According to current data, 64.3 percent of Biddeford students in our school district are economically disadvantaged. This is one of the highest poverty rates of any school district in Maine.
OPINION | Working toward fair school funding
Category: MAINE NEWS
News items regarding state and county updates from Augusta and Alfred
OPINION | Taking care of the people who feed us
“Mental health challenges in these industries don’t always look like crises. More often, they show up as exhaustion, irritability, isolation and a sense that there’s no room to slow down.”
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
I was dismayed by the surge of ICE agents in our state under the grotesque title of ‘Operation Catch of the Day’. These agents were shirking good policing standards in favor of warrantless, indiscriminate, and quota-driven detentions.
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
OPINION: Helping parents afford childcare
I’d like to highlight my bill, LD 1859, “An Act to Improve Access to Child Care and Early Childhood Education by Establishing Regional Resource Hubs.” It seeks to address Maine’s childcare crisis by creating a network of regional hubs to connect families, childcare providers and employers with much-needed information and support
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
Ingwersen plans to address mental health in Maine’s heritage industries
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor As one of the most rural states in the country, the state of Maine is well known for its so-called “heritage industries” that rely on outdoor occupations, such as farming, fishing and logging. Those industries have long driven Maine’s economy but they also present a few -- somewhat hidden – … Continue reading Ingwersen plans to address mental health in Maine’s heritage industries
Celebrating Thanksgiving with gratitude
There are many resources available for those struggling with food insecurity By STATE SEN. HENRY INGWERSEN Special to the Gazette This week, I hope that the residents of Senate District 32 -- whether in Dayton, Biddeford or Arundel, Hollis and Lyman, -- can celebrate the holiday with their families, friends and neighbors. This time of … Continue reading Celebrating Thanksgiving with gratitude
Ingwersen working to stabilize childcare costs
Contributed Story State Sen. Henry Ingwersen (D-Biddeford) and Senate President Mattie Daughtry (D-Brunswick) visited the St. Louis Child Development Center in Biddeford, as part of a statewide Child Care Listening Tour. “As the Senate chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, I know that access to affordable child care remains a top priority across … Continue reading Ingwersen working to stabilize childcare costs
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 