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
Tag: Biddeford Gazette
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!
Nursing scholarships are again available
Regular Gazette readers may recall that Eliza Doyon – a 2025 Biddeford High School graduate – was one of only four students in New England who was chosen last year for an annual scholarship awarded each year by FedPoint, a wholly-owned subsidiary of John Hancock Life & Health Insurance company. RELATED |BHS grad sets her … Continue reading Nursing scholarships are again available
Frustrated residents share concerns about UNE
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor One by one, more than a dozen area residents approached the podium to offer comments and concerns about development at the University of New England’s Biddeford campus during a public hearing held by members of the newly created Institutional Zone Review Committee. The committee, which includes UNE President Dr. James Herbert, … Continue reading Frustrated residents share concerns about UNE
Although retired, Phinney wants accuracy regarding overdue Biddeford audit
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Brian Phinney -- Biddeford’s former chief operating officer, who also served several months as acting city manager – is today retired “and enjoying it,” but wants to make sure that the current city council will be using correct information at their next meeting, especially regarding materials that contain his signature Phinney, … Continue reading Although retired, Phinney wants accuracy regarding overdue Biddeford audit
LETTER: City is treating UNE unfairly
By BERNARD ROY, Special to the Gazette I understand there is a moratorium on UNE initiated by the mayor and city council. UNE is an institution that is a huge plus for Biddeford. They hire professionals as professors, adjunct professors and administrators who live in our community. More importantly, UNE educates young people from Maine … Continue reading LETTER: City is treating UNE unfairly
BPS kids give editor birthday greeting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdPVkgXn36E Students at Biddeford Primary School wish the Gazette's editor a happy birthday. What a truly awesome way to celebrate your birthday! I used to be a second grader in Biddeford -- a long, long time ago, And that -- along with the fact that today is also the birthday of Dr. Seuss, I thought … Continue reading BPS kids give editor birthday greeting
NEWSLETTER | Paradise City
It’s been an interesting, busy and somewhat exhausting week here at the Biddeford Gazette. In fact, I was moving in some many directions that I forgot to send out this newsletter on Saturday. My former boss David Flood always used to say there’s a lot more to running a newspaper than just writing and publishing … Continue reading NEWSLETTER | Paradise City
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
OPINION | Mayor explains new UNE committee
By MAYOR LIAM LAFOUNTAIN, City of Biddeford On Monday, March 2 at 6 p.m., the Institutional Zone Review Committee will hold its first public hearing at City Hall. The meeting begins the public input phase of a broader review of how Biddeford regulates institutional development. For many residents, the term “Institutional Zone” may not be … Continue reading OPINION | Mayor explains new UNE committee
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
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
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’
OPINION | Biddeford should keep Center
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain ran his campaign last year on a platform dedicated to restoring accountability and increasing transparency at City Hall. Those were good messages, and the voters agreed with LaFountain, giving him the edge over the incumbent former mayor. LaFountain pledged to hit the ground running, and he’s already … Continue reading OPINION | Biddeford should keep Center
Adams Point housing | ‘An exciting project’
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Guy Gagnon has been excited about this particular project for several years. The project is Adams Point, a 39-unit affordable family housing project on the upper end of Adams Street in Biddeford. Following more than three years of planning and construction, Adams Point is expected to finally open in April. The … Continue reading Adams Point housing | ‘An exciting project’
Salamone drops out of state senate race
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Political newcomer John Salamone, a Republican who recently moved to Hollis from Portland, announced on social media Monday that he is withdrawing from the Dist. 32 State Senate race. In a brief post on his personal Facebook page, Salamone wrote: "After a great deal of reflection and prayer, I’ve decided to … Continue reading Salamone drops out of state senate race
Biddeford sidewalks and snow
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Given recent complaints about the city of Biddeford's sidewalk snow removal policies, Jeff Demers, the city's public works director, recently sent the Gazette a detailed explanation regarding his department's priorities when it comes to clearing snow from city sidewalk policies. Jeff Demers, Biddeford Public Works Department director (Seaver photo) Demers said … Continue reading Biddeford sidewalks and snow
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
OPINION: Life During Wartime, when reporters compete
When journalists compete, readers win | Good news for people in Biddeford Whether you’re buying a new car or just picking up the week’s groceries, you are always better off when you have choices and competition in the marketplace. It’s no different when it comes to the highly competitive world of journalism. Having choices about … Continue reading OPINION: Life During Wartime, when reporters compete
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