Bucky Owen, commissioner of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, is as hard to hook onto as a salmon in summer water. On Tuesday evening, however, he returned my call and confirmed that he has been nominated to replace Clinton “Bill” Townsend of Canaan as a U.S. Read More
ORONO – Going from stockclerk to president of the company in one year happens only in the movies, right? Wrong. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i… Read More
BANGOR – East Biddeford’s John Chea had not had a hit in eight plate appearances during the first three games of the state Little League tournament. In his ninth and 10th trips to the plate, however, Chea had two singles – including the game-winning hit… Read More
Margaret Zillioux, the University of Maine’s associate athletic director for academic support, is leaving the university at the end of the month to become a full-time mother. Zillioux and husband Bob Vilas are expecting their first child in October. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
ORONO – Experience and consistency won out over the exuberance and explosiveness of youth in the Women’s Maine State Golf Association Championship here at Penobscot Valley Country Club Wednesday. Hampden’s Martha White held off a mid-round charge by Gardiner teenager Abby Spector and won her… Read More
Katahdin High School athletic director Phil Faulkner isn’t ready to push the panic button yet. Eleven days before the official start of the high school soccer season in Eastern Maine, Katahdin still does not have a boys varsity soccer coach on its staff. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
HOULTON — A Houlton police lieutenant accused of falsifying a police report has gone public with his side of the story. Lt. Donald E. Mitchell Jr., in an open letter he delivered Wednesday to the Bangor Daily News, states that he previously refused to discuss… Read More
AUGUSTA — State officials vowed Wednesday to make stronger efforts to get tired truckers, who pose a danger to themselves and others, off Maine highways. “This is as important a subject as any our state is dealing with right now,” Gov. John R. McKernan told… Read More
BANGOR — Look for K.C. Baker in the Blue Knights parade today. He is 6 1/2 and will be riding in a sidecar. Casey was adopted by the Blue Knights yesterday at the Bangor Mall. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
WASHINGTON — The bad news is Mainers paid a lot of taxes to the federal government. The good news is the federal government spent, on average, $1,397 per capita for programs benefiting residents of the state over and above the sum it collected in taxes… Read More
MACHIASPORT — The town’s remaining selectman offered an explanation Wednesday of why an article in the town warrant covering the expenditure of state funds was tabled. Meanwhile, a town employee joined two selectmen in tendering his resignation. Newly elected Selectman Bill Prescott, the town’s sole… Read More
FORT KENT — Telephone service at the University of Maine at Fort Kent has been brought into the 1990s. On July 28 a $225,000 AT&T Definity System went on line, replacing a one-number switchboard system that had been in operation for at least 17 years,… Read More
AUGUSTA (AP) — The Maine economy appears to be taking a surprising turn for the better when it comes to manufacturing, state economists say. Manufacturing, which has dragged the economy down in the past, is edging up, the State Planning Office said Tuesday. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
HOULTON — State police in Houlton were spending Wednesday following up on reports from people who said they had information about a man who broke into the home of a Cary Plantation couple. Janette Wakeling, whose husband had gone to visit her brother, woke up… Read More
NEWPORT — Nokomis Regional High School is one of four rural schools in New England to be selected by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges Inc. to participate in a three-year project to focus community resources on school improvement. Nokomis is the only… Read More
Feuds, fires, drug busts, dog rescues man — I hear the usual stories calling. One governmental agency calls a press conference to announce the astounding news that it will cooperate with another governmental agency. These are the things I should be writing about. Instead I’m… Read More
The recent series of articles on long-term care and the attempted evictions of elderly residents at the Penobscot Nursing Home have brought to the community’s attention the role that Legal Services for the Elderly plays in protecting the rights of Maine’s elderly. Most recently, in a July 27… Read More
VAN BUREN — A Madawaska contractor was the low bidder for a road reconstruction project on a stretch of U.S. Route 1 known locally as “Turkey Curve,” the Department of Transportation announced Wednesday. Ed Pelletier and Sons Co.’s bid of $1,225,986 was the lowest of… Read More
Sen. George Mitchell’s health care bill presented Tuesday was a welcome and adroit step forward in the debate for reform. It is a skillful bill that recognizes the big-money pressures from a wide range of organizations yet offers substance to bring about cost savings without sacrificing the elements… Read More
BANGOR — The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department and the Maine State Police Wednesday announced the signing of a resolve to promote cooperation between the two agencies. Sheriff Ed Reynolds and the 15 other county sheriffs signed the agreement on July 15. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
AUGUSTA (AP) — Central Maine Power Co.’s plan to buy out its contract with a private power producer in Fort Fairfield, acquire the 33-megawatt plant and continue to operate it was approved Wednesday by the Public Utilities Commission. CMP said the acquisition would allow it… Read More
Two elements of Sen. George Mitchell’s plan deserve particular notice not for their uniqueness but because they are where health reform began several years ago and — miracle of miracles — they remain an important, if not headline-making, part of the discussion today. Preventive care… Read More
PORTLAND (AP) — A fundamentalist Christian who claims his rights were violated by co-workers who taunted him with crude sexual remarks can sue his former employer, the state supreme court ruled Wednesday. Brian Finnemore, 41, contends Bangor Hydro-Electric Co. management dealt ineffectively with his complaints,… Read More
Bangor has been chosen by the state to test a pilot program to train welfare mothers in child care professions. Promoted by the Department of Human Services, training for the unique program will be offered at Eastern Maine Technical College this fall. A former welfare… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE — A legion of Colorado beetles, chomping their way undisturbed through a federal potato test field on Spragueville Road for several weeks, met their demise Tuesday when a tractor-mounted propane burner spewed fire on them. The crop, which included different varieties of potatoes… Read More
AUGUSTA — The Maine Supreme Judicial Court officially has declared the Republican primary in House District 151 to be tied, and Secretary of State G. William Diamond will break the tie Thursday with a drawing by lot. Diamond announced the official tie between John M. Read More
WASHINGTON (AP) — Canada won a lingering trade dispute with the United States over softwood lumber Wednesday when a special appeals panel ruled the U.S. government’s 6.5 percent duty on the imports should end. In siding with Canada, 2-1, the extraordinary challenge committee ruled that… Read More
BANGOR — A Bangor couple protested in front of the Penobscot County Courthouse Wednesday for what they termed a brutal police raid that frightened five young children at their Capehart home. Shel B. and Brett Mason said their children, ranging in age from 3 to… Read More
Members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart will solicit contributions for a viola at shopping centers in the Bangor and Brewer area Aug. 5 through 7. The viola, according to John Gormley, one of the founders of the Joshua Chamberlain Chapter 1865, is… Read More
AUGUSTA — The Board of Environmental Protection ignored accepted administrative procedure when it approved the Basin Mills hydroelectric project, a group of conservationists charged in court Wednesday. Representing nine other groups, the Atlantic Salmon Federation asked a Kennebec County Superior Court judge to return the… Read More
SKOWHEGAN — Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 8-9, are the days the Skowhegan State Fair home arts and crafts department will receive entries for this year’s competition. Kathy Dorko, superintendent of the department, said entries can be delivered to the arts and crafts building between 9… Read More
PITTSFIELD — Two people suffered minor injuries in two separate accidents in Pittsfield Wednesday morning. According to Pittsfield police Sgt. Tim Roussin, the first accident occurred on South Main Street, Route 100, when Harvey Burnham, 71, of Corinna, driving a 1977 Ford pickup, attempted to… Read More
NORRIDGEWOCK — The Norridgewock Historical Society will sponsor a yard sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, at the Grange Hall. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the group’s efforts toward buying the former Female Academy for a community museum. The brick house next to… Read More
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Scott Paper Co. will cut deeper and quicker into its payroll than originally planned, laying off a third of its work force — 10,500 workers — worldwide by year’s end as part of restructuring efforts. An original restructuring plan called for cutting… Read More
ROCKLAND — A Rockland man was given a six-month sentence for possession of heroin in Knox County Superior Court on Monday. Justice Margaret Kravchuk suspended all but seven days in jail for David M. Bates, 35. On a charge of driving while intoxicated, Bates received… Read More
Contrary to a story in Wednesday’s editions, Old Town City Councilor Donald Spencer did not participate in a 1989 Rotary Club skit satirizing a police officer under investigation for child abuse. Read More
Houlton District Court: Craig E. Cullins, 20, Sherman Mills, allowing minor to consume liquor, $250. 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())… Read More
Fort Kent District Court: Operating motor vehicle after license suspension: John O’Shea, 28, Warwick, R.I., $500; and David B. Perreault, 29, Soldier Pond, 48 hours in jail, 90-day license suspension, $300. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
Dover-Foxcroft District Court: Wayne J. Richards, 18, Dover-Foxcroft, littering, $100. 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] googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
FORT KENT — The National Park Service will sponsor a series of Maine Acadian Culture Preservation Act public open houses Aug. 22-25 in the upper St. John Valley. Host of the open houses will be a member of the Maine Acadian Culture Preservation Commission. The… Read More
SULLIVAN — An 18-year-old Amherst man drowned Tuesday night when he and two friends tried to rescue another youth who got into trouble while swimming at a former granite quarry in North Sullivan. Wade A. Tracy was pulled from the water around 9:40 a.m. Wednesday… Read More
Burl Hash can’t believe how good it feels to be on the road. For the past several months, the director of the Maine Festival has been doing office work, phone calls, paperwork. But on this day, he’s in his jeans, a T-shirt and Mexican cap to drive from… Read More
My heart ached for my friends who are Vietnam veterans when I read the letter from Marion Russell (BDN, July 29). For many veterans, the letter undoubtedly brought back the haunting echoes of “baby killer” and other taunts which were thrown their way when they returned from fighting… Read More
Two months ago, an obituary ran in the paper. It started like this, “Today, June 4th I died.” This was written by one of my closest high school friends. She was only 42 years old, but thanks to an organ donor, she had six more years than anyone… Read More
University of Maine President Fred Hutchinson’s labored apologiam (BDN Op-ed, July 23-24) misses the point. The question of why he has dissociated himself from University College is now moot. What concerns me is the question of trust. This past May, President Hutchinson attended a banquet… Read More
I have seen people trying to cross on marked areas and drivers still refuse to stop. Warnings of tickets and fines appear not to bother some drivers. The worst place is in front of the Bangor Post Office. This is a very busy area both… Read More
The recent fiasco over emissions testing in southern Maine is another resounding sympton of feckless government. While simple measures exist to lower pollution and other negative health effects of our profligate transportation system, our “leaders” have instituted a system of emissions controls and inspections which is outrageously complex… Read More
LITCHFIELD (AP) — A home invasion in which assailants held a gun to a man’s head while his girlfriend and four children sobbed was a bungled attempt at revenge on the wrong man, court documents say. Two of the four men charged in the March… Read More
BAR HARBOR — The president of an organization that has protected nearly 8 million acres of wildlife habitat in this country said “plain old self-interest” is a compelling argument for conservation. John Sawhill, president and chief executive officer of the Nature Conservancy, an international conservation… Read More
FORT KENT — The Northern Maine Medical Center at Fort Kent has installed a manual-automatic door at its main entrance to facilitate access for handicapped residents. The main entrance door can be operated manually by the general public. Handicapped residents may push a button to… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE — The Central Aroostook Kennel Club will hold a dog judging “fun match” competition on Sunday, Aug. 14, at Riverside Park, or, in case of rain, at the recreation center. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. Judges will grade dogs and owners in… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE — The U.S. Census Bureau will collect data on employment and unemployment from area residents the week of Aug. 14-20. The local labor force data will contribute to the national employment and unemployment picture to be released Sept. 2 by the Bureau of… Read More
AUGUSTA — Brig. Gen. Eugene L. Richardson will take over command of the Maine Army National Guard from Brig. Gen. Donald H. Marden, deputy adjutant general at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, as the entire MANG command of 2,700 witness the change of command. The… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE — A bone marrow drive held this summer in Presque Isle and Augusta attracted 1,282 volunteer donors, which have been added to the National Bone Marrow Registry. The two drives represented about $28,845 in testing costs to the Maine Leukemia support group. Additional… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT — Dover-Foxcroft police arrested several people this weekend in connection with two separate burglaries in the area. Chief Dennis Dyer said police arrested Scott Kimball, 22, of Atkinson in connection with a burglary at the Town and County Landscaping business, which took place July… Read More
All Seven Sisters Down East alumnae, with guests and children, of Barnard, Bryn Mawr, Mount Holyoke, Radcliffe, Smith, Vassar and Wellesley will hold a cruise and dinner beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, aboard the Voyageur at Bangor. The eastern Maine alumnae organization represents… Read More
Mainely Families, a network of support groups for troubled parents of teen-agers, needs volunteers to guide its Bangor group in weekly sessions, 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays, at St. Joseph Hospital, 360 Broadway. The group provides guidance and shared experiences among members on topics such as setting… Read More
ROCKLAND — Local Democratic candidates sat down with United We Stand America Wednesday night to discuss the Ross Perot organization’s top five issues in the November election. Incumbents on hand were Sen. Chellie Pingree of North Haven, Rep. James Bowers of Washington and Rep. James… Read More
Transient pavers are back in full force in central Maine this summer, moving from town to town, scamming residents out of literally thousands of dollars. Chief Deputy Carl Andrews of the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office, said Wednesday that his office has received a number of… Read More
PITTSFIELD — For the third year, Maine Central Institute and its alumni association will offer a performance by its talented graduates in Campus Capers, at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5, at the Pinnacle Ski Slope in Pittsfield. The annual event includes many MCI graduates who… Read More
PITTSFIELD — Two longtime faculty members will be inducted into the Maine Central Institute Hall of Fame in conjunction with the school’s annual reunion activities on Saturday, Aug. 6. The induction is in keeping with a tradition begun in 1983. The induction of Roderic Smith… Read More
The Moving Wall, a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., will be at Bass Park in Bangor from Aug. 14 to 21. The opening ceremony will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14, when Maine Attorney General Michael Carpenter will speak. Read More
ROCKLAND — “Keep Your Paws off My Claws,” the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals has advised the 47th annual Maine Lobster Festival which opens Thursday. PETA officials charged that boiling the lobsters in “The World’s Largest Lobster Cooker” is a violation of anti-cruelty statutes. Read More
PITTSFIELD — Business was brief at the Tuesday night meeting of the Pittsfield Town Council. Robert D. Bolduc of Tax Pro Inc. received approval for a $30,000 loan from Pittsfield’s Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund. The funds will be used in conjunction with the relocation… Read More
AUGUSTA — Legislators began Wednesday to untangle the conflict created when southern Mainers arose in opposition to the governor’s plan to swap pollution credits from reduced auto emissions to allow increased emissions for industrial expansion. The Legislature, and especially the Joint Select Committee to Review… Read More
MADAWASKA — The Moving Wall, a roughly half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, will be on display in Madawaska’s Bicentennial Park, Sunday, Aug. 7, to Saturday, Aug. 13. The names of dozens of Aroostook County military personnel — 18 from the St. Read More
PRESQUE ISLE — Students and faculty will return next month to several major changes at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. To begin with, academic departments have been reorganized and a unique new governing body representing everyone on campus has been established. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT — New construction projects are under way this month as organizers of the Piscataquis Valley Fair prepare the grounds for this year’s fair, scheduled for Aug. 25-28. Volunteers have constructed a new office building at the grounds, according to Director Bud Prouty, with completion… Read More
ELLSWORTH — City Councilor Richard Kane and his wife Meredith have until Aug. 15 to comply with a Superior Court judge’s order to apply for building and plumbing permits for a construction project they have begun or they face a 30-day jail sentence for contempt. Read More
ROCKLAND — A purchase and sale agreement will be signed for a new city hall by Aug. 15, Mayor Thomas Molloy predicted Wednesday. The city has been negotiating to sell the current City Hall to the state Department of Transportation for $260,000 for use as… Read More
MOUNT DESERT (AP) — A funeral is scheduled for Friday for Roderic MacDonald Scott, whose early calls for more tests on the flawed Hubble space telescope were ignored. Scott, who also worked on the team that developed sonar during World War II, was 78. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
DEER ISLE — Residents may vote on a site for an elementary school construction project this fall, even though the project’s future is uncertain. Project officials have filed an appeal to the State Board of Education, seeking a higher priority rating for construction funding than… Read More
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate kept the space station alive Wednesday despite objections from opponents who insisted Russian participation would increase the program’s cost. “Let’s go ahead and stop talking about it and build it,” said Sen. Phil Gramm, R-Texas, whose state would be a… Read More
HAMPDEN — The buses will run, but SAD 22 is out of the transportation business. At a special meeting Wednesday evening at Reeds Brook Middle School, directors from Hampden, Newburgh and Winterport voted 10-0 to privatize busing for the next three years and to sell the district’s buses… Read More
BAR HARBOR — The Town Council reiterated this week its position that the Route 3 reconstruction project should move forward. The council agreed to notify Maine’s Department of Transportation of the town’s interest in having the project begin as soon as possible. At the end… Read More
AUBURN (AP) — Three people were killed Wednesday evening in a weather-related accident involving a tractor-trailer, police said. Auburn police Sgt. Donald Hamel said it was raining heavily at 6:40 p.m. when a car traveling north on state Route 4 hydroplaned and crashed head-on into… Read More