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
Tag: Randy Seaver
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
West Brook skating: an enduring legacy in Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The West Brook skating rink in Biddeford was first opened to the public roughly four weeks before Warren G. Harding was inaugurated as the 29th president of the United States in 1921. Although the outdoor rink has undergone some dramatic changes over the last century, the heart of its mission has … Continue reading West Brook skating: an enduring legacy in Biddeford
New committee will oversee development at UNE
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor As part of his campaign promise to increase government transparency, accountability and citizen participation, newly-elected Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain unveiled his plan to create a new ad-hoc committee that will oversee all development on the University of New England’s Biddeford campus. LaFountain’s plan was warmly received by both the city council … Continue reading New committee will oversee development at UNE
Developer secures funding for environmental remediation near former MERC site
A public hearing about the project remediation will be held Dec. 18 Contributed Story; Legal Notice Fathom Companies --- a development firm that will be building a mixed-use and housing project near the intersection of Lincoln and Pearl streets in Biddeford --- has received a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) … Continue reading Developer secures funding for environmental remediation near former MERC site
School daze for new Biddeford city councilors?
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Tomorrow night – Dec. 9 – the new members of the Biddeford City Council will be getting some required “training” for their new roles in city government. The city council workshop –-- ostensibly open to the public, but why? -- will feature four breakout sessions, including updates from City Manager Truc … Continue reading School daze for new Biddeford city councilors?
Ingwersen plans to address mental health in Maine’s heritage industries
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor As one of the most rural states in the country, the state of Maine is well known for its so-called “heritage industries” that rely on outdoor occupations, such as farming, fishing and logging. Those industries have long driven Maine’s economy but they also present a few -- somewhat hidden – … Continue reading Ingwersen plans to address mental health in Maine’s heritage industries
Despite cold, ‘Merry & Bright’ night attracts crowd
Once again, Biddeford's downtown holiday celebration and annual tree lighting ceremony Friday night drew a decent crowd downtown on lower Adams Street. Poppy (3) was excited to see Santa Claus arrive along with her parents Stephanie and Michael of Biddeford (Seaver photo) Santa Claus arrived on schedule, escorted by the flashing lights and the wailing … Continue reading Despite cold, ‘Merry & Bright’ night attracts crowd
City files court challenge for UNE pier approval
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Although the Biddeford Planning Board narrowly approved the University of New England’s controversial pier proposal in August, a required building permit will not be issued by the city until a decision comes down from the York County Superior Court. The city has filed a formal complaint against the Saco River Corridor … Continue reading City files court challenge for UNE pier approval
Turning a wrench and sparking imaginations
The Apex Youth Connection in Biddeford offers a wide range of programs to help teens transition to adulthood By RANDY SEAVER, Editor It’s quite common to hear about after-school programs that get kids off the streets and into a productive, structured setting. Apex Youth Connection (AYC) in Biddeford, however, takes a different approach to nurturing … Continue reading Turning a wrench and sparking imaginations
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 