Bigfoot comes to Biddeford

Bridgestone/Firestone Auto Care opens its first Maine location Several Biddeford city officials joined with dozens of Bridgestone employees for Thursday’s grand opening event at Maine’s first Firestone Complete Auto Care location in Biddeford. The auto care store first opened its doors on Alfred Road to the public on August 11, according to store manager Amanda … Continue reading Bigfoot comes to Biddeford

Candidates, residents meet during roundtable event

Several city council hopefuls and one of the three candidates for mayor in Biddeford attended an event Tuesday that was billed as a “Community Roundtable” discussion between candidates and members of the public. The forum was held in an ante room at Pizza By Alex and was attended by 18 members of the public. Delilah … Continue reading Candidates, residents meet during roundtable event

OPINION: Councilors offer us a lesson about respect

Something happened at last night’s Biddeford City Council meeting that should be a template for all of us. In a time of seemingly unprecedented political tension on the national stage, two city councilors showed us all a valuable lesson about respect, collaboration and friendship – despite being almost polar opposites when it comes to political … Continue reading OPINION: Councilors offer us a lesson about respect

Angers will not go quietly into the night

The Biddeford City Council is expected to vote Tuesday about Mayor Marty Grohman’s request to remove a member of the city’s planning board.  And now, another member of the planning board is rising to the defense of  his colleague, saying a removal is not necessary and that a written reprimand would be more appropriate. Grohman … Continue reading Angers will not go quietly into the night

Get on the bus! Check out ‘Childish Things’

Why run from your problems, when you can drive? Although they are not yet as famous as the Coen brothers, Cash and Nick Cassidy are already making quite a splash in the world of independent (indie) filmmaking. Their latest film – Childish Things – will kick off this year’s Vacationland Film Festival at City Theater … Continue reading Get on the bus! Check out ‘Childish Things’

Dupuis Hardware: A local staple trying to survive

One of Biddeford’s most beloved local businesses is also located in the epicenter of the so-called ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’, the six-month-long sewer upgrade project that has significantly interrupted traffic flow on Elm Street. Dupuis Hardware is an old-fashioned hardware store, where knowledgeable employees can help you figure out what parts you need to repair … Continue reading Dupuis Hardware: A local staple trying to survive

Relief effort continues for fire victims

According to organizers, the relief effort to help families that were displaced by last week's fire on Brackett Street has received wide and 'overwhelming support" from the community. Jessica Johnson, a downtown business owner and former city council candidate, has been coordinating the effort to help provide essential items and clothing for people who "lost … Continue reading Relief effort continues for fire victims

Ex-city manager wants city to pay expenses for Shriner clown events

Former Biddeford City Manager Jim Bennett is asking the city of Biddeford to financially reimburse him for expenses he incurred while performing as a Shriner’s clown in June and July this year. According to documents obtained by the Biddeford Gazette, Bennett is asking the city for a total of $798.92 in expense reimbursements, including an … Continue reading Ex-city manager wants city to pay expenses for Shriner clown events

City gives non-union employees a modest pay increase

The Biddeford City Council voted 6-1 Tuesday to give the city’s non-union employees a one-half percent pay increase. Earlier this year, the council completed negotiations with union employees. Those negotiations resulted in a four percent cost-of-living raise. Meanwhile, during this year’s budget process, non-union employees were allocated a 3.5 percent increase. All city employees -- … Continue reading City gives non-union employees a modest pay increase

Rollin’ with the punches: 3 Ds Variety

This week's installment of Taking Care of Business features the three DiPietrantonio brothers and their popular Main Street convenience store in Biddeford ______________ While Three D’s Variety on Main Street in Biddeford relies heavily on foot traffic, owner Peter DiPietrantonio says his neighborhood convenience store is also being impacted by an ongoing sewer upgrade project … Continue reading Rollin’ with the punches: 3 Ds Variety

LaFountain joins mayoral race in Biddeford

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The race to become Biddeford’s next mayor has now turned into a three-way contest. City Council President Liam LaFountain told the Biddeford Gazette this week that he will give up his Ward Seven council seat to join the race for mayor. LaFountain now joins fellow city councilor Norman Belanger in opposing … Continue reading LaFountain joins mayoral race in Biddeford

Residents share concerns about local news

Roughly a dozen people gathered Tuesday at the McArthur Library in Biddeford to discuss local journalism and a rapidly changing media landscape. The event was part of a statewide listening tour coordinated by The Maine Monitor, an online publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, and intended to collect public feedback about how … Continue reading Residents share concerns about local news

Old faces, new faces vying for office in Biddeford

Several potential candidates have taken out qualifying nomination forms for mayor, city council and school committee races in Biddeford. Some familiar names are hoping to make a political comeback, but there are also several people seeking office who have never served before. Former City Councilors Roger Hurtubise, John McCurry and Bobby Mills are all hoping … Continue reading Old faces, new faces vying for office in Biddeford

Biddeford’s political landscape is heating up

By RANDY SEAVER, editor A little more than 24 hours before nomination papers are available from the City’s Clerk’s office, and the landscape for this year’s municipal election in Biddeford is already taking shape. As we first reported on July 11, Incumbent Marty Grohman is hoping for a second term but will face a challenge … Continue reading Biddeford’s political landscape is heating up

Nominations being sought for 2025 Biddeford Hall of Fame

According to a recent press release, he Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center (BCHC) is now seeking nominations for the 2025 Biddeford Hall of Fame. Now in its eighth year, the annual BCHC program recognizes and celebrates citizens of Biddeford or others who have contributed to the history, heritage, and culture of the city or the … Continue reading Nominations being sought for 2025 Biddeford Hall of Fame

What is ‘affordable’ housing?

You see it all the time. Whenever elected officials or media outlets use the words “affordable housing,” there is often an almost immediate pushback from people who say those housing units are not really “affordable.” This is especially true in the city of Biddeford, the latest community to join southern Maine’s so-called “gold coast.” Until … Continue reading What is ‘affordable’ housing?