Luke Petermann readies himself on his bicycle Tuesday in preparation of the Community Bicycle Center’s inaugural ride on the new Eastern Trail biking and walking route that was recently opened and runs from Biddeford to Kennebunk. JEFF LAGASSE/Journal Tribune

BIDDEFORD — In 1997, volunteers from the Conservation Commissions of Scarborough, Saco and Old Orchard Beach discussed the idea of creating a trail along the unused railroad corridor in southern Maine. Interest in the idea exploded from there, said Saco resident John Andrews, and the all-volunteer Eastern Trail Alliance was formed. Andrews, who was a […]

Brian Costello, right, director of recreation for the town of Kennebunk, points to a poster promoting the amenities of the newly-opened Eastern Trail in Biddeford on Tuesday, while Kennebunk Director of Public Works Bill Robertson looks on. JEFF LAGASSE/ Journal Tribune

BIDDEFORD — School officials met on Thursday to discuss an action plan to deal with air quality issues at Biddeford High School after angry parents voiced their concerns to the School Committee Tuesday. The main features of the plan, said BHS Principal Britton Wolfe, include: Increased cleaning and housekeeping, additional containment of high school renovations […]

BIDDEFORD — Despite concerns from some members, the Planning Board approved the permit to allow a medical marijuana dispensary to set up shop in Biddeford. On Wednesday, the board approved the application by Canuvo, Inc., formerly Safe Harbor Maine, Inc., to locate at 6 Wellspring Road. The non-profit company has a purchase and sales agreement […]

BIDDEFORD — On Monday, shortly after Kelsie Bernier returned to Biddeford High School with the rest of her classmates after the Thanksgiving break, she first noticed a rash forming on her wrist. Then the right side of her face felt numb, and her throat began to close. She went to the school nurse and was […]

BIDDEFORD — Students entering Biddeford High School’s English wing on Monday were greeted by a pair of closed-up rooms that were duct-taped shut and adorned with signs warning, “Do Not Enter.” Parental complaints fingering the high school’s air quality as the culprit of their children’s’ medical struggles prompted the cleaning and testing of rooms 203 […]

Room 213 was sealed shut for air quality on Nov. 29 along with room 205 after parental concern spurred the cleaning of both rooms. (NATHAN PROCTOR/Journal Tribune)

While the Black Friday shopping extravaganza, largely but not totally confined to “big box” stores, is a heady experience for some, others prefer to do their business with an eye toward Main Street. Well, not just Main Street, but local. A favorite merchant for that special gift may be the retailer selling eclectic goodies at […]

A southbound car passes through the rebuilt intersection of Route 1 and Route 109 at Wells Corner Friday in Wells. (JEFF LAGASSE/Journal Tribune)