Yesterday was “Career Day” at the Biddeford Intermediate School, an annual event that gives third, fourth and fifth-graders an opportunity to explore various career fields. I was asked to be one of the many presenters, but I knew that I was in trouble as soon as I walked through the front-door, clutching a stack of … Continue reading FEATURE: Glory Days; they will pass you by
Category: ARCHIVES
City touts ‘major success’ in addressing homelessness
(From city personnel and previous stories by the Biddeford Gazette) Biddeford city officials say that a new partnership between the city and the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Resource Center is delivering "real results" in addressing homelessness, with 43 individuals successfully housed since November through a "coordinated, compassionate approach." At the core of this success is what … Continue reading City touts ‘major success’ in addressing homelessness
FEATURE: Not Your Father’s Library
The acting director of Biddeford's McArthur Library talks about a never-ending evolution of services and some of the challenges facing downtown libraries Even to the casual observer, it becomes quickly evident that once you walk through the front door of Biddeford’s McArthur Library - - you are no longer in your father’s library. Gone are … Continue reading FEATURE: Not Your Father’s Library
Nightmare on Elm Street: FAQs
A few days, ago, a major road construction project commenced on the lower end of Elm Street in Biddeford. As expected, the project has created delays and other impacts for drivers because of necessary detours. A lot of people have been complaining and asking questions about the project, so the Biddeford Gazette decided to do … Continue reading Nightmare on Elm Street: FAQs
BHS Odyssey of the Mind Team: State Champions
Three of the eight Biddeford teams placed in the State Competition; two move on to the World Finals By KAREN GARNETT Among the 71 teams representing Divisions I, II, and III at the Maine Odyssey of the Mind (OM) State Finals Tournament on April 5, three of the eight Biddeford teams placed in the Top … Continue reading BHS Odyssey of the Mind Team: State Champions
Biddeford Marching Arts named New England champions
Blackout Percussion earns first place while Blizzard Winds secures second place. By KAREN GARNETT Biddeford’s Marching Arts program is closing out a remarkable season with top honors at the New England Scholastic Band Association (NESBA) Winter Percussion Finals. BlackOut Percussion earned first place, while Blizzard Winds secured a strong third-place finish, solidifying Biddeford’s standing as … Continue reading Biddeford Marching Arts named New England champions
No more trash containers at Rotary Park
The city of Biddeford is launching a “Carry-in, Carry-out” pilot program at Rotary Park for the 2025 season. When the new initiative begins this spring, Rotary Park will not have trash receptacles in any outdoor areas of the park and visitors are asked to bring home any of their trash, including pet waste, after spending … Continue reading No more trash containers at Rotary Park
UNE gets big boost for its controversial pier proposal
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers last week approved an application from the University of New England (UNE) for the construction of a controversial pier proposal on the Saco River in Biddeford. Although UNE is still required to clear several more permitting hurdles before construction can begin, the Army Corps approval represents a significant boost … Continue reading UNE gets big boost for its controversial pier proposal
Support for library, and a new bathhouse
Scores of Biddeford residents turned out Tuesday for the first of two public hearings on the city's proposed budget. Only one resident -- former City Councilor Michael Swanton -- suggested a budget cut, calling on the council to close and sell the city's public access television station on Pool Road. "Technology has zoomed by cable … Continue reading Support for library, and a new bathhouse
Joint budget workshop: ‘A Tough Pill to Swallow’
With a “challenging” budget hanging over their heads, members of the Biddeford City Council and the Biddeford School Committee participated in a joint workshop meeting Monday to examine the proposed budget. Monday’s joint meeting was a rare occurrence that has happened only once before over the past 10 years. “This is an unusual opportunity,” said … Continue reading Joint budget workshop: ‘A Tough Pill to Swallow’
Iconic 5-Points signpost may get a new look
An iconic, but long neglected, sign post in Biddeford may be getting a new lease on life. The former MOBIL gas station sign – nearly 40 feet tall- sits near the center of the Five Points intersection. It is visible to commuters traveling on both Route One and Route 111. It is also visible to … Continue reading Iconic 5-Points signpost may get a new look
New Biddeford group focuses on coastal preservation
By Tom McPheeters, Special to the Biddeford Gazette More than a year after a catastrophic storm decimated Biddeford’s beaches, coastal properties and roads, community organizations are calling for the city to move beyond cleanup and embrace a plan that would prepare coastal beaches and dunes for the next big storm. Armed with fresh research on … Continue reading New Biddeford group focuses on coastal preservation
Proposed Biddeford budget seeks modest increase
Despite concerns about a proposed double-digit property tax increase this year, acting City Manager Brian Phinney presented the Biddeford City Council with some good news on Tuesday evening. Phinney presented a budget that shows a proposed 5.7 percent increase over last year's budget. That overall increase includes the city's share of the school budget. At … Continue reading Proposed Biddeford budget seeks modest increase
Budget tensions include homeless funding
Last week, more than two dozen people appeared before the Biddeford City Council, each of them requesting varying amounts of public funding for their respective non-profit organizations. It is an annual process that is just one part of the city’s annual budget. None of the public presenters were questioned or challenged about their funding requests … Continue reading Budget tensions include homeless funding
OPINION: What is community? How much does it cost?
Former Biddeford Mayor Alan Casavant -- now the vice president of the non-profit Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center -- appeared before the Biddeford City Council Thursday to present his organization's annual funding request. Before the meeting started, Casavant was seated next to me in the back row of the council chamber. We made some small … Continue reading OPINION: What is community? How much does it cost?
Biddeford budget: ‘Saltines & Cauliflower’
The Biddeford City Council was presented Tuesday with preliminary budget proposals from both the School Department and the acting city manager. There were a lot of grim faces in the room after both acting City Manager Brian Phinney and School Superintendent Jeremy Ray reviewed their budget projections with the council. Because of a technical glitch, … Continue reading Biddeford budget: ‘Saltines & Cauliflower’
Biddeford’s ‘Big Dig’ will begin in April
The seven-month project is expected to have a "significant impact" on local traffic No matter how you slice it, there is no denying that a major road repair project will significantly impact traffic in Biddeford and Saco. City officials are asking motorists in the two cities to prepare for significant delays, plan accordingly and try … Continue reading Biddeford’s ‘Big Dig’ will begin in April
Chamber director announces pending departure
After nearly seven years at the helm, Jim LaBelle announced Thursday that he will be stepping down as executive director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce + Industry. LaBelle, 60, said he plans to stay in place and help the Chamber with its transition to new leadership. “It’s not an easy decision because I really … Continue reading Chamber director announces pending departure
An evening of sophistication, a memory kept alive
Michael Goulet of Saco died on October 14, 2010. He was just 19 years old. While Michael’s cause of death was described as complications from a grand mal seizure, his struggle began roughly six years earlier when he suffered a traumatic brain injury while riding a snowmobile in northern Maine. Although Michael was wearing a … Continue reading An evening of sophistication, a memory kept alive
City responds to questions about financial problems
On Saturday, the Biddeford Gazette sent a list of questions to Biddeford's acting city manager regarding concerns about financial problems the city is facing. Less than 48 hours later, we received a detailed and comprehensive reply from Brian Phinney, the acting city manager. Below, you will find our list of questions along with the unedited … Continue reading City responds to questions about financial problems
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 