Despite letters of support to a local newspaper, longtime Old Town High School softball coach Bob Ackley is still a coach without a team. The 18-year softball coach, who was also a Leonard Middle School boys’ basketball coach, was in Denmark directing a children’s peace… Read More
ORONO – The University of Maine athletic department needs leadership. Vivian Fuller believes she is the right person to provide it going into the 21st century. Fuller, the last of five finalists to be interviewed on campus for the UMaine athletic directors post, was confident… Read More
Holes-in-one BROOKS – Capt. Frank White of Monroe and Kate Miklovich of Swanville achieved personal milestones recently when they recorded aces here at Country View Golf Club. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false;… Read More
HODGDON – Robyn Duff scored the game-winning goal on a two-on-one break to give Hodgdon a 1-0 victory over Southern Aroostook of Dyer Brook in girls soccer action here Tuesday afternoon. Duff took a feed from Wendy Ivey for the goal, which came with about… Read More
ORONO – During his first two years at the University of Maine, quarterback John Tennett was brought along slowly by Coach Jack Cosgrove and his staff. While Tennett showed promise, the former Bangor High School three-sport star lacked the experience and size to make a… Read More
I took my first trip down the Kenduskeag Stream in probably 1962 or ’63. I was terrorized. For me it was a decidedly bad trip and I’d had enough of that baloney when the trip was finally over (more on this momentarily). But the Kenduskeag just kept on… Read More
WATERVILLE – Meaghan Sittler and Barbara Gordon, students at Colby College, have been named to the USA Hockey’s 1995 United States Women’s Select Team. The team will compete in an exhibition series against Finland Aug. 30-Sept. 3 in Finalnd. Northeastern’s Ben Smith is the team’s coach. Read More
ADDISON — The Community Association will hold an annual bake sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, to raise money for restoration of the 1853 Greek Revival style church at Indian River Village in Addison. The sale will be at the church on Route 187. Read More
ENFIELD — Voters on Monday elected Jeff Hall as a new selectman. And at a special town meeting Monday night, they authorized officials to borrow up to $75,000 toward the cost of closing the town’s landfill. Hall will fill the seat held by James Blanch,… Read More
WASHINGTON — The nation’s highway safety chief warned parents Tuesday that some school buses may pose a risk of snagging children’s clothing and injuring them. Since 1991, five students have been killed and others hurt when clothing caught on handrails as they stepped off buses. Read More
CAMDEN — You’ve probably never heard of “Morry” Taylor. You will. Maurice Taylor, known as the “Tire King” for his purchase and restoration of tire companies in the Midwest, wants to be president of the United States. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
Sen. Bob Packwood is still putting the moves on women, but this time they are entirely political. Having been hammered by opposition groups for demanding the unusual measure of a closed-door ethics hearing, the senator switched tactics late last week. He now asks that the hearings be public. Read More
ELLSWORTH — The owner of Body Magic, a business offering full body massage and nude dancing by its “Bod Squad,” will be moving the business out of downtown and is planning to build an “estate” off Route 1A in Ellsworth Falls. Known as “Ms. Lovely,”… Read More
EASTPORT — Officials of Bangor Savings Bank will be in Eastport tonight to meet with the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals about the bank’s plan to build a $350,000 facility in this seaside community. Code Enforcement Officer Helen Archer said the land in question, located… Read More
BAR HARBOR — The need for better parking, traffic control and public transportation topped the list of priorities devised by participants in a public meeting on the harbor’s future Tuesday. About 25 people attended the first of two meetings held in council chambers. They included… Read More
CARIBOU — The L.S. Hall Co., a landmark for more than 50 years, is closing on Saturday. Co-owner Brenda Sleeper said the move from owning the Hall’s store for the last six years to co-managing Porteous with her husband, Matthew, at the Aroostook Centre Mall… Read More
AUGUSTA — A new hot line to report wolf sightings has been busy, with several callers reporting they have spotted the endangered animal in scattered parts of Maine, a restoration group said Tuesday. Sightings have been reported in Amity, south of Houlton; in Levant and… Read More
Sen. William Cohen has established an Internet address and a “home page” on the World Wide Web so that constituents can contact him electronically, the senator announced Tuesday. “Constituents will now be able to contact me more easily and they will also have access to… Read More
CALAIS — One of Calais’ two largest new car dealerships, Lenentine Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick, Geo Inc., has temporarily closed its doors, but owner Phil Lenentine said Tuesday the business would reopen Tuesday, Sept. 5. The sign on the door says “Closed for inventory,” and… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT — They are stationed everywhere, especially where the traffic is the heaviest. Some have fancy awnings covering fresh produce or goods, while others offer products from the beds of pickup trucks. The fact that Dover-Foxcroft has no regulations governing vendor sales caused one businessman… Read More
BANGOR — A public hearing on a proposed Interstate 95 off ramp to Union Street will be held at 7 tonight in council chambers on the third floor of City Hall, 73 Harlow St. According to City Engineer Jim Ring, the new ramp would eliminate… Read More
LINCOLN — Main Street business owners and users of the Mini Mall parking lot are urged to attend a meeting at noon today in the town office. Town officials are looking for suggestions and ideas from parking lot users on how to curtail trash and… Read More
BANGOR — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is making more than $2.3 million in low-interest loans available to five Maine communities, according to Rep. John Baldacci’s office Tuesday. The money will be used to make improvements to the Belfast Water District, to complete an extension to Wilton’s water… Read More
BANGOR — Members of the Burton-Goode-Sargent Chapter 1 Maine Korean War Veterans are looking for more veterans to march in Saturday’s parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. Anyone interested should just show up at the mustering center at Brewer… Read More
Time can be an enemy or an ally. For Heather Hunt, Gov. Angus King’s nominee to the Maine Public Utilities Commission, it is both. Working against her is youth, she’s pushing 30. In her favor, as legislators learned Monday, is continued exposure to the confirmation process. Read More
PITTSFIELD — Excitement was the word of the day at New Hope Christian Academy on Weeks Road in Pittsfield Tuesday. Not only was it the first day of school for SAD 53, but the first day ever for the new Christian-centered school in rural Pittsfield. Read More
HOULTON — A former Houlton police lieutenant who was convicted in June of assault and unlawful sexual contact against two female Police Department employees apparently dropped his legal appeal and turned himself in at the Aroostook County Jail Monday morning to begin serving his sentence . Read More
CHICAGO — Swilling antacid or gobbling tablets for your upset stomach could cost you your life. Fourteen deaths, 31 hospitalizations and four cases of disability linked to magnesium poisoning have been reported since 1968, researchers from the Food and Drug Administration reported in the August… Read More
For the first time in many years, a new television station has come to Bangor. Channel 33, an independent UHF station, officially took to the air full time Sunday, said James McLeod, the station’s general manager and driving force. The station sent out test signals… Read More
The Penobscot County commissioners often espouse wise fiscal management of taxpayer money, which may explain why they scratched their heads in amazement Tuesday over requests for salary increases from three department heads that ranged from 9 percent to 65 percent. Dancing lightly around a delicate… Read More
MONSON — Monson Elementary School teachers are adopting past practices used in one-room schoolhouses to educate the approximately 60 pupils in their small school. The teachers are embracing multiage education as a direct result of dwindling finances and staff reductions. While it’s been a topic… Read More
Described as “surreal” by its creator, a short film premiering in Bucksport this week was written, performed and shot by a veritable who’s who of Maine talent. For some, its disquieting themes may hit close to home, as well. “Who Will Say Kaddish for Shapiro?”… Read More
The Aug. 1 editorial “Parties and progress” and Mr. Greg Gerritt’s Aug. 15 letter, “A top priority,” commending it have led me to make a few observations, just for meditation, possibly for quiet discussion (if that’s possible today). First, how is it that, of all… Read More
BELFAST — The City Council is in favor of accelerating the sale of its waterfront rail yard to the Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad. The B&ML currently occupies the rail yard under the terms of a 10-year lease-purchase agreement with the city. The railroad is… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT — Because Dover-Foxcroft is a regional service area to surrounding communities, it has more tax-exempt property. While some communities have encouraged tax-exempt property owners to contribute in such areas as police and fire protection to help alleviate the tax burden on citizens, Dover-Foxcroft has… Read More
ELLSWORTH — Those wanting to run for Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation District supervisor may contact the district office at RR 5, Box 508W, Ellsworth 04605, telephone 667-8663, for nomination papers. The district has one position to be filled and papers must be returned… Read More
MONROE — The Board of Selectmen may try to dump the town books on Augusta, but the state won’t touch them with a 10-foot pole. Larry Record of the state Bureau of Taxation’s Property Tax Division, said Tuesday that any talk of the state taking… Read More
AUGUSTA — Gov. Angus King’s cost-cutting panel inched $1.8 million closer to its $45 million target Tuesday by unanimously approving revised funding cuts to the state Department of Conservation. In a presentation to the 13-member Productivity Realization Task Force, Ronald Lovaglio, commissioner for the Department… Read More
HERMON — Imagine a cattle drive barreling through a museum. Shortly before 8 a.m. Tuesday, area students were turned loose into the new $12.3 million high school, an immaculate, modern structure that will help propel education into the next century. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
OLD TOWN — Evaluation forms for the city’s educators and administrators are expected to be overhauled, while a form will be created for coaches — who have not faced written evaluations in the past. The Old Town School Department’s Curriculum and Policy Subcommittee Tuesday agreed… Read More
ORNEVILLE — Police are investigating a break-in at an isolated camp on Cook Island on Boyd Lake. Investigator Robert Young of the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department said a hasp was pried off to gain entry into the camp. He said two gas light fixtures, a… Read More
NEWPORT — Although the town selectmen asked Newport Sanitary District trustees to let them know about a joint meeting by Aug. 29, Town Manager Arthur Ellingwood said the district will not call a special meeting. Instead, the district has decided to deal with the issue of its dissolution… Read More
MATTAWAMKEAG — Upset about the town having no police or public works departments, about 125 residents Monday petitioned officials for another vote. “My main concern is put this back before the people to vote on it, and do it legal this time,” said Shirly Murray,… Read More
BANGOR — Westside residents concerned about the possible exporting of low-level radioactive waste to Russia via Bangor International Airport would like to see a public repository where documents on the proposal could be available for public viewing. Cheryl Pelletier, one of a small group of… Read More
MILO — A tanker truck filled with oil reportedly rolled over on River Side Street in Milo late Tuesday night. A dispatcher at the Milo Police Department said firefighters at the scene had requested absorbent padding to soak up the leaking oil. He said the… Read More
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — Three passengers and the crew were taken safely off a tourist boat before it sank in the Piscataqua River, the captain said. The 41-seat, jet-powered tour boat Bay Trader was cruising toward the entrance of Portsmouth Harbor at about 4:45 p.m. Monday… Read More
MACHIASPORT — Rising high on Trafton Hill, a tower, its red light still flashing, is a stark reminder of a modern-day battle fought and some say lost here. There are no gravestones recalling the fallen or sentimental songs about this bloodless fight over progress and… Read More
Some of my fellow United We Stand members were understandably upset by the attack on Ross Perot in the Aug. 24 BDN by Rick Tyler, the new executive director of Maine’s Republican Party. I’ll bet, however, that a lot of Maine Republicans are even more upset. Read More
The Food and Drug Administration recently made a bold, but long overdue proposal to regulate tobacco to protect kids from tobacco addiction. In the first month of the 90-day public comment period since the FDA proposed regulations, most of our elected representatives are either holding their tongues, are… Read More
I am writing on behalf of the Maine Chapter of the American College of Nurse-Midwives to encourage citizens of Maine to vote against the “Act to Limit Protected Classes Under Maine Law” coming up for a vote this fall. Wording in the bill is very confusing, and amounts… Read More
The statements attributed to Patricia Blanchette (BDN, Aug. 23) should not go unchallenged. Her opinion that “prostitution is a fact of life” is tantamount to saying it can be pursued in Bangor unmolested. Seemingly, Ms. Blanchette is sanctioning an activity which is already illegal in the state of… Read More
ROCKLAND — SAD 5 will outline its efforts at improving indoor air quality at the middle school during an open house scheduled 5-7 p.m. tonight. The school’s staff has worked throughout the summer to correct some of the problems. The public is urged to attend… Read More
The Greater Bangor Chamber of Commerce will host an open meeting of the Governor’s Productivity Realization Task Force 5-6:30 tonight in Room 501A, Rangeley Hall, Eastern Maine Technical College, Hogan Road, Bangor. The meeting will give business owners an opportunity to help plan a more… Read More
LUCERNE-IN-MAINE — The Greater Bangor Chamber of Commerce and the Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce will introduce Maine’s new director of tourism, Dann Lewis, to the area’s business community 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31, at The Lucerne Inn. Read More
HOULTON — The Meduxnekeag Watershed Coalition, formed this summer to address pollution of the river it’s named for, drafted vision and mission statements at its meeting last week. The group, composed of a wide range of private, local, state and federal representatives, has received an… Read More
PORTLAND — Nine juveniles escaped from the Maine Youth Center in a four-day period, renewing calls for tighter security at the understaffed facility for juvenile offenders. Police were angered after a 16-year-old boy arrested along with two other teens on charges of breaking into 11… Read More
INDIAN TOWNSHIP — Federal budget cuts for Indian tribes could lead to the layoff of more than 80 people working for the Passamaquoddy Tribe and decimate the tribe’s ability to run its governmental offices, tribal Gov. John Stevens told U.S. Rep. John Baldacci at a meeting in his… Read More
Many groups have been busily planning for the parade commemorating the end of World War II that begins at 11 a.m. Saturday at Brewer High School, crosses the Veterans Remembrance Bridge and ends at the Bangor Auditorium. For one organization participating in the parade, this… Read More
PITTSFIELD — Both sides in a tax assessment controversy achieved a partial victory this week when Justice Margaret Kravchuk ruled on an appeal of Maine Central Institute’s taxes for the J.W. Parks Golf Course. MCI and the town of Pittsfield disagreed on the tax-exempt status… Read More
HOULTON — Thunderstorms that passed through southern Aroostook County Tuesday night sparked at least three forest fires. Fires from lightning strikes were reported in Orient, Smyrna and Benedicta. Most of the fires were brought under control quickly by area fire departments and Maine Forest Service… Read More
LIMESTONE — The Department of the Air Force will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30, at the Limestone Community School auditorium to discuss the revised draft of the environmental impact statement on the disposal and reuse of Loring Air Force Base. Read More
PRESQUE ISLE — Four people were arrested and charged with burglary and theft of a $2,400 computer and about $600 in contributions to the Multiple Sclerosis Society from the J.J. Nissen Baking Corp. on Industrial Street. The incident took place at about 2:30 a.m. Aug. Read More
ISLAND FALLS — A proposed ordinance that would have prohibited unnecessary noise and regulated the conduct of people along public ways was rejected by voters 24-19 Monday night. The rejected ordinance was almost identical to one that was approved by voters in 1979. The only… Read More
NEWPORT — The Sebasticook Valley Chamber of Commerce has selected the Palmyra Wal-Mart property on Route 2 as the location for its informational center. Construction will begin Sept. 22, and the building, a log home kit donated by Northeastern Log Homes Inc., will be delivered… Read More
AUGUSTA — Gov. Angus King said he will establish an advisory panel to keep him apprised of safety and economic issues at the troubled Maine Yankee nuclear power plant. “These people would be my eyes and ears on what’s happening at the plant,” King said. Read More
BANGOR — Lack of rain may dampen backyard barbecues this holiday weekend, with state forest officials saying it is “highly likely” that today they will request a governor’s ban on most outdoor fires. Top forestry officials were behind closed doors Tuesday, drawing up the specific… Read More