This page highlights a variety of press releases that were sent to the Biddeford Gazette and other local media outlets.
March 5, 2026
County Jail receives 100 percent rating
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 Jail.
“We’ve been close, gotten scores into the 90s, but never 100 percent,” said York County Jail Administrator Major Lori Marks.
York County Sheriff William L King Jr. said Maine Department of Corrections officials emphasized how rare it is for a facility to achieve a 100 percent compliance rating.
“They were very complimentary on how well York County Jail is operated,” said King. “I am very proud of this rating. Lori and her team are dedicated professionals, and they do a remarkable job.”
The standards encompass every facet of the jail operation, from specifying clothing items issued to inmates to control center operations, documentation of inmate counts, facility searches for contraband, medical care, use of force, food service requirements, programs, and a host of others.
“A perfect score in two years is very commendable,” said Steven French, Manager of Correctional Operations and Compliance for the Maine Department of Corrections.
The inspection program requires documentation of how each standard is achieved, followed by an intensive two-day in-person facility inspection by Maine DOC.
“The inspection encompasses every corner of the jail, from maintenance to community programs – everything in the jail,” said French. “They did very well.” READ MORE
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March 5, 2026
UNE students will help plant dune grass
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.
On Tuesday, March 10, from 11:30 to about 1:40 p.m. about 16 students from Assistant Professor Will Kochtitzky’s Geographic Information System (GIS) course will aid Biddeford Pool Conservation Trust President Lucie Fontein and around 10 volunteers from the nonprofit to plant dune grass in the three-day effort.
The same volunteer effort was taken last year to address the dune loss that resulted from the 2024 back-to-back January storms that caused an estimated $90 million in damages along the Maine coast, according to the state. This year, the Conservation Trust purchased 66% more dune grass: 20,000 stalks that will cover an estimated 20,000 square feet of beach.
The dune-grass initiative also will launch a new research project. This year dune grass stalks will be planted at both 18 inches and 12 inches apart, two different approaches that Kochtitzky’s classes will study in the years ahead using drone analysis and GPS surveys to determine the most effective method.
The Biddeford Pool Conservation Trust’s volunteer dune grass planting initiative is unique in that many nonprofits and coastal homeowners hire companies to plant dune grass to make beaches more resilient, but the Conservation Trust bought the dune grass independently and then recruited volunteers to assist in planting the grass.
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March 5, 2026
BHS Drama Club presents Mean Girls
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, March 20, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Biddeford Middle School Performing Arts Center.
Based closely on the original hit film Mean Girls, this stage adaptation stays true to the spirit and storyline audiences know and love while being thoughtfully tailored for student performers. Rated PG-13, the high school version makes the story more appropriate for teen and family audiences without losing its signature wit and authenticity.
“At its core, Mean Girls is about identity, belonging, and the courage to be yourself,” said Ellie Joseph, head of Vocal and Theatre Arts at Biddeford High School. “Our students have embraced both the humor and the heart of this story. They’ve grown tremendously — not just as performers, but as collaborators and leaders. Watching them support one another, take creative risks, and bring these characters to life has been incredibly rewarding. This production showcases their talent, resilience, and the powerful sense of community we build through the performing arts.”
At Biddeford High School, the performing arts program is committed to creating meaningful theatrical experiences that both challenge and inspire students. This production offers opportunities for growth not only in performance, but also in collaboration, confidence, and storytelling — skills that extend well beyond the stage.
Community members are invited to attend and celebrate the incredible hard work of the cast and crew. The shows are general admission with tickets sold at the door for $10 for adults and $5 for students. Audiences can expect a show that is bold, funny, and full of heart — and a powerful reminder of the importance of kindness, identity, and finding your voice.
RSVP to the Facebook Event at https://www.facebook.com/biddefordschooldepartment/events.
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