Welcome to the new year! How are you doing with your resolutions? One of my primary resolutions for the new year included taking the Biddeford Gazette from a simple concept to a structured, non-profit organization. The Gazette was formally launched on January 14, 2025. Our first story was about a proposed affordable housing project that … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: From concept to reality
Tag: Biddeford Gazette
New committee will oversee development at UNE
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor As part of his campaign promise to increase government transparency, accountability and citizen participation, newly-elected Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain unveiled his plan to create a new ad-hoc committee that will oversee all development on the University of New England’s Biddeford campus. LaFountain’s plan was warmly received by both the city council … Continue reading New committee will oversee development at UNE
Developer secures funding for environmental remediation near former MERC site
A public hearing about the project remediation will be held Dec. 18 Contributed Story; Legal Notice Fathom Companies --- a development firm that will be building a mixed-use and housing project near the intersection of Lincoln and Pearl streets in Biddeford --- has received a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) … Continue reading Developer secures funding for environmental remediation near former MERC site
UNE students help families in need during holidays
Contributed Story Students from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Sigma Sigma Phi (SSP) KAPPA Chapter continued a longstanding holiday tradition on Friday, Dec. 12, hosting their annual Holiday Giving Tree toy drive on UNE’s Biddeford Campus to support local families through the Biddeford Primary School. Now in its seventh year, the … Continue reading UNE students help families in need during holidays
NEWSLETTER: Catch you on the flip side
Although it may be hard to believe, we are now pushing up against the edge of the 2025 holiday season. Wow! Where did this year go? Over the next 30 days, people in our community will celebrate Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, the Winter Solstice and Christmas. For many people, this can be a stressful and lonely time … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: Catch you on the flip side
Biddeford convent could become college dorms
The former St. Joseph’s Covent in Biddeford could soon become a new dormitory complex for students from the University of New England (UNE). UNE purchased the property earlier this year. They are scheduled to present their plan before the Saco River Corridor Commission (SRCC) on Monday. The St. Joseph's convent in Biddeford could soon become … Continue reading Biddeford convent could become college dorms
Cities will rename bridge Tuesday
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor On Tuesday – during this year’s annual Veterans’ Day ceremonies -- the cities of Biddeford and Saco will pause for a brief ceremony to dedicate and rename the York Hill Bridge in honor of General Wallace Nutting. The York Hill bridge connects Biddeford and Saco and sits at the bottom of … Continue reading Cities will rename bridge Tuesday
Biddeford chooses new mayor
Biddeford voters chose City Council President Liam LaFountain to be Biddeford's next mayor. LaFountain edged incumbent Marty Grohman 2,623 - 2,413. City Councilor Norman Belanger placed third with 1, 272 votes. For the first time, the Biddeford City Council will include three women. Patricia Boston won her campaign in Ward One; political newcomer Abigail Woods … Continue reading Biddeford chooses new mayor
OPINION: Behind the Scenes — Biddeford elections and the Biddeford Gazette
Thanks to Randy Forcier for the opportunity to discuss Biddeford's upcoming elections and the genesis of the Biddeford Gazette. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpZVaHFLfdE
Talkin’ Biddeford Politics with Randy Forcier
Once again, I had a blast as a guest on the Randy Forcier Podcast. We talked about the upcoming municipal elections, my predictions on the various races and voter turnout. Randy is a Biddeford native and a former member of the Biddeford School Committee. You can find his podcast on several platforms, including YouTube, Spotify … Continue reading Talkin’ Biddeford Politics with Randy Forcier
Biddeford Education Foundation raises more than $20K to help students
By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer The Biddeford Education Foundation (BEF) held its Eighth Annual Pillars of Pride event to honor two remarkable community members: longtime educator Joyce Tarpy and local photographer Maureen Grandmaison. The celebration, hosted at The Lincoln Hotel in Biddeford, raised over $20,000 for the Foundation, which provides resources outside the school budget … Continue reading Biddeford Education Foundation raises more than $20K to help students
OPINION: First board meeting, a success
What a fantastic first meeting of the Biddeford Gazette's Advisory Board! Our board offered us tons of valuable feedback, suggestions and ideas about the next steps on our continuing journey. The conversation was heartfelt and candid, including some constructive criticism regarding design, access and editorial roles. As we digest the valuable content of tonight's meeting, … Continue reading OPINION: First board meeting, a success
UNE pier approval tainted by glaring SRCC mistake
Although the University of New England has cleared all the reviews and hurdles needed to begin construction of a large pier on the Saco River, the Saco River Corridor Commission (SRCC) has now admitted it made a crucial mistake while approving the university’s application in 2024. The Saco River Corridor Commission (SRCC) voted in August … Continue reading UNE pier approval tainted by glaring SRCC mistake
City manager outlines goals and objectives
Biddeford City Manager Truc Dever took to the podium during Tuesday’s city council meeting to provide a snapshot of her objectives and goals over the next several months. According to Dever’s employment contract, she is required to provide the council with “specific, measurable performance goals” within 60 days of taking over the helm at City … Continue reading City manager outlines goals and objectives
Date set for ‘Citizens Grievance’ meeting
Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman told the Biddeford Gazette Tuesday that a special, “Citizens Grievance” meeting has been scheduled for Oct. 23 and will be held in the council chambers at Biddeford City Hall, beginning at 6 p.m. The special meeting will focus on the controversial pier project that the University of New England wants to … Continue reading Date set for ‘Citizens Grievance’ meeting
Boston, LaBelle both hoping for Ward One seat
Two candidates have stepped forward in hopes of representing Biddeford’s coastal neighborhoods (Ward One) on the city council. Patricia Boston Jim LaBelle Pat Boston of Hills Beach is hoping to make a return to the city council after a 14-year hiatus. Political newcomer Jim LaBelle recently retired after serving seven years as the executive director … Continue reading Boston, LaBelle both hoping for Ward One seat
New cookie business opens in Biddeford
In a modest, second-floor apartment on Alfred Street, Zimra Winters is making his dream come true. Winters, 29, has a daytime job working as a baker at Rover Bagel in Biddeford. But his real passion is cookies – cookies so delicious that after your first bite, you may think you have died and gone to … Continue reading New cookie business opens in Biddeford
Biddeford Politics: Another chapter begins tomorrow
Tomorrow, October 1, the Biddeford Gazette will officially begin its coverage of the 2025 municipal elections in Biddeford. It’s hard to explain why I am so excited about this time of year. I feel like a little kid on Christmas morning. After working at other newspapers, I began covering news in Biddeford during the month … Continue reading Biddeford Politics: Another chapter begins tomorrow
NEWSLETTER: Surgery & Local Politics
Greetings! I know this newsletter is long overdue, but I feel as if I have a decent excuse. As most of you know, I broke my right arm in two places while on vacation a few weeks ago. Since then, I have had surgery and am making good progress toward full recovery. The accident, however, … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: Surgery & Local Politics
Residents collect enough signatures to invoke a special meeting
Members of a grassroots coalition that are pushing for a public airing of grievance meeting announced Thursday that they have collected far more than the 100-signatures of registered Biddeford voters they need in order invoke a “General Meeting of Citizens.” “It really wasn’t hard to get the signatures,” said Carole Alexander, the wife of Biddeford’s … Continue reading Residents collect enough signatures to invoke a special meeting
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 