By REP. MARC MALON, Special to the Gazette Next week is Election Day, but for many, including my wife, Jenn, and me, ballots have already been cast. This is because of Maine’s excellent voting laws, which allow voters to cast an absentee ballot as early as 30 days before Election Day. This flexibility is a … Continue reading OPINION: Maine elections are already secure
Category: COMMUNITY NEWS
Contributed news, opinion and feature stories
Area students launch campaign to fight hunger
By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer Beginning today (Oct. 29) students across the Biddeford, Saco, and Dayton school districts are joining forces to help fight hunger in their own backyards through a new initiative called “Spare Change Fills Plates.” The campaign comes at a critical time, as SNAP benefits end for many local families, impacting children … Continue reading Area students launch campaign to fight hunger
Ready to have some BiddeFUN?
By EMMA BOUTHILLETTE, Contributing writer Once listed among Food & Wine’s Next Great Food Cities, Biddeford does not disappoint when it comes to the food and beverage scene. But between eats, treats and sips, what’s there to do in and around downtown? The answer is PLENTY! Rift Arcade or The Gutter will take you back … Continue reading Ready to have some BiddeFUN?
OPINION: Vaccines are vital, and Maine is leading
By State Rep. MARC MALON, Contributing Writer Do you know anyone currently suffering from polio? My guess is you probably don’t. But polio has existed throughout recorded human history, and the worst outbreak in the United States killed more than 3,000 people in 1952. It left countless others with lifelong health consequences. Photo credit: … Continue reading OPINION: Vaccines are vital, and Maine is leading
OPINION | Biddeford’s disappearing coast
By Thomas McPheeters, Contributing Writer In our not-too-distant future, the coast of Maine will look nothing like it does today — fewer beaches, many houses and businesses displaced, roads and utilities either abandoned or relocated further inland. That’s a certainty, according to Dr. Cameron Wake, a University of New England professor who served as the … Continue reading OPINION | Biddeford’s disappearing coast
Chamber will host annual Ten Talks event
[Contributed Sory] The Biddeford Saco Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its annual Ten Talks & Silent Auction on Wednesday, October 15. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at River Winds Farm and Estate in Saco. Organizers say that "this much-anticipated community event blends thought-provoking talks with an engaging silent auction," all in a … Continue reading Chamber will host annual Ten Talks event
Biddeford girl finds passion in gymnastics
[CONTRIBUTED STORY] Marie Metcalf, 12, of Biddeford, has been named the STAR Student of September at Maine Connections Academy, a tuition-free online public school serving students in grades 7-12 statewide. Marie began her first year at Maine Connections Academy as a 7th grader this year, and she couldn’t be happier as she balances online schooling and her … Continue reading Biddeford girl finds passion in gymnastics
OPINION: Texting while driving | The epidemic we’re ignoring
By GAIL TOUSSAINT, Gazette contributor I see it every day. Someone behind the wheel looking at their cellphone and not the road. Do you want to know how I spot them? They are unable to stay in their lane, veering into mine. This makes my blood pressure soar…they callously have a complete disregard for my … Continue reading OPINION: Texting while driving | The epidemic we’re ignoring
How Maine towns are regulating development in flood zones
By EMMETT GARTNER, The Maine Monitor Early last spring, while still cleaning up the wreckage of devastating winter storms, southern Maine towns began drafting new rules governing how they’d rebuild or develop on stretches of land that were widely inundated months before. The process coincided with the adoption of new federal flood maps and is … Continue reading How Maine towns are regulating development in flood zones
OPINION: New idea for an old sign: move it
By JAMES KRAUSE, Gazette contributor In reference to the old gas station sign located at the Five Points intersection: Firstly, let me say that I love the idea as well as the submitted artwork. I can honestly say that as silly as it is, yes that sign is a landmark to the city as much … Continue reading OPINION: New idea for an old sign: move it
Nominations being sought for 2025 Biddeford Hall of Fame
According to a recent press release, he Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center (BCHC) is now seeking nominations for the 2025 Biddeford Hall of Fame. Now in its eighth year, the annual BCHC program recognizes and celebrates citizens of Biddeford or others who have contributed to the history, heritage, and culture of the city or the … Continue reading Nominations being sought for 2025 Biddeford Hall of Fame
‘For Biddeford’ event draws 150 volunteers
By JUSTIN SWEENEY, New Life Church, Lead Pastor (Photos by Joe McKenney) On Saturday, July 12, New Life Church hosted its 8th annual “For Biddeford” event, a citywide serve day where close to 150 volunteers spread out across Biddeford to complete 10 service projects to bless the community. For Biddeford is built on a simple … Continue reading ‘For Biddeford’ event draws 150 volunteers
What’s happening in Augusta: Cleaning Out the Notebook
By Rep. MARC MALON I view this past week in Augusta as transitional. Committees, including my own, finished their work on bills and the bulk of the activity began moving from the committee room to the floors of each chamber. The week began on a stressful note personally. I went to the Memorial Day ceremony … Continue reading What’s happening in Augusta: Cleaning Out the Notebook
BMS Math Teams Undefeated
By KAREN GARNETT Biddeford Middle School’s (BMS) fifth and sixth-grade Math Meet teams earned first place at all four meets this season, finishing undefeated in the Southern Maine Elementary Math League. The seventh-grade team also delivered a strong performance in the Southern Maine Math League, consistently placing in the top half of competitors across four … Continue reading BMS Math Teams Undefeated
Councilor offers inside view of Biddeford’s budget
Editor's note: The following is a response that Biddeford City Council President Liam LaFountain sent to a resident who expressed concerns about this year's municipal budget. By Liam LaFountain Thank you for taking the time to write and for your thoughtful engagement with this year’s city budget. Your questions about affordability, sustainability, and fiscal discipline are essential. … Continue reading Councilor offers inside view of Biddeford’s budget
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
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
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
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
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