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By Karen Garnett, Contributing Writer February 12, 2026 – Leadership doesn’t always come with a title—and that message is resonating loudly with eighth-grade students at Saco Middle School (SMS), thanks to the real-world experiences of Jackson Howard, a senior at Thornton Academy and an EMS student at the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology (BRCOT). Howard is currently enrolled in BRCOT’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program and previously completed the Intro to Medi

By Mackenzie Schors, Biddeford Buzz Contributing Writer Now celebrating their 10 year anniversary, UNE has been hosting their annual “Teddy Bear Toss” (TBT) game every year since 2017 - Here’s a glimpse into what TBT weekend looks like for the community and the UNE Nor’easters: February 11, 2026, What began as a small, community-focused initiative in 2017 has grown into one of the University of New England’s most beloved traditions. This year marked the 10th anniversary of

By Karen Garnett, Contributing Writer February 10, 2026, Dayton Consolidated School (DCS) officially launched its new composting program last Friday with a school-wide assembly, marking an important step forward in the school’s commitment to sustainability, hands-on learning, and environmental responsibility. Dayton Consolidated School students participate in an interactive recycling and composting presentation during a school-wide assembly by EcoMaine, learning how to proper

By Tammy Wells/York County government, Contributing Writer February 9, 2026, Two local banks with deep roots in York County are leading the way in helping build the York County Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Center. Partners Bank and Kennebunk Savings have each contributed $150,000 to First County Foundation, Inc. earmarked for the York County Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Center, and paused for a photo on Feb. 9. Shown here are York County Manager Greg Zinser, F

📰YORK COUNTY | Former Biddeford City Councilor Launches Campaign for York County Commission February 9, 2026, According a public statement from previous Biddeford At-Large City Councilor Doris Ortiz, Doris has announced she will be launching her campaign to run for York County Commission to represent District 2. Doris Ortiz Formally a Biddeford At-Large City Councilor, Doris Ortiz resigned from the Biddeford City Council in September of 2025 and cited a "recent opportunity f

February 6, 2026, Student providers from the University of New England’s doctoral College of Dental Medicine and undergraduate Department of Dental Hygiene welcomed 85 elementary- and secondary-age students from Maine Regional School District (RSU) 23, serving the community of Old Orchard Beach, to the University’s Oral Health Center on Friday, Feb. 6, for UNE’s fifth annual “Give Kids a Smile” event. Eighty-eight students from RSU 23 received a full slate of preventive denta

"...the fire originated from an electrical outlet issue, which caused extensive fire damage within the garage structure" - Maine State Fire Marshal February 4, 2026, Below is the release from the State Fire Marshal’s office regrading the fire that took place on February 2 at 297 Elm: On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at approximately 8:30 a.m., the Biddeford Fire Department responded to a report of a possible working fire at 297 Elm Street. Upon arrival, units located a garage wi

February 4, 2026, According to Biddeford City General Assistance Administrator Jacob Hammer, the City of Biddeford has recieved $94,502.86 from the National Opioid Settlement Fund (OSF) for fiscal year 2026. Hammer explained, "in 2014, US administrative units began filing lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and distributors... with over $56 Billion expected to be paid out nationwide. Settlement payments to individual governments started in 2022 and expected to be made throu

February 3, 2026, The Biddeford Fire Department responded to a reported building fire at the former Sleepy Hollow Motel, located at 297 Elm Street, at approximately 8:26 a.m. on Tuesday morning. The Biddeford Regional Communications Center received the initial 911 call at 8:26 a.m., with the first unit arriving on scene at 8:30 a.m. Heavy smoke and fire were visible from a 30-by-40-foot, one-and-a-half-story garage that was attached to a single-story motel-style building. Fir

February 3, 2026, At this evening’s Biddeford City Council Meeting, councilors voted unanimously in favor to refer the “matter of rent practices in mobile home parks to the Policy Committee for review and recommendation.” This vote comes following a prior meeting where the council denied a request to establish a 90 day moratorium on Mobile Home Lot fee increases in Biddeford. Meeting materials state, “this new order is to refer the topic to the Policy Committee to review and

February 3, 2026, in addition to the already publicized news regarding city staff working with Senator Collins' office to have over 700k of IRS fines waived from a late filing penalty, City Manager Truc Dever also delivered more great news for residents tonight during her City Manager report. After announcing the waving of IRS fines, Dever went on to say, "...additionally I have great news to share. Again, with the help of Senator Collins and her staff, we received news last

February 3, 2026, At tonight's city council meeting, councilors voted to retroactively approve a controversial pilot parking program that has recently found itself at the center of local discussions. The Pilot Program was initiated under previous Mayor Martin Grohman's leadership during the "nightmare on Elm street" construction saga with the intent to provide a parking solution for downtown business owners and their employees. The review of the program was triggered when Cit

February 2, 2026, Two Biddeford High School (BHS) students are being recognized for their award-winning artwork in the prestigious Scholastic Art and Writing Awards at the Maine College of Art & Design (MECA) in Portland next month. BHS Junior Brynn Wilkinson earned a Silver Key Award for her "Drawn by Light", an 8-by-10 acrylic still-life painting, and BHS Sophomore Shayleigh Kennedy earned an Honorable Mention for her "Chromatic Shades of Me", an 18-by-24 portrait. The prog

February 2, 2026, Students from Biddeford and Saco schools showcased their spelling skills last month during their respective school Spelling Bees, earning top honors and advancing to the York County Spelling Bee on February 9, 2026, at Saco Middle School. Due to limited space, the event is not open to the public. (L-R) CK Burns School’s Spelling Bee Champion Sage Daicy and Runner-up Peter Galasyn. At CK Burns School, fifth-grade students Sage Daicy claimed the championship b

January 31, 2026, According to the Old Orchard Beach Police Department, The individual responsible for the January 22nd attempted burglary on Ocean Park Road has been identified as Austin Gardner, 19, of Bangor, Maine. Austin Gardner "Through investigative follow-up and information received from the public, Gardner was identified and charged in connection with this incident", read the department's release. Charges include: Class E – Possession of Burglary Tools Class C – Aggr

“The judicial branch has made countless efforts to appease the primary complaint… Good fences make good neighbor's, but good manners make great neighbors. We cant [can't] please all the people all the time!”, wrote Edward Caron, Building Manager, York County Judicial Center January 30, 2026, A little over 2 weeks ago we shared a story about several Biddeford residents alleging “vindictive behavior” from staff at the York County Judicial Center located at 515 Elm Street (Route

January 30, 2026, Disney’s Moana JR. is playing at Biddeford Middle School’s Performing Arts Center on Thursday, February 12, 2026, and Friday, February 13, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. each evening. The 60-minute musical, adapted from the book by Susan Soon He Stanton and the 2016 Disney animated film, brings the adventures of Moana and her village of Motunui to life onstage. The Biddeford Middle School Drama Club’s cast includes 85 students led by Coleen Hatt and Rob Petit. “Much lik

📰SACO | Man Flees on Foot as ICE Agents approach him January 29, 2026, Footage submitted to the Biddeford Buzz that was taken earlier this morning, appears to show a male fleeing on foot on Green Street in Saco Maine as he was approached by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The individual who recorded the video wishes to remain anonymous.

"While the Department of Homeland Security does not confirm law enforcement operations, I can report that Secretary Noem has informed me that ICE has ended its enhanced activities in the State of Maine" January 29, 2026, According to U.S. Senator Susan Collins, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has ceased its enhanced operations in the State of Maine. The announcement comes after direct communicatio between Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Senator C

January 28, 2026, Following the approval of a 180 day moratorium by the Biddeford City Council pertaining to development for the University of New England (UNE), the University reached out to the Biddeford Buzz and issued the following statement: "While we do not think the development moratorium is necessary, UNE respects the council’s decision. We appreciate the opportunity for thoughtful dialogue about the future of our campus and its role in the community, and President He