ASHLAND – Darren Belskis hit a bases-loaded single in the fifth inning to knock in two runs and lift the Ashland baseball team to a 9-8 victory over Wisdom of St. Agatha Monday in high school action. Belskis also struck out 10, walked three and… Read More
Problems involving inaccurate seed times, including those attributed to non-qualifying Bangor High School athletes for Saturday’s Penobscot Valley Conference Championships, were addressed by Bangor athletic director Steve Vanidestine and quickly fixed on Friday, Vanidestine said Monday. “Certainly, we would not condone [the mistakes]. We did… Read More
Winkin is a class act On May 15th we attended the ceremony at Mahaney Diamond honoring coach John Winkin where his No. 5 uniform was retired. Former players and others spoke graciously from the heart in praise of his coaching and winning record. None was… Read More
Sonny Allen knows all about Cindy Blodgett. Allen, the head coach of the WNBA’s Sacramento Monarchs, heard about the former University of Maine standout from his daughter Jennifer Allen, an assistant girls basketball coach at Scarborough High School. Jennifer Allen saw the Clinton native play… Read More
ANTIGUA, WEST INDIES – The schooner Kathryn B., based out of Rockland, won first place in her class and Nicholson trophy for best schooner at the tenth annual Antigua Classic Regatta. Kathryn B., built in 1995, is owned and skippered by Gordon and Kathryn Baxter… Read More
High school Official standings as compiled by the Maine Principals’ Association: BASEBALL 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
The University of Maine women’s basketball team joins Final Four participants Duke and Georgia in November in the 16-team field of the Preseason National Invitation Tournament. The Black Bears will play host to Boston College at Alfond Arena on Nov. 15 in the first round… Read More
Two local schools have filled their boys basketball coaching vacancies with plenty of time to spare before coaches start up their summer hoop programs. Foxcroft Academy has tabbed former volunteer assistant Al Wentworth to replace Paul Withee, who resigned the job to free up more… Read More
BANGOR — Two area business advocates liken their jobs to the person behind a bicycle, pushing someone who is learning to ride it for the first time. They consider their places of employment to be that individual’s training wheels, the support needed until they can go it alone. Read More
AUGUSTA — The Maine House and Senate rejected arguments Monday from a group of dissident Eagle Lake residents seeking to secede from their hometown — but not before the debate got personal between veteran lawmaker John L. Martin and a young Republican representative from Standish. Read More
The Library of America has given 38 Maine high school libraries 60-volume sets of American classics, valued at a total of $76,000 and made possible by the Paul Foundation and the Bay Foundation. The award-winning Library of America has published 110 volumes in a series. Read More
BANGOR — The Irish-American Society of Maine will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 27, at the Holiday Inn, Main Street. Guest speaker will be Ryan King, camp commander of the Daniel Chaplin Camp 3 of Bangor, Sons of Union Veterans. King will talk about the Grattan Guards… Read More
Dear Jim: I want to install a whirlpool tub for a relaxing hydro-massage in the evenings. My budget is limited and all the models look similar at home centers. What are the best new comfort and efficiency features? — Paul M. Dear Paul: The hydro-massage… Read More
FORT FAIRFIELD — An agreement was signed Monday that cleared the way for a levee to be built along the Aroostook River that will protect this town’s Main Street, according to an announcement by U.S. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe. The cooperative agreement was signed by… Read More
FREDERICTON, New Brunswick — The shipbuilding industry, a New Brunswick campaign issue since the days of the tall ships, is foundering and may sink a few political careers in the June 7 provincial election along with hundreds of jobs and a treasured way of life. Read More
WATERVILLE — Former Senate Majority Leader George J. Mitchell hopes no Democratic candidates for president come knocking. After delivering the commencement address to Colby College graduates in Waterville, where he grew up, Mitchell said Sunday he would not accept a bid to run for vice… Read More
Thanks to the kindness and generosity of Maine residents, people in Oklahoma and Kansas are receiving much-needed assistance after devastating tornadoes that struck those states earlier this month. Our voice mail Monday morning included a thank-you message for our readers from the national director of… Read More
A man who apparently had too much to drink was found unconscious on a sofa in the lobby of Vine Street School early Sunday morning. At 4:35 a.m., Bangor police Officer Erik Tall responded to a reported alarm at 66 Vine St. Officer Al Wooley… Read More
AUGUSTA — Emergency medical service providers were honored at the State House during Maine’s EMS Week, May 16-22, for contributions to the EMS system. Judith B. Tredwell received the Governor’s Award for 25 years of service to the EMS system. She served on the Northeast… Read More
BANGOR — The National Weather Service has declared the week of May 23-29 Lightning Safety Awareness Week in Maine and New Hampshire and is sponsoring a free seminar on the subject at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 26, at Husson College’s Kominsky Auditorium. Lightning kills an… Read More
AUGUSTA — Recent rains have reduced the very high forest fire danger in Maine, Maine Forest Service spokesman Jim Downie said, but the reprieve is short-term and more rainfall is needed to bring the water table to where it should be. “All you have to… Read More
Organizers of Memorial Day activities are encouraged to send information to the Bangor Daily News for inclusion in a news wrap-up of events. Information may be sent by fax to 941-9476. Read More
BANGOR — A Carmel native sentenced last year for using his brother’s name to obtain a credit card over the Internet pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to stealing a credit card this spring that was addressed to his father. John Crowell, 20, waived indictment… Read More
LINCOLN — An early morning fire at the home of Walter Libby on the Transalpine Road resulted in damage of about $10,000, but no injuries. Fire Chief Frank Hammond said the fire, reported at 6:07 a.m. Monday, was caused by electrical wiring running from the… Read More
BANGOR — The City Nursing Facility will remain open, thanks to a 6-2 vote of the City Council on Monday evening, but a city policy on ambulance services has been tabled until a June 2 special council meeting. Loud applause and sighs of relief filled… Read More
What kind of company president Lambert Bedard will be for Great Northern Paper Co. became a little clearer to Millinocket and East Millinocket officials Monday. The first face-to-face meeting for town officials and Bedard, the president of Inexcon Inc., took place at company offices in… Read More
BANGOR — Cleanup from the break in a water main near Bass Park continued Monday, but a homeowner whose basement flooded was frustrated in trying to find someone responsible for his damage. The piece of water main that broke Sunday afternoon, sending 100,000 gallons of… Read More
It seems that in every election, those who would be elected campaign as supporters of education. This appears to be true whether running for local government, state legislature, governor or, for that matter, president of the United States. Upon close examination, something strange seems to happen when it… Read More
CARIBOU — Things are changing rapidly at the National Weather Service office in Caribou. New personnel, new computers and new quarters are just part of the improvements being made this summer at the local forecasting office. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
ROCKLAND — A jury found Jennifer Ames, 23, of Rockland not guilty Monday on charges of aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child. Ames, who testified in her own defense earlier in the day, maintained that she did not know she was pregnant… Read More
Sometimes legislatures perform a service by doing nothing at all. A proposed constitutional amendment that would deny Maine’s prisoners the right to vote has been indefinitely postponed in the House and will likely die. Maine and three other New England neighbors are the only states that allow prisoners… Read More
In a story about the Maine Associated Press Broadcasters Association awards, The Associated Press reported that WMTW-TV won top honors but failed to mention that WMTW-TV was named station of the year. In fact, the top honor is station of the year, an honor WMTW-TV has earned three… Read More
A brief in Saturday’s paper on a Monday meeting to explore forming a regional chamber of commerce in Washington County misidentified the president of the Eastport Chamber of Commerce. He is Jett Peterson. —- In a MaineDay story published Monday on the Beaver Cove town… Read More
I’m writing in response to Richard H. Campbell’s (R-Holden, assistant House minority leader) May 22-23 commentary regarding state funding of public education. In his commentary, Campbell: Wrote that the Legislature has not kept its promise to fund education at the 55 percent level. He is… Read More
Two things every 6-foot-tall 16-year-old girl hears over and over again: “Do you play basketball?” and “You should model.” 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;… Read More
Members of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee were given an extra reason last week to support a proposal to fund the state’s homeless shelters. Five months late, the federal Emergency Shelter Grant arrived from Washington and the numbers aren’t good. It is no surprise that money… Read More
AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is seeking applications for the Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence, which is presented each year to businesses, organizations and individuals. Gov. Angus King will present the awards at a luncheon celebration at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 21. Read More
Starhawk, a leader in the goddess and earth spirituality movements, tells the fairy tale of the king who sends his son off to an island to be educated. Seven years later, the son returns with an increased ability to hear the language of the birds. The father is… Read More
As a rule, the annual awards an industry association gives its members mean a lot to the recipients and less than nothing to everyone else. It’s a plaque and a pat on the back for the honoree, a yawn for the general public. The Maine… Read More
PORTLAND — The nation’s primary rail safety agency said Monday that Amtrak trains can travel safely at 79 mph between Portland and Boston once part of the track is overhauled. The recommendation from the Federal Railroad Administration has been given to a federal board that… Read More
WATERVILLE — The recent spike in school threats is proving to be taxing on the state’s bomb squad but the number of threats will eventually drop, state police said. The bomb squad has responded to more than 21 bomb threats and reports of suspicious packages… Read More
AUGUSTA — After a weekend blizzard of phone calls, the Senate on Monday reversed itself on a vote to ban municipalities from suing gun manufacturers. The chamber voted 19-15 to pass the bill protecting gun manufacturers seven days after rejecting it 23-11. The bill, LD… Read More
BUCKSPORT — A 16-year-old student at Bucksport High School has been arrested in connection with a threat to blow up the school that was scrawled on a restroom wall last week. Meanwhile, two Ellsworth teen-agers have been referred to juvenile authorities in connection to a… Read More
BANGOR — A Presque Isle man who this spring led agents to the largest amount of methamphetamine ever recovered in the state pleaded not guilty Monday to seven counts related to conspiracy, possession and illegal distribution of the drug. If convicted, Richard Leyva, 27, faces… Read More
While much of the state budget is still in a fluid state, it appears a consensus has solidified around the level of state aid for local schools. Out of the fog of closed-door budget negotiations among the Democrats, who control the Legislature, the minority Republicans… Read More
BANGOR — The nation’s first HIV discrimination case, which began nearly five years ago in a Bangor dentist’s office, ended Monday when the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Dr. Randon Bragdon’s final attempt to have the case sent back to U.S. District Court in Bangor for trial. Read More
I am responding to Rep. Richard Campbell’s letter (BDN, May 12), saying not to change any of the exisiting Workers’ Compensation laws because they’re working. The reason they’re working is at the expense of the injured workers. I was injured almost six years ago, requiring… Read More
GLENBURN — A Maine driving dynamics course is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 12, at the Driver’s Edge Driving School. Instructor Claudia Garland said those completing the course will receive a three-point credit on their driving record. The course offers accident-avoidance… Read More
BANGOR — Peace and Justice of Eastern Maine will hold a rally at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 5, at the Federal Building, Harlow Street, to support the Emergency Mobilization to Stop the War. A national march in Washington, D.C., will be held at noon Saturday,… Read More
BANGOR — The Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau announces the reopening of Pasta Vino and the Little Italy Lounge on Tuesday, June 1, at the new location on 482 Odlin Road above the Rodeway Inn. Read More
VINALHAVEN — The Seal Bay Festival of American Chamber Music will be held June 6-20. It will include concerts and workshops. Concerts will feature recent chamber music by American composers. Workshops will explore the creative process with regional artists, students and teachers of music and… Read More
BANGOR — The due dates for the City Council babies were two or three weeks apart, but of course they decided to coordinate their appearances. The first to arrive was Caroline Elizabeth Baldacci, born at Eastern Maine Medical Center last Wednesday to Mayor Joseph Baldacci… Read More
UNION — A large part of 100 Acre Island in Union’s Crawford Pond has been given to the Georges River Land Trust to maintain in its wild state and protect from development. The 65-acre gift, the largest ever received by the trust, came from members… Read More
CAMDEN — The Camden-Rockport High School choruses will present their spring concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 2, in the high school gym. The Chamber Singers will feature a selection titled “Prayer for the Children,” dedicated to the children affected by the war in Kosovo. Read More
CAMDEN — Merryspring Horticultural Nature Park will hold its annual spring plant sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 5. The plants are grown for the sale by Merryspring volunteers, and divisions are made from the plants in the gardens at the park. Read More
ROCKPORT — Penobscot Bay Medical Center will offer a free screening program this week for a common, but often undetected, respiratory disease. The hospital’s respiratory care department will provide the free testing for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, or A1AD, which causes a form of emphysema. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
Three-cents per kilowatt-hour power is too expensive, and for that the biomass electric generating plants are shutting down. At one time, there were almost a dozen biomass plants operating in Maine. Today, there are only five that are still running and the near-term prospects for most of those… Read More
There is no situation so bad that bombing cannot make it worse. Rufus Wanning Blue Hill… Read More
BANGOR — The Bangor Police Department reminds home health providers that a service using the Penobscot County law enforcement database was begun last May to help people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. The Police Department will register anyone in Bangor who submits a notarized registration form… Read More
Regarding George Turner’s comments on Alligator Lake (BDN letter, May 18). We have launched our canoes at the put-in at Alligator. We have circumnavigated the lake in an afternoon. We had a wonderful time trolling streamers and watching a group of 11 loons. We never… Read More
What a pleasure to read Tom Weber’s column of May 22-23. Dan Chadbourne, Josh Civiello, Jay Huckins, Coach Mark Hackett and George Warren are examples of today’s heroes who exist and live peacefully in today’s high school environment in Bangor. Far too much attention is given to the… Read More
I see by your May 22-23 edition that the Maine Public Utilities Commission bowed to Bangor Hyro by allowing them yet another rate increase, their third within the last year and a half, and this one for the most ludicrous reasons yet: 1. To pay… Read More
Edna Grindle of Brooksville (BDN letter, May 12) told the story of how she was driving home and saw something in the road, the car ahead of her swerved around it and drove on. “It” was a toddler standing in the middle of the road, totally unafraid. She… Read More
A grassy 40-kilometer sandbar, Sable Island has been the instrument of hundreds of shipwrecks. It is refuge as well for wild horses descended from stranded ancestors, for sprawling gray seals, for a variety of birds, and for sailors seeking the calm of the clear waters of its lee… Read More
The numbers are disturbingly similar. Thirty years ago, Maine was 70 percent dependent upon oil for its energy needs. Now the State Planning Office estimates the state is 75 percent dependent. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
While some extol the economic and environmental benefits of natural gas, others accuse those who embrace it of shortsightedness. “It’s cleaner fuel. It’s good economically. It gives fuel diversity,” said Pam Person of Orland, vice chairwoman of the Coalition for Sensible Energy. The organization sprang… Read More
Maine oil dealers have competed for the winter heating business with Northern Utilities of Portland for 30 years. They soon will face two more local natural gas competitors, Bangor Gas and CMP Natural Gas. The oft-heard mantra of cleaner, cheaper natural gas does not sit well with them. Read More
Natural gas is scheduled to flow from the Sable Island gas fields through Maine on Nov. 1, but so far customers are few and far between. Gas marketers face stiff competition from low-priced home heating oil and industrial fuel oil. Next year, however, gas-fired electric… Read More
Construction sites look like war zones. Last December at a utility right of way in Westbrook, heavy machinery rumbled over corduroy roads to avoid sinking into the mud. Sparks flew from welding torches. Trenches furrowed hillsides, fields and wetlands. Boulders, dug out and blasted, littered the landscape. Read More
East, beyond the Gulf of Maine, in Nova Scotia and the seas around Sable Island, the promise of natural gas dances. Airy stuff, nearly weightless, invisible until sparks ignite it into a blue genie of warmth and power and money, it promises more than a generation of abundant,… Read More
DEXTER — Twelve Tri-County Technical Center truck driving students were awarded Class A commercial drivers licenses by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Students receiving licenses were: Matthew Herbest of Penquis Valley High School, Milo; Derrick Terrill, Ronnie Harris and Jeremy Goulette of Nokomis Regional High… Read More
GUILFORD — Hoots and war cries sounded Monday as a race featuring the strangest-looking contraptions began moving down the Piscataquis River in Guilford. Most of the homemade creations made it to the finish line during the sixth annual “Anything That Floats Race” sponsored by the… Read More
HERMON — School committee members faced an auditorium full of frustrated residents Monday night in what turned into an oft-heated debate over the transfers of two longtime school principals. Many of the estimated 150 people in attendance came to protest the move, which sparked a… Read More
NORTHEAST HARBOR — A children’s fair will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, May 31, at the Neighborhood House, where there will be children’s activities, crafts, a silent auction and a toy and book sale. Adult tickets are free and children’s are $3. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
SULLIVAN — The school committees of Gouldsboro, Steuben and Winter Harbor will hold special meetings at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, May 26, at Sumner Memorial High School. The panel will discuss personnel employment. Read More
SULLIVAN — The Flanders Bay Community School District school committee will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Sumner Memorial High School. The panel will discuss appointments of probationary teachers and the draft policy on acceptance of tuition students. Read More
BELFAST — City Manager Terry St. Peter assured the Belfast Taxpayers Association that city hall was not going to pick their pockets. The manager appeared at the association’s public meeting Monday as a private citizen and insisted that city taxes in the next budget would… Read More
BUCKSPORT — Mayra and Ariadne Donnell of Verona Island and their handmade goat milk soaps have been honored by the National Mail Order Association. The association recognized their soap as one of the best products entered in the organization’s search for the 500 most distinctive… Read More
ELLSWORTH — The Ellsworth School Department will hold its kindergarten registration makeup day today at the Dr. Charles C. Knowlton School. Children who will be 5 by Oct. 15 are eligible to register. Registration is by appointment only. Call the school at 667-8074 to schedule… Read More
SOUTHWEST HARBOR — The annual West Side Ride is set for Sunday, May 30. The bicycle race starts at 1 p.m. and covers 26 miles on the western side of Mount Desert Island. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
BAR HARBOR — The Hancock County Unified Arts Fair will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday, May 26, at Mount Desert Island Regional High School. Students who are enrolled in technology classes and family-consumer science classes in high schools around Hancock County will… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Community Concert Band will hold a rehearsal for the 1999 summer season from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 28, at the Dover-Foxcroft United Methodist Church on East Main Street. Musicians should bring their own music stand and instruments; chairs and music will be provided. Read More
For once, it seemed, people in northern Maine would not be at the end of a transportation line. The 630-mile route of the Maritimes & Northeast natural-gas pipeline from Goldboro, Nova Scotia, to Dracut, Mass., put Maine in the middle of an energy superhighway. It seemed economic development… Read More
NORRIDGEWOCK — Geoff Herman, director of state and federal relations for the Maine Municipal Association, will speak at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 26, at the Somerset County Municipal Association at the Norridgewock Town Office. Herman will speak about state legislation involving municipalities. Read More
CORINNA — Short, sweet and profitable may be the best words to describe a special town meeting held in Corinna Monday night. Fewer than 50 local voters ambled into the Corinna Fire Annex to act on a six-article warrant. With no opposition to the articles,… Read More
NEWPORT — Ideally, the Newport Water District needs a new standpipe on the east side of town to serve the proposed industrial park off Route 2. “The farther you get away from the standpipe [on the west side of town], the less pressure you have,”… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT — Community Service Consultant Leslie Lizotte of the Eastern Agency on Aging will offer outreach assistance to senior citizens at the following locations in June: Dexter — 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Thursday, June 10, St. Ann’s Parish googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
Houlton District Court Jerry R. Knapp, 50, Houlton, failure to extinguish fire, $50. 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… Read More
PATTEN — The Patten Woman’s Club will sponsor a Community Work Day at 11 a.m. Monday, May 31, for Patten Academy Park and Patten Community Playground. Participants should bring shovels and rakes, and work will include planting flowers and painting benches. Wood chips will be… Read More
HOULTON — SAD 29 and SAD 70 Adult Education offices will recognize adult high school graduates at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 26, in the Houlton High School library. Graduates from the Houlton and Hodgdon programs will receive diplomas. This year, 44 adults have earned high… Read More
BANGOR — The Bangor Police Department has announced that National Buckle Up America Week will be observed May 23-30 with several random road checks to ensure that drivers are wearing seat belts and children are correctly seated and secured. Police Chief Donald Winslow has asked… Read More