All Articles

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

By Tammy Wells January 28, 2026, Come spring, Advanced Life Support and Pediatric Life Support training programs will be in place at York County Regional Training Center. Advanced EMT classes and labs are ongoing now at the new facility. Firefighting classes are happening. Law enforcement classes are scheduled. A citizens academy that gives residents a look at policing meets there weekly. The decades-long dream of a centralized location for all manner of first responder tra

January 28, 2026, According to city officials, the city of Biddeford has been fined by the IRS for a "late filing" in 2021. The penalty assessed by the IRS totals $709,240, plus $543.16 in accrued interest as of April 15, 2024, please see full breakdown below: According to City Manager Truc Dever, the City received the following notices: CP215 dated April 8, 2024- Penalty under IRC Section 6721 for failure to file correct information returns: $354,760 CP215 dated April 15, 20

January 27, 2026, in a statement released yesterday from the leadership at the First Parish Congregational Church UCC located at 12 Beach St, Saco, the church informed the public of what they are claiming to be an illegal abduction by ICE of one of the members of their congregation. The statement from the church reads as follows: "This past Sunday, a member of our First Parish Congregational Church of Saco family, Makengo, welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world. She is

"Like all nonprofits, Heart of Biddeford is required to be nonpartisan. Our role is not to support or oppose any political party or candidate, but to care for our community, and we invite you to join us." January 26, 2026, Below is a statement released today by Heart of Biddeford executive director Delilah Poupore regarding recent Immigrationand Customs Enforcement activity in Biddeford, please see below: "At Heart of Biddeford, we believe a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainabl

January 26, 2026, in a press release sent directly from Brian Pellerin to the Biddeford Buzz, Chief Deputy Brian Pellerin of the Cumberland County Sheriff's who is running for York County Sheriff, shared his sentiments regarding the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Below are Brian's remarks: "When I launched my campaign for Sheriff of York County earlier this week, the issues surrounding immigration enforcement in Maine, particularly the role of ICE and the responsibi

January 25, 2026, according to a press release sent directly from Brian Pellerin to the Biddeford Buzz, Chief Deputy Brian Pellerin of the Cumberland County Sheriff's has officially announced his candidacy for York County Sheriff. Below are Brian's remarks: Brian Pellerin (submitted photo) "Today, I am announcing my candidacy for York County Sheriff in the November 2026 election. I am running as a principled Independent candidate, committed to professional, nonpartisan leade

January 24, 2026, below is the updated statement we have received from Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain regarding ICE operating in Biddeford: "One week ago, I released a statement as information about federal enforcement activity and its local impacts were still evolving. Since then, conditions have changed and daily life in Biddeford is being affected. Families are staying home. Workers with valid documentation are calling out of their jobs. School absenteeism is rising. Staf

January 21, 2026, We have recieved video confirmation of ICE personnel at a residence located on Hubert Street. Multiple vehicles and officers were present.

“Ward 7 Councilor Brad Cote spoke from a very different perspective and even sounded a bit frustrated with some of his peers while stating, “If we can't support a 90 day moratorium… then how on god's green earth are we going to tackle affordable housing”. January 20, 2026, At this evening’s Biddeford City Council Meeting, councilors voted 6 to 3 against instituting a 90 Day Moratorium on Mobile Home Lot Fee Increases in the city of Biddeford… and City hall was packed with con

📰BIDDEFORD | Opinion: We deserve a Mayor who Communicates Cory Labrie, Biddeford Resident “...since the election, we haven’t heard anything from our new mayor, Liam LaFountain. I find it very hard to believe that nothing news-worthy has happened in our zip code since he was elected… As a long-time citizen of Biddeford, born and raised, I am looking to hear more from our mayor.” January 19, 2026, The last two mayors of Biddeford believed in communication and keeping the resid

January 16, 2026, Below is the statement we just received from Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain regarding reports of potential Federal Immigration Enforcement: "In recent days, reports of possible federal immigration enforcement activity in Maine have raised understandable anxiety, questions, and fear for some residents, families, and businesses in Biddeford. We recognize that uncertainty of this nature can be deeply unsettling, particularly when information is incomplete or e

January 16, 2026, today, we will begin a new series highlighting fun facts and information we have learned about our newly elected Mayor Liam Lafountain. Today's fact: Did you know that Mayor Liam LaFountain testified before state legislators in support of LD 724; a bill which would recognize two muslim holidays (Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha) as state holidays. We have included LaFountain’s testimony below. We also included LaFountain’s congratulation "plaque" received from th

“…good neighbors, they've been anything but… they've been acting like they’re above the law, which is really disappointing for the judicial branch of our state, to be treating our community and our code enforcement officer so poorly… they should be getting fined like any other business or private residence that would violate a contract zone… that fine would range from $100 to $2500 per day…” Sterling Roop, Ward 7 Resident January 13, 2026, During each Biddeford City Council m

January 11, 2026, on November 15, 2025 the Biddeford + Saco Chamber of Commerce + Industry hired Alex MacPhail, a resident of Saco, to be their new executive director (ED)... and in case you're new here.. Alex is known in the Biddeford Saco area and has been active in the community for years with deep local connections across the business sector. Alex MacPhail speaks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Bounce Pickle + Play MacPhail’s first “official day” as the new ED was Novem

“In all likelihood we are looking at another 5% to 6% [tax] increase”. - Marc Lessard, City Councilor At-Large At-Large Councilor Marc Lessard (Biddeford) January 9, 2026, City Councilor At-Large Marc Lessard was first elected to the Biddeford City Council in 1993 and has since been reelected for 11 terms. With his family having lived in Biddeford for 6 generations, it’s safe to say that he has deep roots in the community. Throughout Councilor Lessard’s tenure on the City Cou

"My catchphrase is "God always provides" and he really does. I just can't thank you enough…" -Don Bisson, President & Manager Biddeford Food Pantry January 6, 2025, A picture can say a thousand words…. Or seven thousand three hundred and fifty! Well folks, we did it! You've not only helped us hit our goal, you've helped us smash it OUT OF THE PARK! Today, Don Bisson, President & Manager of the Biddeford Food Pantry, was absolutely overjoyed as we presented him a check for the

January 6, 2026, In a press release sent to the Biddeford Buzz, York County Commissioner Justin Chenette has announced he will seek a second four-year term in the 2026 election for District 3 (Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Hollis, and Buxton). Justin Chenette (submitted photo) Chenette is the first millennial and first openly LGBTQ+ individual ever elected to the commission and was selected by his fellow commissioners to serve a term as vice chair. “Since taking office, county gov

-UNE medical students continue holiday giving tradition in partnership with Biddeford Primary School- December 19, 2025, Students from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Sigma Sigma Phi (SSP) KAPPA Chapter continued a longstanding holiday tradition on Friday, Dec. 12, hosting their annual Holiday Giving Tree toy drive on UNE’s Biddeford Campus to support local families through the Biddeford Primary School. Now in its seventh year, the drive ha

By Haley Thompson President, Biddeford and Saco Rotary Club BIDDEFORD/SACO/DAYTON, Maine – December 18, 2025 – This holiday season, the Biddeford Saco Rotary Club once again demonstrated the power of community through its annual Adopt-A-Family Program, ensuring that 200 local children experienced the joy of Christmas morning. Despite the growing need, Rotarians and their helpers remained undeterred—managing every aspect of the program, from shopping and wrapping to organizing