A former Biddeford resident says constructive criticism can be helpful, but the Maine Wire columnist missed the mark in his biased and scathing analysis of York County's largest community By SCOTT JALBERT | Special to the Gazette A few days ago, a former Portland Press Herald reporter penned a scathing analysis of Biddeford in the … Continue reading OPINION | Ted Cohen has a lot to learn about Biddeford
Author: Randy Seaver
Randy Seaver is a veteran journalist who has been covering news and politics in the city of Biddeford, Maine for nearly three decades. He may be contacted at news@biddeford-gazette.com
NEWS | Alfred Street sewer project begins in April
CONTRIBUTED STORY | City of Biddeford The city of Biddeford has contracted with Gorham Sand & Gravel to separate combined sewer lines on Alfred Street (between Summer Street and Porter Street), as well as Mt. Vernon Street, Birch Street, and Porter Street. The project is expected to begin on April 13 and will continue through … Continue reading NEWS | Alfred Street sewer project begins in April
OPINION | Why did the Gazette share a negative op-ed about Biddeford from the Maine Wire?
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor The Biddeford Gazette has been taking a little bit of heat and some pushback from several readers – including former and current Biddeford city officials –about our decision on Sunday to share a rather scathing op-ed about the city that was published in The Maine Wire, another digital-only publication. That … Continue reading OPINION | Why did the Gazette share a negative op-ed about Biddeford from the Maine Wire?
NEWSLETTER | We got the beat
Another busy -- but especially rewarding -- week at the Biddeford Gazette. Our apologies for once again being a day late with our weekly update. _________ BEHIND THE SCENES | We're still working on building our foundation and are working daily to fulfill our mission of delivering reliable, accurate news, opinion and feature stories about … Continue reading NEWSLETTER | We got the beat
An Attitude of Gratitude | Don Creighton
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor Don Creighton has just four words for all the people who rallied around him earlier this year when an unexpected injury sidelined him from his job as a security guard at the McArthur Library in Biddeford. Thank. You. So. Much. We caught up with Creighton last week. He contacted us, … Continue reading An Attitude of Gratitude | Don Creighton
OPINION | Working toward fair school funding
According to current data, 64.3 percent of Biddeford students in our school district are economically disadvantaged. This is one of the highest poverty rates of any school district in Maine.
St. James School opens enrollment
The parochial school is celebrating a long legacy in Biddeford, and ‘unplugged’ academic excellence [Contributed Story] BIDDEFORD -- Saint James School, a cornerstone of the Biddeford community for over a century, officially announced the opening of enrollment for the next school year. Positioning itself as a leader in the regional educational landscape, the school is … Continue reading St. James School opens enrollment
OPINION | Taking care of the people who feed us
“Mental health challenges in these industries don’t always look like crises. More often, they show up as exhaustion, irritability, isolation and a sense that there’s no room to slow down.”
Voices and Visions Lecture Series Kicks Off April 8
Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center launches its new ‘Voices and Visions’ Lectures series with presentation titled ‘The Colonization of the Dawnland’ Contributed Story & Photo | Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center BIDDEFORD -- The Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center will launch its new Voices and Visions Lecture Series with a presentation titled “The Colonization of … Continue reading Voices and Visions Lecture Series Kicks Off April 8
Biddeford Mills Museum hosting historian Elizabeth DeWolfe for March 29 lecture about ‘Mill Girls’
[Contributed Story & Graphic] By CHLOE BOULLE | University of New England Historian and professor Dr. Elizabeth DeWolfe will join the Biddeford Mills Museum on March 29 for a Women's History Month lecture on the 1841 women-led strike of textile mill workers. The Biddeford Mills Museum is celebrating this year's Women’s History Month with a … Continue reading Biddeford Mills Museum hosting historian Elizabeth DeWolfe for March 29 lecture about ‘Mill Girls’
Mayor issues statement about court case
Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain issued a public statement to all southern Maine media outlets regarding a recent York County Superior Court decision to dismiss a lawsuit that was filed against the Saco River Corridor Commission (SRCC) in December 2025. RELATED | Court rules against the city of Biddeford Please find below the mayor's unedited statement: … Continue reading Mayor issues statement about court case
Court rules against Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor Mayor Liam LaFountain and members of the Biddeford City Council heard some disappointing news today when they learned that a York County Superior Court justice has decided to dismiss a lawsuit the city filed late last year against the Saco River Corridor Commission (SRCC) – and by extension, the University … Continue reading Court rules against Biddeford
OUR ERROR | And how we’re going to fix it
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor An open letter to the Gazette's readers, subscribers, team members and donors. The following is the text of an email that I sent earlier today to Carolyn Fox, executive editor of the Portland Press Herald. _________________ Dear Ms. Fox, By way of introduction, my name is Randy Seaver, and I … Continue reading OUR ERROR | And how we’re going to fix it
UNE puts 166 new doctors into the world
The University of New England recently announced that 166 graduating physicians have matched to residencies in Maine, New England and Beyond [Contributed Story | By ALAN BENNETT, University of New England PORTLAND/BIDDEFORD — The University of New England today announced that 166 graduating physicians have matched to residencies in Maine, New England, and beyond, with more than 50 … Continue reading UNE puts 166 new doctors into the world
NEWSLETTER | Moving in stereo
One thing became especially clear for the Biddeford Gazette last week: Its editor – me – needs better time management skills. When you’re running a small operation on a shoe-string budget with an all-volunteer staff, it becomes quickly obvious that there’s just not enough time in the day. For example, our weekly newsletters are supposed … Continue reading NEWSLETTER | Moving in stereo
Editor’s Note | Ready for some fun?
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor Have you – or someone you know – ever wondered what it’s like to be a journalist in today’s rapidly changing media landscape? Ever thought you would like to write news or feature stories for your community newspaper? Or would you just like to take a deeper dive and participate … Continue reading Editor’s Note | Ready for some fun?
Doug Sanford | A preacher’s son, developer
For nearly 50 years, Biddeford's most iconic 'bootstrap developer" has demonstrated a deep love for the city. By RANDY SEAVER | Editor When looking back over the last 50 years of Biddeford’s history, there is no question that Doug Sanford played an extraordinarily pivotal and significant role in resurrecting a community that was brimming with … Continue reading Doug Sanford | A preacher’s son, developer
Running on Empty | Jessica Johnson
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor Just one month from today, Jessica Johnson of Biddeford will again be lacing up her sneakers and then taking in some giant breaths only moments before the start of the 130th annual Boston Marathon. On Monday, April 20-- Patriot’s Day, celebrated only in Maine and Massachusetts -- Johnson will again … Continue reading Running on Empty | Jessica Johnson
Pendleton takes on new role
A well-known community leader and volunteer, Craig Pendleton has joined the Biddeford Gazette’s board of directors CRAIG PENDLETON BIDDEFORD | Biddeford Gazette, Inc. – the parent company of the Biddeford Gazette -- is pleased to announce that Craig Pendleton of Old Orchard Beach has formally joined the Gazette’s board of directors as the corporation’s treasurer. … Continue reading Pendleton takes on new role
OPINION | Why History Matters
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor One of the coolest things about doing something for more than 30 years is the memories you make along the way. As a political junkie – especially in regards to the city of Biddeford – it is extremely rewarding for me to have an archive of local political news that … Continue reading OPINION | Why History Matters
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 