Biddeford Gazette

12/02/2025

Apex Youth Connection empowers teens with real life skills

DETAILS: https://biddeford-gazette.com/2025/12/01/turning-a-wrench-and-sparking-imaginations/

12/02/2025

Turning a wrench and sparking imaginations

The Apex Youth Connection in Biddeford offers a wide range of programs to help teens transition to adulthood By RANDY SEAVER, Editor It’s quite common to hear about after-school programs that get kids off the streets and into a productive, structured setting. Apex Youth Connection (AYC) in Biddeford, however, takes a different approach to nurturing and empowering teens. Apex is all about getting kids…...

The Apex Youth Connection in Biddeford offers a wide range of programs to help teens transition to adulthood By RANDY SEAVER, Editor It’s quite common to hear about after-school programs that get k…

12/01/2025

Tomorrow's inauguration ceremonies in Biddeford will likely be impacted by a significant snowstorm.

As of now, the city has arranged for a free shuttle service from the Pearl Street parking garage to City Theater, where the inauguration will take place.

The city's charter does not allow any wiggle room regarding the timing and swearing in of new city officers. According to the city manager's office, the event may be online only via ZOOM.

We are awaiting final details about the event. Check back for updates.

12/01/2025

FYI: Snow parking ban tomorrow (Tuesday, Dec. 2)

There will be a citywide Snow Emergency Parking Ban in effect for the City of Biddeford from 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2 until 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 3. On Tuesday, December 2, parking will be permitted until 10 PM on Main Street between Hill Street and Elm Street for short-term business parking ONLY.

Inauguration attendees may take a shuttle from the Pearl Street Parking Garage to City Hall. The shuttle will run approximately every 15 minutes between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM on Tuesday, December 2. Any further updates on the Inauguration event will be posted on our website and social media accounts.

❄ Parking Ban Policies
When a Snow Emergency Parking Ban is declared, parking is prohibited on any way, street, or in any municipal parking lot except those listed below. Vehicles not moved by the designated times will be towed at the owners’ expense.

❄ Available Free Parking Options
Members of the general public may park at no charge during snow emergency parking bans in the following parking lots:
-Community Center (Myrtle Street side only)
-Clifford Park
-East Biddeford Little League (Hill Street)
-Public Access (Pool Street - 15 Columbus Way)

❄ Available Paid Parking Options
The general public may also park in the Pearl Street Parking Garage (15 Pearl Street, P4301), the Washington Street Parking Lot (P4304) and the Water Street Parking Lots (P4307 and P4308) for a $5 fee per storm.

Parking Ban Permits will be available for purchase from Premium Parking beginning at 12 PM on Tuesday, December 2. They will be sold via the Premium Parking app, website, Premium's TextPay and CameraPay services, and in the kiosk located inside the garage. Please use the code "SNOW122" to ensure you receive the $5 parking rate. Permits are valid through the end time stated in the parking ban notice. In the event of an issue related to parking in the garage during a parking ban, please contact Premium Parking at 1-844-236-2011.

For more information on Snow Emergency Parking Ban policies, please visit www.biddefordmaine.org/parkingban.

12/01/2025

NEWS from the Biddeford School Department

The Biddeford School Department is proud to be chosen as a convoy stop for this year’s annual Wreaths Across America “Escort to Arlington” – known as the world’s largest veteran's parade.

The official presentation will take place on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 9:15 a.m., at Biddeford Middle School, offering students a meaningful opportunity to hear directly from veterans and community leaders about service, sacrifice, and the importance of remembrance.

“We wish we had the capacity to welcome the full community, but due to limited space, this presentation must be reserved for students, local veterans, and the convoy members,” said Shelley Kane, Director of Community Outreach and Local WAA Volunteer Stop Coordinator. “We truly appreciate the public’s understanding and encourage everyone to show their support by lining the streets as the convoy passes through. Being selected again is a tremendous honor, and this experience aligns with our commitment to helping young people grow as thoughtful, civic-minded citizens.”

The official route, which can be viewed here, will travel down the East Coast, stopping at schools, memorials, and other locations along the way to spread the year-long mission to REMEMBER the fallen, HONOR those who serve, and TEACH the next generation the value of freedom.

Stops with public events will be held in Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Washington D.C., before arriving at Arlington National Cemetery on the morning of Saturday, December 13 – National Wreaths Across America Day. Tune in to Wreaths Across America Radio to hear live coverage from es**rt events all week long!

This year’s participants include national leaders from American Gold Star Mothers, The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and the VFW Auxiliary, AMVETS, and other Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs).

Members of the Patriot Guard Riders, Patriot Riders, and law enforcement from departments across Maine and New England will provide es**rt to ensure safe transport for all participants throughout the week.

What began 33 years ago as a pilgrimage by a Maine wreath maker in a single truck to deliver 5,000 wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery as a gesture of thanks has become a year-long mission to Remember, Honor, Teach. National Wreaths Across America Day ceremonies are happening at more than 5,500 participating locations nationwide on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 9 a.m. Click here to find a participating location near you, including St. Joseph’s and St. Mary’s Cemeteries, to support and/or volunteer to place wreaths.

11/30/2025

NEWS: (Via S**o Bay News) Science Collider, Story of the S**o --a "one-of-a-kind" community event will happen Wednesday, Dec. 3.

DETAILS:

Science Collider: The Story of the S**o is a one-of-a-kind community event hosted by Heart of Biddeford

11/30/2025

Giving seniors the ability to stay in their homes. Details: https://biddeford-gazette.com/2025/11/30/age-friendly-helping-seniors-stay-in-their-homes/

11/30/2025

This week's local obituaries. DETAILS: https://biddeford-gazette.com/obituaries/

11/26/2025

Biddeford's annual holiday celebration is right around the corner, Dec. 5

DETAILS:

Contributed Story | Heart of Biddeford The Heart of Biddeford will once again host the city’s Merry & Bright Night on Friday, December 5th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Adams Street in downtown Bi…

11/26/2025

Climate change & Biddeford: What's next?

DETAILS: https://biddeford-gazette.com/2025/11/26/climate-change-biddeford-whats-next/

11/25/2025

A tradition continues! Enjoy a free Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday . . .
The 26th Annual Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be held on Thursday, Nov. 27, at the Most Holy Trinity Church Hall at 271 Main Street in S**o, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The dinner includes all the fixings for a turkey dinner, including dessert and beverages.

Dinners are also available for take-out. Take-out orders can be picked up at the hall. There is no charge for the dinner, and all are welcome.

Anyone wishing to make a donation toward the dinner may send it to Knights of Columbus, PO Box 1487, Biddeford, ME 04005. Checks can be made out Knights of Columbus with a note for Turkey Dinner on the memo line.

This event is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and a caring community, with special thanks to the Good Shepherd Parish. For more information, contact Dave McDonald at 207-468-7324 or email at [email protected] or Charlie Labonte at 207-423-8527.

11/25/2025

A time for gratitude, reflection and recovery from sitting on folding metal chairs for more than three hours. SEE LINK BELOW:

Although it may be hard to believe, we are now pushing up against the edge of the 2025 holiday season. Wow! Where did this year go? Over the next 30 days, people in our community will celebrate Tha…