The former Biddeford city councilor said she is excited about the prospect of returning to public service By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Doris Ortiz had to give up her at-large seat on the Biddeford City Council last year when she and her partner decided to buy a home in the adjacent town of Arundel. During an interview … Continue reading Ortiz hopes to be a county commissioner
Tag: Randy Seaver
BHS art students earn statewide recognition
By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer Two Biddeford High School students are being recognized for their award-winning artwork in the prestigious Scholastic Art and Writing Awards at the Maine College of Art & Design in Portland next month. Junior Brynn Wilkinson earned a Silver Key Award for her "Drawn by Light", an 8-by-10 acrylic still-life painting, and Sophomore … Continue reading BHS art students earn statewide recognition
Bennett brings campaign to Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor In the very crowded race to become Maine’s next governor, former State Sen. Rick Bennett is hoping to stand out as an Independent candidate who is ready to tackle tough issues with a common-sense approach and a commitment to people rather than any political party. Bennett, 62, brought his campaign to Biddeford … Continue reading Bennett brings campaign to Biddeford
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
It’s all about the smiles: UNE and Rep. Fecteau both focus on Maine kids
UNE dental students again provided free care to local students; Rep. Ryan Fecteau introduced a bill to expand dental coverage for Maine children. Contributed stories Students from the University of New England’s College of Dental Medicine and Department of Dental Hygiene welcomed 85 elementary students from Old Orchard Beach to the university’s Oral Health Center … Continue reading It’s all about the smiles: UNE and Rep. Fecteau both focus on Maine kids
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
OPINION: Those were the days . . .
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor How do you know you've been covering Biddeford news for a long, long time? I have covered the city's annual WinterFest celebration since --- well – since before it was called WinterFest. Biddeford’s annual downtown winter celebration was the brainchild of newly elected Mayor Alan Casavant in 2012. Casavant -- who … Continue reading OPINION: Those were the days . . .
Biddeford city manager: Cheering for the Seahawks on Sunday?
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Nearly 128 million people are expected to watch Sunday’s Superbowl Championship game between the 17-3 New England Patriots and the 16-3 Seattle Seahawks. One of those people who will be watching the Superbowl LX game on television is Biddeford’s relatively new city manager Truc Dever. Dever relocated to Biddeford last summer … Continue reading Biddeford city manager: Cheering for the Seahawks on Sunday?
King being challenged by independent in sheriff’s race
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Brian Pellerin -- deputy chief of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s office -- recently announced that he is running for York County Sheriff in the November 2026 election. “I am running as a principled independent candidate, committed to professional, nonpartisan leadership in public safety,” Pellerin wrote in a press release that was … Continue reading King being challenged by independent in sheriff’s race
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
Biddeford lawmaker’s bill addresses online gambling addiction
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Over just the last few years, online gambling has exploded in popularity all over the country and its impacts are being felt here in Maine -- on several different fronts. That gambling explosion – especially the rise in online sports/fantasy wagering – has also caused some problems, most notably a sharp … Continue reading Biddeford lawmaker’s bill addresses online gambling addiction
UNE, SRCC ask court to dismiss Biddeford’s complaint
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The University of New England (UNE) and the Saco River Corridor Commission (SRCC) are both asking the York County Superior Court to dismiss a civil complaint that was filed against them by the city of Biddeford. The requests for dismissal were each filed earlier this month after the city formally brought its … Continue reading UNE, SRCC ask court to dismiss Biddeford’s complaint
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
Eastern fire substation moving through review process
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor NOTE: This story has been updated in order to clarify that city of Biddeford has not had any formal discussions with the owners of the Biddeford Pool volunteer fire station. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused. It is an idea that has been discussed for nearly a decade, but … Continue reading Eastern fire substation moving through review process
The Fire of 1947’s devastating impact on Biddeford
Local author Susan Graham discusses her book that recounts devastating damage to Fortunes Rocks and other Biddeford neighborhoods By RANDY SEAVER, Editor It would become the largest natural disaster in Maine’s history, and it destroyed dozens of homes in many of Biddeford’s coastal neighborhoods. Overall, the “Great Fire of 1947” caused more than $30 million … Continue reading The Fire of 1947’s devastating impact on Biddeford
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
New Chamber director is full of enthusiasm
To answer one of our questions, Alex MacPhail patiently scrolls through a series of data on his computer monitor. He seems naturally comfortable and at ease, sitting at his desk and eagerly talking about the “unlimited potential” of the Biddeford-Saco region. MacPhail, 57, is the new executive director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce & … Continue reading New Chamber director is full of enthusiasm
NEWSLETTER: From concept to reality
Welcome to the new year! How are you doing with your resolutions? One of my primary resolutions for the new year included taking the Biddeford Gazette from a simple concept to a structured, non-profit organization. The Gazette was formally launched on January 14, 2025. Our first story was about a proposed affordable housing project that … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: From concept to reality
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