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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

~In addition, "since the Interim City Manager does not live within commuting distance, the City will pay for overnight accommodations at the government rate."~ June 15, 2026, As announced on June 3, Mayor Liam LaFountain nominated Cornell Knight of Bar Harbor to be Biddeford's newest Interim City Manager. According to meeting documents, if approved at tomorrow's City Council meeting, "the Interim City Manager will serve in that role until the permanent City Manager is appoint

~Letter to the Buzz~ June 11, 2026 By Mike Burman, Saco Resident and Former City Councilor Ward 4 I’ve been following the TA-Saco situation carefully, including the meeting on Wednesday June 10th. To be honest, I found the whole thing embarrassing. For context, I have served two terms as City Councilor for Ward 4, served on the Saco School District strategic planning committee, served as founding member of the Saco Education Foundation (originally Saco STEAM), am a Profess

"Menard just upped the anti... and it's getting kind of intense." June 9, 2026, For those following the contract negotiations between Thornton Academy and the Saco School Department, Menard just upped the anti... and it's getting kind of intense. Basically (and in the words of a millennial) in one single action, TA Headmaster Rene Menard said, "ok, you want to see gangsta? Enjoy tomorrow's school board meeting Superintendent Jeremy Ray". Say what you want about him, Menard is

By Karen Garnett, Biddeford School Department, Contributing Writer June 8, 2026, As Biddeford High School (BHS) celebrates the accomplishments of the Class of 2026, twelve graduating seniors have earned Maine's Seal of Biliteracy, a distinction that recognizes proficiency in English and at least one additional language and highlights the growing value of multilingual skills in college, careers, and an increasingly interconnected world. The Seal of Biliteracy is just one of ma

-Attorney Sartoris’ framing of the word “Accidents.” is important. How many times have you heard, “Sorry, it was just an accident.” The connotation of “accident” is that no one is at fault.- By Patrick Conlon, Founder Bike BS June 3, 2026, Very recently Maines’ Cumberland County District Attorney Jackie Sartoris vowed to bring criminal and/or civil charges against drivers who cause crashes that injure our most vulnerable road users, pedestrians and bicyclists. In 2025 Cumber

By Danica Lamontagne, City of Biddeford Communications, Contributing Writer June 3, 2026, Mayor Liam LaFountain today announced his nomination of Cornell Knight to serve as Interim City Manager for the City of Biddeford. The nomination will be presented to the Biddeford City Council for consideration at its meeting on Tuesday, June 16th. If confirmed, Knight would begin serving as Interim City Manager on June 17th. Knight brings more than four decades of Maine municipal manag

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

June 1, 2026, Earlier today at 3:00PM, Biddeford officals and community members gathered in front of Biddeford City Hall for a ceremonial raising of the LGBTQ+ Flag in honor of Pride Month. According to city officials, "June is Pride Month—a time to celebrate love, visibility, equality, and community." City Staffer Danica Lamontagne explained, "When flags are displayed on the flagpole outside City Hall, it is by request of a resident or community group. Any events to raise th

May 27, 2026, Earlier today, At-large City Councilor Marc Lessard officially submitted his paperwork to the Maine Secretary of State's office to be on the ballot for the upcoming election(s) to represent District 133. We first reported on Lessard’s interest in running for this seat back on February 13, 2026. Currently district 133 is represented by Democrat Marc Malon of Biddeford Maine. Malon has held this position for two consecutive terms and is currently seeking a 3rd ter

By Danica Lamontagne, City of Biddeford Communications, Contributing Writer May 27, 2026, The City of Biddeford is engaging the public to inform the creation of a beach management plan for Biddeford Pool beach at Gilbert Boucher Park. Beach management supports coastal resilience through activities that protect, maintain, and restore coastal beach environments, including both the physical shoreline and ecological systems. Beach management protects ecosystems and natural resour

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

"This is the second porch fire in the City of Biddeford this week. Please remember fire safety and proper disposal of any smoking materials." May 20, 2026, At approximately 7:00PM this evening, the Biddeford Fire Department responded to reports of a structure fire in the area of 25 Clifford Street. In addition to BFD, Saco Professional Firefighters were also called to the scene. The cause of the fire is currently unknown and there has been no reports of injuries at this time.

By Danica Lamontagne, City of Biddeford Communications, Contributing Writer May 20, 2026, At the June 9, 2026 Election, voters who are registered to the Democratic Party or Republican Party will participate in their party's Primary Election for U.S. Senator, Representative to Congress, Governor, State Senator, State Representative, County Treasurer, Register of Deeds, Sheriff, District Attorney, and County Commissioner. If you are a registered voter but are unenrolled, you ca

By Danica Lamontagne, City of Biddeford Communications, Contributing Writer May 19, 2026, As the nation celebrates National EMS Week (May 17-23) under the 2026 theme “Improving Outcomes, Together,” the City of Biddeford recognizes the dedicated Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals of the Biddeford Fire Department for their essential role in protecting community health and safety. In 2025, Biddeford Fire Department members responded to nearly 4,400 EMS incidents, ope

May 19, 2026, Although not the full amount that was cut from the budget for the Biddeford Police and Fire Departments, during tonight's second and final reading of the City of Biddeford's FY 27 budget, Council President Roger Beaupre motioned to add back $60,000 for the Police and $25,000 for Fire - and the council voted unanimously in favor! Prior to the motion being made, several residents spoke out regarding the public service cuts and asked the council to consider adding

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