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By Karen Garnett, Contributing Writer April 1, 2026, For generations of students, athletes, and families in Biddeford, Don Wilson was more than an educator; he was a mentor, a coach, and a steady presence who helped shape the heart of the community. Now, the Biddeford School Department is inviting the community to honor his legacy through the Don Wilson Memorial Fitness Campaign, part of a $200,000 project to renovate and revitalize the school’s fitness center in his name. Th

By Danica Lamontagne, Contributing Writer March 26, 2026, The City of Biddeford has contracted with Gorham Sand & Gravel to separate combined sewer lines on Alfred Street (between Summer Street and Porter Street), as well as Mt. Vernon Street, Birch Street, and Porter Street. The project is being completed as part of the City of Biddeford’s ongoing sewer separation efforts as required by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. The previous single-pipe sewer system w

March 23, 2026, the following statement was sent directly to the Biddeford Buzz today from Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain regarding the recent dimissal of a court case brought forward by the City pertaining to the University of New England’s proposed pier. The dismissal and additional information about the complaint can be viewed here: https://www.biddefordbuzz.com/post/biddeford-court-dismisses-city-s-complaint-une-saco-river-corridor-commission Mayor LaFountain writes: “I

The ruling goes on to state, "even if the city had first requested the Commission reconsider the 2024 permit and waited for it to render a final agency action before appealing to this court, the deadline for judicial review is long expired under the Maine law." March 23, 2026, this past November the City of Biddeford filed a formal complaint with the York Judicial Court System seeking judicial review of a permit (#20-491) granted by the Saco River Corridor Commission, to the

"Biddeford officials’ decision to freeze all development on the university’s campus is a mistake. UNE is not a problem to be managed.... UNE is not a burden to this city. It is one of our greatest assets. Let’s act like it." By Alan Casavant and Marty Grohman Alan Casavant served as mayor of Biddeford from 2011 to 2023. Marty Grohman served as the city’s mayor from 2023 to 2025. March 22, 2026, Biddeford has blossomed into one of Maine’s most dynamic communities. Once derided

By Alan Bennett, Assistant Director of Communications, UNE March 20, 2026, The University of New England announced today that 166 graduating physicians have matched to residencies in Maine, New England, and beyond, with over 50% heading to primary care posts amid a national shortage of primary care providers. The Match Day celebration was held at UNE’s Portland Campus for the Health Sciences, which is home to Maine’s only medical school located in the recently inaugurated Har

“If approved, residents would still have to purchase the orange overflow bags, would be limited to placing only 2 bags per weekly trash pick-up, and would need to balance their overflow trash bags on top of their green trash containers.” March 20, 2026, Residents may soon experience a big change in how weekly trash pick-up occurs. At this week's city council meeting, Public Works Director Jeff Demers addressed city councilors requesting clarification regarding a current city

BIDDEFORD | Somebody Messed Up | 60k and a Story with Two Titles TITLE 1: CITY MESSES UP BIG TITLE 2: ICE ARENA MESSES UP BIG March 18, 2026, Bare with us… we feel the easiest way to accurately paint this picture, is to present it in 4 short, but pointed “parts”. Let’s begin. Part 1: The Whistleblower During this past Tuesday’s Finance Committee Meeting, Biddeford’s Finance Director Gerry Matherne, informed committee members that the City has not received payments from the Bi

"I, Liam LaFountain, Mayor of the City of Biddeford, do hereby recognize Friday, March 19, 2026 as Eid al-Fitr in our City and encourage residents to join in recognizing the significance of this celebration." March 17, 2026, at tonight's City Council Meeting, Mayor Liam LaFountain read a proclamation formally recognizing March 19, 2026 as Eid al-Fitr in the City of Biddeford. According to sources online, Eid al-Fitr, or the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," is a major three-da

March 11, 2026, the below message was sent directly to the Biddeford Buzz from University of New England President Dr. James Herbert regarding the proposed research pier on the Saco River. Dr. James Herbert, President of the University of New England "Dear Members of the Biddeford Community, In recent months there has been significant discussion about the University of New England’s proposed research pier on the Saco River. I understand that projects affecting our waterfront

-LD 2122 would ensure funding for SNAP benefits in the event of a federal shutdown- March 5, 2026, Maine House Speaker Ryan D. Fecteau (D-Biddeford) today introduced LD 2122, An Act to Prevent Negative Impacts from Federal Funding Changes to and Fund Eligibility Determinations and Outreach for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which will make sure our state gets the federal food assistance funds we were expected to receive before Congress passed Trump’s “Big Bad

By Liam LaFountain, Mayor of Biddeford March 1, 2026, On Monday, March 2 at 6:00 p.m., the Institutional Zone Review Committee will hold its first public hearing at City Hall . The meeting begins the public input phase of a broader review of how Biddeford regulates institutional development. For many residents, the term “ Institutional Zone ” may not be familiar. In practical terms, it is the zoning framework that governs development at the University of New England’s B

February 26, 2026, The City of Biddeford property tax bills for the second half of Fiscal Year 2026 are now available online using Invoice Cloud and have been mailed to residents. Payments will be due on April 1, 2026. According to city officials, The most efficient way to pay your tax bill is to pay by EFT (e-check) through Invoice Cloud, our online bill payment service. There is a $0.60 service fee for payment processing, which is charged by the vendor. Access this option b

The event, part of UNE’s enhanced workforce-ready initiatives, left many students with newfound confidence in breaking the ice By Deirdre Fleming Stires, Contributing Writer UNE February 25, 2026, In a crowded communal area in the University of New England’s Ripich Commons on the evening of Feb. 18, the University's first Career Connections Mixer got off to a rousing start. And the impromptu conversations between employers, alumni, local civic leaders, entrepreneurs, faculty,

Contributed Story "The program encourages municipalities, regional associations, and businesses operating in Maine to submit proposals that contribute to sustainable waste management strategies." February 25, 2026, The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is excited to announce the first round of grant submissions aimed at developing, implementing, or enhancing innovative projects, programs, and activities designed to increase the diversion of solid waste from d

By Danica Lamontagne, Contributing Writer February 24, 2026, Nomination Papers for the City of Biddeford’s Charter Revision Commission will be available on Monday, March 2 in the City Clerk’s Office at Biddeford City Hall. The City of Biddeford’s Charter outlines how its government is structured and how it operates. State law requires that if any changes are to be made to the Charter, a Charter Revision Commission must be created to review the Charter and propose revisions. B

“The community center, long neglected with a band-aid approach, is the true Jewel of Biddeford.. I think it's time to really give this building the TLC it deserves…” February 22, 2026, Below is an op-ed that we received from Biddeford resident Diane Cyr pertaining to the discussion of which projects city leaders should prioritize when allocating the recreational bond funds approved by voters in the November 2025 election. REMINDER - In addition to submitting op-eds, residents

“Donald Trump is a threat to our country, our state, our democracy, and our values…. I’ve stood up to Trump to protect our state before, and I’m ready to do so again.” - Dr. Nirav Shah February 20, 2026, Yesterday, Maine gubernatorial candidate and former Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah, released what his campaign is referring to as a plan to “Safeguard Maine from Trump. Dr. Shah’s announcement states, “Donald Trump is a threat to our country, our state, our democracy, and

February 18, 2026, at last night’s city council meeting, Biddeford City Manager Truc Dever informed councilors and the Mayor, that according to a memo she received from Alan Thibault (UNE Vice President for University Operations), the University of New England is "considering working with Unitil on an extension of the natural gas main from downtown to the UNE campus." VIDEO CAN BE VIEWED HERE: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DZ5FiBJRr/ The full memo shared by City Manager D

"This is about more than concrete and ramps. It is about trust. It is about accountability. And it is about showing this community — especially its young people — that when they show up and speak, their government listens." February 17, 2026, at tonight's City Council meeting, former Biddeford City Councilor Neva Lance and her wife Samanntha Lance, advocated passionately to the Biddeford City Council in support of spending recreation bond funds on a new skate park for the cit