Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail

06/02/2026

Thornton Academy’s boys hockey team, boys swim team, girls swim team, and a standout wrestler were recognized for their state placements by the Mayor and City Council at last night’s City Council meeting!

The boys hockey team won the Class A state championship, edging out the Cheverus/Yarmouth co-op team 2-1. Senior Jake Skillings earned the Travis Roy Award, recognizing Maine’s most outstanding player, and senior Trent LeSieur was a finalist for the same award. It was only the second time in the trophy’s history that teammates were finalists and the first time that players from the same program won the award in back-to-back years!

In swimming, both the girls and boys team excelled at the Class A swimming championship at Colby College, with the girls placing third and the boys placing second. Special congratulations go to Kenzie Shields, who was the state champion in both the 200-yard freestyle and the 500-yard freestyle, and to Lucy Perry, who was the state champion in the 200-yard individual medley and 100-yard breaststroke.

On the mat, Evan McMann represented Thornton Academy in the New England Wrestling Championships in Providence, R.I., after earning second place at the Maine State Qualifier at 106 pounds.

“These achievements represent not only athletic excellence, but also the dedication, discipline, and community pride that define Thornton Academy,” said Mayor Jodi MacPhail. “I, along with the members of the S**o City Council, would like to thank the students, coaches, families, and supporters who contributed to these successes.”

For a full list of these incredible athletes, please visit our website at sacomaine.org/news.

05/29/2026

Small and humble statement I am incredibly proud to share:

S**o Mayor, and lifelong resident, Jodi MacPhail is announcing her intention to seek re-election in this year's S**o mayoral race.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the residents of S**o."

In Mayor MacPhail's first 3 year term, achievements included creating a consistent and stable environment for staff, boards and commissions, working with the City Council and City Administration on key initiatives, including keeping city taxes and the mil rate flat, opening up City Hall to the public with weekly Mayor's Hours and tours for children and groups, working closely with the School Department and offering an open line of communication to all residents.

This has also included the continued overseeing of the construction of S**o's new Waste Water Recovery facility, a State funded new school to replace the 3 existing neighborhood elementary schools AND mitigation for the Jetty with the Army Corp of Engineers and SOS (Save Our Shores) in Camp Ellis (a story 100 years in the making).

"On behalf of all of our residents, S**o is finally getting the upgrades it deserves, and I intend to fully see it through."

05/28/2026

Congratulations and we are all very proud!

05/27/2026

This is what makes it all worth it! ❤️

05/22/2026

At the City Council meeting on Monday, May 18, Mayor Jodi MacPhail and the City Council recognized the Thornton Academy Drama Club for their first-place finish in the Maine Drama Festival’s Class A One-Act Play Competition!

The club earned top honors at the event for their performance of “The Dancers” by Horton Foote.

“I, along with the members of the City Council, would like to congratulate these students for their tireless work and dedication,” said Mayor MacPhail. “Your S**o community is proud of you.”

Please join us in recognizing these amazing young community members, their instructors, and their chaperones!

CAST AND CREW
Priya Bloom
Addie Burman
Calla Burman
Lauren Carrier
Claire Cochrane
Emma Eukitis
Sophie Farago Dumsch
Toby Fidalgo
Quinn Fisher
Alex Gagne
Ailly Handa
Andie Hooper
Jack Jones
Lily Lavery
Gia Libby
Amelie Lourdeau
Emi Marden
Avisha Mondak
Loudon Mondak
Sarah Nightingale
Robert Po***ck
Tessa Rossignol
Noah Sastre
Nate Shepherd
Ruby Whitman

DIRECTORS
Dave Hanright
Katie Buttarazzi

CHAPERONES
Emma Campbell
Heather Eukitis
Sarah Carrier
Nicole Dube

05/15/2026

It was all hands on deck as every S**o Department head took time today and worked the annual Senority Spring BBQ at the Rec Center on Franklin St. Thank you to all of our residents who attended. We are so grateful to be a part of such a wonderful community effort where it feels like the whole city participates! ❤️

05/11/2026

So proud to enjoy a little fun with our friends at 101.9 WPOR, with 2 of 3, and now unofficially 3, hosts being residents of S**o!! Let's see what Biddeford can do to win Joe back on Tuesday!! 😁🏈

05/08/2026

Come on S**o, Join me MONDAY – 7:00 AM on 101.9 POR as I will appear LIVE in studio to officially make the case for “Extra Cup of Joe” founder Joe Lerman to become an honorary THORNTON ACADEMY TROJAN, experience the joy of TA, and be on the winning side of the bridge!!!
"With the pines of Maine around her........"🏈

🚨 BREAKING NEWS UPDATE 🚨

The battle for Joe Lerman is officially ON.

Next week, two cities… one legendary rivalry… and one very public decision.

🏈 MONDAY – 7:00 AM on 101.9 POR the Mayor of S**o will appear LIVE in studio to officially make the case for “Extra Cup of Joe” founder Joe Lerman to become an honorary THORNTON ACADEMY TROJAN.

🐅 TUESDAY – 8:00 AM on 101.9 PORBiddeford School officials — along with a SUPER SECRET special guest — will visit the POR studios to make their emotional final pitch to keep the self-proclaimed “Biddeford Legend” loyal to the Tigers.

🎤 WEDNESDAY – LIVE DECISION DAY Joe Lerman will hold a live “Decision Day” press conference and announce where his loyalty officially lies:

TIGER 🐅orTROJAN 🔥

One of Maine’s greatest rivalries has suddenly come roaring back to life.

————————————

THE STORY:

The legendary Biddeford vs. Thornton Academy rivalry — long believed to be buried in the past — received an unexpected jolt this week after one emotional on-air moment sparked debate across both sides of the S**o River.

Joe Lerman, a 1992 Biddeford High School graduate and longtime Maine radio personality, recently featured a Thornton Academy senior during his daily “Feel Good Story” segment on 101.9 POR after the student earned a scholarship to Saint Joseph’s College.

What happened next surprised everyone.

After Thornton Academy alumni and supporters flooded Lerman’s social media with appreciation and encouragement, listeners from both communities began passionately weighing in online and on-air.

That led to a shocking declaration from Lerman earlier this week:

“Biddeford NEVER has my back. I’ve tried to love and support my hometown for decades and I get nothing in return. Maybe it’s time to become a Trojan.”

Almost immediately, messages, emails, and calls poured into the 101.9 POR studios from both Tiger and Trojan supporters — reigniting one of Southern Maine’s most iconic rivalries in a way nobody saw coming.

Now, officials from both communities are scheduled to appear LIVE with Jon, Joe & Courtney next week to make their city’s case before Lerman announces his final decision during Wednesday’s highly anticipated press conference.

Will Biddeford keep one of its most recognizable voices?

Or will Thornton Academy pull off the unthinkable?

The rivalry is back.