Saco unveils printed biannual city newsletter
Saco Launches New Print Newsletter to Keep Residents Informed
SACO, ME — In an effort to bridge the growing gap between the city’s online news and its residents who prefer printed media, the Saco Communications Department has rolled out a new biannual newsletter called Saco Spotlight. The first edition will arrive in every mailbox in the city this week, containing a mix of local updates, a community events calendar, and a voter guide ahead of the November election.
Andrew Dickinson, the city’s Communications Director, said the initiative stems from a simple goal: to keep residents up‑to‑date on municipal affairs, especially those who are less connected to digital platforms. “As print publications have dwindled in Biddeford and Saco, some of our residents who aren’t as connected online are feeling like they don’t have access to what’s going on,” Dickinson told the Press Herald. “The idea of an informed community knowing how their government works has always been important to me.”
Spotlight will cover routine city matters such as leaf‑collection schedules, winter parking bans, and progress on infrastructure projects. A dedicated career listings section will also appear each issue. In addition, the newsletter will provide a community event calendar that lists events three months in advance, helping residents plan ahead. The inaugural issue includes a voter guide aimed at helping residents feel better informed before the early voting period that began on Monday.
The city’s decision follows a broader regional shift toward digital‑only formats. In spring 2025, the Maine Trust for Local News transitioned several southern Maine weeklies—including the former Biddeford‑Saco‑OOB Courier—to digital‑only products. Other online outlets, such as Biddeford Buzz, Biddeford Gazette, and Saco Bay News, now cover the area, leaving a vacuum for residents who prefer traditional print media.
“We understand that not everybody is on or has access to social media or pays for subscription service,” said Mayor Jodi MacPhail during a recent briefing. “That’s why we’re proud of the communications team for recognizing this need and delivering a print product.”
Dickinson, a former journalist, said the newsletter is a passion project that is funded from the city’s communications budget. He plans to monitor its popularity and effectiveness over the coming months, with an eye toward producing more than two issues a year and eventually offering an emailed version.
“I’d love to see this grow in future years,” Dickinson said. “The more residents who can stay informed, the healthier our community.”
The newsletter’s early impact is already being felt. A local resident who previously felt “out of touch” without a printed community source stopped by Dickinson’s office and, upon seeing a preview of Spotlight, said her eyes lit up. Dickinson described the moment as “really validating” and a clear sign that the initiative is meeting a real need.
Looking ahead, the city plans to feature a deeper dive into the municipal budget process in the spring 2027 issue, along with other seasonal updates on city happenings. The newsletter’s content will remain grounded in practical information that residents need to navigate day‑to‑day city life.
For those who prefer digital delivery, the Communications Department hinted at an eventual emailed newsletter, but for now the focus remains on the printed edition that will reach every household in Saco. The initiative signals a renewed commitment to ensuring all residents—whether online or offline—can stay connected to the city’s pulse.
