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~Biddeford and Saco Middle Schools Open New stem+M Labs - Creating an earlier pathway to technical careers thanks to $1M U.S. Navy, Department of War grant~ By Karen Garnett, Saco and Biddeford School Departments September 17, 2026, Middle school students in Biddeford and Saco now have the opportunity to discover whether their future might be in engineering, advanced manufacturing, automation, design, or the skilled trades, years before they need to choose a career path. New

"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

"There are proven, accountable ways to end this nationwide addiction pandemic, slamming states like Maine. They require governor-level leadership. If we get that, we can fix it." By Bobby Charles, Maine 2026 Republican Gubernatorial Candidate September 15, 2026, There are proven, accountable ways to end this nationwide addiction pandemic, slamming states like Maine. They require governor-level leadership. If we get that, we can fix it. Addiction is a national pandemic, hitt

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

"As the founder of Biddeford Ballet, Reynolds brings her knowledge, artistry and guidance to a new home — a place where dancers of all ages can discover their potential, refine their craft, and experience the joy of movement… students will be trained in both classical Vaganova (Russian) and Cecchetti (Italian) methods as well as contemporary ballet " September 8, 2026, This evening, Biddeford Ballet, Biddeford's newest business located on its historic Main Street, held a ribb

“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

"I’m not going to have it removed. That’s my call, not the teacher’s." - Jeremy Ray, Superintendent, Biddeford and Saco Schools September 2, 2026, Earlier today a letter was shared to social media by a parent of a student attending school in Biddeford. The letter was sent to Superintendent Jeremy Ray and was outlining the parents concerns about a pride flag that was currently displayed in a elementary classroom in a Biddeford school. Ray's response to the parent is included b

"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

MaineHousing Awards More Than $2 Million To Help Prevent Student Homelessness In Maine Schools August 31, 2026, In a report released on August 10, 2026 by MaineHousing, the organization announced it was awarding more than $2 million to seven Maine school districts through the Student Homelessness Prevention Program (SHPP) with 240k of the funds awarded to the Biddeford School Department. The SHPP supports local efforts expected to serve nearly 1,300 students and their familie

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

By Karen Garnett, Saco School Department ~Three-year agreement delivers a 16.6% salary increase over three years, places 70 off-scale teachers onto the salary scale, a starting salary above $50,000, a new 100% single health insurance option, and two additional professional development days.~ August 28, 2026, The Saco School Board and the Saco Education Association (SEA) are pleased to announce a tentative agreement on a new three-year collective bargaining contract for Saco S

"...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

~UNE eliminates admission fees for athletic events, welcoming community to join Nor'easter family~ By Alan Bennett, Office of Communications, University of New England August 25, 2026, Beginning with the fall 2026 sports season, admission to all regular-season home athletic events at UNE will now be free for members of the public. The change removes the previous $6 ticket price at football, men's and women's basketball, and men's and women's ice hockey games, making it easier