Looking back over the last few days, I have to tell you, I am really looking forward to spending some relaxation time with Laura during our annual vacation on Moosehead Lake.
Spending time at Moosehead is always good for the head, heart and soul. Henry David Thoreau thought the same thing.
But back to Biddeford.
We’ll talk more about some big developments here at the Gazette, including our newly formed advisory board and our new media partners, but let’s start with some of our recent headlines.
LOTS OF NEWS: Click here to see my 30-second video update
Biddeford police arrested a transient who is now facing multiple charges in connection with two shootings near the Pearl Street parking garage.
Sadly, a significant fire on Brackett Street displaced two families who are now faced with the daunting task of putting their lives back together.
Biddeford’s former city manager was back in the news, asking the city to reimburse him for expenses he incurred while performing as a Shriner clown in other communities – roughly five months after he was shown the door at City Hall.
A two-year saga regarding a controversial pier proposed by the University of New England appears to be coming to an end. The planning board voted 3-2 to grant final approval of the project.
After a rather sleepy 2023 municipal election, this year’s races are really heating up, and we now have a three-way race for the mayor’s seat and several contested city council seats.
The Gazette is keeping a close eye on the city’s political landscape. You can always get the latest updates here.
There is a lot more, including reports and opinion pieces submitted to us by people like you. (Keep ‘em coming, folks!)
EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS:
I recently attended an event at the McArthur Library that was co-hosted by The Maine Monitor and Saco Bay News, both online publications.
The meeting was part of a statewide listening tour being conducted by The Maine Monitor, intended to explore how people are accessing local news and what they expect from local media outlets.
As the digital age of journalism continues, the new media landscape offers both opportunities and challenges for local journalists and news consumers.
Bottom line? Local newsrooms are fighting for survival. Reporters are expected to do more with fewer resources. Corporate media consolidation is shrinking news rooms and local coverage.
How do we do more with fewer resources?
Collaboration is the name of the game. Local media can break down traditional walls of competition and look for opportunities to work together and share resources.
That concept, I am proud to say, has been one of our core values. We are always looking for Biddeford news produced by other outlets. We use our social media pages to share those stories and direct readers to those media sources.
I was so pleased to be able to share a story about great white sharks that was originally published in The Maine Monitor. That’s how we leverage the internet to benefit our readers.
Thursday’s fire was a difficult story to cover. Of course, I went to the scene. It’s my job, but I was really tired and felt emotionally drained. Then I received a call from a news producer at WGME-TV (Channel 13). They asked permission to use my photos and video.
I breathed a sigh of relief. I could go home and not have another story to write. I could simply share WGME’s story on the Gazette’s website. That’s collaboration.
Another big step forward
Finally, most importantly, I am so proud and honored to announce that our advisory board is now a reality. We have seven members on the volunteer board and are actively seeking nominations from the community about possible candidates to fill the remaining two positions. Please contact us with your suggestions.
Check out the profiles of the individual members. It’s an impressive list and represents a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experience that will be invaluable as we move forward in our mission of providing community-driven news.
Our first meeting will likely take place sometime in September.
That’s it for now. Let the vacation count-down clock begin!
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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