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’
Category: COMMUNITY VOICES
Contributed news, opinion and feature stories
A very good night for Biddeford hockey fans!
The York/Biddeford/Old Orchard Beach Boys Hockey Co-Op hockey team won the state championship today, defeating Hampden Academy 3-2 in a thrilling game at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland. The team has earned rounds of praise from throughout the Biddeford community, including congratulatory remarks on social media platforms by Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain and School … Continue reading A very good night for Biddeford hockey fans!
UNE students will help plant dune grass
By DEIRDRE STILES, UNE Communications Specialist BIDDEFORD, Maine — For the second year in a row, University of New England students will help the Biddeford Pool Conservation Trust plant dune grass along a section of beach in Biddeford Pool to help make the beaches more climate resilient. UNE students help with dune grass restoration On … Continue reading UNE students will help plant dune grass
OPINION | Protecting manufactured‑home residents protects municipal budgets
By KATHY DOBBINS, Special to the Gazette Maine’s manufactured‑home communities are facing pressures that many towns and cities can no longer afford to ignore. When municipalities choose not to adopt basic resident‑protection measures—such as rent‑stabilization ordinances or guardrails on pass‑through utility charges—the consequences fall directly onto residents and, ultimately, onto local taxpayers. Across the state, … Continue reading OPINION | Protecting manufactured‑home residents protects municipal budgets
Biddeford-Saco Restaurant week returns
A Grassroots Celebration of Food, Flavor & Community -- with a New Digital Passport Contributed Story | Heart of Biddeford From bánh mì to barbecue, specialty coffee to steak frites, arcade combos to raclette, Biddeford–Saco Restaurant Week returns March 15–22, 2026, inviting residents and visitors to explore the region’s dynamic and ever-growing food scene. Organized … Continue reading Biddeford-Saco Restaurant week returns
BHS Drama Club will present ‘Mean Girls’
By KAREN GARNETT | Biddeford School Department BIDDEFORD, Maine – The Biddeford High School (BHS) Drama Club is proud to announce its upcoming production of Mean Girls: High School Version, a bold, high-energy musical that brings humor, heart, and sharp social commentary to the stage. Show times are Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., Friday, … Continue reading BHS Drama Club will present ‘Mean Girls’
Free Senior Safety Fair | Scam recognition, safe driving tips and lunch!
By TAMMY WELLS, York County Government Media ALFRED -- Many would agree that those who identify as “senior citizens” are an independent, capable lot. Most seniors, with the benefit of decades of experience, are comfortable and adept at managing their lives. But aging impacts everyone a bit differently, and seniors can be vulnerable. Driving might … Continue reading Free Senior Safety Fair | Scam recognition, safe driving tips and lunch!
OPINION | A Charter Moment for Biddeford
By SAM PECOR, Special to the Gazette On Monday (March 2) nomination papers become available for one of the most consequential civic processes Biddeford has undertaken in decades: -- the election of a Charter Revision Commission. In November, voters approved Question Three (The Establishment of a Charter Review Commission) “for the purpose of revising the … Continue reading OPINION | A Charter Moment for Biddeford
LETTER | Let’s focus on collaboration, not division
City is on the right track in its thoughtful, measured review of UNE development plans I read the recent letter regarding the University of New England review committee with concern, but also with a sense that the issue deserves a more balanced perspective. What was city thinking? Biddeford Gazette, Feb. 28, 2026 It is important … Continue reading LETTER | Let’s focus on collaboration, not division
READER OPINION | What was city thinking?
Weighted UNE committee is appalling and patently unfair to UNE By DIANE SNOW, Special to the Gazette A recent Portland Press Herald story regarding the committee set up to review the plans for University of New England [Biddeford Committee plans public hearing, Feb. 24, 2026] left me appalled because the committee is comprised primarily by … Continue reading READER OPINION | What was city thinking?
BRCOT Students Place in Statewide Culinary & Hospitality Competition
By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer With the pressure of a Top Chef-style showdown—and none of the usual kitchen comforts—Biddeford Regional Center of Technology (BRCOT) Culinary and Hospitality students competed in the Maine ProStart State Invitational on February 24, 2026, placing second and third, respectively. Biddeford Regional Center of Technology’s Culinary Arts students place second in … Continue reading BRCOT Students Place in Statewide Culinary & Hospitality Competition
Offering Hope | ‘What they’ve done is not who they are’
By TAMMY WELLS, York County Government media ALFRED, Maine – On a recent Saturday as the Mass at York County Jail neared its end, those eligible for Holy Communion moved to partake. Others were asked by Bishop Robert Deeley if they would like a blessing, and several residents stepped forward with their arms crossed on … Continue reading Offering Hope | ‘What they’ve done is not who they are’
Heather Paquette: President of Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine
Heather Paquette, President of Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine. Photo by Cy Cyr By CY CYR, Contributing Writer, Brick + Tides Outside the Good Shepherd Food Bank in Auburn, the morning felt unmistakably like Maine. The sun was bright, the air was cold, the wind was sharp, and snow clung to the edges of … Continue reading Heather Paquette: President of Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine
City Theater presents: The Secret Garden
Contributed Story City Theater’s Spring production is the magical Tony Award-winning musical The Secret Garden, which will run from March 13 to March 29. The book and lyrics are by Marsha Norman and music is by Lucy Simon. Charlotte Van Ledtje as Mary and Nathaniel Cummons as Colin in City Theater's magical production of The … Continue reading City Theater presents: The Secret Garden
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
BHS art students earn statewide recognition
By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer Two Biddeford High School students are being recognized for their award-winning artwork in the prestigious Scholastic Art and Writing Awards at the Maine College of Art & Design in Portland next month. Junior Brynn Wilkinson earned a Silver Key Award for her "Drawn by Light", an 8-by-10 acrylic still-life painting, and Sophomore … Continue reading BHS art students earn statewide recognition
OPINION: City showed no compassion for the sisters who have supported Biddeford
Dear Editor: The moratorium on the sale of St Joseph's convent by the city council took me by surprise. It is not just that the city council appears so unwelcoming to the university, but it is their callous disregard for the plight of the nuns who so crucially need the income for their continued maintenance. … Continue reading OPINION: City showed no compassion for the sisters who have supported Biddeford
OPINION: Is Graham Platner more than image?
Dear Editor: Friday morning, I engaged with a post on the Instagram account of U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner. My comment was not a personal attack, but a critique of messaging and political culture. Earlier that day, I had been watching a panel of reporters, cultural critics and activists discussing a racist meme Donald Trump … Continue reading OPINION: Is Graham Platner more than image?
OPINION: Supporting our municipal workforce; how AI can help cities serve better
By MARTY GROHMAN, Special to the Gazette Our municipal employees are the backbone of our communities. They plow our streets at three in the morning during snowstorms. They respond to service requests, maintain our infrastructure, and keep our cities running smoothly day after day. These dedicated public servants often work with limited resources, facing growing … Continue reading OPINION: Supporting our municipal workforce; how AI can help cities serve better
Biddeford students headed to York County spelling bee
By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer Students from Biddeford and Saco schools showcased their spelling skills last month during their respective school Spelling Bees, earning top honors and advancing to the York County Spelling Bee on February 9, 2026, at Saco Middle School. Due to limited space, the event is not open to the public. Biddeford … Continue reading Biddeford students headed to York County spelling bee
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 