Renovations to Biddeford High School are slated to begin this summer. The Biddeford Planning Board last week reviewed plans to renovate the school on Maplewood Avenue. Board members will do a site walk before they decide whether to approve the $34 million project at their April meeting. Final approval in April is contingent upon results of a May study to determine if a wet area behind the parking lot is a significant vernal pool, said City Planner Greg Tansley. << MORE >>

A year ago, Louise Hurlbuttsat in a hospital isolation unit, holding a team hat in her hands while friendswalked to raise money in her honor. This year, Hurlbutt, 67,will speak about her experiences with breast cancer before taking to the roadin the 12th annual Mary’s Walk in Saco. By her side will be friendand fellow Kennebunk business owner Bonnie Clement, who is undergoing treatmentfor stage 2 breast cancer. Hurlbutt, who owns HurlbuttDesigns in Kennebunk’s Lower Village, was diagnosed with an aggressive form ofstage 2 breast cancer last year, on the same day her sister was diagnosed withcancer. Clement, 57, was diagnosed in August with the same form of cancer andboth women underwent treatment that included surgery, chemotherapy, radiationand an experimental drug. Using the drug elevated their cure rate to 85percent, Hurlbutt said. “We are ve<< MORE >>

News briefs for the week of March 11, 2010<< MORE >>

If a rising tide lifts all boats, it also may lift local governments to prepare for sea levels projected to increase within the next century. Councilors in Scarborough last month joined their counterparts in Biddeford and Saco to create a study group funded in part by a state grant to examine the effects of increased ocean levels. It is called the Sea Level Adaptation Working Group, or SLAWG. The acronym makes officials wince, but the possible effects officials will study could be very costly.<< MORE >>

Biddeford school officials are on track with next year’s budget but still must find ways to cut back, say city councilors. City councilors weighed in on the school district’s proposed $30.2 million budget during a joint council and school committee workshop last Thursday at Biddeford City Hall. It was the second time the boards have discussed the budget, which councilors would like to hold to no increase compared to last year’s budget.<< MORE >>

Letters to the editor for March 11, 2010<< MORE >>

Obituaries for the week of March 11, 2010<< MORE >>

Community News for the week of March 11, 2010<< MORE >>

Blame it on the buttermilk. More than a year after introducing buttermilk to its line of sea-salted and unsalted butters, Kate’s Homemade Butter of Old Orchard Beach is experiencing growing pains. Owner and founder Daniel Patry said his company has outgrown its current manufacturing facility in a single-family home on Arbutus Avenue and needs to move soon.<< MORE >>

Jeanne Bryand will be up at dawn on Sunday, a race number painted on her right shoulder and left quadriceps. With her competitors cheering her on, she will swim, run and bike as far as she can – all without leaving the gym where she trains. She is among nearly 100 athletes expected to take part in the sixth annual indoor triathlon this weekend at Northern York County YMCA in Biddeford. Participants age 7 and older will spend 20 minutes each swimming laps, running on a treadmill and riding a stationary bike as they try to record the longest distances in nine age groups.<< MORE >>

The Old Orchard Beach man charged in the theft of an automated teller machine in Scarborough last November found himself behind bars again this week. Brian Andrews, 32, faced a court date in Cumberland County Superior Court in Portland on Tuesday, after the Courier deadline. According to Biddeford Deputy Police Chief JoAnne Fisk, Andrews was arrested on outstanding warrants issued in Cumberland County. Police logs show he was arrested at 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 23 on King Street.<< MORE >>

By Gillian Graham Staff Writer The Saco Planning Board wants more information beforedeciding the fate of a high-voltage transmission power line upgrade near cityneighborhoods. The board voted unanimously Feb. 23 to table furtherreview of a proposed project that Central Maine Power Co. officials say isnecessary to provide power to Saco Bay residents. The Maine Public Utilities Commission already hasapproved the $26 million Saco Bay Reinforcement Project, despite objections from Saco residents and city officials. << MORE >>

Saco resident Shay Ayers, pictured with her daughter, Gaiya, which means goddess of the earth, opened Eye Sun Holistic Massage in North Dam Mill a couple years ago after being laid off in 2007 as an insurance agent. She decided to take the leap into entrepreneurship and described the process as life-changing and life-saving. << MORE >>

To the editor: Endless applause to the firefighters of the Biddeford Fire Department. Recently a young child’s life was saved because of the brave and courageous actions of two Biddeford firefighters. In my opinion, they both deserve national recognition as heroes. << MORE >>

Obituaries for the week of March 4, 2010.<< MORE >>