The game begins at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Joseph’s College in … Continue reading Biddeford Tigers will face Mt. Ararat Eagles for Class A state championship
Biddeford’s Juneteenth Celebration a success
By Emma Bouthillette, Contributing writer Maine still holds the title for the whitest state in the country, but as historian and retired journalist Bob Greene is quick to point out, Black history has deep roots in Maine. Greene was welcomed as the keynote speaker at Biddeford’s Juneteenth Celebration, hosted by the city’s Diversity, Equity and … Continue reading Biddeford’s Juneteenth Celebration a success
La Kermesse 2025: A lot of work to have a lot of fun
Today (Thursday, June 19) is the first day of the 42nd annual La Kermesse Festival. But the volunteers who make the annual festival possible have been working hard behind the scenes for the last 11 months in order to make this year’s celebration even more festive. Although the festival celebrates the region’s Franco-American culture and … Continue reading La Kermesse 2025: A lot of work to have a lot of fun
Planning board hits pause button on UNE pier
Following more than an hour of impassioned public testimony, the Biddeford Planning Board voted unanimously Wednesday to table further review of UNE’s controversial pier proposal until all board members can participate in a site walk. Although the Planning Board conducted a site walk at the university on June 9, board member Roch Angers was unable … Continue reading Planning board hits pause button on UNE pier
New manager explains her excitement about Biddeford
Truc Dever -- the woman hired to become Biddeford’s next city manager – told the Biddeford Gazette that she and her husband are excited about moving to Maine and have long referred to the state as their “forever home.” The Biddeford City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to hire Dever with a two -year contract that … Continue reading New manager explains her excitement about Biddeford
Downtown merchants struggle, remain hopeful
There has been almost endless talk on local social media sites about recent traffic congestion in Biddeford and Saco. The seven-month sewer upgrade project began in April and is expected to be completed in November. In the meantime, traffic sometimes becomes snarled near the cities' downtown core. That traffic and constant negative chatter on social … Continue reading Downtown merchants struggle, remain hopeful
Gen. LaFayette will return to Biddeford on June 24
In just a few days, General Marquis de LaFayette – a hero of the American Revolutionary War -- will be making his triumphant return to Biddeford. Well, sort of. Members of the Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center and the Biddeford Historical Society are now busy preparing for some festivities that will celebrate LaFayette’s last visit … Continue reading Gen. LaFayette will return to Biddeford on June 24
City manager will earn $200k per year
The Biddeford City Council is expected Tuesday to confirm the appointment of Truc Dever as city manager. Dever is being offered a two-year contract that can be renewed. She will be paid a base salary of $195,000 during her first year of employment and $200,00 during her second year. Dever’s contract also includes a monthly … Continue reading City manager will earn $200k per year
NEWSLETTER: A big week for the Biddeford Gazette
A lot can happen in just a few days, and that’s especially true when you’re in the news business. Over just the past few days, we added a new staff member to the Gazette team, got a huge compliment from one of Maine’s most respected journalists and stumbled across a significant story that is still … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: A big week for the Biddeford Gazette
BHS grad sets her sights on a bright future
Eliza Doyon of Biddeford seems to be headed toward a very bright future. The 2025 BHS grad is a high achiever: a straight-A student and a very competitive field hockey player. This fall, Doyon will be attending Saint Anslem College to study nursing and continue playing field hockey. Eliza Doyon of Biddeford was able to … Continue reading BHS grad sets her sights on a bright future
Big laughs in Biddeford this week
Why did the reporter cross the road? To interview a comedy promoter. Duh! Okay, so that’s not very funny, but maybe you are one of those people who can always make people laugh. Have you ever thought about doing some stand-up comedy? If so, Patrick ‘Buzz Gordon’ Ouellette of Biddeford wants to talk with you. … Continue reading Big laughs in Biddeford this week
A bittersweet day at JFK
Tuesday was an emotional day for teachers and staff at Biddeford’s John F. Kennedy Memorial School. The original building was opened in 1965, but a long list of necessary and expensive repairs, upgrades and maintenance issues ultimately forced voters to approve a plan to close the school. What will happen next to the building and … Continue reading A bittersweet day at JFK
Biddeford hires new city manager
Following a nationwide search, the Biddeford City Council is expected next week to confirm the hiring of Truc Dever as the city’s next professional manager. Dever currently serves as the public works director for the city of Kirkland, Wash., a city with a population of roughly 93,000 people located about eight miles east of Seattle. … Continue reading Biddeford hires new city manager
Board members get front-row view of UNE’s controversial pier proposal
A small group of slightly more than 40 people attended a Biddeford Planning Board site walk near the location of where the University of New England wants to construct a new pier to dock its marine research vessel. The proposed pier includes a 130-foot approach pier with an 80 by 20-foot pier head jutting out … Continue reading Board members get front-row view of UNE’s controversial pier proposal
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 