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"...the fire originated from an electrical outlet issue, which caused extensive fire damage within the garage structure" - Maine State Fire Marshal February 4, 2026, Below is the release from the State Fire Marshal’s office regrading the fire that took place on February 2 at 297 Elm: On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at approximately 8:30 a.m., the Biddeford Fire Department responded to a report of a possible working fire at 297 Elm Street. Upon arrival, units located a garage wi

February 4, 2026, According to Biddeford City General Assistance Administrator Jacob Hammer, the City of Biddeford has recieved $94,502.86 from the National Opioid Settlement Fund (OSF) for fiscal year 2026. Hammer explained, "in 2014, US administrative units began filing lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and distributors... with over $56 Billion expected to be paid out nationwide. Settlement payments to individual governments started in 2022 and expected to be made throu

February 3, 2026, The Biddeford Fire Department responded to a reported building fire at the former Sleepy Hollow Motel, located at 297 Elm Street, at approximately 8:26 a.m. on Tuesday morning. The Biddeford Regional Communications Center received the initial 911 call at 8:26 a.m., with the first unit arriving on scene at 8:30 a.m. Heavy smoke and fire were visible from a 30-by-40-foot, one-and-a-half-story garage that was attached to a single-story motel-style building. Fir

February 3, 2026, At this evening’s Biddeford City Council Meeting, councilors voted unanimously in favor to refer the “matter of rent practices in mobile home parks to the Policy Committee for review and recommendation.” This vote comes following a prior meeting where the council denied a request to establish a 90 day moratorium on Mobile Home Lot fee increases in Biddeford. Meeting materials state, “this new order is to refer the topic to the Policy Committee to review and

February 3, 2026, in addition to the already publicized news regarding city staff working with Senator Collins' office to have over 700k of IRS fines waived from a late filing penalty, City Manager Truc Dever also delivered more great news for residents tonight during her City Manager report. After announcing the waving of IRS fines, Dever went on to say, "...additionally I have great news to share. Again, with the help of Senator Collins and her staff, we received news last

February 3, 2026, At tonight's city council meeting, councilors voted to retroactively approve a controversial pilot parking program that has recently found itself at the center of local discussions. The Pilot Program was initiated under previous Mayor Martin Grohman's leadership during the "nightmare on Elm street" construction saga with the intent to provide a parking solution for downtown business owners and their employees. The review of the program was triggered when Cit

February 2, 2026, Two Biddeford High School (BHS) students are being recognized for their award-winning artwork in the prestigious Scholastic Art and Writing Awards at the Maine College of Art & Design (MECA) in Portland next month. BHS Junior Brynn Wilkinson earned a Silver Key Award for her "Drawn by Light", an 8-by-10 acrylic still-life painting, and BHS Sophomore Shayleigh Kennedy earned an Honorable Mention for her "Chromatic Shades of Me", an 18-by-24 portrait. The prog

February 2, 2026, 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. (L-R) CK Burns School’s Spelling Bee Champion Sage Daicy and Runner-up Peter Galasyn. At CK Burns School, fifth-grade students Sage Daicy claimed the championship b

January 31, 2026, According to the Old Orchard Beach Police Department, The individual responsible for the January 22nd attempted burglary on Ocean Park Road has been identified as Austin Gardner, 19, of Bangor, Maine. Austin Gardner "Through investigative follow-up and information received from the public, Gardner was identified and charged in connection with this incident", read the department's release. Charges include: Class E – Possession of Burglary Tools Class C – Aggr

“The judicial branch has made countless efforts to appease the primary complaint… Good fences make good neighbor's, but good manners make great neighbors. We cant [can't] please all the people all the time!”, wrote Edward Caron, Building Manager, York County Judicial Center January 30, 2026, A little over 2 weeks ago we shared a story about several Biddeford residents alleging “vindictive behavior” from staff at the York County Judicial Center located at 515 Elm Street (Route

January 30, 2026, Disney’s Moana JR. is playing at Biddeford Middle School’s Performing Arts Center on Thursday, February 12, 2026, and Friday, February 13, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. each evening. The 60-minute musical, adapted from the book by Susan Soon He Stanton and the 2016 Disney animated film, brings the adventures of Moana and her village of Motunui to life onstage. The Biddeford Middle School Drama Club’s cast includes 85 students led by Coleen Hatt and Rob Petit. “Much lik

📰SACO | Man Flees on Foot as ICE Agents approach him January 29, 2026, Footage submitted to the Biddeford Buzz that was taken earlier this morning, appears to show a male fleeing on foot on Green Street in Saco Maine as he was approached by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The individual who recorded the video wishes to remain anonymous.

"While the Department of Homeland Security does not confirm law enforcement operations, I can report that Secretary Noem has informed me that ICE has ended its enhanced activities in the State of Maine" January 29, 2026, According to U.S. Senator Susan Collins, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has ceased its enhanced operations in the State of Maine. The announcement comes after direct communicatio between Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Senator C

January 28, 2026, Following the approval of a 180 day moratorium by the Biddeford City Council pertaining to development for the University of New England (UNE), the University reached out to the Biddeford Buzz and issued the following statement: "While we do not think the development moratorium is necessary, UNE respects the council’s decision. We appreciate the opportunity for thoughtful dialogue about the future of our campus and its role in the community, and President He

By Tammy Wells January 28, 2026, Come spring, Advanced Life Support and Pediatric Life Support training programs will be in place at York County Regional Training Center. Advanced EMT classes and labs are ongoing now at the new facility. Firefighting classes are happening. Law enforcement classes are scheduled. A citizens academy that gives residents a look at policing meets there weekly. The decades-long dream of a centralized location for all manner of first responder tra

January 28, 2026, According to city officials, the city of Biddeford has been fined by the IRS for a "late filing" in 2021. The penalty assessed by the IRS totals $709,240, plus $543.16 in accrued interest as of April 15, 2024, please see full breakdown below: According to City Manager Truc Dever, the City received the following notices: CP215 dated April 8, 2024- Penalty under IRC Section 6721 for failure to file correct information returns: $354,760 CP215 dated April 15, 20

January 27, 2026, in a statement released yesterday from the leadership at the First Parish Congregational Church UCC located at 12 Beach St, Saco, the church informed the public of what they are claiming to be an illegal abduction by ICE of one of the members of their congregation. The statement from the church reads as follows: "This past Sunday, a member of our First Parish Congregational Church of Saco family, Makengo, welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world. She is

"Like all nonprofits, Heart of Biddeford is required to be nonpartisan. Our role is not to support or oppose any political party or candidate, but to care for our community, and we invite you to join us." January 26, 2026, Below is a statement released today by Heart of Biddeford executive director Delilah Poupore regarding recent Immigrationand Customs Enforcement activity in Biddeford, please see below: "At Heart of Biddeford, we believe a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainabl

January 26, 2026 we have confirmed there is currently a large police presence on Alfred Street and the corner of Marshall Avenue. Footage by the Biddeford Buzz Officers have blocked off Alfred Street at the Graham Street extension intersection. PLEASE NOTE - Biddeford Police Department are the officers on the scene and have indicated that this is not an Immigration and Customs Enforcement situation; this is a Biddeford issue being handled by city police. An officer was observ

January 26, 2026, in a press release sent directly from Brian Pellerin to the Biddeford Buzz, Chief Deputy Brian Pellerin of the Cumberland County Sheriff's who is running for York County Sheriff, shared his sentiments regarding the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Below are Brian's remarks: "When I launched my campaign for Sheriff of York County earlier this week, the issues surrounding immigration enforcement in Maine, particularly the role of ICE and the responsibi