Finance Committee takes a closer look at how a downtown parking plan was funded By RANDY SEAVER, Editor A controversial and temporary downtown parking program will be reviewed by the Biddeford City Council at its next meeting, Feb. 3. As first reported in the Biddeford Gazette earlier this week, Mayor Liam LaFountain and members of the city … Continue reading Lessard: ‘I am not so ready to hold hands and sing Kumbaya’
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
COMMUNITY: When the helper needs help
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Those who know Don Creighton will tell you that he is always the first to step up and help others in their time of need. Unfortunately, Don is now on the other end of that equation and wondering how he’s going to make it through the next few weeks and months … Continue reading COMMUNITY: When the helper needs help
Gazette creates ‘landing page’ for ICE info in Biddeford
At the advice and direction of several of our advisory board members, the Biddeford Gazette has created a special page for updates and community information regarding ramped up enforcement activities by the U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) in Biddeford. According to multiple sources, ICE began an operation known as "Catch of the Day" … Continue reading Gazette creates ‘landing page’ for ICE info in Biddeford
Council rejects moratorium on mobile home park fees
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Following more than an hour of passionate and sometimes tense debate, the Biddeford City Council voted 6-3 (Cote, Kurtz and Woods) Tuesday to reject a proposed 90-day moratorium on rental and lease fee increases at mobile home parks in the city. More than 20 mobile home park residents packed the council … Continue reading Council rejects moratorium on mobile home park fees
Council unanimously halts UNE development
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Despite the impassioned pleas of some nuns from the St. Joseph’s Convent, the Biddeford City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to enact a temporary development moratorium on the University of New England’s Biddeford campus. As previously reported in the Gazette, Mayor Liam LaFountain proposed the moratorium and the creation of an ad-hoc … Continue reading Council unanimously halts UNE development
City investigating use of taxpayer funds for a parking plan launched by former mayor
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor According to documents obtained by the Biddeford Gazette, the city of Biddeford is now investigating why more than $16,000 was spent on a downtown parking plan that was never reviewed or authorized by the city council or its Finance Committee. At Mayor Liam LaFountain's request, City Attorney Harry B. Center was … Continue reading City investigating use of taxpayer funds for a parking plan launched by former mayor
Mayor proposes moratorium on UNE development
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain is proposing a temporary moratorium on all development projects at the University of New England’s Biddeford campus. LaFountain is also scheduled to nominate UNE president James Hebert to serve on an ad-hoc committee that will focus on development at the school’s Biddeford campus. During an interview with … Continue reading Mayor proposes moratorium on UNE development
WinterFest returns to Biddeford
Contributed Story | Leinani Farnsworth, Heart of Biddeford It's that time of years again! Locals and visitors of all ages are invited to the annual Biddeford WinterFest, a cabin-fever-busting weekend of outdoor fun, live entertainment, and community connection, returning Feb. 6–8, 2026. This year’s theme, “Unplug & Play,” highlights free, family-friendly, screen-free activities on Adams Street … Continue reading WinterFest returns to Biddeford
Dutremble to lead York County Commissioners in 2026
By TAMMY WELLS York County Commissioner Richard Dutremble of Biddeford was unanimously voted as chair of the five-member board during its organizational meeting Jan. 7. Dutremble has served as a York County Commissioner for 20 years – including seven years as chair since 2007 – and said this year will be his last as a … Continue reading Dutremble to lead York County Commissioners in 2026
OPINION: Biddeford’s pain can be treated
By SAM PECOR, Special to the Gazette Let me ask you something: what do you do when you feel pain? That’s a loaded question. So, let’s stick to the responsible move: see a doctor and establish the cause. The answer is no different when it comes to a business, a city, a state or even … Continue reading OPINION: Biddeford’s pain can be treated
Biddeford has many projects in the pipeline
The newly elected members of the Biddeford City Council will be getting a comprehensive overview of the city's past, present and future commercial development projects during a special workshop tonight (Jan. 13) City Planner David Galbraith will walk the council through more than 30 slides that show specifics about ongoing and future development that includes … Continue reading Biddeford has many projects in the pipeline
New Chamber director is full of enthusiasm
To answer one of our questions, Alex MacPhail patiently scrolls through a series of data on his computer monitor. He seems naturally comfortable and at ease, sitting at his desk and eagerly talking about the “unlimited potential” of the Biddeford-Saco region. MacPhail, 57, is the new executive director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce & … Continue reading New Chamber director is full of enthusiasm
NEWSLETTER: From concept to reality
Welcome to the new year! How are you doing with your resolutions? One of my primary resolutions for the new year included taking the Biddeford Gazette from a simple concept to a structured, non-profit organization. The Gazette was formally launched on January 14, 2025. Our first story was about a proposed affordable housing project that … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: From concept to reality
Tough Guys Don’t Dance
This is the first installment of the five-part 'Biddeford After Dark" series that was originally published in 2001 by the Biddeford-Saco-OOB Courier By RANDY SEAVER, Editor [Oct. 2001] A heavy and ominous fog — the precursor of a cold and damp weekend — rolled westward over Biddeford early on Friday evening, and it remained like … Continue reading Tough Guys Don’t Dance
Mayor proposes planning board shakeup
[This story has been updated to include commentary from Alexa Plotkin, chair of Biddeford's planning board.] By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain won his campaign a few weeks ago by promising to prioritize transparency and accountability at City Hall. As part of that pledge, LaFountain has been seeking and interviewing people who have expressed … Continue reading Mayor proposes planning board shakeup
West Brook skating: an enduring legacy in Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The West Brook skating rink in Biddeford was first opened to the public roughly four weeks before Warren G. Harding was inaugurated as the 29th president of the United States in 1921. Although the outdoor rink has undergone some dramatic changes over the last century, the heart of its mission has … Continue reading West Brook skating: an enduring legacy in Biddeford
Saco official blasts Biddeford officials
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Kevin Roche -- a former Saco city councilor and current member of the Saco School Board -- has publicly criticized Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain and the Biddeford City Council for the way they are handling the review of a large pier being proposed by the University of New England. In addition … Continue reading Saco official blasts Biddeford officials
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Santa Claus gets real
By RANDY SEAVER Originally published in Saco Bay News; Dec. 24, 2023 He’s known by many names. Some call him Father Christmas; others call him St. Nicholas or Kris Kringle. But here in North America, he is best known as Santa Claus. Just two days before the Christmas holiday this year, Santa made time to … Continue reading EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Santa Claus gets real
Stop the Grinch! Protect your real estate
By State Sen. HENRY INGWERSEN, Special to the Gazette This time of year, we’re all familiar with the Grinch who, seeking to ruin the holidays, sneaks around and tries to steal Christmas from the good people of Whoville. However, on December 3, I gaveled in the final meeting of a commission that had its eye … Continue reading Stop the Grinch! Protect your real estate
NEWSLETTER: It’s A Wonderful Life
Here we are smack dab in the middle of the holiday season. The excitement and joy are palpable, but a lot of the news – at the national level – has been anything but joyous since our last newsletter. During this time of year, we are reminded that we are all connected, part of a … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: It’s A Wonderful Life
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 