In his monthly column for the Biddeford Gazette, State Sen. Henry Ingwersen discusses the benefits of a bill he sponsored to address hunger and support local farmers
COMMUNITY | Feeding Families, Funding Farmers Markets
Category: MAINE NEWS
News items regarding state and county updates from Augusta and Alfred
Restored funds ease increase to proposed York County budget
The restoration of the $400,000 in state funding was good news at a time when expenses are increasing for everyone [ Contributed Story ] By TAMMY WELLS | York County Government media When York County Commissioners approved the proposed $31.64 million county operating budget for the next fiscal year April 8 and turned it over … Continue reading Restored funds ease increase to proposed York County budget
NEWS | Local perspective on state budget
Democrats say the narrowly approved budget reflects Maine values and will help working-class families; Republicans say the spending package is irresponsible and not sustainable By RANDY SEAVER | Editor Maine lawmakers last week approved a supplemental budget of more than $500 million for the next fiscal year. Gov. Janet Mills signed the spending package -- … Continue reading NEWS | Local perspective on state budget
NEWS | Governor signs Malon’s gambling addiction bill
[ Contributed Story ] Gov. Janet Mills gave State Rep. Marc Malon (D-Biddeford) one more thing to celebrate this Easter holiday weekend. On Friday, the governor signed a law a bill that Malon introduced earlier this year to help curb online gambling addiction. RELATED | Biddeford lawmaker’s bill addresses online gambling addiction As amended, LD … Continue reading NEWS | Governor signs Malon’s gambling addiction bill
NEWS | York County commissioners consider abolishing ‘elected’ county treasurer
The final decision would require voter approval, but some commissioners say the position is largely ceremonial and somewhat redundant because the county already pays a finance director and support staff By TAMMY WELLS | York County Government Media ALFRED, Maine – York County Commissioners are poised to decide later this spring whether to ask voters … Continue reading NEWS | York County commissioners consider abolishing ‘elected’ county treasurer
OPINION | Working toward fair school funding
By REP. MARC MALON | Special to the Gazette Strong public schools are essential for strong communities. When we think about the pressures facing our school district and the accompanying pressure on local property taxpayers, an important factor is something called the Essential Programs and Services (EPS) formula, better known as the school-funding formula. The … Continue reading OPINION | Working toward fair school funding
Taking care of the people who feed us
By State Sen. HENRY INGWERSEN | Special to the Gazette March is a funny month. For a few days, the weather was warm, and I was checking my beehives. The bees were buzzing with activity, soaking up the sun. On Sunday, I watched heavy, wet snowflakes fall from the gray sky. The snow coated the … Continue reading Taking care of the people who feed us
County’s Citizen Police Academy ‘intriguing, interesting’ grads say
By TAMMY WELLS | York County Government media ALFRED -- A couple of classes of the Citizens Police Academy conducted by York County Sheriff’s Office this winter included law and the US Constitution. It was part of the nine-week program that saw students learn everything from how to conduct a traffic stop to the role … Continue reading County’s Citizen Police Academy ‘intriguing, interesting’ grads say
Officers recognized for ‘great work’
By TAMMY WELLS | York County Government media ALFRED, Maine -- An elderly man with dementia wandered into a garage and climbed to the second story, where the only “floor” was planks placed across the support beams. It was unclear whether he intended to harm himself or if he was merely confused, investigators said. He … Continue reading Officers recognized for ‘great work’
York County jail gets perfect score
By TAMMY WELLS | York County Media Specialist ALFRED, Maine – York County Jail has earned a 100 percent score on their recent biennial state inspection. That means the 294-bed facility aced all 145 mandatory standards, and all 95 essential standards for 2024 and 2025. The 100 percent rating is a first for York County … Continue reading York County jail gets perfect score
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
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
Counties urge lawmakers to use state funding — not county funds — to subsidize shelters
By TAMMY WELLS, York County government media York County Commissioners understand the need to support the unhoused through shelter subsidies and are urging legislators to seek ways to support them within the state’s coffers, not the counties’ far slimmer purse. In testimony to the Legislature’s Housing and Economic Development Committee at a public hearing Feb. … Continue reading Counties urge lawmakers to use state funding — not county funds — to subsidize shelters
Ingwersen kicks off campaign in Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor A small group -- including some other legislators -- gathered Sunday at Pizza By Alex in Biddeford to help State Sen. Henry Ingwersen (D-Arundel) launch his campaign for a third consecutive term in the Maine State Senate. RELATED: State Senate race heats up in Biddeford State Sen. Henry Ingwersen (right) shares … Continue reading Ingwersen kicks off campaign in Biddeford
State senate race heats up in Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor This year’s District 32 State Senate race could become a crowded affair. So far, three candidates have announced their intentions to seek the senate seat that represents Biddeford, Arundel, Dayton, Lyman and Hollis in the Maine Legislature. The Gazette learned this week that there is a possibility more candidates may be … Continue reading State senate race heats up in Biddeford
OPINION | Speaker Fecteau: ICE activities in Maine do not match our state’s values
By RYAN FECTEAU, Special to the Gazette A new legislative session is now underway, and there are many pressing matters in front of us that impact Biddeford residents and Mainers from all over. Whether addressing Maine’s housing crisis to overcoming federal funding cuts to important programs like SNAP and healthcare, we have a lot of … Continue reading OPINION | Speaker Fecteau: ICE activities in Maine do not match our state’s values
Bennett brings campaign to Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor In the very crowded race to become Maine’s next governor, former State Sen. Rick Bennett is hoping to stand out as an Independent candidate who is ready to tackle tough issues with a common-sense approach and a commitment to people rather than any political party. Bennett, 62, brought his campaign to Biddeford … Continue reading Bennett brings campaign to Biddeford
It’s all about the smiles: UNE and Rep. Fecteau both focus on Maine kids
UNE dental students again provided free care to local students; Rep. Ryan Fecteau introduced a bill to expand dental coverage for Maine children. Contributed stories Students from the University of New England’s College of Dental Medicine and Department of Dental Hygiene welcomed 85 elementary students from Old Orchard Beach to the university’s Oral Health Center … Continue reading It’s all about the smiles: UNE and Rep. Fecteau both focus on Maine kids
King being challenged by independent in sheriff’s race
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Brian Pellerin -- deputy chief of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s office -- recently announced that he is running for York County Sheriff in the November 2026 election. “I am running as a principled independent candidate, committed to professional, nonpartisan leadership in public safety,” Pellerin wrote in a press release that was … Continue reading King being challenged by independent in sheriff’s race
Biddeford lawmaker’s bill addresses online gambling addiction
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Over just the last few years, online gambling has exploded in popularity all over the country and its impacts are being felt here in Maine -- on several different fronts. That gambling explosion – especially the rise in online sports/fantasy wagering – has also caused some problems, most notably a sharp … Continue reading Biddeford lawmaker’s bill addresses online gambling addiction
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 