The Bangor Auditorium will be alive with the sounds of basketball Aug. 14-15 during the first Bangor Auditorium End of Summer Boys High School Invitational Basketball Tournament. Bob Cimbollek, boys basketball coach at John Bapst High School, will serve as the director of the eight-team, single-elimination tournament. Teams… Read More
When it comes to the Greater Bangor Open, Jeff Grygiel believes in playing it by the book – Jimmy Nichols’ yardage book, that is. For seven years Nichols, a 44-year-old Bangor native, has made it his business to know as much about the geography of… Read More
Biddeford righthander Casey Bourque baffled Old Town hitters with a mixture of pitches en route to a three-hitter and a 5-0 victory over Old Town here in a second-round playoff at the State Senior (ages 14-15) Little League Tournament at Mansfield Complex in Bangor. Old… Read More
Jeff Grygiel of Syracuse, N.Y., tried to back up the 63 he shot in Wednesday’s Greater Bangor Open golf tournament pro-am with another good score in the opening round of the GBO. While it wasn’t anywhere near as low, Grygiel’s even-par 69 at Bangor Municipal… Read More
The Railbird The popularity of thoroughbred and harness simulcast races at Bangor Raceway took a decidedly downward slide during the past 10 racing days. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i… Read More
AUBURN – Kristy Plourde and Kelly Downes each posted RBI singles during a fifth inning uprising which led the Bucksport All-Stars to an 8-6 victory over Windham in an elimination game of the State Little League Softball tournament here on Thursday. Winning pitcher Sarah Webster,… Read More
Loring tops Ashland ASHLAND – Brian Copello and Chris Caton each scored two goals to lead Loring Air Force Base to a 4-3 playoff victory over Ashland in the Northern Maine Summer Soccer League semifinals here Wednesday. Loring, now 2-0, will play the winner of… Read More
ORONO, Maine – Former University of Maine swimmer Jill Abrams was chosen as recipient for this year’s NCAA Woman of the Year award in Maine, the school announced Thursday. The award recognizes the student-athlete’s total accomplishments in the community and classroom as well as athletic… Read More
SKOWHEGAN – Mike Savage stroked an RBI single to key a two-run fifth inning, driving in the winning run as Skowhegan edged Old Town-Orono 7-6 in Zone 1 American Legion baseball action here Thursday. Ken Reed led off the Skowhegan fifth inning with a single… Read More
WESTBROOK – The Millinocket All-Stars eliminated Yarmouth 17-4 here at the State Junior (age 13) League All-Star Tournament here Thursday and advanced to the championship game. Millinocket (1-1) will play 2-0 Saco here Friday at 5:30 p.m. If Millinocket wins, a second game will be… Read More
AUBURN — Ed Stanhope of Auburn, who left a full-time job five years ago to train for the Olympics in air rifle events, got to see a friend win a gold medal Thursday, at Mollet Del Valles, Spain. Launi Meili of Cheney, Wash., got the… Read More
EAST MACHIAS — The Washington Academy Bicentennial Cookbook has arrived at the school in East Machias, just in time for alumni weekend. Many months of planning, recipe gathering and proofreading went into preparation of the book, which contains more than 400 “tried and true” recipes… Read More
The United States has the opportunity to contribute to people in need and to assist in the revitalization and formation of new governments in the former Soviet Union. This is the perfect opportunity to make strong allies and form strong ties. If money is the… Read More
I’m not too politically minded, but there are three words that bug me. They are “liberal,” “conservative,” and “abortion.” Where do they belong in a political campaign? Neither one has anything to do with the person who will occupy the White House. When Franklin Roosevelt… Read More
Can anyone remember when (agents of) the Internal Revenue Service, in the cause of justice, were running roughshed through the country just doing their jobs? How many lives were ruined because of their belief that they were above the law? Eventually, after much controversy, the government put restrictions… Read More
In response to a July 24 letter titled, “Clinton’s idea won’t work,” I emphatically disagree with Ethel D. Brown. She states that the basis for Gov. Clinton’s economic plan “lies wholly in socialism, not in a democratic form of government.” Apparently, Ms. Brown isn’t familiar… Read More
The Maine Maritime Academy is currently trying to obtain a liquor license. An academy representative has stated in a public meeting that the school intends to sell alcohol to students, and to others. The chief argument being used by those in favor of the idea… Read More
I have long admired Mary Adams for her work that brought about repeal of the unfair state property tax law. However, in light of my experience as a member of my town’s Planning Board, I find her recent attacks on regional planning commissions contain misconceptions and inaccuracies. Read More
What a surprise that the paid consultant for the petroleum industry, Milton F. Huntington, has argued the status quo instead of stricter air quality (Guest Column, July 20). Huntington made some suspicious assertions. He claimed personal income will be reduced by $100 million to $200… Read More
Lately, there have been several letters to the editor and guest columns written about the size and/or makeup of the Maine Legislature. I would like to remind everyone, pro and con, about Article I, Section 2 of the Declaration of Rights of the State of Maine: “All power… Read More
How much longer is our government going to pour out money for the wasteful and totally unnecessary Strategic Defensive Initiative — Star Wars? This program was intitiated in the Reagan years, probably after President Reagan had been reading comic books. However, it is not, nor… Read More
Welcome, Concord Trailways bus! Thank you for a wonderful vacation. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i < slot_sizes.length; i++) { if (isMobileDevice()) { if (slot_sizes[i][0]… Read More
Bangor City Council Chairman William M. Cohen’s July 15 guest column, “Jobs bond funds for Bangor,” states that Bangor International Airport has a master plan in place for the future of the airport. If these plans were made prior to April 30 they no doubt were made on… Read More
(The author of the article about) the Buffalo Soldiers in the July 25-26 edition might have researched more thoroughly. He says, “The cavalry and infrantry units (were) made up solely of black soldiers…,” referring to the 9th and 10th Cavalry and the 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments of… Read More
Irving Oil seems to have more respect for the American dollar than for our flag. Note the poster displayed in some of its service stations. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var… Read More
Thursday, July 30, 1992 Total pollen: 8 Moldspores: 2,188 Rating: mild… Read More
VAN BUREN — Rosaire Sirois of Caribou is working hard to spill one of the St. John Valley’s best-kept secrets. It involves an invention that revolutionized the potato industry. Sirois said that a labor shortage in St. John Valley during and after World War II… Read More
KENNEBUNKPORT — President Bush’s decision to curtail his summer vacation here and devote more time to his campaign doesn’t seem to worry owners of tourist-related businesses. They have bigger concerns — like the lousy weather and the lackluster economy. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
OLD ORCHARD BEACH — The lawyer for a bungee jump operator whose license was revoked by the Town Council says the decision sends the message that “Old Orchard is not a place you can do business.” Councilors voted 3-1 Wednesday night to revoke the license… Read More
MILLINOCKET — Great Northern Paper Inc., a subsidiary of Bowater, views Cole’s Express as a valued freight carrier. According to Joseph Jamieson, manager of transportation, Cole’s Express has “been hauling for us at least since 1969, the year that I transferred into the transportation department. Read More
Besides its Bangor terminal, Cole’s Express operates three other terminals in Maine. Those facilities are located at 53 North St., Presque Isle; the Lyons Road in Sidney; and 236 Presumpscot St., Portland. The company also has out-of-state terminals, including two in Massachusetts and one in Vermont. Read More
During the last 75 years, 17 members of the Cole family have worked at Cole’s Express. The tradition began with Amy Cole, wife to company founder Allie Cole. She often took the wheel of a Model-T Ford to deliver mail from the train station in… Read More
North of Medway on Interstate 95, the highway runs alongside scenic Salmon Stream Lake. A ridge confines I-95 close to the tree-edged lake, a wilderness gem not readily accessible to the public until the interstate went through the region in the late 1960s. A sign… Read More
Wednesday, June 24, 192, marked an ownership change at Cole’s Express. The Cole family became stockholders in Roadway Services Inc., and Cole’s Express became a division of RSI. The business begun 75 years ago by Allie Cole has become a cornerstone of Viking Freight Inc., an RSI subsidiary… Read More
LIMESTONE — The Senate on Tuesday approved funds to help communities adjust to the loss associated with closures of bases and reductions in defense spending. Communities such as Limestone are expected to be helped by the action. Limestone is the home of Loring Air Force… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE — The county swim meet will be held Wednesday, Aug. 5. Regular indoor pool activities scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. will not be held. The back entrance to the pool will be in use during the Northern Maine Fair week, Aug. Read More
HOULTON — Customers of the Houlton Water Co. could face an increase in water rates of up to 26 percent if the board of directors of the municipally owned utility approves the increase at its meeting next Tuesday. According to Manager John Clark, the utility… Read More
LUDLOW — A Ludlow man who was charged two weeks ago with felony trafficking in marijuana, was charged again Wednesday with cultivating marijuana. A spokesman at the Houlton Field office of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency said state police and MDEA agents went to the… Read More
HOULTON — The Land Use Regulation Commission met Thursday in Houlton to continue a discussion of a decision in March in which the rezoning of 50 acres of land in Hammond for a regional landfill was approved. During the annual town meeting in June, residents… Read More
EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick — More than 8,000 people gathered Wednesday night to enjoy rock music and dancing during the opening of Edmundston’s 14th annual Foire Brayonne. The five-day festival, billed as Canada’s largest French festival outside of Quebec province, will run through late Sunday night. Read More
CHERRYFIELD — Members of area Girl Scout troops from Cherryfield, Harrington and Milbridge participated recently at Blue Lobster Summer Fun Days at Narraguagus Estates. Thirty-five girls and 12 adults took part in the five-day program by participating in various arts, crafts and scouting badge projects,… Read More
CHERRYFIELD — The state’s reply to a letter in which disgruntled taxpayers in Cherryfield sought advice on filing a complaint against the town’s board of assessors and an independent appraiser, was long on words but short on answers, according to a member of the Cherryfield Taxpayers Association. Read More
CALAIS — Sgt. Ralph Bridges of the Calais Police Department reported the following police activity for the reporting period ending Monday, July 27: Charlene Gould, 26, of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, was arrested Saturday, July 25, and charged with theft as a result of an incident… Read More
CALAIS — The 19th annual International Festival promises to be bigger and better than last year. The new attractions this year include helicopter rides; a gelatin jump, where the lucky winner will go home with a 1988 Buick Century automobile; and a trip on the… Read More
MILO — Insurance agent David Harmon and his wife, Cecelia, were hosts at the summer picnic and meeting of the Milo Business Association, held Tuesday evening at the Harmons’ residence. Stanley Pokrywka, association president, assisted with the cooking for 20 adults and 14 children who… Read More
DEXTER — After talking with Ellsworth Perkins of Dexter, one gets the feeling that bees are the Rodney Dangerfields of the animal kingdom. They just don’t get the respect that they deserve. “People who get stung usually say it’s by a bee, but most always… Read More
MILO — The Milo Recreation Department, in conjunction with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service, will offer a baby-sitting course. The three-day introductory-level class, Caring for Kids, will be offered from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 18-20, at the… Read More
NEWPORT — A Newport man was charged with assault after a domestic dispute forced his wife to leave their residence to seek help, police said Thursday. Police found Daniel Harhausen, 33, and 2-year-old boy in their beds early Thursday morning when police were unable to… Read More
CAMDEN — The third annual Camden Goldsmiths Association Exhibition will open at Harbor Square Gallery with a reception, open to the public, from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1. This exhibit will feature the work of more than 35 goldsmiths who live within 20 miles of Camden. Read More
ST. ALBANS — Preservation ofthe lake and the quality of life itprovides is the motivating factor behind the new Big Indian Lake Association. According to association President Merlon Emery, development around the lake has created more year-round homes and people spending more time onthe lake. Read More
HARTLAND — Twenty-four units of housing for the elderly will be built at Hartland within a year, if financing is approved this fall. According to Elwin Littlefield, of E.W. Littlefield, Inc., his company will be the general contractor for the proposed project next to the Scott-Webb Memorial Medical… Read More
TENANTS HARBOR — Artist Greg Mort’s 12th annual summer exhibition of watercolors and drawings will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 8 and 9, at the Ocean View Grange Hall in Martinsville. Read More
BELFAST — A Point Sebago day trip will begin at 7 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at Reny’s Shopping Plaza. A cruise on Sebago Lake, Western barbecue lunch, and afternoon activities will be included. Deadline for reservations is Friday, Aug. 7. Cost is $35.50 a person and includes transportation,… Read More
THOMASTON — The Democratic town chairmen of Friendship, Thomaston, Warren and Rockland have announced that a caucus will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15, at the fire station in Thomaston, to nominate a Democratic candidate for the Maine House of Representatives in District 80. Read More
ROCKLAND — Penobscot Bay Medical Center has received final approval from the state to begin construction of a new nursing home in Rockland. Approval was received in a letter from Human Services Commissioner Rollin Ives. “After years of discussion, planning and waiting, we can finally begin construction of… Read More
LOBSTER: (spider, from the external resemblance) 1. Any of a group of large, edible sea crustaceans (genus Homarus) with compound eyes, large antennae and five pairs of legs. 2. Any of several similar crustaceans. 3. The flesh of these animals, used as food. — New World Dictionary… Read More
SOUTHWEST HARBOR — From hip-hop to African jazz, clarinets to dulcimers, Greek theater to a musical stage review, the participants at the Summer Festival of the Arts are ready to fill Mount Desert Island with a weekend of performing arts. The festival will begin at… Read More
The schedule of performances by Summer Festival of the Arts students Friday, July 31 to Sunday, Aug. 2, is as follows: 4 p.m. Friday, performance of the drama “On the Wild Side,” Causeway Club Barn, Southwest Harbor. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
ROCKLAND — The Magee garden is one of seven, ranging from the landscaped perennial beds of Morris Dorenfeld and Robert Davis to the 81-acre organic farm of Sally and Walter Boyd, which will be seen on the first Gardens in the Watershed Tour from 10 a.m. to 5… Read More
CAMDEN — “I’m about fed up with hearing about crooks preying on our elderly people. It’s time to turn this thing around and look after the victims,” said Rep. Lawrence F. Nash, R-Camden. Nash is drafting a bill that would upgrade classifications of crimes against… Read More
SEARSPORT — Backers of the Sears Island cargo port were urged Thursday to take the offensive to get the stalled, half-finished project moving again. The call to arms came at a meeting here of the Maine Ports Council, a pro-Sears Island group, attended by about… Read More
GOULDSBORO — A postal cancellation commemorating 200 years of mail service to Gouldsboro will be made available by the Postal Service from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Gouldsboro Historical Society Building on Route 1. On sale will be postcards bearing copies… Read More
OLD TOWN — The Maine State Chapter, March of Dimes, will hold the first Jail and Bail program for Old Town on Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 11 and 12. Businesses are helping the program in ways such as donating 10 cents for each cup of… Read More
Work is expected to get under way in August on the expansion of the Veazie municipal building, thanks to the $50,000 awarded to the town through the Maine jobs bond approved in a statewide referendum in June. That money, coupled with $30,000 in the town’s… Read More
“Virginia Slimes,” “Barfboro,” a pack of “Cancers?” New cigarette brands? Not quite. These are nicknames that a group of youngsters in eastern Maine have for popular cigarette brands now that they have taken part in a pro-health program offered by a new organization, Downeast Doctors… Read More
The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a burglary that occurred ealier this week in Carmel. A home in Carmel was broken into during the day on Tuesday, but the burglar alarm went off and scared the intruders away, said Detective Sgt. Fred Clarke. Nothing… Read More
Guest Column The current preoccupation with Michigan’s Workers’ Compensation program is cause for considerable concern. In our view, a principal objective of workers’ comp reform should be cost savings. Yet, the plain and simple facts are that adoption of Michigan’s comp statute in Maine would… Read More
AUGUSTA — Sen. Joseph C. Brannigan, D-Portland, Senate chairman of the Appropriations Committee, announced Thursday that he will challenge Senate President Charles P. Pray, D-Millinocket, for the top job in the Senate. “I’m running for Senate president,” said Brannigan. “I’ve been all over the state… Read More
PORTLAND — U.S. Attorney Richard S. Cohen says he hopes to determine within two months if federal charges should be brought against three police officers who shot and killed a 51-year-old woman at her wilderness camp outside Jackman. Cohen said calls from the public prompted… Read More
AUGUSTA — Gov. John R. McKernan said Thursday he is confident at least a majority on a study panel will agree on a strategy for overhauling Maine’s Workers’ Compensation system, but he continued to stop short of offering any advance endorse- ment. If at least… Read More
The James River Corp. in Old Town returned to full operation Wednesday, according to Jeff F. Koeple, manager of tissue operations. The tissue mill had been idled for four weeks by a planned shutdown to reduce inventory, and by an accidental release of asbestos from ruptured… Read More
ISLAND FALLS — In 1943 the United States was in the midst of World War II. As part of the war effort, thousands of American airmen were stationed in England with the U.S. 8th Air Force to conduct bombing raids on Germany. Joseph Edwards of Island Falls was… Read More
BRUNSWICK — Saint Andrew’s Society of Fredericton, New Brunswick; the Middlesex County Volunteer Fife and Drums of Massachusetts; and three Maine bagpipe bands will be featured at the 14th annual Maine Highland Games Saturday, Aug. 15, at Thomas Point Beach, Brunswick. The event comes at… Read More
Science Forum How did the universe begin? Does it have an end? Was there always matter or did it come from nothingness? googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0;… Read More
All across this beautiful state there are people who can’t wait to leave. For some of them, it’s a longing for culture. For most, though, the urge to leave Maine stems almost entirely from a dissatisfaction with the weather. Maine, they say, is just too… Read More
A Senate subcommittee on Wednesday approved $30 million for improvements to rail lines between Boston and Portland, according to a joint statement by Senate Majority Leader George J. Mitchell and Sen. William S. Cohen. The bill is expected to go before the Senate Appropriations Committee… Read More
LOS ANGELES — Patients with the deadliest form of skin cancer lived dramatically longer when they were injected with a vaccinelike treatment for the disease, according to a study released Thursday. The experimental vaccine is among several being developed. They are aimed at curing patients… Read More
What makes the upcoming trials of Clark Clifford and Robert Altman so intriguing is what information may turn up in the prosecution’s attempt to link the two with the Bank of Credit and Commerce International. Their guilt or innocence will be determined in court, but already a scandal… Read More
Sister Blue has a problem. It has a name. It has a guitarist, a singer, a bassist, and a drummer. It has three home-recorded albums, and a loyal local following. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
A friendship formed 20 years ago has led to a premier jazz musician coming to perform in Bangor. Guitarist Richie Hart roomed with Daryl Rhodes, head of Bangor’s Northern Conservatory of Music, at the Berklee College of Music 20 years ago. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
WASHINGTON — A catchall tax bill that includes the popular tax-deductible Individual Retirement Accounts for all workers has an excellent chance of becoming law this year, lawmakers and lobbyists said Thursday. “I don’t know how anybody can stop this thing now,” said Rep. Robert Matsui,… Read More
MARIAVILLE — One man was killed Thursday night in an all-terrain vehicle accident in this Hancock County town, authorities said. The accident was reported at 8:35 p.m. along a dirt road off Route 181 in the town 20 miles east of Bangor, said Paul Fournier,… Read More
The president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine said Thursday that his company had returned to financial health and competitive strength after some very difficult years. Andrew W. Greene is concerned, however, that his company’s reputation could be tarnished by questionable business practices… Read More
PORTLAND — Outstanding debts against the Shawmut Inn will be settled as a result of a plan allowing the Kennebunkport hotel to emerge from bankruptcy protection. The partnerships that own the Shawmut have been under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection since early 1991. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
BALTIMORE — Four companies that made or distributed products containing asbestos must pay punitive damages to plaintiffs in the nation’s biggest mass trial of worker health cases, a jury ruled Thursday. The companies — GAF Corp., Keene Corp., Pittsburgh Corning Corp. and Porter-Hayden Co. —… Read More
PORTLAND — Former street gang members who dubbed themselves the “X-Men Posse” say they want to become a force for good by battling crime in Maine’s largest city. Portland Police Chief Michael Chitwood confirmed that the 11-member group’s initial patrols of the downtown area led… Read More
Frustrated by the lack of aggressive action on their recommendations, members of the Special Commission on Governmental Restructuring have been forced to form a political action committee (PAC) to push their reforms through state government. This implausible scenario — citizen appointees organizing to force elected… Read More
CARIBOU — A Caribou man, charged in the “shaking” death of his 2-month-old son in 1990, was ordered Wednesday to serve six years in prison. Wesley J. Skidgel, 26, pleaded guilty earlier this month to reckless or criminally negligent manslaughter. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT — A Sangerville man received a 60-year sentence Thursday for abducting and killing his ex-wife nearly two years ago after a judge found nothing to support a lesser prison term. David Cumming could be 88 when he is released from prison. Factoring in time… Read More
A federal jury sitting in Bangor cleared a woman Thursday of criminal responsibility for shooting her husband last December at their Loring Air Force Base home. Dawn Dupuis, 24, now of Massachusetts, had been charged with the federal offense of assault with intent to commit… Read More
A story published Monday, July 27, about a teen-age driver being charged with OUI following the death of a Guilford man involved in a two-car collision contained an error. According to the story, Bangor Police Sgt. Robert Welch refused to release information to the NEWS regarding the names… Read More
The city of Bangor has maintained its favorable AA bond rating. Moody’s Investor Services Inc. recently released its credit rating on the city. “A new management team has taken a number of steps which have had a positive effect on financial operations,” the company said… Read More
Plan to save old Nixon offices fails Preservationists in La Habra, Calif., have lost a battle to preserve Richard M. Nixon’s old law offices, but the former president does not mind. The need to reinforce the 1920s building against earthquakes escalated costs. “While I am… Read More
Sen. John Baldacci, D-Bangor, has been appointed to the Petroleum Advisory Committee. The Legislature created the committee during the last session as part of the Petroleum Market Share Act, which Baldacci sponsored. Senate President Charles Pray, D-Millinocket, announced the appointment Thursday. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
AUGUSTA — Even though Ross Perot says he’s not a candidate for president, his name is to appear on the November ballot in Maine. But political observers do not agree on whether it will make any difference. A Maine political scientist and pollster says the… Read More