By RANDY SEAVER | Editor This is a piece that was first published in 2012 on my blog, All Along the Watchtower (Today known as Lessons in Mediocrity | Outlaw Journalist). This story has a very sad ending, but it provides a detailed account of what happened to the former Lincoln Mill clocktower that once … Continue reading Can you hear me scream | the rise and fall of the Lincoln Mill clocktower
Category: FEATURE STORIES
Stories that highlight Biddeford’s unique characteristics, its people and their stories
Third graders take former mayor’s idea to heart
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor At the suggestion of former Biddeford Mayor Michael Cantara, current Mayor Liam LaFountain organized an early Arbor Day celebration on Wednesday at the J.R Martin Community Center, where some third-grade students helped plant a tree in the new playground area. According to event witnesses, the students from Ms. Lecler’s class … Continue reading Third graders take former mayor’s idea to heart
A Century | A Life Well-Lived | Still Going Strong
A Biddeford native is about to celebrate her 100th birthday and still lives on her own By RANDY SEAVER | Editor Priscilla Demers of Biddeford will soon celebrate her 100th birthday with her family. Ms. Demers is about to celebrate this landmark event the same way that she has lived her adult life with independence, … Continue reading A Century | A Life Well-Lived | Still Going Strong
FEATURE | A Trip Down Biddeford’s Memory Lane
A classic 1958 high school football game; an appreciation for the Dutremble family name, compelling headlines from the now deceased Journal Tribune. Join us for a fun look at the history that guides Biddeford today
COMMUNITY | Honoring the legacy of Don Wilson
Editor's Note | The Biddeford Gazette was proud to make a modest donation to this effort. We strongly encourage our readers to also consider supporting this community project and honor the memory of one of Biddeford's greatest citizens. By KAREN GARNETT | Biddeford School Department For generations of students, athletes, and families in Biddeford, Don … Continue reading COMMUNITY | Honoring the legacy of Don Wilson
An Attitude of Gratitude | Don Creighton
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor Don Creighton has just four words for all the people who rallied around him earlier this year when an unexpected injury sidelined him from his job as a security guard at the McArthur Library in Biddeford. Thank. You. So. Much. We caught up with Creighton last week. He contacted us, … Continue reading An Attitude of Gratitude | Don Creighton
Voices and Visions Lecture Series Kicks Off April 8
Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center launches its new ‘Voices and Visions’ Lectures series with presentation titled ‘The Colonization of the Dawnland’ Contributed Story & Photo | Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center BIDDEFORD -- The Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center will launch its new Voices and Visions Lecture Series with a presentation titled “The Colonization of … Continue reading Voices and Visions Lecture Series Kicks Off April 8
Biddeford Mills Museum hosting historian Elizabeth DeWolfe for March 29 lecture about ‘Mill Girls’
[Contributed Story & Graphic] By CHLOE BOULLE | University of New England Historian and professor Dr. Elizabeth DeWolfe will join the Biddeford Mills Museum on March 29 for a Women's History Month lecture on the 1841 women-led strike of textile mill workers. The Biddeford Mills Museum is celebrating this year's Women’s History Month with a … Continue reading Biddeford Mills Museum hosting historian Elizabeth DeWolfe for March 29 lecture about ‘Mill Girls’
Doug Sanford | A preacher’s son, developer
For nearly 50 years, Biddeford's most iconic 'bootstrap developer" has demonstrated a deep love for the city. By RANDY SEAVER | Editor When looking back over the last 50 years of Biddeford’s history, there is no question that Doug Sanford played an extraordinarily pivotal and significant role in resurrecting a community that was brimming with … Continue reading Doug Sanford | A preacher’s son, developer
Running on Empty | Jessica Johnson
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor Just one month from today, Jessica Johnson of Biddeford will again be lacing up her sneakers and then taking in some giant breaths only moments before the start of the 130th annual Boston Marathon. On Monday, April 20-- Patriot’s Day, celebrated only in Maine and Massachusetts -- Johnson will again … Continue reading Running on Empty | Jessica Johnson
OPINION | Why History Matters
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor One of the coolest things about doing something for more than 30 years is the memories you make along the way. As a political junkie – especially in regards to the city of Biddeford – it is extremely rewarding for me to have an archive of local political news that … Continue reading OPINION | Why History Matters
Saco has lost a former mayor; I have lost a friend
OPINION | RANDY SEAVER I am feeling so sad. I just learned from a reading a story in Saco Bay News that Bill Johnson – a former Saco mayor and city councilor -- recently passed away at the age of 92. This news leaves a gaping hole. I regret losing touch with Bill. He was … Continue reading Saco has lost a former mayor; I have lost a friend
Biddeford Tigers bring home another win
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor Members of the Biddeford High School Tigers Unified Basketball Team faced their opponents Thursday with steely gazes and wide grins. The Biddeford Tigers take the court just before the start of Thursday's season final in Sanford (Seaver photo) It was a thrilling game that ended the regular season for the … Continue reading Biddeford Tigers bring home another win
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!
Door-to-door sales | Know your rights
By JIM KRAUSE, Contributing Writer Spring and summer 2026 are right around the corner. In fact, Daylight Saving Time begins on March 8. Along with melting snow, muddy driveways and yards, and the first flowers of the season, another familiar trend returns to Biddeford: an increase in door-to-door sales. Each year brings a new wave … Continue reading Door-to-door sales | Know your rights
‘Coffee With a Cop’ proves popular
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Despite the well-known urban legend that no cop can resist a donut, several witnesses who attended Wednesday’s Coffee With a Cop event at the Biddeford Community Center say none of the officers even touched one of the fine donuts that were provided by Reilly’s Bakery. Wednesday’s event was coordinated by Recreation … Continue reading ‘Coffee With a Cop’ proves popular
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
INTERVIEW | David Kurtz, city councilor, lawyer and hiker
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor David Kurtz takes in a deep breath – pauses – and looks away, toward the coffee shop’s window before answering one of our questions during an informal and candid interview. Kurtz, 39, is one of the three new Biddeford city councilors who were each first elected to office in November. Despite … Continue reading INTERVIEW | David Kurtz, city councilor, lawyer and hiker
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’
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
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 