🌱 How a toxic Sanford site became a 7‑megawatt solar success

Good morning Sanford! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How a toxic Sanford site became a 7‑megawatt solar success
• Why Sanford’s needle pause is shaping Auburn’s next big decision

Also on today's calendar: YCSP’s “To-Go” Lunch @ Roger’s Supa Dolla and 5 more events.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Sanford? Post it to Sanford photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Find a T-Mobile store near Sanford.

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Mostly sunny and not as cold, with a high of 30 and low of 20 degrees.
• Wednesday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 39, low: 23.
• Thursday: Sun and areas of high clouds, with a high of 38 and low of 33 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• R1 Success Story: Sanford Energy Corridor, Sanford, Maine (epa.gov) — Sanford has turned a long-contaminated former circuit board site into a 7‑megawatt solar farm that now feeds clean power to the downtown mill district, supporting major redevelopment plans. After removing thousands of tons of hazardous waste with EPA and state help, the city’s new energy corridor is boosting local revitalization while advancing Maine’s statewide renewable energy goals.
   

• Auburn to draft needle exchange ordinance, seeks public input (wgme.com) — Sanford is cited as a key example after its officials recently paused local needle exchange programs for a year over concerns about discarded needles. That decision is now influencing Auburn’s debate, as Auburn drafts its own syringe services ordinance and invites public input at a city hall workshop.
   

📸 Around Sanford

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Sanford

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Thursday December 18

• Thursday Sensory Storytime
  Springvale Public Library Association, 443 Main St, Springvale
  10:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday December 18

• YCSP’s “To-Go” Lunch @ Roger’s Supa Dolla
  Roger's Supa Dolla , 81 Cottage St , Sanford
  2:00 pm
• Rockstar Bingo @ Smitty’s
  Smitty's Cinema Sanford , 1327 Main St , Sanford
  7:00 pm

Friday December 19

• What the Dickens
  Nasson Community Center and Little Theatre , 457 Main St , Springvale
  7:30 pm

Saturday December 20

• New Moon Sound Journey @ The Sound Temple — SuperNova Energetics
  The Sound Temple , 21 Bradeen St , Springvale
  6:00 pm

Wednesday December 31

• New Years Eve @ Mill Towne Tavern & Billiards
  Mill Towne Tavern and Billiards , 898 Main St , Sanford
  8:00 pm
• NYE 2026 Celebration
  Mill Towne Tavern and Billiards , 898 Main St , Sanford
  8:00 pm

Tuesday January 6

• Beyond Stick Figures! II (+ $10 - Materials Fee - due the first night of class) - Sanford, ME 2026
  Sanford Community Adult Education , 668 Main St , Sanford
  5:30 pm

📣 Sanford Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday December 16

• Ogunquit Library Book Club Meeting
  Ogunquit Memorial Library , 166 Shore Road , Ogunquit
  10:30 am
• Pizza & Salad Special
  Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center , 8 Shore Road , Ogunquit
  12:00 pm
• WHS Boys 1st Team Basketball - Home vs Lake Region
  Ronco Gymnasium Home -
  4:00 pm
• WHS-Kennebunk Varsity Boys Ice Hockey - Home vs Cape
  UNE Alfond Arena Home -
  4:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Hello.
  I have 3 adorable guinea pigs that need a home. (Nextdoor Bernier)

• The Adecco Group posted a job opening for Manufacturing Associates in Sanford. Apply here.
• Maine Staffing posted a job opening for Housekeeper in Sanford. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Sanford here.

🗞 Nearby News

Alfred

• Saco police make arrest in tech support scam (sacobaynews.com)

Ok Sanford! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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