By RANDY SEAVER | Editor Don Creighton has just four words for all the people who rallied around him earlier this year when an unexpected injury sidelined him from his job as a security guard at the McArthur Library in Biddeford. Thank. You. So. Much. We caught up with Creighton last week. He contacted us, … Continue reading An Attitude of Gratitude | Don Creighton
Tag: Biddeford Gazette
OPINION | Working toward fair school funding
According to current data, 64.3 percent of Biddeford students in our school district are economically disadvantaged. This is one of the highest poverty rates of any school district in Maine.
St. James School opens enrollment
The parochial school is celebrating a long legacy in Biddeford, and ‘unplugged’ academic excellence [Contributed Story] BIDDEFORD -- Saint James School, a cornerstone of the Biddeford community for over a century, officially announced the opening of enrollment for the next school year. Positioning itself as a leader in the regional educational landscape, the school is … Continue reading St. James School opens enrollment
OPINION | Taking care of the people who feed us
“Mental health challenges in these industries don’t always look like crises. More often, they show up as exhaustion, irritability, isolation and a sense that there’s no room to slow down.”
Voices and Visions Lecture Series Kicks Off April 8
Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center launches its new ‘Voices and Visions’ Lectures series with presentation titled ‘The Colonization of the Dawnland’ Contributed Story & Photo | Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center BIDDEFORD -- The Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center will launch its new Voices and Visions Lecture Series with a presentation titled “The Colonization of … Continue reading Voices and Visions Lecture Series Kicks Off April 8
Biddeford Mills Museum hosting historian Elizabeth DeWolfe for March 29 lecture about ‘Mill Girls’
[Contributed Story & Graphic] By CHLOE BOULLE | University of New England Historian and professor Dr. Elizabeth DeWolfe will join the Biddeford Mills Museum on March 29 for a Women's History Month lecture on the 1841 women-led strike of textile mill workers. The Biddeford Mills Museum is celebrating this year's Women’s History Month with a … Continue reading Biddeford Mills Museum hosting historian Elizabeth DeWolfe for March 29 lecture about ‘Mill Girls’
Mid-1600s deeds, other historic documents enthrall adult ed class
[Contributed Story & Photos] By TAMMY WELLS | York County Government media ALFRED, Maine – The mark, drawn in ink, is a figure of a person with their arms thrust out from their sides, fingers on each hand spread wide. It is the mark of a man named Roles, described in a deed “the Sagamore … Continue reading Mid-1600s deeds, other historic documents enthrall adult ed class
Mayor issues statement about court case
Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain issued a public statement to all southern Maine media outlets regarding a recent York County Superior Court decision to dismiss a lawsuit that was filed against the Saco River Corridor Commission (SRCC) in December 2025. RELATED | Court rules against the city of Biddeford Please find below the mayor's unedited statement: … Continue reading Mayor issues statement about court case
OUR ERROR | And how we’re going to fix it
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor An open letter to the Gazette's readers, subscribers, team members and donors. The following is the text of an email that I sent earlier today to Carolyn Fox, executive editor of the Portland Press Herald. _________________ Dear Ms. Fox, By way of introduction, my name is Randy Seaver, and I … Continue reading OUR ERROR | And how we’re going to fix it
NEWSLETTER | Moving in stereo
One thing became especially clear for the Biddeford Gazette last week: Its editor – me – needs better time management skills. When you’re running a small operation on a shoe-string budget with an all-volunteer staff, it becomes quickly obvious that there’s just not enough time in the day. For example, our weekly newsletters are supposed … Continue reading NEWSLETTER | Moving in stereo
Editor’s Note | Ready for some fun?
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor Have you – or someone you know – ever wondered what it’s like to be a journalist in today’s rapidly changing media landscape? Ever thought you would like to write news or feature stories for your community newspaper? Or would you just like to take a deeper dive and participate … Continue reading Editor’s Note | Ready for some fun?
Doug Sanford | A preacher’s son, developer
For nearly 50 years, Biddeford's most iconic 'bootstrap developer" has demonstrated a deep love for the city. By RANDY SEAVER | Editor When looking back over the last 50 years of Biddeford’s history, there is no question that Doug Sanford played an extraordinarily pivotal and significant role in resurrecting a community that was brimming with … Continue reading Doug Sanford | A preacher’s son, developer
Running on Empty | Jessica Johnson
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor Just one month from today, Jessica Johnson of Biddeford will again be lacing up her sneakers and then taking in some giant breaths only moments before the start of the 130th annual Boston Marathon. On Monday, April 20-- Patriot’s Day, celebrated only in Maine and Massachusetts -- Johnson will again … Continue reading Running on Empty | Jessica Johnson
Biddeford author inspires young writers, artists at BIS
[CONTRIBUTED STORY] By KAREN GARNETT | Biddeford School Department BIDDEFORD, Maine – Biddeford Intermediate School (BIS) welcomed acclaimed author and illustrator Rebekah Lowell on the morning of March 19, 2026, where she led four engaging presentations for third and fourth grade students centered on storytelling, creativity, and art. Biddeford Intermediate School third grader Olivia Langill … Continue reading Biddeford author inspires young writers, artists at BIS
Pendleton takes on new role
A well-known community leader and volunteer, Craig Pendleton has joined the Biddeford Gazette’s board of directors CRAIG PENDLETON BIDDEFORD | Biddeford Gazette, Inc. – the parent company of the Biddeford Gazette -- is pleased to announce that Craig Pendleton of Old Orchard Beach has formally joined the Gazette’s board of directors as the corporation’s treasurer. … Continue reading Pendleton takes on new role
OPINION | Why History Matters
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor One of the coolest things about doing something for more than 30 years is the memories you make along the way. As a political junkie – especially in regards to the city of Biddeford – it is extremely rewarding for me to have an archive of local political news that … Continue reading OPINION | Why History Matters
City council will hear school budget proposal
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor School Supt. Jeremy Ray is expected to make his annual presentation of the proposed school budget before the Biddeford City Council this evening, March 17. The city council is already wrestling with a proposed municipal budget that was presented last week by municipal department heads. That early proposal – subject … Continue reading City council will hear school budget proposal
Saco has lost a former mayor; I have lost a friend
OPINION | RANDY SEAVER I am feeling so sad. I just learned from a reading a story in Saco Bay News that Bill Johnson – a former Saco mayor and city councilor -- recently passed away at the age of 92. This news leaves a gaping hole. I regret losing touch with Bill. He was … Continue reading Saco has lost a former mayor; I have lost a friend
Biddeford-Saco Music Hall of Fame inductees announced, ceremony scheduled May 3
Contributed Story | Molly Lovell MARCH 16, 2026 | The Greater Biddeford Saco Music Hall of Fame has announced its inductees for the class of 2026 among musicians throughout York County. The class of 2026 inductees include: J.D. Drown; The ID; Johnny Martinez’ Lower East Side; Armand Paquette and The Tidal Waves. The inductees will … Continue reading Biddeford-Saco Music Hall of Fame inductees announced, ceremony scheduled May 3
County’s Citizen Police Academy ‘intriguing, interesting’ grads say
By TAMMY WELLS | York County Government media ALFRED -- A couple of classes of the Citizens Police Academy conducted by York County Sheriff’s Office this winter included law and the US Constitution. It was part of the nine-week program that saw students learn everything from how to conduct a traffic stop to the role … Continue reading County’s Citizen Police Academy ‘intriguing, interesting’ grads say
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 