City Councilor Marc Lessard falls on his own sword by saying he is partly responsible for some of the city's ongoing financial problems By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Tuesday’s meeting of the Biddeford City Council’s Finance Committee made one fact abundantly clear. The city is still struggling to clean up the damage done over the last … Continue reading ‘You can spread the blame like peanut butter’
Tag: NEWS
Biddeford’s skatepark: ‘It’s a matter of trust’
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor During Tuesday’s city council meeting, several residents used the words “community engagement,” during a public hearing about how the city should prioritize funding of its neglected recreational assets. Several of those who testified before the council pointed to the principles and importance of community engagement, arguing that the council should prioritize … Continue reading Biddeford’s skatepark: ‘It’s a matter of trust’
City Theater presents: The Secret Garden
Contributed Story City Theater’s Spring production is the magical Tony Award-winning musical The Secret Garden, which will run from March 13 to March 29. The book and lyrics are by Marsha Norman and music is by Lucy Simon. Charlotte Van Ledtje as Mary and Nathaniel Cummons as Colin in City Theater's magical production of The … Continue reading City Theater presents: The Secret Garden
Angers considers run for county commission
A longtime fixture at City Hall, Roch Angers tells the Gazette he wants to follow in Richard Dutremble's footsteps at the county level By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Roch Angers – a longtime former Biddeford city councilor and a current planning board member – told the Gazette Sunday that he is seriously considering a run for … Continue reading Angers considers run for county commission
Ingwersen kicks off campaign in Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor A small group -- including some other legislators -- gathered Sunday at Pizza By Alex in Biddeford to help State Sen. Henry Ingwersen (D-Arundel) launch his campaign for a third consecutive term in the Maine State Senate. RELATED: State Senate race heats up in Biddeford State Sen. Henry Ingwersen (right) shares … Continue reading Ingwersen kicks off campaign in Biddeford
Black Balloon event coming to Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Ryan Paige of Biddeford sits behind a desk in his Main Street office and carefully considers his words while talking about the upcoming “Black Balloon Day” event that will be held on Saturday, March 7. Black Balloon Day is an annual event to remember people who have been lost to drug … Continue reading Black Balloon event coming to Biddeford
NEWSLETTER: Can’t touch this
Wow! What a week it’s been. Let’s get right to it. Things have been pretty much non-stop here at the Gazette since the beginning of February. We set some new records, broke some big stories and had some fun along the way. More about all that in just a moment. Our promise to you: A … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: Can’t touch this
NEWSLETTER: Warm thoughts on a cold day
Feedback from our readers reinforces the Gazette's mission statement Wow! What a busy week it’s been. In a few moments, I’ll be headed out the door and on my way to this year’s WinterFest activities in downtown Biddeford. WinterFest is so much than just a giant man-made sledding hill on Adams Street. It is now … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: Warm thoughts on a cold day
How Biddeford is using its opioid settlement funds
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The Biddeford City Council received an update Tuesday regarding how the city’s local allocation of Opioid Settlement funds has been used over the last year. The funds come from several class action lawsuits that were filed against opioid manufacturers and distributors roughly 10 years ago. Jake Hammer, Biddeford's General Assistance supervisor, gave … Continue reading How Biddeford is using its opioid settlement funds
Council debates controversial parking plan
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The Biddeford City Council finally got the chance Tuesday to discuss a controversial parking plan that has raised questions and eyebrows about city spending procedures. One councilor described the project as a significant breach of city procedures, but another councilor described the $20,000 project as “small potatoes,” when compared to other issues … Continue reading Council debates controversial parking plan
Biddeford students headed to York County spelling bee
By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer Students from Biddeford and Saco schools showcased their spelling skills last month during their respective school Spelling Bees, earning top honors and advancing to the York County Spelling Bee on February 9, 2026, at Saco Middle School. Due to limited space, the event is not open to the public. Biddeford … Continue reading Biddeford students headed to York County spelling bee
NEWSLETTER: Help us with a tagline, score some goodies from Reilly’s Bakery
According to blogger Mat Zucker, it is becoming more and more important for news outlets to have a pithy, clever tagline that differentiates them from an overflowing pot of news sources and media sites. “The motto of a news organization is more than just marketing,” Zucker writes. “It’s a declaration of journalistic purpose. These short … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: Help us with a tagline, score some goodies from Reilly’s Bakery
City facing $500k in IRS penalties, fines
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The city of Biddeford is now facing roughly $500,000 in penalties and fines from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). According to City Manager Truc Dever, the issue traces back to 2021 when the city failed to submit specific forms detailing employee health insurance. “Initially, the fines and penalties were approximately $700,000,” … Continue reading City facing $500k in IRS penalties, fines
NEWSLETTER: Baby, it’s cold outside
Just as I was getting used to the lull of the holidays and a slower news pace during the early days of January, the local news cycle basically exploded and caught me a bit off guard. For the first time I can remember, I have seven stories in development and stacked up for publication. I … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: Baby, it’s cold outside
Lessard: ‘I am not so ready to hold hands and sing Kumbaya’
Finance Committee takes a closer look at how a downtown parking plan was funded By RANDY SEAVER, Editor A controversial and temporary downtown parking program will be reviewed by the Biddeford City Council at its next meeting, Feb. 3. As first reported in the Biddeford Gazette earlier this week, Mayor Liam LaFountain and members of the city … Continue reading Lessard: ‘I am not so ready to hold hands and sing Kumbaya’
COMMUNITY: When the helper needs help
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Those who know Don Creighton will tell you that he is always the first to step up and help others in their time of need. Unfortunately, Don is now on the other end of that equation and wondering how he’s going to make it through the next few weeks and months … Continue reading COMMUNITY: When the helper needs help
Gazette creates ‘landing page’ for ICE info in Biddeford
At the advice and direction of several of our advisory board members, the Biddeford Gazette has created a special page for updates and community information regarding ramped up enforcement activities by the U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) in Biddeford. According to multiple sources, ICE began an operation known as "Catch of the Day" … Continue reading Gazette creates ‘landing page’ for ICE info in Biddeford
Council rejects moratorium on mobile home park fees
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Following more than an hour of passionate and sometimes tense debate, the Biddeford City Council voted 6-3 (Cote, Kurtz and Woods) Tuesday to reject a proposed 90-day moratorium on rental and lease fee increases at mobile home parks in the city. More than 20 mobile home park residents packed the council … Continue reading Council rejects moratorium on mobile home park fees
Council unanimously halts UNE development
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Despite the impassioned pleas of some nuns from the St. Joseph’s Convent, the Biddeford City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to enact a temporary development moratorium on the University of New England’s Biddeford campus. As previously reported in the Gazette, Mayor Liam LaFountain proposed the moratorium and the creation of an ad-hoc … Continue reading Council unanimously halts UNE development
Mayor proposes moratorium on UNE development
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain is proposing a temporary moratorium on all development projects at the University of New England’s Biddeford campus. LaFountain is also scheduled to nominate UNE president James Hebert to serve on an ad-hoc committee that will focus on development at the school’s Biddeford campus. During an interview with … Continue reading Mayor proposes moratorium on UNE development
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