During the March 4 Biddeford City Council meeting, acting city manager Brian Phinney provided the council with some concerning and significant updates regarding the finance department. According to Phinney's regular report to the council, the city could be facing: Potential penalties of $790,000 from the Internal Revenue Service; Penalties of roughly $350,000 from the federal … Continue reading Biddeford is facing ‘significant’ financial difficulties
Category: ARCHIVES
Biddeford’s Housing Crisis, Part Three
Editor's note: This is the third and final installment of our three-part series regarding Biddeford's housing crisis. When discussing Biddeford’s housing crisis, the bulk of the conversation often settles upon issues of homelessness, low-income housing or so-called “affordable” housing projects. But there is another important piece to the puzzle. Over the last few years, pricing … Continue reading Biddeford’s Housing Crisis, Part Three
City denies FOIA/FOAA requests
The city of Biddeford has denied the Biddeford Gazette's request to release an internal email regarding the abrupt departure of former City Manager James Bennett on Feb. 20. The Gazette first learned that Bennett was leaving his post early by obtaining a February .20 email that was distributed to all municipal employees. The Gazette subsequently … Continue reading City denies FOIA/FOAA requests
OPINION | The Times, They Are A Changin’
The news was inevitable, but still sad. We learned yesterday that the weekly Biddeford-Saco-OOB Courier will no longer be printed and now accessible only in digital form, online. This is just part of a global trend in the newspaper industry. Let’s face facts. The cost of printing and distribution are significant. But while technology marches … Continue reading OPINION | The Times, They Are A Changin’
Biddeford-Saco Courier will no longer be printed, online only
According to its parent company, the Biddeford-Saco Courier -- and several other weekly publications -- will no longer be printed and will only be available online. The Courier and many other newspapers throughout southern Maine, including daily and weekly publications, are owned by the Maine Trust for Local News. Carolyn Fox, executive editor of the … Continue reading Biddeford-Saco Courier will no longer be printed, online only
A season not soon forgotten: Coach Jeannine Paradis
More than 48 hours after the final buzzer, Coach Jeannine Paradis’ voice is still hoarse, and she jokingly said that her blood pressure has not yet returned to normal. Paradis is the head coach of the Biddeford High School Girls’ Basketball team, and unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few days, … Continue reading A season not soon forgotten: Coach Jeannine Paradis
Political gamesmanship threatens vulnerable Mainers
By HENRY INGWERSEN, State senator The last time I wrote to you, I spoke about the importance of MaineCare, our state’s version of the Medicaid program. MaineCare provides health care to low-income families and children, people with disabilities and pregnant women, and is overwhelmingly supported by Maine people. I also wrote about how Maine faces … Continue reading Political gamesmanship threatens vulnerable Mainers
Biddeford City Hall Secrecy: FOIA request sent
Earlier today, the Biddeford Gazette learned that an email regarding the abrupt departure of former City Manager James Bennett was sent from one member of the Biddeford City Council to Mayor Marty Grohman and every other member of the council. According to our sources, the email was sent at 7:05 a.m. today (Feb. 27, 2025). … Continue reading Biddeford City Hall Secrecy: FOIA request sent
Biddeford Deserves Better | OPINION
I honestly don't get it. Six days ago, I broke and published a news story that Biddeford City Manager James Bennett was abruptly removed from his post. Bennett, well-known in several communities throughout Maine, capped off his nine-year stint in Biddeford under a cloud of mystery. Six days ago. I understand why the city is … Continue reading Biddeford Deserves Better | OPINION
Councilor explains Biddeford budget process
By Liam LaFountain Every year, the city makes difficult choices about where to invest tax dollars — from public safety and road repairs to parks and essential services. Budget season is when those decisions take shape. The city budget is more than numbers — it’s a fiscal statement of what Biddeford values and how much … Continue reading Councilor explains Biddeford budget process
Local students shine at York County Spelling Bee
By KAREN GARNETT Local students demonstrated their spelling prowess at the York County Spelling Bee, held earlier this month at Massabesic Middle School. Twelve talented spellers in grades 5-8 from schools across southern Maine, including Biddeford, Saco, Bonny Eagle, and Wells, competed for the county title in a contest that came down to an intense … Continue reading Local students shine at York County Spelling Bee
BREAKING NEWS | City Manager will not return
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor According to multiple sources, embattled Biddeford City Manager James Bennett will not be returning to work after his brief vacation this week. Employees report receiving an email Thursday from Brian Phinney, the city's chief operating officer, that Bennett will not be returning to his post to finish out the remainder of … Continue reading BREAKING NEWS | City Manager will not return
Activists drop lawsuit against city, developer
A lawsuit filed against the city of Biddeford and a local real estate developer has been withdrawn by two residents who were upset about a proposed housing development near Clifford Park in Biddeford. According to court documents, the plaintiffs Loren McCready and Christopher Quint both own property that abuts the proposed housing development. The withdrawal … Continue reading Activists drop lawsuit against city, developer
Igniting student passions
By KAREN GARNETT Discovering what excites and motivates students can be a game-changer in education, boosting engagement, academic performance, and overall well-being. This month, Biddeford High School (BHS) hosted “Passion Classes,” a special day filled with a unique curriculum designed to help students explore new hobbies and interests while fostering meaningful connections with teachers. For … Continue reading Igniting student passions
Biddeford’s Housing Crisis: The experts speak
Editor's Note: This is the second installment of our three-part series regarding Biddeford's housing crisis. A panel of experts offered their perspectives and guidance regarding Biddeford’s housing crisis during a special city council workshop meeting earlier this week. For more than two hours, the nine panelists each offered their professional insights and took questions from … Continue reading Biddeford’s Housing Crisis: The experts speak
Biddeford’s Winterfest 2025 is a hit
Hundreds of people flocked to downtown Biddeford on Saturday for the 13th annual Winterfest celebration. The giant sledding hill on Adams Street was once again a popular attraction, but there were also a lot of other things happening, including tours of the newly renovated City Hall clock tower, dancing and music. The Adams Street sledding … Continue reading Biddeford’s Winterfest 2025 is a hit
Biddeford’s Housing Crisis: Part One
Editor's Note: This is the first installment of a three-part series that examines Biddeford's housing crisis. A large conference table takes up the center of Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman’s second-floor office at City Hall. On that table is a large aerial photo of the city’s downtown area, where several new housing projects are either under … Continue reading Biddeford’s Housing Crisis: Part One
Community rallies for fallen officer’s family
Despite frigid outside temperatures, a layer of warmth blanketed the cities of Biddeford and Saco Wednesday night as people from both communities turned out to support the family of a fallen police officer. Sgt. Jacob Wolterbeek, a veteran member of the Biddeford Police Department, was killed in a traffic accident in December. Biddeford Mayor Marty … Continue reading Community rallies for fallen officer’s family
Council discusses winter parking bans
With another winter storm looming on the horizon, members of the Biddeford City Council discussed the city’s policy regarding overnight parking bans. At the tail end of Tuesday’s council meeting, Councilor Neva Gross – who represents much of the city’s downtown area -- raised the issue to her fellow councilors, asking if there is more … Continue reading Council discusses winter parking bans
UNE Refuses Citizen Request for Information
The University of New England (UNE) is, apparently, refusing to provide information to the public and the media about a federal grant the university received to construct a new “research pier” on the banks of the Saco River. Over the last few weeks, John Schafer, a Hills Beach resident and former chair of Biddeford’s Harbor … Continue reading UNE Refuses Citizen Request for Information
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 