By RANDY SEAVER | Editor This is a piece that was first published in 2012 on my blog, All Along the Watchtower (Today known as Lessons in Mediocrity | Outlaw Journalist). This story has a very sad ending, but it provides a detailed account of what happened to the former Lincoln Mill clocktower that once … Continue reading Can you hear me scream | the rise and fall of the Lincoln Mill clocktower
Third graders take former mayor’s idea to heart
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor At the suggestion of former Biddeford Mayor Michael Cantara, current Mayor Liam LaFountain organized an early Arbor Day celebration on Wednesday at the J.R Martin Community Center, where some third-grade students helped plant a tree in the new playground area. According to event witnesses, the students from Ms. Lecler’s class … Continue reading Third graders take former mayor’s idea to heart
LETTER | Perennial candidate offers thoughts about social services funding
Bob Mills -- a former city councilor and York County treasurer who resigned both positions in April 2024, -- lost his 2025 bid to return to his Ward Four council seat and is now again running to recapture his county treasurer seat and is also running to represent Ward 4 on the city's Charter Review … Continue reading LETTER | Perennial candidate offers thoughts about social services funding
Walmart plans to upgrade, expand its Biddeford store
The company is also planning to upgrade two of its other locations in Maine and says the renovation will provide significant economic impact and provide numerous community benefits [ Contributed story via Walmart ] According to a corporate press release, Walmart plans to remodel three stores in Maine this year, including its Biddeford location on … Continue reading Walmart plans to upgrade, expand its Biddeford store
Housing authority dismisses its executive director
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor Guy Gagnon – the longtime executive director of the Biddeford Housing Authority – has been placed on administrative leave and is no longer working for the non-profit agency, according to multiple sources. Amy Clearwater, chair of the BHA’s board of directors, confirmed that Gagnon was relieved of his duties earlier … Continue reading Housing authority dismisses its executive director
A Century | A Life Well-Lived | Still Going Strong
A Biddeford native is about to celebrate her 100th birthday and still lives on her own By RANDY SEAVER | Editor Priscilla Demers of Biddeford will soon celebrate her 100th birthday with her family. Ms. Demers is about to celebrate this landmark event the same way that she has lived her adult life with independence, … Continue reading A Century | A Life Well-Lived | Still Going Strong
Restored funds ease increase to proposed York County budget
The restoration of the $400,000 in state funding was good news at a time when expenses are increasing for everyone [ Contributed Story ] By TAMMY WELLS | York County Government media When York County Commissioners approved the proposed $31.64 million county operating budget for the next fiscal year April 8 and turned it over … Continue reading Restored funds ease increase to proposed York County budget
LETTER | Gazette story omitted context and key details
A University of New England spokesperson writes that an April 9 story -- regarding the school's real estate transactions and how it impacted public policy -- missed the mark and needs more context Editor: An April 9 Biddeford Gazette article [The city, the convent and the university: What happened?] suggested that the University of New England … Continue reading LETTER | Gazette story omitted context and key details
Biddeford Gazette announces three new advisory council members
John Gold, Kayla J. Lewis and Annika Sovetsky each bring a unique set of talents and perspectives to the Gazette's Community Advisory Council John Gold Kayla J. Lewis Annika Sovetsky ____________ By RANDY SEAVER | Editor The Biddeford Gazette is very pleased to announce that three more community members have joined our Community Advisory Council. … Continue reading Biddeford Gazette announces three new advisory council members
Biddeford Marching Arts named New England Champions
By KAREN GARNETT | Biddeford School Department Biddeford’s Marching Arts program is celebrating a historic season, earning top honors across the region and solidifying its place among New England’s elite. At the New England Scholastic Band Association (NESBA) Winter Finals, Biddeford High School’s BlackOut Percussion, Blizzard Winds, and Blaze Color Guard each captured first place, … Continue reading Biddeford Marching Arts named New England Champions
Council aims for ‘bare bones’ city budget
City Manager finds some significant savings while councilors consider deep cuts to social service funding requests; a public hearing will be held tonight By RANDY SEAVER | Editor At the start of the Biddeford City Council’s budget workshop meeting on Monday, City Manager Truc Dever walked members of the council through several pages of a … Continue reading Council aims for ‘bare bones’ city budget
NEWS | Local perspective on state budget
Democrats say the narrowly approved budget reflects Maine values and will help working-class families; Republicans say the spending package is irresponsible and not sustainable By RANDY SEAVER | Editor Maine lawmakers last week approved a supplemental budget of more than $500 million for the next fiscal year. Gov. Janet Mills signed the spending package -- … Continue reading NEWS | Local perspective on state budget
OPINION | A Maine reporter explains Graham Platner’s campaign success
Platner is not just running ahead of Gov. Janet Mills for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. He’s possibly the most remarkable political story in the country. [Republished, with permission] Maine’s Democratic primary race for U.S. Senate, between the two main candidates of Gov. Janet Mills and Graham Platner, has become perhaps the country’s clearest … Continue reading OPINION | A Maine reporter explains Graham Platner’s campaign success
OPINION | Gazette was wrong about library funding request
By BEN NEVEUX | Biddeford The Biddeford Gazette’s editor recently opined that Biddeford residents are being asked—again—to accept a familiar argument: rising taxes are unfortunate, but necessary, and worthy social programs like the McArthur Library should be shielded from scrutiny because they serve the public good. (City should fully fund McArthur Library’s budget request; Biddeford … Continue reading OPINION | Gazette was wrong about library funding request
NEWSLETTER | Follow Your Bliss
It looks like spring is finally springing here in Biddeford. Spring is exciting and refreshing, but it also means we have to come out of hibernation and begin some hard tasks, including spring cleaning, yard work and the arduous task of preparing local, county and state budgets for the next fiscal year. The Gazette is … Continue reading NEWSLETTER | Follow Your Bliss
EDITORIAL | City should fully fund our library’s request
The McArthur Library on Main Street has been serving every citizen of Biddeford --regardless of income -- for nearly 125 years. They deserve our full support. By RANDY SEAVER | Editor Many Biddeford residents – rightfully so – are very concerned about the city’s ongoing debate regarding next year’s municipal budget. Without even considering likely … Continue reading EDITORIAL | City should fully fund our library’s request
Biddeford’s Odyssey of the Mind Teams Named World Finalists
[Contributed Story] By KAREN GARNETT | Biddeford School Department Among the 77 teams representing Divisions I, II, and III at the Maine Odyssey of the Mind (OM) State Finals Tournament on April 4, 2026, two of the four Biddeford teams placed in their divisions. Both the Biddeford Intermediate School (BIS) Performance Team and the Biddeford … Continue reading Biddeford’s Odyssey of the Mind Teams Named World Finalists
IN-DEPTH | The city, the convent and the university: What happened?
A weeks-long investigation by the Biddeford Gazette reveals a million-dollar real estate deal, a 25-year option on a large parcel of riverfront land and a lack of disclosure that has fueled negative public commentary By RANDY SEAVER | Editor As tensions between the city of Biddeford and the University of New England continue to boil, … Continue reading IN-DEPTH | The city, the convent and the university: What happened?
Westbrook Development Breaks Ground on Thatcher Brook Apartments in Biddeford
[Contributed Story] A new 40-unit affordable housing community at 37 Barra Road marks Westbrook Development's first project in Biddeford and the first phase of a broader housing partnership with the city Westbrook Development Corporation (WDC), in partnership with the city of Biddeford, is proud to announce the groundbreaking of Thatcher Brook Apartments, a new 40-unit … Continue reading Westbrook Development Breaks Ground on Thatcher Brook Apartments in Biddeford
UNE nutrition students bring healthy-meal tips to Biddeford grocery shoppers
[Contributed Story] By DEIRDRE FLEMING STIRES | University of New England University of New England students majoring in nutrition hosted a “Cooking Matters” grocery store event for the Biddeford community at a local Hannaford supermarket on Friday, March 27. The students in UNE’s Nutrition program set up stations throughout the store where they taught curious … Continue reading UNE nutrition students bring healthy-meal tips to Biddeford grocery shoppers
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 