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Submitted by Biddeford Housing Authority October 27, 2026, Eric Burmeister, an experienced housing and community development professional with decades of experience in real estate development, finance, and affordable housing, has been appointed as a Commissioner to the Biddeford Housing Authority (BHA) Board and as a Director to the Southern Maine Affordable Housing (SMAH) Board. L-R Emhiser and Burmeister In addition, William Emhiser will also serve in both roles, bringing a

By RANDY SEAVER & JOSHUA WOLFE Biddeford Gazette / Biddeford Buzz Full HD Debate Below👇 The two men hoping to represent Biddeford’s District 133 in the Maine House of Representatives answered a series of questions from local journalists during a sometimes-heated debate on Sunday. Incumbent Democrat Marc Malon is being challenged for a third consecutive term by veteran city councilor Marc Lessard who is making his first bid for statewide office as an unenrolled candidate. (L-

Submitted by City of Biddeford and University of New England October 8, 2026, The City of Biddeford and the University of New England have announced an important milestone in a collaborative effort to advance key projects that support education, research, economic vitality, and the long-term interests of the Biddeford community. On October 6, the Biddeford City Council voted to lift the moratorium affecting the University's proposed research pier and Decary Hall renovation pr

October 6, 2026, At tonight's City Council meeting, councilors voted unanimously in facor of accepting the proposed language for Biddeford’s new "ICE Ordinance". In very simple form, the ordinance essentially expresses sentiments limiting city leadership and departments from working directly with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents and was created by utilizing exsisting ordinances in Lewiston and Portland. This vote comes two and a half months since the ICE shooting de

"Important to note, by tabling the ordinance to gain greater clarity, the committee is trying to ensure that when the document reaches the City Council, they do not have to send it back to policy committee to be reworked, saving time in the process." September 28, 2026, In a 4 to 1 vote, members of the City of Biddeford Policy Committee voted to table an ordinance brought forward this evening pertaining to "Surveillance Technology Oversight". "I read the ordinance 2, 3, 4 tim

"Any cleanup that is related to unhoused individuals and/or their belongings is assisted by Code Enforcement, which is why they were present during the cleanup along with Public Works." September 17, 2026, According to Biddeford City officials, "The City received a complaint from a park volunteer earlier this week regarding sanitation issues with the park at 315 Main Street. There were two freestanding walls in the corner of the park, and the space behind them was being used

"Regardless of the approach taken by the Council, enforcement of immigration law rests exclusively with the Federal Government." September 16, 2026, Last night, Biddeford City Solicitor Harry Center provided Mayor LaFountain and the City Council, with a memo including 11 ordinances City Leadership could adapt, in an effort to limit ICE operations in Biddeford. According to centers memo, "the Council may take the approach of Rockland and Lewiston and pass the attached ordinanc

By Karen Garnett, Biddeford School Department September 14, 2026, A new collection of student-created stained glass panels is illuminating the main office at Biddeford High School (BHS), showcasing what is possible when creative teaching, hands-on learning, and community support come together. The project, titled “Illuminating the Tiger Inside,” was funded through a $1,000 Biddeford Education Foundation (BEF) teacher mini-grant, which offers educators mini-grants to bring inn

Episode 1: Here's Where Things Stand "Biddeford | Addiction and Opioid Settlement Funds “Is the city of Bidderford effectively utilizing opioid settlement funds to fight the current opioid crisis plaguing its residents.” September 10, 2026, Per city ordinance adopted in 2024, Biddeford’s City Council received its required annual Opioid Settlement Fund update at their September 1st city council meeting. According to Jake Hammer, Biddeford’s General Assistance Administrator, si

By Karen Garnett, Biddeford School Department September 10, 2026, Patricia “Patsy” Gendron, a lifelong Biddeford resident who spent 25 years serving students and educators throughout the Biddeford School Department, has been appointed to the School Committee. Gendron will represent Ward 6, filling the vacant seat previously held by Meagan Desjardins. The School Committee confirmed Gendron’s appointment at its September 9, 2026, meeting following her nomination by Mayor and Sc

"Allegedly once all of the students exited the bus per the drivers instructions, the bus driver then left the students at the high school, and then completed their evening route returning the bus back to "base" - the students were left at the high school to seek alternate transportation on their own." September 9, 2026, This morning we've received multiple reports regarding an incident that took place yesterday at the Biddeford High School. For those who are unaware, differen

New analysis highlights the University’s role as a major employer, community partner, source of millions in direct municipal revenue, and regional economic engine By Alan Bennett, Asst. Director of Communications, University of New England September 9, 2026, A new independent economic analysis concludes that the University of New England generates more than $53 million in direct economic activity each year in Biddeford while contributing more than $3 million annually in dir

“Biddeford residents raised legitimate questions about whether that longstanding shoreline protection was being honored,” Mayor Liam LaFountain said. “We wanted those questions investigated, and we deserved answers.” By Danica Lamontagne, City of Biddeford September 8, 2026, The City of Biddeford will conclude its pending appeal concerning the Saco River Corridor Commission’s 2024 approval of the University of New England research pier after the Commission voted to extend UNE

"In addition, Knight informed residents of an upcoming billing increase of approximately 32%." September 2, 2026, At last night's city council meeting, Interim City Manager Cornell Knight informed Mayor LaFountain and city councilors the city has been overbilling residents for sewer fees for the past 6 years. If the above sentence got your blood boiling a bit, do not read this next sentence - In addition, Knight informed residents of an upcoming billing increase of approximat

By Heart of Biddeford "This year’s festival will feature an expanded lineup of live and roaming musicians, accordion players, pop-up performances and participatory music and dance, including the chance to learn some steps and join in barn dancing right on Lincoln Street." September 2, 2026, Heart of Biddeford’s Oktoberfest returns to Lincoln Street on Saturday, Sept. 26, from noon - 6 p.m., bringing back local beer, bratwurst, stein hoisting and other favorites -- while addin

By Diane Cyr, President, Biddeford Cultural Heritage Center August 28, 2026, The Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center (BCHC) is pleased to announce the recipients of the Ninth Annual Biddeford Hall of Fame Awards for 2026, recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to the city and beyond. The induction ceremony will be held at noon on Saturday, September 26, 2026, in the Biddeford High School Little Theater on Maplewood Avenue in Biddeford. The ceremony

By Danica Lamontagne, City of Biddeford August 28, 2026, Mayor Liam LaFountain has nominated Jessica Muise as the City of Biddeford’s next City Councilor for Ward 4. Muise would fill the seat made vacant by former Councilor Dylan Doughty for the remainder of the current term, which expires in December 2027. Her appointment is subject to confirmation by the City Council on Tuesday, September 1. “I am honored to be nominated to serve Ward 4 on the City Council,” Muise said. “I

"...the police department has expended roughly $35,000 in overtime funds, just in the matter of a month... As we continue to wait for the final results of what the AG is going to do, irrespective of anything else we should be made whole... because we didn't cause this event." August 25, 2026, A unique moment played out this past tuesday at the Biddeford City Council Meeting. During Biddeford City Council President Roger Beaupre's closing remarks of the meeting, while discussi

~Letter to the Buzz~ By Kelsey Cummings, Ward 5 August 19, 2026, Obviously, how the government should work is a hot topic right now. But it should work, right? There’s a difference between a dysfunctional government and a non-functioning one, and now we’re far past the breaking point. Biddeford has endured everything from delays in codes, vacancies throughout the city, misconduct, lawsuits, late audits, federal employees intimidating our communities, skyrocketing rent, never-

~Important to note, per ICE's current policy, the agency will only release body camera footage when it is in the "best interests" of the agency.~ August 13, 2026, According to the office of U.S. Senator Susan Collins, as of 2:00 PM today, all Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents in the state of Maine, are now fully equipped with body-worn cameras. U.S. Senator Susan Collins released the following statement: "I am pleased to announce that as of today at 2pm, all ICE enf