In just a few days, General Marquis de LaFayette – a hero of the American Revolutionary War -- will be making his triumphant return to Biddeford. Well, sort of. Members of the Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center and the Biddeford Historical Society are now busy preparing for some festivities that will celebrate LaFayette’s last visit … Continue reading Gen. LaFayette will return to Biddeford on June 24
Tag: Biddeford
City manager will earn $200k per year
The Biddeford City Council is expected Tuesday to confirm the appointment of Truc Dever as city manager. Dever is being offered a two-year contract that can be renewed. She will be paid a base salary of $195,000 during her first year of employment and $200,00 during her second year. Dever’s contract also includes a monthly … Continue reading City manager will earn $200k per year
NEWSLETTER: A big week for the Biddeford Gazette
A lot can happen in just a few days, and that’s especially true when you’re in the news business. Over just the past few days, we added a new staff member to the Gazette team, got a huge compliment from one of Maine’s most respected journalists and stumbled across a significant story that is still … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: A big week for the Biddeford Gazette
Big laughs in Biddeford this week
Why did the reporter cross the road? To interview a comedy promoter. Duh! Okay, so that’s not very funny, but maybe you are one of those people who can always make people laugh. Have you ever thought about doing some stand-up comedy? If so, Patrick ‘Buzz Gordon’ Ouellette of Biddeford wants to talk with you. … Continue reading Big laughs in Biddeford this week
Council pauses on major development project
Several members of the Biddeford City Council expressed significant and pointed concerns during Tuesday’s council meeting about a proposed affordable housing project near the corner of Lincoln and Pearl streets. Westbrook Development Corp. is hoping to construct approximately 90 units of affordable housing for residents over the age of 55. The developers say the monthly … Continue reading Council pauses on major development project
Biddeford voters will decide school budget
Biddeford voters will soon be asked whether they approve a $49.3 million budget for operation of Biddeford’s public schools during the next fiscal year. The $49,269,781 school budget was ratified by the city council on May 8 and represents what School Supt. Jeremy Ray describes as a “carefully managed” expenditure increase of slightly more than … Continue reading Biddeford voters will decide school budget
Biddeford kicks off Pride month
A crowd of roughly 50 people gathered Monday for the raising of the Pride flag at Biddeford City Hall. Monday's ceremony kicks off at a month-long celebration of activities and events, all aimed at promoting the ideals of inclusivity, respect and diversity -- especially for members of the LGBTQIA+ community -- in Biddeford and beyond. … Continue reading Biddeford kicks off Pride month
UNE hopes to correct ‘misinformation’
Just a few days after hearing several negative comments from the public about their proposed research and docking pier, officials from the University of New England distributed a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) document with the media and community leaders. The university (UNE) says the FAQ document is intended to clarify “a variety of misunderstandings [that] … Continue reading UNE hopes to correct ‘misinformation’
NEWSLETTER: Things are looking good, real good
It’s been a while since my last newsletter, but I am feeling good about the Biddeford Gazette’s trajectory and its future. From time to time, I have to keep reminding myself that this publication is only four months old. We have come quite a way in just the last few weeks. We also have some … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: Things are looking good, real good
BIZ PROFILE | Nibblesford Cheese Shop
In addition to a wide selection of gourmet cheeses, Nibblesford also offers its customers a variety of wines, crackers, fresh bread and sandwiches, not to mention fresh cheese and charcuterie boards. “We try to keep our focus on local products and support local vendors whenever we can,” Kern said. “We offer locally what you would have to drive to Portsmouth or Portland to find.”
Creative ideas floated for Biddeford traffic woes
A small contingent of downtown Biddeford business owners and residents filed into Mayor Marty Grohman’s office Wednesday morning to “brainstorm” and share ideas about how to soften the impact of an ongoing road construction project that sometimes snarls traffic. Grohman set up the meeting last week after his voicing his own concerns about the situation … Continue reading Creative ideas floated for Biddeford traffic woes
Court puts Fecteau in national spotlight
Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford is gaining some national attention after the United States Supreme Court ruled yesterday in favor of Republican lawmaker Laurel Libby who said he violated her Constitutional rights. The case began in February after Libby (R-Auburn) posted a photo of a transgender athlete from Greely High School who won … Continue reading Court puts Fecteau in national spotlight
Remembering ‘Vinny’
Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman and members of the city council set aside some time at the beginning of Tuesday's council meeting to remember and honor one of the city's most iconic Irish residents. Patrick "Vincent" Keely, a former city councilor and the owner of the Wonderbar, died on April 8 this year. He was 90. … Continue reading Remembering ‘Vinny’
New program aims to employ unhoused people
A new program is being launched in Biddeford to help find work opportunities for unhoused individuals in the community. Organizers are calling it the "Biddeford Opportunity Crew," and it is a collaborative effort between several organizations to help "champion a workforce with purpose." The Biddeford Opportunity Crew is a new initiative based on a nationwide … Continue reading New program aims to employ unhoused people
Biddeford-Saco Memorial Day ceremony will be held in Biddeford this year
The cities of Biddeford and Saco will once again be honoring fallen veterans during an annual Memorial Day remembrance ceremony at Waterhouse Field in Biddeford. The Biddeford-Saco Memorial Day ceremony will take place on Monday, May 26, beginning at 10 a.m. Contributed photo by Andrew Dickinson Organizers say this year’s ceremony will be “a heartfelt … Continue reading Biddeford-Saco Memorial Day ceremony will be held in Biddeford this year
Abutters raise concerns about UNE’s proposed pier
Mike Ramunno, a tuna fisherman from Biddeford, has owned his mooring in the Saco River for more than six years. He says no one from the city of Biddeford or the University of New England has contacted him about the university’s plan to build a large pier for their 60-foot research vessel. The university’s plan … Continue reading Abutters raise concerns about UNE’s proposed pier
New twist in Sunday shooting incident
Victim says community needs to do more in addressing crime, mental health needs and homelessness in the downtown area Although his story has been shared in several other media outlets over the past 48 hours, Joshua Wolfe contacted the Biddeford Gazette in hopes of ending rumors and speculation about a shooting that happened in Biddeford … Continue reading New twist in Sunday shooting incident
Biddeford faces federal lawsuit regarding police
A federal lawsuit against the city of Biddeford, Mayor Marty Grohman and Police Chief JoAnne Fisk has been filed in U.S. District Court, alleging that the city mishandled the criminal investigation of a traffic accident that occurred on April 4 this year. The plaintiff, Katie Elie, 35, of Saco. has retained Biddeford attorney Jason Litalien … Continue reading Biddeford faces federal lawsuit regarding police
Councilor offers inside view of Biddeford’s budget
Editor's note: The following is a response that Biddeford City Council President Liam LaFountain sent to a resident who expressed concerns about this year's municipal budget. By Liam LaFountain Thank you for taking the time to write and for your thoughtful engagement with this year’s city budget. Your questions about affordability, sustainability, and fiscal discipline are essential. … Continue reading Councilor offers inside view of Biddeford’s budget
Mayor defends city review of UNE pier proposal
During a sometimes terse and heated meeting, Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman defended the way the city has acted during the review of a controversial pier that the University of New England wants to construct on the Saco River. The nearly hour-long meeting was held at the request of John Schafer, the former chair of the … Continue reading Mayor defends city review of UNE pier proposal
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 