BIDDEFORD — Just a generation ago, the French language dominated the streets of Biddeford. The city was filled with French Canadian immigrants, and their children learned French as their first language. Although those days are gone, efforts are underway to help today’s French-Canadian descendants find a connection with the culture and language of their grandparents. […]

Biddeford High School student Vinnie Papa practices lines from the French-language play “Les Trois Anges” last week in the school’s auditorium. Students will perform the one-act play at the Biddeford City Theater on March 27 as part of a French culture festival, “La Féte du Printemps.” (JEFF LAGASSE/Journal Tribune)

Biddeford High School student Hilary Lariviere practices lines from the French-language play “Les Trois Anges” last week in the school’s auditorium. Students will perform the one-act play at the Biddeford City Theater on March 27 as part of a French culture festival, “La Féte du Printemps.” (JEFF LAGASSE/Journal Tribune)

ALFRED — To his Army friends, Sgt. First Class Joel Babb, of Alfred is a strong leader, an outstanding guy and a good motivator. To his mother Sue, he’s not only her son, but also her friend and her hero. To those who showed up to a dinner in his honor on Saturday, at the […]

David Marchant, a senior at the Sanford Regional Technical Center, works on the cutting and grinding of a carbide oil hole drill, last week at Arundel Machine Tool in Arundel. Marchant has been hired as an apprentice at the company and is training to become a cutter/grinder in the tool room. The customized drill he […]

ALFRED — A couple called as witnesses in a recent murder trial, and who were involved in a bizarre mishap in Eliot last fall, have now been arrested on drug charges. John and Nancy Durfee of Alfred were arrested by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency Thursday after their vehicle was searched in Kittery. They were […]

ARUNDEL — Grinding a piece of steel into a precision drill bit isn’t a typical after-school job for a high school student. But for David Marchant, a senior at the Sanford Regional Technical Center, it’s more than a job ”“ it’s an opportunity to build toward a career, even before graduation. Marchant is one of […]

U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Joel Babb of Alfred and his mother, Sue, enjoy a meal with friends and family at the Texas Roadhouse in Scarborough on Saturday. About 30 friends and relatives attended a surprise dinner at the restaurant for Joel Babb, who will soon be leaving to serve with the Army in Afghanistan. […]

David Marchant, a senior at the Sanford Regional Technical Center, works on the cutting and grinding of a carbide oil hole drill, last week at Arundel Machine Tool in Arundel. Marchant has been hired as an apprentice at the company and is training to become a cutter/grinder in the tool room. The customized drill he […]

OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Concerns over suggested cuts in Gov. Paul LePage’s proposed budget were aired by area residents at a public informational session Thursday night. State Senate Democratic Leader Barry Hobbins, D-Saco, gave an overview of LePage’s proposed state budget for the next two years and answered questions about the budget, during a meeting […]