After eight weeks of facing off against the same supposedly friendly faces, the University of Maine men’s basketball team will face an unfamiliar foe for the first time tonight when it takes on the Boston Amateur Basketball Club. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. at… Read More
High school ERIC CASTONGUAY Messalonskee placekicker-punter Eric Castonguay was named LTC Class B Player of the Week after going 3-for-3 on PAT kicks and nailing a game-winning, 24-yard field goal with 25 seconds left in Messalonskee’s 30-29 win over Winslow. Castonguay also threw a 95-yard… Read More
Friday night’s clash of unbeatens between Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln and Stearns of Millinocket certainly lived up to its billing. Despite the 22-point margin of victory for the M.A. Lynx, the game was a nail-biter late. The Lynx scored all 22 of those points in… Read More
The St. Joseph’s College Monks and University of Maine-Farmington Beavers advanced to the Maine Athletic Conference final Tuesday with semifinal victories in women’s soccer action. St. Joe’s nipped the Husson College Braves of Bangor 1-0 and UMF blanked the University of Maine-Presque Isle Owls 2-0. Read More
Sometimes discovering a trend from a momentary blip on the screen can be difficult. Take the recent actions by three NHL players, including Boston goalie Byron Dafoe, who signed contracts after holding out until last week. The signings reportedly came against the advice their agents. Read More
College AT BANGOR MAC quarterfinals No. 3 Husson def. No. 6 Thomas 15-4, 15-7, 15-5… Read More
Bangor District Court Lucas Tree Experts Co., Portland, rule violation, operating commercial motor vehicle with missing or broken brake components, $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… Read More
BANGOR — An apparent air-fare war is lowering rates out of Bangor International Airport, making flights to Florida and the West Coast cheaper than traveling out of Portland International Jetport. Travel agents and BIA officials are speculating why fares to most cities are cheaper than… Read More
GLENBURN — Only a shell remains after an early morning fire gutted an Ohio Street residence here Tuesday, leaving one man homeless. Firefighters from four departments battled the 5:30 a.m. fire that destroyed the one-story home of Ken Crawford. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE — The secret to credit card giant MBNA’s success in Maine is the type of people who work the telephones and sell its product, a senior executive vice president for MBNA America said Tuesday. With more than 3,000 people working in Maine for… Read More
WINTER HARBOR — The U.S. Navy has put officials in Washington on notice that it intends to end the mission of the Winter Harbor naval security station, with its 450 military and civilian jobs. Officials on Tuesday stopped short of saying the base would close. Read More
SKOWHEGAN — Charles D. Miles, 20, may spend the rest of his life in a mental institution, but he will not stand trial for arson in connection with the fire that leveled the historic grandstand and exhibition hall at the Skowhegan State Fairgrounds in March. Read More
STONINGTON — An elderly Blue Hill man was found dead Tuesday morning inside his car which was submerged in the waters of Stonington Harbor. The name of the 79-year-old man has not been released pending the notification of relatives. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
CAMDEN — A Police Department sergeant has been demoted and suspended without pay for 30 days after the police chief concluded he sexually harassed a woman officer, according to a letter released Tuesday. Sgt. Glenn Wakefield waived his right to appeal the ruling Monday. The… Read More
The effort to save the state’s unique and special places is worth $50 million, voters decided Tuesday night. The public land bond passed with more than 65 percent of the vote. Surrounded by supporters at Portland’s Regency Hotel, Bruce Kidman, the director of Save Maine’s… Read More
AUGUSTA — Opponents of the ban on so-called partial birth abortions declared victory this morning as Maine voters decidedly rejected the question in Tuesday’s balloting. With 90 percent of the state’s 664 precincts reporting shortly after midnight, opponents of the ban had captured 55.4 percent… Read More
ROCKLAND — Knox County voters appeared Tuesday night to turn down a bid to borrow up to $500,000 to build an addition to the county law enforcement center to house a regional dispatch facility for Enhanced 911 emergency service. The county totals as of 11:45… Read More
LINCOLN — Besides electing people to various boards, Lincoln voters authorized town officials to spend up to $150,000 for a new grader during Tuesday’s elections. The purchase was approved by a vote of 1,041 to 377. A town ordinance requires voter approval on purchases of… Read More
BANGOR — Maine voters said yes to the use of marijuana for medical purposes by a wide margin Tuesday. With most of the votes counted, 61 percent of voters were in favor of legalizing pot for certain medical conditions, while 39 percent were opposed. Only… Read More
LINCOLN — In an effort to resolve the controversy about a bill to increase the amount of money the Lincoln area hospital district can borrow, six area lawmakers are urging better communication between hospital officials and the 14 member towns the district serves. Officials of… Read More
Voters have sent Big Bird soaring into the 21st century. By 1 a.m., with 90 percent of precincts reporting, voters had approved by an overwhelming margin a $9.4 million bond request to help the Maine Public Broadcasting Corp.’s television network convert to digital transmission. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
CASTINE — Kenneth Eaton won the three-way race for a seat on the Board of Selectmen in Tuesday’s election. Eaton received 197 votes, outpolling challengers Elizabeth Parish, with 159 votes, and Ruth Van Horn, with 91. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
For the 14th time since 1965, voters on Tuesday resoundingly approved a bond request to boost the Maine Technical College System. With 89 percent of precincts reporting by 1 a.m., voters had endorsed the $26.4 million bond request by more than a 2-to-1 ratio. The… Read More
GOULDSBORO — Voters overwhelmingly elected Susan Bagley to fill the selectman position vacated by the resignation of Wayne Newenham earlier this year. Bagley, who was unopposed, captured 482 total votes. There were several write-in candidates — each capturing one or two votes. Read More
BUCKSPORT — There was only one contested local race in Tuesday’s municipal elections. Incumbent school committee member George Hanson won re-election handily, receiving 1,007 votes. Robert Howard will fill the other seat on the committee. He received 833 votes. Elmer Edelblute received 589 votes. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
ELLSWORTH — City voters elected two councilors Tuesday night and a new member to the school committee. Ralph S. Buckminster was the top vote-getter in the council race, garnering 1,246 votes to win one of two seats up for election. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
CAMDEN — Approval of the Five Town Community School District article that will allow the district to accept up to $1 million in private donations appeared likely to pass in returns reported before midnight Tuesday. In Camden, voters supported the article 1,898-242, as did voters… Read More
SOUTHWEST HARBOR — The town gave its blessing Tuesday night to a $5.2 million expansion and renovation project for the Pemetic Elementary School. Voters approved school improvements in a 560-390 vote. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
As head of the Christian Coalition of Maine, Paul Volle was part of a large network of individuals and organizations backing the referendum question decided yesterday on partial-birth abortions. At the same time, Mr. Volle almost single-handedly shredded Maine’s well-meaning but flawed laws regarding the public disclosure of… Read More
ALFRED — Firefighters from a dozen towns battled a stubborn tire fire at an auto salvage yard Tuesday as officials closed a section of Route 4 to traffic and called off classes at a local school. The fire began shortly before 11 p.m. Monday at… Read More
BRUNSWICK — Bath Iron Works has reached a settlement with a Brunswick man who claimed the shipyard fired him from his job as an engineer because of his age. A U.S. District Court jury had backed the age discrimination claim by Charles French, but Judge… Read More
BATH — A guided-missile destroyer named for the late U.S. Sen. John Chafee will be the first such vessel to be launched at the new land-level transfer facility at Bath Iron Works, the shipyard said Tuesday. Work on the ship will begin next August, with… Read More
BIDDEFORD — The state Attorney General’s Office plans to investigate two racial incidents outside the home of a black candidate for mayor over the weekend. Racist graffiti was sprayed on Rory Holland’s fence sometime Saturday night, Biddeford police spokeswoman JoAnne Fisk said. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
Sen. Bob Smith is living proof that his home state of New Hampshire should think about changing its motto from, “Live free or die!” To “Live free until it’s time to grovel and crawl on all fours.” googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
A business page story on Tuesday on the deregulation of electricity should have stated that the Duke Energy plant in Veazie will be powered by natural gas. Read More
In just the last two years, YMCAs have been built, expanded or planned in Freeport, Bar Harbor, Bath, Boothbay, Ellsworth, Camden and Belfast. Maine’s association of health clubs continue sto decry unfair competition that YMCAs present with their non-profit, tax-exempt status. In each of these locations a local… Read More
KENNEBUNK — Fire officials sought to determine the cause of a fire that damaged the Hole in the Wall restaurant, a popular breakfast and lunch spot on Main Street. No one was injured in the Monday night blaze, which caused an estimated $200,000 in damage. Read More
Friends, relatives and acquaintances were deeply saddened to learn recently that a well-known and highly respected 1999 Bucksport High School graduate, Jessica Gordon, suffered a severe spinal cord injury during a terrible automobile accident in New York state. Gordon is the daughter of Jack and… Read More
FARMINGTON — The Maine Section of the American Chemical Society will meet 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12, at Thomas Auditorium, at the University of Maine at Farmington. Keynote speaker Al Hazari, director of undergraduate chemistry labs and adjunct professor of science education at the University… Read More
PORTLAND — Maine Yankee soon will begin shipping waste and equipment from the now-defunct nuclear power plant by rail and barge as part of its decommissioning, a spokesman said. Three reactor coolant pump motors will be shipped out “in the near future” by rail to… Read More
WASHINGTON — A Maine poverty expert said statistics released by the U.S. Census Bureau Wednesday confirm Maine’s position as the poorest cousin of the New England family of states. “We are by far the poorest state in New England in per capita income,” said Kevin… Read More
Watching the “Antiques Road Show” on TV recently, I found myself marveling at the oddball treasures carted in for appraisal by their hopeful owners and wondering how I’d ever get in that line. You might know the show. A team of antiques experts with an… Read More
BANGOR — Josh Lake’s life ended the way he would have wanted it to, said the mother of the 19-year-old triathlete who died in a car crash last week. “He died doing what he loved best — going fast,” said Dahana Lake, whose son was… Read More
As a Vietnam Veteran I read your editorial Distrust at Togus with interest. All I can do is agree with you. If only the politicians could see what the BDN can obviously sees. If foreign aid were stopped, there would be enough money not only for Veterans’ disability… Read More
Editor’s Note: As Maine’s 1999 deer season got under way this week, outdoorswoman Patti Forbes recalls an experience hunting deer one year. Forbes writes a cooking and nature column for the Downeast Coastal Press in Cutler. As I placed the bright orange hot-seat on the… Read More
The Maine State Nurses Association met in Houlton recently. More than 100 nurses representing more than 1,000 nurses around the state traveled to the Canadian border to celebrate 85 years of practice in Maine. There was a good complement of students attending on both days as well. Read More
I am puzzled by some aspects of your story on the ground breaking for a branch of the University of Maine to be built in Belfast (BDN, Oct. 16). One would suppose that Waldo County has always been culturally a desert, now to be made to bloom. The… Read More
Employees of the Bangor School Department received notification recently that they will have to submit to fingerprinting and a security check. The insult not enough, they will have to pay for it from their own pockets. That amounts to $49 for the privilege of keeping their jobs. Read More
The chronic shortage in Maine of the kinds of jobs that provide high wages and stability is well known. What may be less understood is the effect this has on Maine workers and their families. A new report by the Maine Center for Economic Policy called Getting By… Read More
ROCKLAND — Business owner Rebecca “Becky” Gamage and former City Attorney Carol Maines won City Council seats Tuesday night, leaving candidates Michael McNeil, a former mayor and councilman, and businessman David Ihrig some 200 to 300 votes behind. Final tallies showed Gamage with 1,198 votes;… Read More
HOULTON — The town and its emergency medical technicians have worked out an agreement that will provide for backup, on-call ambulance service 24 hours a day. Under the new agreement, adopted Friday, primary-crew paramedics and EMTs will work their regular 24-hour shift and then will… Read More
By nearly a 3-to-1 margin, the $12.5 million environmental bond, which enjoyed overwhelming support in pre-Election Day polling, met with similar success in voting booths Tuesday. With 90 percent of precincts reporting, voters overwhelmingly supported the bond, with 74.2 percent voting in favor and 25.8… Read More
Voters in the Howland-Enfield area school district in Tuesday’s referendum vote approved a proposal to spend $2 million to repair two school roofs. The voter turnout in the eight towns was high, ranging from 61.5 percent to 40.6 percent. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
Mainers concerned about the loss of historic and scenic properties to development appeared ready to give tax breaks to owners of such properties as a possible solution to the problem. With 84 percent of the votes tallied at midnight Tuesday, 54.5 percent of the voters… Read More
MILLINOCKET — In an advisory referendum vote, Millinocket voters approved a proposal that calls for capping this year’s tax rate at $20, $4.35 lower than the current rate. By a vote of 1,063-982, voters approved the tax cap proposal. The vote does not legally bind… Read More
With little fanfare Tuesday, voters turned out to support the largest bond issue on the ballot — a $56 million plan to improve the state’s transportation system. With 90 percent of precincts reporting, 74 percent of voters favored the bond, while 26 percent were opposed. Read More
BANGOR — A social service agency is taking bids for the renovation of a downtown structure at 24 Harlow St. Medical Care Development, which plans to put 11 apartments for its mental health clients in the former Paramount Lounge building, published an “invitation to bid”… Read More
A 65-year-old man remained in critical condition at a Bangor hospital late Tuesday night after a car struck him while he walked on Hammond Street. The name of the man was not being released until family members could be reached. The investigating police officer acknowledged… Read More
BANGOR — City voters gave a thumbs up to its incumbents Tuesday, returning two councilors and one school committee member to office for three more years. Mayor Joseph Baldacci led a field of five in the City Council contest and was elected to a second… Read More
BELFAST — By a resounding margin, voters Tuesday approved formation of a charter commission to review the city’s governmental structure and elected five representatives to the panel. The vote was 1,238 in favor of creating the commission and 572 opposed. The question carried in each… Read More
BAR HARBOR — By large margins, voters here favored all four proposed amendments to the town’s land use ordinance. By a 2-to-1 ratio, Bar Harbor voters approved a measure to put into place revised design review provisions in the land use ordinance. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
Nettie-Kate Jordan, a senior at Machias Memorial High School, has been chosen to compete in the national Principal’s Leadership Award scholarship program, sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. The nomination puts Jordan in the national competition for one of 150 leadership awards… Read More
HOULTON — Joseph Feeney, the principal at Houlton High School for almost 2 1/2 years, will be moving on to a new job at the end of December. Feeney said Tuesday that he has accepted a job in Pownal as superintendent for the town’s school… Read More
BELFAST — A city woman attempting to avoid an oncoming truck lost control of her vehicle at Dog Island Bridge on Sunday and slammed into a power pole. Belfast police Lt. Wendall Ward said Monica Ann Sibilia, 28, of Belfast received a broken leg in… Read More
COLUMBIA FALLS — In an effort to restore smelt spawning habitat, volunteers armed with garden shovels, rakes and hoes will tackle an eroding bank on the Pleasant River on Saturday. The group will use silt fencing, hay bales and grass seed to stabilize a clay… Read More
OLD TOWN — Two incumbents and one former school board member were elected to the City Council on Tuesday. In a steady voter turnout at all of the city’s four voting districts, Mary Bailey, Mike Wickett and Linda McLeod were elected to serve the three… Read More
BAR HARBOR — Voters in all four Union 98 towns — Bar Harbor, Mount Desert, Southwest Harbor and Tremont — on Tuesday endorsed plans to renovate and expand Mount Desert Island High School and to fund half of a sports complex. Plans for the high… Read More
BREWER — In one of the area’s most closely watched local races, Mayor Donna Thornton hung on to her council seat, outpacing her challenger — former Councilor Larry Doughty — by only 136 votes. “It was a close race, and both of us worked hard… Read More
ORLAND — Voters here adopted an updated comprehensive plan for the town on Tuesday, approving the lone local referendum question on their ballot, 472-211. The plan was three years in the making and provides town officials with a “guideline” for development in the town, according… Read More
MACHIAS — Representatives of Maine’s congressional delegation have confirmed that all efforts to save the Cutler naval base have been exhausted and that the future of the Washington County facility is in the hands of Navy Secretary Richard Danzig. Danzig promised members of the delegation… Read More
BANGOR — All women and their guests are invited to Celebrate America at Kathy’s Catering, 385 Griffin Road in Bangor on Nov. 11. Luncheon will be at noon. Nellie Hebstrom of Penobscot County Extension Service will attend, as will Dr. Paul Basko, a collector of Americana from Lebanon,… Read More
HAMPDEN — Close to 50 percent of the town’s voters turned out Tuesday and elected Dan Stover as the new District 2 town councilor. They also approved three bond questions, setting in motion the creation of a 390-acre business park on Route 202. In the… Read More
BANGOR — Economist and political strategist Pedro Juan Hernandez of El Salvador will speak on the global economy and its impact on El Salvador and Maine during a presentation at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6. The program is sponsored by… Read More
VEAZIE — With the final results in, voters chose Helen Cheney Tuesday to fill the vacant seat on the Town Council. Cheney, president of the local parent-teacher association, won the seat with 373 votes compared to Coda Little’s 186 votes. Cheney was elected in Tuesday’s… Read More
Roger Whittaker whistles while he works. Like a rare and exotic songbird, he trills and tremolos until you can’t help it anymore and you have to admit this Kenyan-born Brit has a way with wind. You wouldn’t be alone. Last night, a packed Maine Center… Read More
CAMDEN — Voters on Tuesday approved borrowing $140,840 to build a boat ramp and parking area at the harbor end of Steamboat Landing Road. The tally on the harbor improvement project was 1,536-575. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
ROCKLAND — Three SAD 5 directors’ seats were held Tuesday by two incumbents who ran unopposed and a newcomer who was the sole candidate. Director Pamela Kenniston garnered 1,682 votes for a three-year term, while Julie Raye got 1,571 votes for her three-year seat. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
FALMOUTH — Residents on Tuesday soundly rejected a ballot measure that would have nullified a gay rights ordinance adopted unanimously by the Town Council last spring. The proposal to amend the town charter to eliminate the council’s authority to adopt ordinances dealing with sexual orientation… Read More
THOMASTON — Gravel pit owners George C. Hall & Sons Inc. and D.L. Overlock will not soon be ordered to cease their processing operations, upon the advice of the town’s attorney. Both Beechwood Street businesses were notified in September that they were operating in violation… Read More
FAIRFIELD — College admissions officers will hold a program for Lawrence High School sophomores and juniors and their parents at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17, at Carter Hall, Kennebec Valley Technical College. Seniors and adults who have not completed higher education plans also are invited. Read More
FAIRFIELD — Town councilors have called a special meeting tonight to discuss the possible economic impacts of a recently disclosed cancer cluster in rural Fairfield center. The meeting is set for 7 p.m. in the Fairfield Community Center. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
SKOWHEGAN — The Skowhegan Savings Bank, Skowhegan Area Chamber of Commerce and the town of Skowhegan will hold a “Y2K Community Conversation” to address Year 2000 computer issues from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, at the Skowhegan Opera House. Topics include local efforts… Read More
CLINTON — The weekend arrest of the town’s administrative assistant should have no immediate bearing on her job, selectmen said Tuesday. Augusta police charged Christina Therrien, 34, of Fairfield, with drunken driving early Sunday morning. An officer pulled over her Oldsmobile Achieva on Bog Road… Read More
PITTSFIELD — Peter “Andi” Vigue defeated challenger K.C. Comfort in Tuesday elections, by nearly a 2-to-1 margin for the District 2 council seat in Pittsfield. Vigue received 749 votes to Comfort’s 422. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
DEXTER — Dexter residents approved the adoption of a land use ordinance during Tuesday’s referendum. Residents voted 688-556 to enact the new ordinance to govern growth in the community. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
FAIRFIELD — Philip Roy easily won a seat on the Town Council on Tuesday, defeating his rival by 4-to-1. Roy, a 34-year-old businessman, drew 1,315 votes, according to unofficial returns. The second candidate for the single open seat, contractor Joseph LaBelle, received 394 votes. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
BANGOR — A Bangor physician will be one of the lead investin a $3.5 million osteoporosis study funded by the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Clifford Rosen, director and founder of the Maine Center for Osteoporosis Research and Education, also co-wrote the grant application with… Read More
NEWPORT — Early ballot results Tuesday night showed voter approval of a $1.14 million bond issue in four of six towns of SAD 48. Voting results were late in the remaining two towns. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
GREENVILLE — In a straw vote Tuesday, Greenville residents narrowly approved use of $5,000 in town funds to pay for fireworks at the July 4, 2000, celebration. The vote was 325-303 to use the funds. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
GUILFORD — A larger-than-anticipated turnout of voters Tuesday surprised Guilford Town Clerk Michelle Nichols. Nichols said she had registered 45 new voters earlier in the day and had registered another 10 voters Monday. In addition, she said she had 23 absentee ballots, more than she… Read More
CORINNA — A string of “brazen” shoplifting incidents in the Newport-Corinna area took a dangerous turn Monday night when a Corinna convenience store was hit. “Two kids came in with their hoods up,” said Kerri Frost, a clerk at A.E. Robinson’s Mobil Mart. “When they… Read More
HARTLAND — Working on a tip, Newport Police Chief Jim Ricker and Officers Larry Merrithew and Gary Morin arrested two men in connection with a burglary and a shoplifting incident Tuesday morning in downtown Hartland. Jason Belmar, 21, of Corinna, was arrested on a warrant… Read More
A $300 contribution from the National Starch and Chemical Foundation will help Southern Aroostook Community High School students in Island Falls experience government firsthand in June through Dirigo Girls State. The Girls State event will be held at Husson College in Bangor. The event is… Read More
FORT KENT — The University of Maine at Fort Kent will hold two small business development workshops at 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Nov. 3 and 17, at the college’s Grindle Conference Room. The workshops on human resources and changes in the workplace in the new millennium… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE — Northern Maine Technical College has opened the only prometric testing center in Aroostook County. As a center for testing services, it will provide a variety of certification examinations for area residents. Sonja Fongemie, dean of continuing education at NMTC, said students now… Read More
HOULTON — A Maine Veterans Service officer will help veterans, dependents and survivors from 9 a.m. to noon the second and fourth Thursday each month at the Houlton Armory. Read More
FORT KENT — A Maine Veterans Service officer will help veterans, dependents and survivors from 1 to 4 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesday each month at the Fort Kent Armory. Read More