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By Alan Bennett, University of New England, Office of Communications "Residents in Biddeford and Portland report the University's highest ratings for reputation, integrity, and community impact". View the full survey results June 22, 2026, The University of New England today released the results of a comprehensive public opinion survey conducted by Emerson College Polling, finding strong levels of support, trust, and confidence in the University across Maine. Ratings were esp

By Tammy Wells, York County Government Media, Contributing Writer June 4, 2026, They’ve learned how to respond to 911 calls for medical assistance, how to take a pulse, blood pressure, how to assess a patient’s condition, provide first aid or life support care to sick or injured patients, and a lot more. And on June 2, 17 newly minted Emergency Medical Technicians graduated from a 16-week program offered by York County Community College and held at York County Regional Traini

June 2, 2026, This evening, Biddeford City Councilors voted 6 to 3 to table a proposed Manufactured Housing Ordinance indefinitely. Councilors, Vadnais, Lessard, Pierson, Doughty, Boston, and Beaupre voted in favor Whereas, Councilors, Cote, Woods, and Kurtz opposed tabling the ordinance. There was quite of bit of discussion from the council as well as comments from members of the public on the ordinance. After listening to the council discuss the topic, it seems the reason f

By Loren McCready, Biddeford Buzz, Contributing Writer Biddeford is at a crucial point in its Comprehensive Plan process. This Wednesday, the Planning Board will review several major chapters, including Natural Resources, Water Resources, Existing Land Use, and Future Land Use. Soon after, the plan will move to the City Council for final approval before being sent back to the state. This matters because the Comprehensive Plan helps determine where growth happens, where public

May 27, 2026, Earlier this evening, community members, business leaders, local officals, and more, gathered at the historic City Theater in downtown Biddeford for a "Beginning of Summer Social Mixer". According to Biddeford+Saco Chamber Executive Director Alex MacPhail, the event was hosted collaboratively between Heart of Biddeford, Biddeford+Saco Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and City Theater. MacPhail explained the purpose of the event was a "relaxed evening... featuri

May 26, 2026, For our readers both new and old, below is a great synopsis of the form of journalism the Biddeford Buzz utilizes to keep the community informed; Reciprocal Journalism. The concept of reciprocal journalism was first introduced in a 2014 paper by Seth C. Lewis, Avery E. Holton, and Mark Coddington titled "Reciprocal Journalism: A Concept of Mutual Exchange Between Journalists and Audiences". According to the article, "Reciprocal journalism is a conceptual framewo

BREAKING: CONFIRMED (our team spoke with an employee on the phone who confirmed), Mulligans will be closing their doors for good this coming Sunday, May 31, 2026. Mulligan's now joins what is becoming a growing list of local businesses who have closed their doors in the City of Biddeford. We will be publishing a story covering this topic more in-depth in the near future. WANT US TO SHARE YOUR STORIES, TIPS, NEWS, EVENTS, AND MORE? ---Biddeford's trusted news source; SHORT ● S

May 26, 2026, According to University of New England’s Associate Vice President of Communications, Sarah Delage, "University of New England (UNE) today announced it has filed an appeal in Maine Superior Court after a series of actions by the City of Biddeford that have disrupted approved projects, undermined established regulatory processes, and jeopardized significant investments in the community." The legal action follows the Biddeford Zoning Board of Appeals’ decision to u

“Our findings tell us something really significant. Maine businesses want to be here, Maine investors want to be part of the Maine economy,” By Katie Clark, MSCCMDF, Contributing Writer May 12, 2026, The Maine State Chamber of Commerce and Maine Development Foundation today released Maine Economic Vision 2035, a new long-term economic roadmap outlining key goals and policy priorities to strengthen Maine’s competitiveness, support workforce and wage growth, increase investment

By Alex MacPhail, Executive Director BSCC, Contributing Writer Local Businesses are Stepping up—Who Will Join The Hope Challenge with us? May 12, 2026, The Biddeford+Saco Chamber of Commerce (BSCC) is proud to partner with Sweetser to launch The Hope Challenge—a community‑wide effort inviting local businesses to support the development of Sweetser’s new Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) for Maine youth. Promotional Poster This new PRTF will fill a critical ga

By Victoria Foley, Contributing Writer The proposed increase is approximately 26%, far outpacing inflation May 8, 2026, House Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford), Senator Henry Ingwersen (D-York), and Representative Marc Malon (D-Biddeford), today issued the following statements in opposition to a 26% rate increase proposed by Maine Water: “This request could not come at a worse time for ratepayers who are facing strained household budgets just about everywhere they turn. This

By: Jason Litalien, Contributing Writer, Independent Candidate Maine Senate 32 Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a program from the State that allows us to retain additional tax money received from that district without having to share it with the County or the State. When structured properly, TIFs can be a great tool for redevelopment. Unfortunately, that is where part of the problem begins. Another part of the problem is the Credit Enhancement Agreement, which is a public su

"If the proposed rate increase is approved it could go into effect by May 12, 2027" May 6, 2026, Residents from Saco, Biddeford, and Old Orchard Beach, met this evening at Saco City Hall to testify in front of State of Maine Public Utilities Commissioners and representives from Maine Water, regarding a recent proposed increase of approximately 26% for water bills of residents in the Saco-Biddeford area. L-R: Commissioner Carolyn Gilbert, Comissioner Philip Bartlett Utilities

By Chelsea Miller, SBSI, Contributing Writer May 6, 2026, Saco & Biddeford Savings (SBSI) is pleased to announce that Micah Smart has joined the organization as Senior Vice President and Director of Legal. Micah Smart Smart brings more than a decade of legal experience to SBSI. Most recently, he served as a partner at Murray, Plumb & Murray, where he worked in the firm’s Bankruptcy & Business Reorganization and Litigation practice groups, representing businesses, lenders and

"...in an effort to involve community members, Stantec will be hosting "public engagement feedback sessions, during the planning process". May 5, 2026, This past February we published a story announcing the City of Biddeford was "accepting proposals for the 5-Points intersection" located in the area of 392 Elm Street. The previous article about the proposal announcment can be viewed here: https://www.biddefordbuzz.com/post/biddeford-city-accepting-proposals-for-5-points-inte

"My belief is that.... the moratorium was in effect" - ZBA Board Member May 4, 2026, A big win for those who have expressed opposition to the University of New England building a new pier along the Saco River - at tonight's Biddeford Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) hearing, the ZBA voted to uphold the City's recent application denials issued to the University of New England pertaining to trees being "cleared" along the waterway, as well as the demolition of a building (Leonard

By Loren McCready, Contributing Writer April 30, 2026, The development at the end of Barra Road, including the recently announced Thatcher Brook Apartments, is being presented as progress in Biddeford. A closer look shows a pattern of decisions that prioritize speed and private return over long-term planning and public benefit. The financial structure makes that plain. Three separate Tax Increment Financing districts (TIFs) have been established for this area, along with a Cr

“I want to take a moment to thank Truc for her service to the city over these last nine months…. Looking ahead, the city will be engaging an interim city manager and a process from outside the organization... I know, this process will raise a lot of questions, and I want you to know that the council and I are committed and focused on serving the residents of Biddeford and keeping all of you involved. ” - Mayor Liam LaFountain, Biddeford April 28, 2026, This evening, Mayor LaF

April 27, 2026, the following letter was sent this evening to Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain from University of New England President Dr. James Herbert. In the letter, Dr. Herbert writes to the Mayor to discuss "current inability of the City leadership and the University to work together constructively." Later in the letter, Herbert reminds LaFountain, "As you know, you are in receipt of correspondence from UNE on April 15 requesting that you agree to an independent mediator

"Stepping away is a matter of professional integrity and self-respect... It is difficult for me to acknowledge, but I will be candid and say that had the full extent of these conditions---and the limitations imposed on this role-been apparent when I applied, I would not have pursued the position." April 27, 2026, Earlier today we shared the news that recently hired Biddeford City Manager Truc Dever has submitted her resignation to Mayor LaFountain and City Councilors effectiv