SANFORD – Just when those Amazin’ Acadians looked like they might just pull out this state American Legion tournament almost nobody gave them any chance to win, Andrews Post batters created a deficit even Trenton’s comeback kids couldn’t answer. An 11-run second inning explosion gave… Read More
Rickey White, who had planned to attend the University of Maine on a basketball scholarship this fall, must wait at least another semester to become a Black Bear. White, an All-Maine first-team forward out of Mount Ararat High in Topsham, still has not achieved the… Read More
SANFORD – In a game featuring six lead changes, Trenton sent nine men to the plate in a three-run seventh inning to down Andrews Post 8-6 in the American Legion state tournament. The Trenton win forced a title game Wednesday night involving the same two… Read More
The Bangor Hurricanes Swim Club and Old Town YMCA enjoyed success at recent national meets. Two Hurricanes competed in the Northeast Junior Swimming Championships in Buffalo, N.Y. from Aug. 1-5. Jake Jentzer placed 19th in the 100 meter freestyle at 54.89 and scored a team… Read More
PORTLAND – The Portland Pirates announced Wednesday that Mark Kumpel has been hired as head coach. Kumpel becomes the third head coach in team history, and replaces Bryan Trottier, who left the team in June to become an assistant coach with the Colorado Avalanche. Kumpel… Read More
BAXTER STATE PARK – The next time you’re out hiking the trails here, take a moment or two to stop and appreciate the work being done by volunteers and Student Conservation Association members from across the U.S. Under the guidance and assistance from Lester Kenway,… Read More
CANTON, Mass. – Rebecca Hayes posted an even-par 72 on Wednesday for a 36-hole total of 3-under-par 141 to win the Massachusetts Women’s Open by four shots. Hayes, a teaching pro at Bethel Inn and Sugarloaf Country Club in Maine, entered the final round with… Read More
ROCKLAND – Abby Spector finished the 65th Women’s Maine Amateur Championship Wednesday the way she started it – with a birdie. It seems appropriate Spector would come full circle in her final round because the 17-year-old managed to improve on an amazing start. After breaking… Read More
Remember when you asked how those networks can afford to pay for those ballooning, bazillion-dollar television rights fees to major sports leagues like the NFL, Major League Baseball, and the NBA? Well, that question was partially answered late last month when Fox announced a cost-sharing… Read More
BELFAST – Augusta West center fielder Mark McElmurray said assistant coach Norman Rutt has told him when he is in a jam at the plate, to “hit the ball up the middle. “It always comes through,” grinned McElmurray after his two-out, run-scoring single in the… Read More
Hole-in-one BARRY HARRIS LUCERNE-IN-MAINE – Barry Harris of Phillips Lake recorded a hole-in-one Wednesday playing at the Lucerne Hills Golf Club. Harris aced the 155-yard second hole using a 7-iron. The shot was witnessed by Bruce, Luke and Ashley Wardwell, all of Phillips Lake. Read More
BRUNSWICK — With Bowdoin College’s Pickard Theater set to close for renovations, two performing arts groups are trying to figure out how they can both use the same stage at Brunswick High School next summer. When construction work forces the Maine State Music Theatre from… Read More
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded Maine more than $7.5 million in grants and loans to be used for a variety of projects across the state, according to Rep. John Baldacci. The projects range from a proposal by the Maine Public Broadcasting Corp. to create… Read More
WELLS — As Rolla Dowling drove his Cadillac under the Cole’s Bridge on the old Route 1 bypass last week, a 4-pound bolt fell onto his car, missing his open sunroof by inches. “It could have killed me,” he said. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
BRUNSWICK — A final contract could be signed in the next two weeks to provide the state with an improved 911 system that automatically gives emergency dispatchers information about callers, officials said Wednesday. Bell Atlantic has reached a conditional agreement with the Emergency Services Communication… Read More
WASHINGTON — The Defense Department has awarded $300,000 to the Eastern Maine Development Corp. of Bangor, according to 2nd District Rep. John Baldacci of Maine. Established in 1985, the program is designed to assist state and local government as well as other nonprofit entities in providing technical assistance… Read More
AUGUSTA — Former education commissioner Leo Martin had alcohol in his system but it was below the legal limit when he caused a four-vehicle collision that killed two people last month, police said. A blood test showed the level of alcohol in Martin’s bloodstream was… Read More
BANGOR — Two passengers aboard an international flight were taken into custody by federal agents Wednesday after a bomb threat grounded their Continental Airlines jetliner from Paris to Newark, N.J. The DC-10 carrying 229 passengers and 14 crew members landed around 5:15 p.m. After an… Read More
BATH — Bath Iron Works has fired the primary contractor for its $218 million expansion and modernization just as the project was getting into swing. But a spokesman said the decision will not delay the completion date or add to the overall cost. The shipyard… Read More
A strike by workers at Bell Atlantic is looming with a Saturday evening deadline put in place by the company’s two biggest unions, the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. CWA represents 73,000 of Bell Atlantic’s 140,000-person work force while… Read More
“Did you hear those gunshots?” Before I could answer, he barreled on. “I just fired my rifle over your dogs’ heads. Barbara! Fence in part of your yard! Make a run for them! DO something! Let’s not have a next time!” googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
AUGUSTA — Dry summer weather has increased the danger of forest fires, and the Maine Forest Service on Wednesday urged the public to take extra caution with outdoor fires. “Our weather stations, which tally fire-weather data on a daily basis, are indicating the forest vegetation… Read More
WASHINGTON — The Senate Commerce Committee has approved legislation reauthorizing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The measure, if enacted, authorizes $1.87 billion for research, operations, procurement and acquisition at the agency for fiscal years 1999, 2000 and 2001. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
AUGUSTA — The state has free booklets for the elderly available on topics ranging from whom to contact for free or low-cost legal services to how to gain access to long-term community care programs. The booklets are assembled by the Department of Human Services. Veterans… Read More
WASHINGTON — House Democratic leaders and campaign finance watchdogs are pushing rank-and-file members not to vote for Rep. Tom Allen’s reform bill in fear that it is not a tough enough bill. That effort has left the Portland Democrat in the odd position of defending… Read More
WASHINGTON — The Health Care Financing Administration has “failed miserably in its basic mission to protect nursing home patients from harm and neglect,” Sen. Susan Collins said during a recent hearing of the Senate Special Committee on Aging. A member of the committee, Collins referred… Read More
WASHINGTON — The House has overwhelmingly voted on increased spending for the Department of Veterans Affairs medical care, according to Rep. John Baldacci. The extra $304 million in increased funding for VA medical care programs was included in an amendment submitted by Rep. Tom Coburn… Read More
Terri Clark spent nearly a decade anonymously toiling in Nashville. But her career has taken off over the past three years. Propelled by the No. 1 single “Better Things to Do,” her self-titled 1995 debut album went platinum. Her 1997 follow-up album, “Just the Same,”… Read More
BRUNSWICK — The Maine Bureau of Labor Standards has launched an investigation of possible violations of child labor laws at 20 Wal-Mart stores, state officials said Wednesday. “This is not sweatshop conditions or anything that we view as egregious and oppressive, but there’s enough there… Read More
In the past few weeks, there has been national attention given to nursing home neglect and abuse. There have been reports of abuse in distant, urban areas. This may lead us to suppose such incidents occur somewhere else, not here in Maine. And all too… Read More
Fifty-one House Republicans showed uncommon courage Monday night by defying party leadership and carrying the Shays-Meehan campaign finance reform bill to victory. Either that, or they showed common cravenness by voting for a crowd-pleasing bill they know doesn’t have a prayer in the Senate. For… Read More
Few areas of discussion are as highly charged and fiercely debated as the role and treatment of men and women, boys and girls and the balance of individual abilities and influences of society. We agree that we want the best for our children, but the methods and strategies… Read More
A new drug cuts the rate of breast cancer deaths by two-thirds among women at high risk of getting new tumors, a study has found. The drug, clodronate, is one of a class of compounds known as bisphosphonates that prevent bone loss from osteoporosis and… Read More
In the Aug. 5 edition, a Style page story incorrectly reported Dr. Bob’s Blueberries on Route 187 in Jonesport is open to the public for picking blueberries. The business does not permit the public to pick fruit. —- The Maine train story in the weekend… Read More
The worst-case scenario is pretty harrowing: You wake up on New Year’s Day in the year 2000 and none of the things that make your modern lifestyle modern are functioning. No water, no telephone, no electricity. Even your battery-powered alarm clock is on the blink. Read More
The New England Fisheries Management Council meets Monday in Peabody, Mass., to examine the latest scientific assessment of cod stocks in the Gulf of Maine. Sifting through the ashes might be a better description. The mighty Atlantic cod has fallen. The fish that changed the… Read More
AUGUSTA — A former state business regulator now working as a top aide to U.S. Sen. Susan Collins was endorsed for a post on the Maine Public Utilities Commission on Wednesday by a unanimous legislative panel. Stephen Diamond, a veteran of the Maine Attorney General’s… Read More
The young women were visibly nervous. One chewed on her lower lip, while another shifted her weight from one foot to another. The tallest one paced back and forth. The shortest one could not decide what she should do with her hands — hold them in front, clasp… Read More
Chief Warden pilot Roger E. Wolverton has retired from the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife after 24 years. He has been a warden pilot since 1991, and warden since 1974. Wolverton has logged more than 8,000 hours of flying time under all kinds of conditions. Wolverton is… Read More
WEST FORKS — With summertime tourists arriving in droves to brave the white-water rapids of the Kennebec River, the timing couldn’t be worse for this small town to be out of gas. Berry’s General Store, the town’s sole gas station, was told by the Department… Read More
AUGUSTA — Clear-cutting in the state’s forests continues to decline, while herbicide spraying dropped slightly between 1996 and 1997, according to the Maine Forest Service. The data, made available in the agency’s annual report this week, confirmed some numbers released by environmental organizations last month. Read More
PITTSFIELD — Heather Reed knows in her heart that the people of Pittsfield are caring and compassionate. Actually, she’s betting her neighbor’s life on it. Reed has issued a challenge: Help her neighbor find a home. “I know this is a loving community. Everyone just… Read More
ROCKLAND — A vendor at the Maine Lobster Festival has been cited for selling fireworks. Deputy Police Chief Wallace Tower said Steve Swinkin, 43, of Hamden, Conn., was charged with the offense Saturday. Tower said Sgt. Lloyd Daniels was patrolling the festival grounds when he… Read More
BANGOR — That big open space on the bottom level of the Pickering Square Garage is up for development. Councilors on the community and economic development committee voted Wednesday to have the city seek proposals for the commercial project. The 7,300 square feet of space,… Read More
OLD TOWN — The Down East Country Music Association will hold its annual award show auditions from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, at the Elks Club, North Fourth Street Extension. Bands and entertainers should contact Bud Lee at 667-7604 or Jeff Simon at… Read More
CORINNA — Eight people want to become the town manager. That many resumes in application for the position have been received at the town office. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var… Read More
CLINTON — Selectmen on Wednesday moved two steps closer to returning town government to full strength. At a special meeting called with just a few hours’ notice, they filled two of the nine openings created by a string of abrupt resignations that last month forced… Read More
BANGOR — The 195th Army Band, Maine Army National Guard, will perform at Pickering Square downtown at noon today. Admission is free. 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
BELFAST — The photograph is similar to thousands of others taken at anniversary and birthday parties every day. Sun Lai, owner of the Jade East restaurant in Belfast, sits directly behind a cake that notes his 10 years in business. Around him are three of his waitresses, one… Read More
WATERVILLE — The final five-day session of the Colby College Computer Camp begins Aug. 10. A Web authoring camp from 9 a.m. to noon is open to children ages 10 to 15 who have some computer and Internet experience. A traditional computer camp, for grades three through five,… Read More
FAIRFIELD — A fire that gutted a Mercury sedan along Water Street earlier this week stemmed from a problem with the car’s electrical system, a fire official said. The fire broke out about 2 p.m. Monday behind the dashboard of a 1992 Mercury Topaz owned… Read More
ROCKLAND — A Rockland man is being held in a St. Petersburg, Fla., jail after allegedly leaving Maine with $20,000 of a business partner’s money. Thomas Marr, 37, was picked up Tuesday by St. Petersburg police on an arrest warrant for felony theft, Rockland Deputy… Read More
THOMASTON — Shannon E. Olson, 17, of Thomaston was listed in critical condition at Penobscot Bay Medical Center on Wednesday after crashing her car head-on into a willow tree Tuesday. Her three passengers also were injured. Police Chief James Hosford blamed “stupidity” for the crash. Read More
UNITY PLANTATION — A Thorndike woman lay trapped in her overturned Buick for two hours Wednesday before a passer-by noticed her car in the woods and called police. Thirty-four-year-old Dorene Elkins, who escaped serious injury, most likely fell asleep and drifted off Route 139 while… Read More
BANGOR — Attendance this year is up at the Bangor State Fair, but the gates are closing down earlier than some people would like. Though the midway remains open until 11:30 p.m. — and on some nights as late as midnight — the gates to… Read More
Boston Globe Editor Matthew Storin on Wednesday asked for the resignation of 25-year columnist Mike Barnicle, asserting that his “relationship with his readers and his employers has become untenable” in the wake of a column on Sunday containing similarities to a book by comedian George Carlin. Read More
STETSON — Selectmen in Stetson are cleaning house, selling tax-acquired property and an abandoned dumpsite and gravel pit, some of which have been held more than 10 years. Four quitclaim deeds were signed at the Tuesday night meeting of the board after the properties were… Read More
A University of Maine assistant basketball coach was summoned earlier this week in Orono and charged with theft of services. Michael Mennenga, 28, of Old Town was summoned Monday, although the charge stems from incidents in December when he allegedly cashed a wired check he… Read More
STONINGTON — Less than two weeks after residents at a special town meeting voted to shut down the septic disposal site run by the Stonington Sanitary District, the district has called for a second vote. Ron Bakala, chairman of the district, and Selectman Buddy Folino… Read More
Regarding articles and headlines on the imminent Y2K event, the Bangor Daily News should be typesetting “Y2K” in all uppercase characters, since in computerese a lowercase “k” represents 1,024, while an uppercase “K” represents 1,000. Try as you may, using a lowercase “k” will not delay the onset… Read More
When the standards of conduct of the nation’s highest office holder should be that of Caesar’s wife, the slack being cut President Clinton approaches moral meltdown. The July 30 editorial, “The code cracked,” is an example. Again, Kenneth Starr is the bad guy and Bill and Hillary Clinton… Read More
Your July 28 article, “Allagash waterway gets residents’ voice,” presents the Friends of the Allagash to Maine citizens. I agree with John Martin, clerk of the Friends of the Allagash, that Mainers living near our Allagash Wilderness Waterway deserve as much voice in its future… Read More
In response to your story, “Chief Orono an enigma” (BDN, July 30): As a member of the Penobscot Nation and a descendant of Orono, I feel compelled to ask what Joseph Orono’s skin and eye color have to do with who he was as a person and what… Read More
WASHINGTON — The Senate has approved $31.2 million for structural improvements to the nation’s bridges — including $2 million for wood composite research at the University of Maine — and $555 million for continued Amtrak spending to benefit the Northeast corridor and Maine, Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan… Read More
WASHINGTON — The National Endowment for the Humanities has awarded the Maine Humanities Council $30,560 to be used toward an innovative project designed to improve medical care at the state’s hospitals through the use of literature and history. The grant will be used by the… Read More
AUGUSTA — The man accused of killing his 16-year-old stepdaughter and an elderly woman who used to be his landlady has been moved out of the Kennebec County Jail and into the “Supermax” prison, police say. John L’Heureux, 28, of Sanford was transferred late last… Read More
BANGOR — A nurse at Eastern Maine Medical Center won a $70,000 negligence verdict against the hospital Wednesday for injuries caused when she tripped over an electrical cable during a 1996 operation. After two days of testimony and two hours of deliberation in Penobscot County… Read More
DENNYSVILLE — Maine’s federally mandated state plan to protect Atlantic salmon took a blow from within this week when a local watershed council opposed state placement of a fish weir on the Dennys River. The weir, designed to keep farmed salmon from entering the river… Read More
PORTLAND — Members of Maine’s congressional delegation are unanimous in urging President Clinton to give the public an accounting of his relationship with Monica Lewinsky to bring the scandal to a speedy close. “He owes it to the American people to explain his side of… Read More
COOPER — Jon Reisman, Republican candidate for the 2nd Congressional District set held by Democrat John Baldacci, now has a Web page. The site features an archive of Reisman’s record of published essays on school choice, property rights, equal protection and campaign finance reform as… Read More
THORNDIKE — A rabid raccoon attacked a 9-year-old Thorndike boy Tuesday evening, shredding the child’s shirt with its claws as it bit into his back. Ben Raben was playing with toy trucks with a friend in his yard about 8 p.m. when he was attacked… Read More
WASHINGTON — A state program has been awarded $360,000 in federal funds to combat underage drinking in Maine. “Underage drinking is a serious concern to Maine families, communities and governments,” said Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, along with Reps. John Baldacci and Tom Allen,… Read More
AUGUSTA — State conservation and wildlife officials are showing their appreciation this month to motorists who paid extra to get a loon license plate. During the Aug. 15-16 weekend, loon license plate holders will be entitled to free, day-use admission in 31 Maine state parks,… Read More
After the recent articles in the Bangor Daily News about the fatal log-truck crash in Dixmont, one might think the state would take some serious measures to correct this hazardous sitaution with some immediate effective action. It might contemplate placing weight limits on all our roads, promote other… Read More
BANGOR — Tolls on an east-west highway should be enough to pay off a good chunk of the proposed $1 billion cost of the proposed road — between $250 million and $600 million, city councilors were told Tuesday. Councilors on the ad hoc committee on… Read More
Exceeding the number of units donated last year made the seventh annual M*A*S*H blood drive — sponsored by the American Red Cross Blood Services New England Region of Bangor — a tremendous success, according to donor-recruiter representative Judy Sullivan. “It was many drives in one,”… Read More
HAMPDEN — The SAD 22 board of directors decided Wednesday to forgo a third referendum, and instead have residents vote on the proposed budget during a districtwide meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at Hampden Academy. Directors also voted to cut another $165,831 from… Read More
NEWPORT — A recent complaint of public indecency filed with the Newport Police Department has no shortage of willing investigators. However, it appears no laws were broken. A resident of the Martin Stream Road, the former Old Lunt Road, contacted police Sunday when a female… Read More
ST. AGATHA — Three St. John Valley towns and Aroostook County have signed an interlocal agreement to acquire funds to help in the protection and enhancement of water quality in Long Lake. The combined entities will compete for $40,000 in planning funds from the Maine… Read More
PITTSFIELD — The first call came into the Bangor Daily News switchboard at 6 a.m. The woman on the other end of the phone was crying, touched by the story of Homer Berry that appeared on Wednesday’s front page. In a candid interview from a… Read More
AUGUSTA — The state of Maine, the city of Augusta and the owners of the Edwards Dam have reached a deal on dismantling the Kennebec River structure. But the issue is apparently not resolved. The American Forest and Paper Association has joined with several other… Read More
FAIRFIELD — Police continue to seek the identity of the person who provided alcohol to a Lawrence High School athlete killed after her car went off a back road nearly three weeks ago. But a lack of cooperation is hindering their efforts, a police official said Wednesday. Read More
OLD ORCHARD BEACH — With a brass band playing and a loudspeaker blaring, the inauguration of the Salvation Army’s new 1,421-seat pavilion earned the organization a citation for violating a municipal noise ordinance. Police issued a warning hours into the event and issued a summons… Read More