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By Loren McCready, Contributing Writer April 30, 2026, The development at the end of Barra Road, including the recently announced Thatcher Brook Apartments, is being presented as progress in Biddeford. A closer look shows a pattern of decisions that prioritize speed and private return over long-term planning and public benefit. The financial structure makes that plain. Three separate Tax Increment Financing districts (TIFs) have been established for this area, along with a Cr

By Loren McCready, Contributing Writer April 20, 2026, From park cleanups and campus programming to a downtown litter pickup and a sustainability workshop, local events are scheduled from April 22 through April 28. The Biddeford-Saco Climate Action Team has compiled a full list of events to help residents find ways to get involved throughout the week. Earth Day programming in Biddeford and Saco will stretch across nearly a full week this year. On Wednesday, April 22, the Uni

By Tammy Wells, Contributing Writer, York County Government Media April 15, 2026, Firefighters dressed in boots and heavy protective gear made their way up five stories and into the steel drill tower, and they made it look easy. After about 20 minutes, heavy black smoke began to emerge from various windows of the structure, and firefighters – all instructors with years of firefighting experience, commenced to put it out. The drill tower is among the key components of the Yor

By Tammy Wells, Contributing Writer, York County Government Media February 24, 2026, long-awaited dredging and dune restoration project off Atlantic Avenue, ongoing 24/7 for the better part of a week, was due to wind down around Feb. 20 and move on to Saco beginning around the last week in February. Then, once preparations are complete – around March 2 – the York County government dredge will begin restoring Camp Ellis beach and dunes battered by a pair of storms that devast

By Tammy Wells, Contributing Writer February 16, 2026, York County Commissioners understand the need to support the unhoused through shelter subsidies and are urging legislators to seek ways to support them within the state’s coffers, not the counties’ far slimmer purse. In testimony to the Legislature’s Housing and Economic Development Committee at a public hearing Feb. 10, they urged committee members to vote “ought not to pass,” on L.D. 2124, a bill that would further dip

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

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 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

“…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 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