Category: Community

Losses Shake Close-Knit Community

Nick Bagley By Lee Burnett The deaths of five unhoused neighbors within an 11-day span has plunged Sanford’s unhoused community into grief and despair. Between May 4 and May 15, three people died from drug overdoses, one died from complications from other medical conditions, and a fifth person died when he was hit by a car while riding a bicycle after dark. Sanford’s unhoused population is estimated to be about 50 people. “It’s been rough. You don’t want to believe…

City: Time to Step Up for Shelter Services

Early Shelter Logo By Lee Burnett Sanford’s political leaders are calling on all 29 communities in York County to contribute funding toward the continuation of emergency shelter services. Services were disrupted May 9 when York County Shelter Programs suspended operations at its emergency shelter in Alfred. Some 37 people were displaced, although alternate housing was found for 11 people, according to Sanford Mayor Becky Brink. At a Sanford City Council meeting on Tuesday, Brink urged other communities to step up…

Student Reporters Make Lasting Impact

Grace Pearson Andrew Morin By Kendra Williams As graduation approaches, we recognize two standout seniors from Sanford High School who have contributed thoughtful feature stories to the Sanford Springvale News since last fall. Andrew Morin and Grace Pearson have brought student voices to life through their writing. Throughout the school year, Grace brought warmth and curiosity to her writing, with stories that celebrated the diversity, creativity and spirit of the student body. She profiled classmates from diverse cultures in her stories about…

Essence of Interviews to be Unveiled

This Friends of Downtown event in 2022 kicked off a listening tour that culminates at in a similar upcoming event “Curated Grazing and Great Conversations.” Photo: Patty-Linn Coggswell By Lee Burnett Friends of Downtown is ready to unveil guiding statements on the city’s future distilled from more than two years of interviews with a cross section of residents. They will be unveiled and discussed at “Curated Grazing and Great Conversations” scheduled for 5:30 to 7:30 pm on Thursday, May 29,…

Paper Poppies

Image: Pixabay Members of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 19 in Sanford-Springvale are offering red paper poppies this month for members of the public who would like to honor veterans and fallen service members. Member Bernice Chadwick said any donations received will benefit veterans. The paper poppy campaign started in 1923, when auxiliary members and hospitalized veterans started making them as a symbol of the many World War I soldiers who fell in fields covered with poppies that resembled blood.