A Grassroots Celebration of Food, Flavor & Community -- with a New Digital Passport Contributed Story | Heart of Biddeford From bánh mì to barbecue, specialty coffee to steak frites, arcade combos to raclette, Biddeford–Saco Restaurant Week returns March 15–22, 2026, inviting residents and visitors to explore the region’s dynamic and ever-growing food scene. Organized … Continue reading Biddeford-Saco Restaurant week returns
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
Nursing scholarships are again available
Regular Gazette readers may recall that Eliza Doyon – a 2025 Biddeford High School graduate – was one of only four students in New England who was chosen last year for an annual scholarship awarded each year by FedPoint, a wholly-owned subsidiary of John Hancock Life & Health Insurance company. RELATED |BHS grad sets her … Continue reading Nursing scholarships are again available
Frustrated residents share concerns about UNE
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor One by one, more than a dozen area residents approached the podium to offer comments and concerns about development at the University of New England’s Biddeford campus during a public hearing held by members of the newly created Institutional Zone Review Committee. The committee, which includes UNE President Dr. James Herbert, … Continue reading Frustrated residents share concerns about UNE
Although retired, Phinney wants accuracy regarding overdue Biddeford audit
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Brian Phinney -- Biddeford’s former chief operating officer, who also served several months as acting city manager – is today retired “and enjoying it,” but wants to make sure that the current city council will be using correct information at their next meeting, especially regarding materials that contain his signature Phinney, … Continue reading Although retired, Phinney wants accuracy regarding overdue Biddeford audit
LETTER: City is treating UNE unfairly
By BERNARD ROY, Special to the Gazette I understand there is a moratorium on UNE initiated by the mayor and city council. UNE is an institution that is a huge plus for Biddeford. They hire professionals as professors, adjunct professors and administrators who live in our community. More importantly, UNE educates young people from Maine … Continue reading LETTER: City is treating UNE unfairly
BPS kids give editor birthday greeting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdPVkgXn36E Students at Biddeford Primary School wish the Gazette's editor a happy birthday. What a truly awesome way to celebrate your birthday! I used to be a second grader in Biddeford -- a long, long time ago, And that -- along with the fact that today is also the birthday of Dr. Seuss, I thought … Continue reading BPS kids give editor birthday greeting
NEWSLETTER | Paradise City
It’s been an interesting, busy and somewhat exhausting week here at the Biddeford Gazette. In fact, I was moving in some many directions that I forgot to send out this newsletter on Saturday. My former boss David Flood always used to say there’s a lot more to running a newspaper than just writing and publishing … Continue reading NEWSLETTER | Paradise City
OPINION | Mayor explains new UNE committee
By MAYOR LIAM LAFOUNTAIN, City of Biddeford On Monday, March 2 at 6 p.m., the Institutional Zone Review Committee will hold its first public hearing at City Hall. The meeting begins the public input phase of a broader review of how Biddeford regulates institutional development. For many residents, the term “Institutional Zone” may not be … Continue reading OPINION | Mayor explains new UNE committee
LETTER | Let’s focus on collaboration, not division
City is on the right track in its thoughtful, measured review of UNE development plans I read the recent letter regarding the University of New England review committee with concern, but also with a sense that the issue deserves a more balanced perspective. What was city thinking? Biddeford Gazette, Feb. 28, 2026 It is important … Continue reading LETTER | Let’s focus on collaboration, not division
INTERVIEW | David Kurtz, city councilor, lawyer and hiker
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor David Kurtz takes in a deep breath – pauses – and looks away, toward the coffee shop’s window before answering one of our questions during an informal and candid interview. Kurtz, 39, is one of the three new Biddeford city councilors who were each first elected to office in November. Despite … Continue reading INTERVIEW | David Kurtz, city councilor, lawyer and hiker
READER OPINION | What was city thinking?
Weighted UNE committee is appalling and patently unfair to UNE By DIANE SNOW, Special to the Gazette A recent Portland Press Herald story regarding the committee set up to review the plans for University of New England [Biddeford Committee plans public hearing, Feb. 24, 2026] left me appalled because the committee is comprised primarily by … Continue reading READER OPINION | What was city thinking?
OPINION | Biddeford should keep Center
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain ran his campaign last year on a platform dedicated to restoring accountability and increasing transparency at City Hall. Those were good messages, and the voters agreed with LaFountain, giving him the edge over the incumbent former mayor. LaFountain pledged to hit the ground running, and he’s already … Continue reading OPINION | Biddeford should keep Center
Adams Point housing | ‘An exciting project’
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Guy Gagnon has been excited about this particular project for several years. The project is Adams Point, a 39-unit affordable family housing project on the upper end of Adams Street in Biddeford. Following more than three years of planning and construction, Adams Point is expected to finally open in April. The … Continue reading Adams Point housing | ‘An exciting project’
Salamone drops out of state senate race
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Political newcomer John Salamone, a Republican who recently moved to Hollis from Portland, announced on social media Monday that he is withdrawing from the Dist. 32 State Senate race. In a brief post on his personal Facebook page, Salamone wrote: "After a great deal of reflection and prayer, I’ve decided to … Continue reading Salamone drops out of state senate race
Biddeford sidewalks and snow
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Given recent complaints about the city of Biddeford's sidewalk snow removal policies, Jeff Demers, the city's public works director, recently sent the Gazette a detailed explanation regarding his department's priorities when it comes to clearing snow from city sidewalk policies. Jeff Demers, Biddeford Public Works Department director (Seaver photo) Demers said … Continue reading Biddeford sidewalks and snow
OPINION: Life During Wartime, when reporters compete
When journalists compete, readers win | Good news for people in Biddeford Whether you’re buying a new car or just picking up the week’s groceries, you are always better off when you have choices and competition in the marketplace. It’s no different when it comes to the highly competitive world of journalism. Having choices about … Continue reading OPINION: Life During Wartime, when reporters compete
NEWSLETTER: ‘Looking for a place to happen’
New partnerships, expanding technology will help the Gazette stay connected to you I don’t believe this could have been a better week for the Biddeford Gazette. I am especially excited about several new partnerships that will allow us to give you more news and information about your community. Earlier this week, I was invited to … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: ‘Looking for a place to happen’
Republicans are using fraud scandals against Democrats in key races
By TORRIE HERRINGTON, NOTUS for The Maine Monitor Republicans are trying their best to tie Democrats to fraud this election cycle. President Donald Trump has spent months hammering Minnesota for its handling of a welfare scheme. The Republican National Committee has referred to Maine’s governor, who is now running for Senate, as “Fraudulent Janet Mills.” And the … Continue reading Republicans are using fraud scandals against Democrats in key races
UNE considers gas line extension project
From staff reports Representatives from the University of New England say they are now in “early conversations” with Biddeford city officials about the possibility of extending a natural gas line from the city’s downtown area, along the Rte. 9 corridor, to the school’s Biddeford campus. A UNE spokesperson said the potential infrastructure project could bring … Continue reading UNE considers gas line extension project
New UNE oversight committee begins work
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The first meeting of Biddeford’s revived Institutional Zone Review (IZR) Committee was held Thursday evening, giving members a chance to introduce themselves and to complete several organizational and administrative tasks, including scheduling their first public hearing. The committee was launched earlier this year, at the direction of Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain … Continue reading New UNE oversight committee begins work
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