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By Karen Garnett, Biddeford School Department, Contributing Writer May 15, 2026, For 31 years, the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club has encouraged local students to reflect on one of life’s most meaningful topics through its annual eighth-grade essay contest. Each year, the contest invites students from Biddeford, Saco, and Old Orchard Beach schools to explore the theme, “What the Word Family Means to Me,” which focuses on the students’ views of the importance of family life, their

"All 9 people were displaced and are being assisted by Red-Cross and the City’s General Assistance Office with housing and other needs." May 15, 2026, According to a press release from the Biddeford Fire Department, "this morning shortly after 5:30am the Biddeford Regional Communications Center received a 911 call for a building fire at #49 Granite Street." The release goes on to state, "Biddeford Fire Department Car 7, Engine 22, Squad 28 and EMS 14, along with an Engine fro

By Karen Garnett, Biddeford School Department, Contributing Writer May 14, 2026, Few things bring people together quite like sports, and for 20 students from Biddeford Intermediate School (BIS), a recent trip to see Portland’s Hearts of Pine (HOP) on May 2, 2026, was about far more than just soccer. Thanks to donated tickets from Hearts of Pine, students had the opportunity to experience connection, teamwork, leadership, and belonging in a community setting, all as part of a

"At the heart of UNE's nursing program, Hutchins is part planner, part mentor, and part lifeline for students navigating one of the most demanding paths on campus" By Mackenzie Schors, UNE & Biddeford Buzz May 14, 2026, Behind every successful nursing student at the University of New England is someone guiding them along the way, someone like Sarah Hutchins. A Senior Professional Academic and Career Advisor and UNE graduate, Hutchins works closely with nursing students as the

“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

May 11, 2026, According to a release from The Biddeford Police Department, "On April 17, 2026, Biddeford Regional Communication Center (BRCC) received a telephone call from Northeast Ambulance reporting that one of its ambulances had just been stolen from the hospital in Biddeford. Northeast Ambulance had an active tracking device on the stolen ambulance and was able to provide live updates on the vehicle’s location. After gathering all pertinent information, the caller was

"Monthly downtown event celebrates local art, music, and community" By Larry Weyand, Art of Biddeford, Contributing Writer May 11, 2026, The Biddeford Art Walk returns on Friday, May 15 from 5 – 8 p.m., kicking off the 2026 season with local art, live music, performances, exhibitions, food, and community programming throughout Main Street, the mills, and downtown storefronts. Presented by Art of Biddeford with support from Heart of Biddeford, the free, self-guided event takes

By Justin Chenette, York County Commissioner, Contributing Writer May 11, 2026, Three local high school seniors have been named the 2026 recipients of the Chenette Leadership Scholarship, an award recognizing students who demonstrate exceptional commitment to community service, civic engagement, and leadership. This year’s scholars represent Thornton Academy, Old Orchard Beach High School, and Bonny Eagle High School. Each recipient was selected based on their proven track re

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

By Karen Garnett, Contributing Writer May 7, 2026, What does learning look like when it extends beyond the classroom walls? At the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology (BRCOT), it looks like students crawling through attic spaces to run cable, navigating century-old brick walls, and braving the elements to bring real projects to life across the community. Students in BRCOT’s Electrical and Plumbing programs are gaining hands-on experience while contributing to meaningful l

"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

"Staff will be available to assist students in contacting home when needed..." Please note: This article pertains to the entire district (all schools in Saco, Biddeford and Dayton). May 6, 2026, Recently, the Maine Legislature made updates to LD 2212 that included a provision requiring all public schools in Maine to adopt (and enforce) a "bell-to-bell" cell phone policy. According to Superintendent of Schools Jeremy Ray, "Beginning August 1, 2026, all public schools across Ma

BIDDEFORD 250 PRESENTS - AMERICA AT 250: A DEEPER HISTORY Voices & Visions Lecture Series -A special Presentation of Muster to Memory -A Powerful New Documentary on Maine in the Civil Wa By Diane Cyr, Contributing Writer May 6, 2026, The Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center (BCHC) invites the public to a special evening of film, history, and conversation as part of BIDDEFORD 250: Biddeford’s Commemoration of America’s 250th Anniversary (1776–2026). The next program in BCHC’

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

By Karen Garnett, Contributing Writer May 5, 2026, What started as a spark of curiosity in the classroom has turned into a statewide victory. Biddeford High School (BHS) Junior Maxwell House has been named the first-place winner of the 2026 Maine App Challenge, earning top honors for his innovative mobile application and showcasing the power of student-driven learning at the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology (BRCOT). Hosted by Tyler Technologies in partnership with the

"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 Delilah Poupore, Executive Director, Heart of Biddeford, Contributing Writer May 4, 2026, Heart of Biddeford is pleased to announce the hiring of Larry Weyand as Program Director of Art of Biddeford (AOB), marking an exciting new chapter for the city’s creative community. Larry Weyand A practicing artist with experience in arts administration, governance, and leadership, Weyand brings a strong commitment to supporting artists and building thriving creative ecosystems. In t