By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer This holiday season, the Biddeford Saco Rotary Club once again demonstrated the power of community through its annual Adopt-A-Family Program, ensuring that 200 local children experienced the joy of Christmas morning. Despite the growing need, Rotarians and their helpers remained undeterred—managing every aspect of the program, from shopping and wrapping … Continue reading Rotary Club program brings holiday cheer to 200 local children
Category: BIDDEFORD NEWS
The latest news about the city of Biddeford
Biddeford changes sewer billing process
(Contributed story) Biddeford wastewater customers will now receive their wastewater (sewer) bills from Maine Water Company, a privately owned utility. According to a recent press release, the city transitioned from in-house billing to using Maine Water's billing and customer service expertise in order to “stabilize the administrative processes for sewer billing.” As part of the … Continue reading Biddeford changes sewer billing process
How much does it cost to become mayor?
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor According to campaign finance reports, a total of more than $14,200 was spent by the three mayoral candidates in Biddeford’s Nov. 6 municipal election. Yesterday (Dec.16) was the deadline for filing those reports with the city clerk. Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain (City of Biddeford photo) Former Mayor Marty Grohman spent the … Continue reading How much does it cost to become mayor?
St. Louis Alumni Association makes sizeable donations
Contributed Story The St. Louis Alumni Association of Biddeford recently announced donation awards totaling $50,000 to three Biddeford non-profit organizations. The association donated $20,000 to the Biddeford Food Pantry and $25,000 to Biddeford’s My Place Teen Center. Don Bisson of the Biddeford Food Pantry (far left) receives a $20,000 donation from the St. Louis Alumni … Continue reading St. Louis Alumni Association makes sizeable donations
End of an era? City considers hiring ‘in-house’ attorney
Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain is floating the idea of hiring an “in-house” city attorney, a significant departure from the current model of operating under a retainer contract with a local law firm. Although the concept of hiring an attorney as a full-time city employee was discussed and rejected more than 30 years ago, LaFountain says … Continue reading End of an era? City considers hiring ‘in-house’ attorney
Developer secures funding for environmental remediation near former MERC site
A public hearing about the project remediation will be held Dec. 18 Contributed Story; Legal Notice Fathom Companies --- a development firm that will be building a mixed-use and housing project near the intersection of Lincoln and Pearl streets in Biddeford --- has received a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) … Continue reading Developer secures funding for environmental remediation near former MERC site
2025: A year of big changes in Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor There is little doubt that 2025 was a year of substantive change for the city of Biddeford. From political fallout to major infrastructure improvements and new business openings, this year featured a plethora of news stories about change. In fact, even the news/media landscape changed as a new digital news source … Continue reading 2025: A year of big changes in Biddeford
Hannaford invests $10,000 to bolster Biddeford-based non-profit
Contributed Story As hunger relief organizations report an increase in demand heading into the winter months, Hannaford Supermarkets is partnering with Youth Full Maine and Wayside Food Programs to provide a critical boost to food access programs this holiday season, according to a company press release. Dozens of Hannaford associates joined non-profit leaders and volunteers … Continue reading Hannaford invests $10,000 to bolster Biddeford-based non-profit
School daze for new Biddeford city councilors?
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Tomorrow night – Dec. 9 – the new members of the Biddeford City Council will be getting some required “training” for their new roles in city government. The city council workshop –-- ostensibly open to the public, but why? -- will feature four breakout sessions, including updates from City Manager Truc … Continue reading School daze for new Biddeford city councilors?
Ceremony held to remember Biddeford cyclist killed by delivery truck
A small group of people gathered Sunday morning at the intersection of Foss and Fall streets in Biddeford, where a cyclist was killed on Sept. 26. Patrick Conlon, a member of Bike BS, a local cycling advocacy group, helped organize the quiet ceremony to remember the life of Heather Hamilton with a permanent plaque and … Continue reading Ceremony held to remember Biddeford cyclist killed by delivery truck
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
NEWSLETTER: ‘Tis the season!
Technically speaking, it’s still autumn but it sure feels like winter here in southern Maine. We’re now deep into the holiday season, and you probably have a growing laundry list of chores and preparations for the season. But there is also lots of fun and joy to be had in Biddeford. Check our EVENTS page … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: ‘Tis the season!
Despite cold, ‘Merry & Bright’ night attracts crowd
Once again, Biddeford's downtown holiday celebration and annual tree lighting ceremony Friday night drew a decent crowd downtown on lower Adams Street. Poppy (3) was excited to see Santa Claus arrive along with her parents Stephanie and Michael of Biddeford (Seaver photo) Santa Claus arrived on schedule, escorted by the flashing lights and the wailing … Continue reading Despite cold, ‘Merry & Bright’ night attracts crowd
Behind the scenes: Biddeford Public Works
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Spend just a few minutes talking with Biddeford’s Public Works Director Jeff Demers and you quickly learn that his department is literally the heart of all city operations. In fact, Demers and his crew are tasked with taking care of all the things many residents take for granted, from trash collection … Continue reading Behind the scenes: Biddeford Public Works
City files court challenge for UNE pier approval
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Although the Biddeford Planning Board narrowly approved the University of New England’s controversial pier proposal in August, a required building permit will not be issued by the city until a decision comes down from the York County Superior Court. The city has filed a formal complaint against the Saco River Corridor … Continue reading City files court challenge for UNE pier approval
“I hear that train a coming . . .”
Given increasing complaints, are train horns in Biddeford louder and more frequent? By JIM KRAUSE, Contributing Writer People living near railroad tracks in Biddeford are making noise about freight train horns that sound at all hours of the night. Rail officials say they are required by law — and in some cases for public safety. … Continue reading “I hear that train a coming . . .”
Biddeford’s 153rd inauguration held online
The city of Biddeford’s 153rd inauguration ceremony was markedly different than in years past. For the first time, the ceremony was held online because of inclement weather. Although typically an evening of pomp and circumstance, including an emcee and reception, this year’s ceremony – held on the Zoom platform -- took less than 10 minutes. … Continue reading Biddeford’s 153rd inauguration held online
Turning a wrench and sparking imaginations
The Apex Youth Connection in Biddeford offers a wide range of programs to help teens transition to adulthood By RANDY SEAVER, Editor It’s quite common to hear about after-school programs that get kids off the streets and into a productive, structured setting. Apex Youth Connection (AYC) in Biddeford, however, takes a different approach to nurturing … Continue reading Turning a wrench and sparking imaginations
Age Friendly: Helping seniors stay in their homes
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor As members of the Baby Boom generation continue to age, a relatively new organization is dedicated to helping seniors maintain their independence and remain in their own homes. The ‘Age Friendly’ program is an initiative launched by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and offers program services in several states … Continue reading Age Friendly: Helping seniors stay in their homes
UNE students help families in need during holidays
Contributed Story Students from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Sigma Sigma Phi (SSP) KAPPA Chapter continued a longstanding holiday tradition on Friday, Dec. 12, hosting their annual Holiday Giving Tree toy drive on UNE’s Biddeford Campus to support local families through the Biddeford Primary School. Now in its seventh year, the … Continue reading UNE students help families in need during holidays
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 