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
Tag: Biddeford
UNE’s new dormitory plan approved
The Saco River Corridor Commission (SRCC) voted 9-2 Monday to approve a plan that will allow the University of New England to transform a former convent on the Saco River into a student dormitory. The Biddeford convent was built in 1986 and features a 57-bed nursing home on a 21.4-acre parcel along the banks of … Continue reading UNE’s new dormitory plan approved
Platner brings his campaign to Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor More than 1,000 people gathered Wednesday at Biddeford Middle School to see and hear U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner, and to learn more about his campaign to replace incumbent Republican Susan Collins. Platner, 40, took the stage wearing blue jeans and a flannel shirt, He was warmly received by a diverse … Continue reading Platner brings his campaign to Biddeford
OPINION | A change will do us good?
On Tuesday, I sat in my usual seat in the Biddeford City Council Chamber -- back row and closest to the door. With my back against the wall, I can see and monitor almost everything happening in the room. That perch also provides a quick exit in the event that the shit hits the fan. … Continue reading OPINION | A change will do us good?
Mayor-elect shares his hopes and goals for the city’s future
A little more than two weeks ago, Biddeford voters sent a clear message that they wanted change and more accountability from City Hall. In fact, nearly two thirds of the people who cast ballots in the Nov. 4 municipal election chose candidates other than incumbent Mayor Marty Grohman for the city’s top job. Biddeford City … Continue reading Mayor-elect shares his hopes and goals for the city’s future
NEWSLETTER: Not Your Father’s Biddeford
New mayor; changing business hours at City Hall and approaching holidays The days are getting shorter and the temperatures are dropping, but it feels good to approach the holiday season with some enthusiasm and contentment. This week, we are asking our readers to tell us what they believe were the Top-Ten news stories in Biddeford … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: Not Your Father’s Biddeford
Zoning Board sides with UNE
The University of New England cleared another hurdle Thursday when the Biddeford Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) voted unanimously to reject an appeal of the university’s proposed research pier. Although the Biddeford Planning Board narrowly approved the controversial pier in August, a group of private citizens – led by the former chair of the Biddeford … Continue reading Zoning Board sides with UNE
Veterans Day 2025
Scores of people braved chilly temperatures and biting winds to celebrate the annual Biddeford-Saco Veterans Day Parade on Tuesday. This year's ceremony featured the unveiling of the Gen. Wallace H. Nutting Memorial Bridge. RELATED: Cities will dedicate bridge on Veterans Day Gen. Wallace Nutting's children attended the dedication ceremony of a bridge named in their … Continue reading Veterans Day 2025
Back to the drawing board for UNE?
City attorney finds new info, says UNE pier should go back to planning board By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Biddeford City Attorney Harry Center says that the Biddeford Planning Board should reconsider its prior approval of the University of New England’s controversial research pier. Although the planning board narrowly approved the university’s proposal in August, Center … Continue reading Back to the drawing board for UNE?
McArthur Library names new director
The McArthur Library’s board of directors today announced that Nicole Clark has been hired as library director. Clark, who first joined McArthur Library as Adult Services Supervisor in December 2024, has been serving as Interim Director since earlier this year. Nicole Clark (Seaver Photo) “It is with great excitement that we announce the hiring of … Continue reading McArthur Library names new director
Champions offers friendly, relaxed atmosphere
If you’re looking for a friendly, relaxed place to watch the Patriots game; or if you just want to gather with some of your friends and enjoy a wide array of pub-style food, search no more because Champion’s Sports Bar in Biddeford is the place to be. Champions was first opened in Saco in 1993. … Continue reading Champions offers friendly, relaxed atmosphere
City will seek Attorney General’s advice about UNE pier
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The Biddeford City Council voted unanimously Thursday to seek guidance from the Maine Attorney General’s office about a new wrinkle that was recently discovered in the University of New England’s proposal to build a large, research pier on the Saco River. In order to build their pier, the university needed approvals … Continue reading City will seek Attorney General’s advice about UNE pier
Mayor will issue ‘formal apology’
Just hours after losing the mayor's seat, Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman said he will issue a formal apology to Mayor-Elect Liam LaFountain during Thursday's city council meeting. LaFountain narrowly won the three-way race with 42 percent of the vote (2,623). Grohman received 2,413 votes (38.3 percent). After the polls closed Tuesday, I offered Gazette readers … Continue reading Mayor will issue ‘formal apology’
Election Day Updates:
Biddeford City Clerk Robin Patterson said Thursday that the number of absentee ballots she received had already exceeded the number of absentee ballots that were cast two years ago, in the 2023 election. As of Thursday (Oct. 30), more than 2,300 absentee ballots were casts, compared to a total of roughly 2,100 ballots in 2023. … Continue reading Election Day Updates:
Mayor blasts his opponent; seeks your vote
Mayor Marty Grohman touts his accomplishments, skewers his opponent By MARTY GROHMAN, Special to the Gazette In Biddeford, the mayor doesn’t have a vote. The Council has all the power of passing legislation and budget expenditures. The mayor, according to the City Charter, can only set the tone, act as a catalyst for change and … Continue reading Mayor blasts his opponent; seeks your vote
Ingwersen working to stabilize childcare costs
Contributed Story State Sen. Henry Ingwersen (D-Biddeford) and Senate President Mattie Daughtry (D-Brunswick) visited the St. Louis Child Development Center in Biddeford, as part of a statewide Child Care Listening Tour. “As the Senate chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, I know that access to affordable child care remains a top priority across … Continue reading Ingwersen working to stabilize childcare costs
OPINION: Teachers’ endorsement sends wrong message
By BEN NEVEUX, Special to the Biddeford Gazette The Biddeford Teachers Association’s decision to endorse two candidates while leaving Norman Belanger off its list may have been meant to project strength — but instead, it sends a mixed and disappointing message. When an organization meant to represent fairness and unity appears to play politics, the … Continue reading OPINION: Teachers’ endorsement sends wrong message
OPINION: Campaign predictions and a free lunch
We’re coming into the final stretch, and we’re now less than one week away from Biddeford’s municipal elections on Tuesday, Nov. 4. This is a busy time of year for journalists and for city clerks around the state. The work-load drops considerably on Wednesday, Nov. 5. That day – the day after the elections are … Continue reading OPINION: Campaign predictions and a free lunch
At-Large candidates Lessard, Vadnais share concerns about UNE pier
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The Biddeford Gazette asked the three At-Large city council candidates to share their thoughts and concerns about the controversial pier being proposed by the University of New England (UNE). Last week, we reached out to the two candidates vying for the Ward One seat, which represents Biddeford’s coastal neighborhoods, about their … Continue reading At-Large candidates Lessard, Vadnais share concerns about UNE pier
Residents sound off about UNE pier, mayor tries to rewrite history
By RANDY SEAVER, editor Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman and members of the city council listened Thursday evening to several residents who raised concerns about how the city has handled its review of a controversial pier project that the University of New England wants to build on the Saco River. Roughly 55 people attended Thursday’s special … Continue reading Residents sound off about UNE pier, mayor tries to rewrite history
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 