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By Karen Garnett, Contributing Writer February 13, 2026, In the months since receiving $275,000 through the Maine Housing Student Homelessness Prevention Pilot, Biddeford School Department has emerged as a regional leader in addressing student housing instability—coordinating a multi-district effort that is already surpassing expectations. As the lead applicant and consortium coordinator, Biddeford School Department brought together five school departments, including Biddefor

February 12, 2026, Today, Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s repeal of the Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding: “The Trump Administration is abandoning its responsibility to protect the health of our people and the planet from the proven harms of climate pollution. This decision disregards years of scientific research and data, leaving American families to feel the pain with dirtier air, poorer health, rising temperat

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 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

📰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 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

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

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

"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 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 from a local resident (who asked to remain anonymous) of ICE personnel at a house located on Porter Street. According to a local resident, "I saw at least 8 agents" approaching the home. The resident did not personally see anyone removed from the property but expressed frustration with the agents activity stating, "this is so scary and heartbreaking... go away ICE... leave them alone."

“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

📰BIDDEFORD | Mayor moves to limit UNE Development January 15, 2026, According to reports and a memo sent to city council, newely elected Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain is proposing a "temporary moratorium" on development projects at the University of New England. Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain Reports also indicate that LaFountain is looking to nominate the University’s president (James Hebert) to serve on the City’s newly established ad hoc Institutional Zone Review commi

“…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

📰BIDDEFORD | Councilors Praise Police Chief for Partnering with City of Saco | Council Approves Contract “We miss too many opportunities to work with our neighbors from Saco… I offer praise to you and your team for working with them.” Jacob Pierson, Ward 6 Councilor January 6, 2026, At tonight's city council meeting, Biddeford Police Chief JoAnne Fisk asked City Councilors to approve a contract between the City of Saco and City of Biddeford pertaining to the purchase of new