City, state and federal officials praised the numerous benefits of a new housing development currently under construction on the Barra Road.
Tag: BIDDEFORD NEWS
LETTER | Seeds of Hope remains as Biddeford’s most cost-effective and humane method of meeting human needs
Editor: I would like to respond to your recent article on the city council budget discussions around funding for the Seeds of Hope Center. (Biddeford’s unhoused funding challenges, April 24, 2026). It is helpful to recall that the city, working cooperatively with Seeds of Hope, was successful in resolving a significant human tragedy and public … Continue reading LETTER | Seeds of Hope remains as Biddeford’s most cost-effective and humane method of meeting human needs
IN-DEPTH | Biddeford’s unhoused funding challenges
'We’re using a butter knife, when we should be using a chainsaw,' says Biddeford City Councilor Marc Lessard By RANDY SEAVER | Editor As the Biddeford City Council continues slogging through its review and recommendations for next year’s municipal budget, one particular issue has clearly become a contentious hot-button topic. Councilors seem extremely split on … Continue reading IN-DEPTH | Biddeford’s unhoused funding challenges
NEWS | Local businesses donate $20k to support state’s first psychiatric residential treatment facility
Saco & Biddeford Savings and Paquin & Carroll Insurance are proud to announce their $20,000 donation to Sweetser in support of the construction of Maine’s first Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility on Sweetser’s Saco campus. CONTRIBUTED STORY | Saco & Biddeford Savings and Paquin & Carroll Insurance are proud to announce their $20,000 donation to Sweetser … Continue reading NEWS | Local businesses donate $20k to support state’s first psychiatric residential treatment facility
Area leaders hear about CMP’s upgrade plan
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor More than two dozen local community and business leaders attended a special event sponsored by the Biddeford + Saco Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday to learn more about Central Maine Power (CMP) and how the utility delivers electricity to more than 670,000 residential and commercial customers in Maine. Linda Ball … Continue reading Area leaders hear about CMP’s upgrade plan
Spring sports season is underway in Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor It's finally time to put away the snow shovels and grab the lawn rakes. But if you need a break from your spring-cleaning chores, we have some good news to share. The Spring Sports Season in Biddeford is about to kick into high gear. Here is our weekly roundup of … Continue reading Spring sports season is underway in Biddeford
NEWSLETTER | Dance this mess around
Another busy week. This seems to be a pattern. This week, we are busy planning for two upcoming events that are especially relevant to our mission of providing an “embedded-approach” to community journalism. On Thursday, we will host our third quarterly meeting of our Community Advisory Council (CAC). We put this group together last year … Continue reading NEWSLETTER | Dance this mess around
Can you hear me scream | the rise and fall of the Lincoln Mill clocktower
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor This is a piece that was first published in 2012 on my blog, All Along the Watchtower (Today known as Lessons in Mediocrity | Outlaw Journalist). This story has a very sad ending, but it provides a detailed account of what happened to the former Lincoln Mill clocktower that once … Continue reading Can you hear me scream | the rise and fall of the Lincoln Mill clocktower
Third graders take former mayor’s idea to heart
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor At the suggestion of former Biddeford Mayor Michael Cantara, current Mayor Liam LaFountain organized an early Arbor Day celebration on Wednesday at the J.R Martin Community Center, where some third-grade students helped plant a tree in the new playground area. According to event witnesses, the students from Ms. Lecler’s class … Continue reading Third graders take former mayor’s idea to heart
Walmart plans to upgrade, expand its Biddeford store
The company is also planning to upgrade two of its other locations in Maine and says the renovation will provide significant economic impact and provide numerous community benefits [ Contributed story via Walmart ] According to a corporate press release, Walmart plans to remodel three stores in Maine this year, including its Biddeford location on … Continue reading Walmart plans to upgrade, expand its Biddeford store
Restored funds ease increase to proposed York County budget
The restoration of the $400,000 in state funding was good news at a time when expenses are increasing for everyone [ Contributed Story ] By TAMMY WELLS | York County Government media When York County Commissioners approved the proposed $31.64 million county operating budget for the next fiscal year April 8 and turned it over … Continue reading Restored funds ease increase to proposed York County budget
Council aims for ‘bare bones’ city budget
City Manager finds some significant savings while councilors consider deep cuts to social service funding requests; a public hearing will be held tonight By RANDY SEAVER | Editor At the start of the Biddeford City Council’s budget workshop meeting on Monday, City Manager Truc Dever walked members of the council through several pages of a … Continue reading Council aims for ‘bare bones’ city budget
NEWSLETTER | Follow Your Bliss
It looks like spring is finally springing here in Biddeford. Spring is exciting and refreshing, but it also means we have to come out of hibernation and begin some hard tasks, including spring cleaning, yard work and the arduous task of preparing local, county and state budgets for the next fiscal year. The Gazette is … Continue reading NEWSLETTER | Follow Your Bliss
Biddeford’s Odyssey of the Mind Teams Named World Finalists
[Contributed Story] By KAREN GARNETT | Biddeford School Department Among the 77 teams representing Divisions I, II, and III at the Maine Odyssey of the Mind (OM) State Finals Tournament on April 4, 2026, two of the four Biddeford teams placed in their divisions. Both the Biddeford Intermediate School (BIS) Performance Team and the Biddeford … Continue reading Biddeford’s Odyssey of the Mind Teams Named World Finalists
IN-DEPTH | The city, the convent and the university: What happened?
A weeks-long investigation by the Biddeford Gazette reveals a million-dollar real estate deal, a 25-year option on a large parcel of riverfront land and a lack of disclosure that has fueled negative public commentary By RANDY SEAVER | Editor As tensions between the city of Biddeford and the University of New England continue to boil, … Continue reading IN-DEPTH | The city, the convent and the university: What happened?
Westbrook Development Breaks Ground on Thatcher Brook Apartments in Biddeford
[Contributed Story] A new 40-unit affordable housing community at 37 Barra Road marks Westbrook Development's first project in Biddeford and the first phase of a broader housing partnership with the city Westbrook Development Corporation (WDC), in partnership with the city of Biddeford, is proud to announce the groundbreaking of Thatcher Brook Apartments, a new 40-unit … Continue reading Westbrook Development Breaks Ground on Thatcher Brook Apartments in Biddeford
Tensions increase between UNE and Biddeford
The city announced today that it will appeal the dismissal of a legal complaint filed in connection with the university's controversial research pier. UNE describes the move as "frivolous" and a waste of taxpayer money. By RANDY SEAVER | Editor Tensions between the city of Biddeford and the University of New England seem to be … Continue reading Tensions increase between UNE and Biddeford
Biddeford residents | ‘Please raise my taxes’
During Tuesday's public hearing about next year's municipal budget, a majority of those speaking supported increased spending and no cuts to social service programs By RANDY SEAVER | Editor More than 60 people – including many supporters of the McArthur Library -- packed the Biddeford City Council Chambers Tuesday to listen and speak at the … Continue reading Biddeford residents | ‘Please raise my taxes’
De La Torre Recipient of MPA Principal’s Award for Biddeford High School
The standout student receives high praise from her teacher and other community members By KAREN GARNETT | Biddeford School Department Biddeford High School (BHS) Senior Katarina De La Torre has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Principal’s Award. The award, sponsored by the Maine Principals’ Association (MPA), is given annually to a senior … Continue reading De La Torre Recipient of MPA Principal’s Award for Biddeford High School
OPINION | Please support Biddeford’s Public Access (PEG) programming
By JILL (JC) NEWMAN | Biddeford On April 7, the Biddeford City Council will hear a statement from the reestablished 2026 Biddeford Cable Television Committee, which will speak in support of reviving the Biddeford PEG (Public, Educational, Government) Access Television station. Residents supportive of Biddeford PEG Access are encouraged to attend. The meeting will begin … Continue reading OPINION | Please support Biddeford’s Public Access (PEG) programming
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 