By RANDY SEAVER, Editor In the very crowded race to become Maine’s next governor, former State Sen. Rick Bennett is hoping to stand out as an Independent candidate who is ready to tackle tough issues with a common-sense approach and a commitment to people rather than any political party. Bennett, 62, brought his campaign to Biddeford … Continue reading Bennett brings campaign to Biddeford
Tag: Biddeford Gazette
NEWSLETTER: Warm thoughts on a cold day
Feedback from our readers reinforces the Gazette's mission statement Wow! What a busy week it’s been. In a few moments, I’ll be headed out the door and on my way to this year’s WinterFest activities in downtown Biddeford. WinterFest is so much than just a giant man-made sledding hill on Adams Street. It is now … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: Warm thoughts on a cold day
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?
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
How Biddeford is using its opioid settlement funds
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The Biddeford City Council received an update Tuesday regarding how the city’s local allocation of Opioid Settlement funds has been used over the last year. The funds come from several class action lawsuits that were filed against opioid manufacturers and distributors roughly 10 years ago. Jake Hammer, Biddeford's General Assistance supervisor, gave … Continue reading How Biddeford is using its opioid settlement funds
OPINION: Those were the days . . .
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor How do you know you've been covering Biddeford news for a long, long time? I have covered the city's annual WinterFest celebration since --- well – since before it was called WinterFest. Biddeford’s annual downtown winter celebration was the brainchild of newly elected Mayor Alan Casavant in 2012. Casavant -- who … Continue reading OPINION: Those were the days . . .
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
Firefighters tackle blaze at Sleepy Hollow motel in Biddeford
Firefighters from several communities are now on scene at the former Sleepy Hollow Motel on Elm Street in Biddeford. A structure fire was reported shortly before 9 a.m. Tuesday. One firefighter was removed from the scene by an ambulance from the Goodwins Mills fire department. It is unclear why the firefighter was taken from the … Continue reading Firefighters tackle blaze at Sleepy Hollow motel in Biddeford
BREAKING NEWS: IRS will waive $700K in penalties against Biddeford; city assessor taking new job
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor City officials in Biddeford are breathing a sigh of relief today after learning that the IRS will be waiving more than $500,000 in fees and penalties that were levied against the city two years ago. Furthermore, City Manager Truc Dever says the IRS will also refund roughly $200,000 that the city … Continue reading BREAKING NEWS: IRS will waive $700K in penalties against Biddeford; city assessor taking new job
King being challenged by independent in sheriff’s race
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Brian Pellerin -- deputy chief of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s office -- recently announced that he is running for York County Sheriff in the November 2026 election. “I am running as a principled independent candidate, committed to professional, nonpartisan leadership in public safety,” Pellerin wrote in a press release that was … Continue reading King being challenged by independent in sheriff’s race
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
NEWSLETTER: Help us with a tagline, score some goodies from Reilly’s Bakery
According to blogger Mat Zucker, it is becoming more and more important for news outlets to have a pithy, clever tagline that differentiates them from an overflowing pot of news sources and media sites. “The motto of a news organization is more than just marketing,” Zucker writes. “It’s a declaration of journalistic purpose. These short … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: Help us with a tagline, score some goodies from Reilly’s Bakery
Biddeford lawmaker’s bill addresses online gambling addiction
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Over just the last few years, online gambling has exploded in popularity all over the country and its impacts are being felt here in Maine -- on several different fronts. That gambling explosion – especially the rise in online sports/fantasy wagering – has also caused some problems, most notably a sharp … Continue reading Biddeford lawmaker’s bill addresses online gambling addiction
City facing $500k in IRS penalties, fines
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The city of Biddeford is now facing roughly $500,000 in penalties and fines from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). According to City Manager Truc Dever, the issue traces back to 2021 when the city failed to submit specific forms detailing employee health insurance. “Initially, the fines and penalties were approximately $700,000,” … Continue reading City facing $500k in IRS penalties, fines
Eastern fire substation moving through review process
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor NOTE: This story has been updated in order to clarify that city of Biddeford has not had any formal discussions with the owners of the Biddeford Pool volunteer fire station. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused. It is an idea that has been discussed for nearly a decade, but … Continue reading Eastern fire substation moving through review process
NEWSLETTER: Baby, it’s cold outside
Just as I was getting used to the lull of the holidays and a slower news pace during the early days of January, the local news cycle basically exploded and caught me a bit off guard. For the first time I can remember, I have seven stories in development and stacked up for publication. I … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: Baby, it’s cold outside
Lessard: ‘I am not so ready to hold hands and sing Kumbaya’
Finance Committee takes a closer look at how a downtown parking plan was funded By RANDY SEAVER, Editor A controversial and temporary downtown parking program will be reviewed by the Biddeford City Council at its next meeting, Feb. 3. As first reported in the Biddeford Gazette earlier this week, Mayor Liam LaFountain and members of the city … Continue reading Lessard: ‘I am not so ready to hold hands and sing Kumbaya’
COMMUNITY: When the helper needs help
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Those who know Don Creighton will tell you that he is always the first to step up and help others in their time of need. Unfortunately, Don is now on the other end of that equation and wondering how he’s going to make it through the next few weeks and months … Continue reading COMMUNITY: When the helper needs help
Gazette creates ‘landing page’ for ICE info in Biddeford
At the advice and direction of several of our advisory board members, the Biddeford Gazette has created a special page for updates and community information regarding ramped up enforcement activities by the U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) in Biddeford. According to multiple sources, ICE began an operation known as "Catch of the Day" … Continue reading Gazette creates ‘landing page’ for ICE info in Biddeford
New Chamber director is full of enthusiasm
To answer one of our questions, Alex MacPhail patiently scrolls through a series of data on his computer monitor. He seems naturally comfortable and at ease, sitting at his desk and eagerly talking about the “unlimited potential” of the Biddeford-Saco region. MacPhail, 57, is the new executive director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce & … Continue reading New Chamber director is full of enthusiasm
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