MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Mark Sweeney refused an outright assignment to the minor leagues Thursday and elected to become a free agent. The former University of Maine All-American center fielder was used mainly as a pinch-hitter this season, hitting .219 with one home run… Read More
    Maine’s agricultural racing fair circuit ends at Fryeburg Fair Sunday. It also marks the last week of competition for the 3-year-old Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes before the finals at Scarborough Downs on Sunday, Oct. 15. Scarborough was scheduled to reopen on Monday, Columbus Day, but… Read More
    HIGH SCHOOL At Calais Calais (7-6) def. Narraguagus (9-4) 15-8, 5-15, 15-12 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
    HIGH SCHOOL LTC CLASS B googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i < slot_sizes.length; i++) { if (isMobileDevice()) { if (slot_sizes[i][0] googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
    HIGH SCHOOL At Northport GC, par 36 Lincoln Academy 165, Belfast 171, Camden Hills 185, Mount View 188, Rockland 212 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 Municipal Golf Course assistant pro Mike Baker Jr. shot an opening round 76 Thursday at the Eastern PGA Club Professional Championship played at the Osprey Point Golf Course at Kiawah Island, S.C. Tom Kelly of Holyoke, Mass., Terry Hatch of Pottsville, Pa., and John… Read More
    PORTLAND – About 50 Roman Catholic members of the Grass Roots Coalition marched into the Portland Diocese headquarters Thursday to express their vehement objections to their church’s support of the gay rights referendum facing voters on Nov. 7. They knelt in the church offices and… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – A dedication and celebration party will be held next week to inaugurate Sebasticook Valley Hospital’s new helipad. “We are the first small, rural hospital in the state to have one,” hospital spokesperson Lindsay Ludwin said Thursday. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
    HANCOCK – People will be able to picnic along 1,000 feet of shoreline or simply sit and watch the only reversing tidal falls on Frenchman Bay through a conservation group’s purchase of a 4-acre parcel that once housed a lobster pound. The Frenchman Bay Conservancy… Read More
    LUCERNE – The president-elect of the American Bar Association on Thursday praised Maine lawyers for the many hours they donate to clients who cannot afford to pay legal fees. He asked his fellow lawyers to urge colleagues in other states to follow Maine’s lead. Robert… Read More
    AUGUSTA – State officials are pursuing a second inquiry into allegedly improper handling of a Republican legislative candidate’s petition to qualify for the primary election last June. The Secretary of State’s Office has scheduled a public hearing Oct. 20 to determine if Republican Rep. Kevin… Read More
    WESTBROOK – It took more than half a century, but John Malick finally got his Purple Heart. The 77-year-old ex-Marine, who lost his left arm after being wounded in the Pacific during World War II, received the award during a surprise presentation Wednesday at Manchester… Read More
    PORTLAND – Stephen King believes the man who hit him with his van died on King’s birthday, but the State Medical Examiner’s office reiterated Wednesday that no one will ever know for sure. The body of Bryan Smith was found in the trailer he shared… Read More
    WASHINGTON – Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins have denounced charges by fellow Sen. John McCain of Arizona that a spending bill for energy and water is filled with pork barrel projects. McCain, the only Republican in the Senate to vote against the $23.6 billion… Read More
    PORTLAND – Regional chapters of the American Lung Association are planning a study to find out if the flu vaccine is safe for people with asthma. The association says many people with chronic diseases such as asthma have extra hospital stays because of the flu. Read More
    This is the time of year, as we’ve mentioned before, that many communities and organizations are “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.” We are very pleased to have learned that folks in the Pembroke area now are included in that select group. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    BANGOR – The University of Maine Cooperative Extension in Penobscot County is sponsoring the workshop, “Pricing Your Hand-Made Products in Maine,” from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, at the extension office, 307 Maine Ave. The prices charged by craftspeople sometimes can make the… Read More
    MILLINOCKET – Downtown business owners say their survival depends on more residents shopping locally and help from the town. Several of the 15 businesspeople who gathered Thursday morning to hear a report about Millinocket’s retail trade strongly suggested a campaign be initiated encouraging more residents… Read More
    Two men remained in custody at Penobscot County Jail Thursday night, one day after they were arrested on warrants from North Carolina listing 38 felony counts against them. Authorities in Wilkes County, North Carolina, tipped off the Veazie police Wednesday night, saying that two men… Read More
    Bangor District Court Adam A. Adams, 25, operating motor vehicle while under influence of intoxicating liquor, $500, jail three days, license suspended 90 days; operating motor vehicle after suspension of driver’s license, $400, $200 suspended. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
    AUGUSTA – More than a dozen Maine lawmakers Thursday labeled a referendum proposal to allow doctor-assisted suicides as flawed and dangerous, and urged voters to reject it on Nov. 7. Sen. Marge Kilkelly, D-Wiscasset, said the 11-page bill lacks critical provisions, such as family notification… Read More
    PORTLAND – A new state report says three out of four Mainers die from diseases that are preventable and often can be traced to years of unhealthy activities. The Healthy Maine 2000 report, released Wednesday by the Bureau of Health, notes a drop in teen… Read More
    FORT KENT – About a dozen residents living near an industrial zone were successful Wednesday night in stalling a proposed subdivision alteration by the town in a Route 1 industrial zone. The town had a 1.1-acre lot on the edge of its industrial park, which… Read More
    FORT KENT – Staff from the Veterans Affairs Medical and Regional Office Center in Togus and the Aroostook VA clinic will conduct an informational town meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, at the Fort Kent town office, 111 West Maine St. Information… Read More
    HOULTON – A Wade teen-ager remained in the Aroostook County jail on Thursday, facing multiple charges in connection with the theft of several vehicles and the burglary of a store. The 15-year-old allegedly stole a three-wheeled ATV late Tuesday night from a neighbor’s home. When… Read More
    FORT KENT – The Fort Kent planning board did not change the original order allowing the development of a shooting range Wednesday night despite an attorney’s plea. David Soucy, a Fort Kent lawyer representing residents of the Charette Hill Road area, where the shooting range… Read More
    MACHIAS – The Washington County grand jury has charged two Calais men with depraved indifference murder in the Sept. 13 death of a 74-year-old Arizona man. Justiliano Sanchez and Jonathan M. Pineda, both 20, also were charged with reckless or criminally negligent manslaughter and robbery… Read More
    BANGOR – Ratepayers should not be asked to pick up the tab for the proposed $206 million merger between Bangor Hydro-Electric Co. and Emera Inc., the Maine Public Utilities Commission was told Thursday night. In a public hearing for consumer input on the merger, representatives… Read More
    A front-page story Wednesday about a Little Deer Isle woman’s testimony before a Senate panel in Washington gave the wrong source of her trip expenses. Callie Parker’s expenses were paid by AARP. Credit for the makeup swatches on Tuesday’s Style page was inadvertently omitted. The… Read More
    BANGOR – Passage of this fall’s forestry referendum would put many northern Maine families out of work and force small timber companies to seek other sources of revenue, including charging people to use their land for recreation, some small landowners and a logger said Thursday. Read More
    Jessica bloch put together another solid 15-5 week and held on to her lead as the NEWS Football Forecast reached its midway mark. Bloch maintained her three-game cushion over John Holyoke, who posted an identical 15-5 mark. Joe McLaughlin and Dave Barber posted the best… Read More
    CORINNA – The 640 acres that make up Corundel Lake, an area once referred to locally as “the bog,” is a significant wetlands in the Corinna area and for the central Maine region, according to Jim Connolly, regional wildlife biologist for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Read More
    ORONO – ArtWorks, the University of Maine’s after-school art program for children, is expanding. This year ArtWorks will be offered during the fall and spring semesters. The fall session begins Friday, Oct. 20, and continues through Friday, Nov. 17. Classes will be held from 3:45-5 p.m. Fridays at… Read More
    ROCKLAND – A lawsuit filed this week accuses an administrator of a state-licensed care home of involvement in the sexual abuse of a now 23-year-old mentally retarded woman during a weekend excursion to an island off the Maine coast. According to the lawsuit, a woman… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – The questioning phase of a hearing in the case of accused murderer Barry McCarthy ended Thursday as Superior Court Justice Andrew Mead recessed the proceedings until he has ruled on other, related issues. The hearing, which spanned two days in Hancock County Superior… Read More
    ROCKLAND – Chinese art historian Shuang Situ will greet the public during an informal luncheon and discussion at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, at the Penobscot School. Her visit to Rockland follows an evening presentation at Bowdoin College titled “Chinese Influences on French Art of… Read More
    OWLS HEAD – The Owls Head Transportation Museum will host its final automobile rally and antique airplane show of the year Sunday, Oct. 15, with its annual Ford vs. Chevy Showdown. The meet will feature approximately 200 antique Fords and Chevrolets, the museum’s Antique Aeroplane… Read More
    DEXTER – Fifteen New England educators conducted an on-site visit last weekend at Dexter Regional High School to scrutinize the school, its educators and programs as part of an accreditation process. The New England Association of Schools and Colleges, of which DRHS is a member,… Read More
    As part of the Women’s Week celebration, a unique country concert will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at the Bangor Auditorium. John Berry, Suzy Bogguss and Billy Dean will perform both together and separately. The trio will open the show together, providing… Read More
    HARTLAND – A children’s parade will kick off Hartland’s annual Fun Days tonight at 5:30, forming at the post office parking lot. The procession to the Town Hall begins at 6 p.m., from where a children’s dance will follow. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – Veteran Councilor Kathy Brattoya has decided not to seek reelection, and two residents are competing for her District 4 council seat. Len Macdaid, a former Pittsfield police officer, is running against local businessman, Kenneth W. “KC” Comfort, for the position. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – The dedication of the $20,000 veterans memorial and Veterans’ Park on Main Street will be postponed from Nov. 11, Veterans Day, until next spring. Organizer Arthur Dewey said although all the money has been raised for the project, there will not be enough… Read More
    FAIRFIELD – Absentee ballots for the Nov. 7 state and local election are available in the town clerk’s office. The polls in Fairfield will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
    EAST MACHIAS – Katie Frost scored the game’s only goal on a penalty kick 1:22 into the second overtime period to Calais a schoolgirl soccer win over Washington Academy on Thursday. Lanna Martin and Katie Welch teamed up for the shutout with 10 saves on… Read More
    WATERVILLE – Colby outshot the University of Maine at Farmington 20-4 and turned parlayed that advantage into a 2-1 men’s soccer victory on Thursday. Sean Skulley scored a goal and assisted on the other for the 3-3-1 Mules. Jamie Lue tallied a goal while Jaime… Read More
    Veterans’ care seems to be a popular political issue. I am grateful we have someone like Sen. Olympia Snowe fighting for us and not just talking about it. Many politicians seem to think they are doing us a service by acknowledging there are veterans’ concerns, but this is… Read More
    EAST MILLINOCKET – State Treasurer Dale McCormick and the Finance Authority of Maine will sponsor a free seminar on planning for a college education with the NextGen College Investing Plan. The session will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, at the… Read More
    BREWER – The Brewer Education Association is providing an opportunity to meet residents seeking election during Meet the Candidates Night on Thursday, Nov. 2, in the Brewer High School cafeteria. Candidates for City Council, school committee and the high school district board of trustees in… Read More
    BANGOR – A representative from the El Salvadoran organization that connected Bangor with its sister city of Carasque will speak at 10 a.m. Saturday at the old Unitarian Church at the corner of Main and Union streets in Bangor. Lorena Martinez, president of CRIPDES, will… Read More
    BANGOR – State Treasurer Dale McCormick and the Finance Authority of Maine will sponsor a free seminar on planning for a college education with the NextGen College Investing Plan. The session will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23, at the Fairmount… Read More
    Inside the UMass-Boston hall, Tuesday’s presidential debate went well for both Vice President Al Gore and Gov. George W. Bush. They effectively restated their positions, they made no dreadful mistakes, they gave supporters reason to continue that support, and perhaps the undecideds reason to begin leaning. Though unspectacular,… Read More
    BRADLEY – A visit from the 20th Maine Civil War re-enactment regiment and the initial meeting of the Leonard’s Mills Heritage Garden Club will be among the activities duringon Living History Days at the Maine Forest and Logging Museum Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 7-8, from 10 a.m. to… Read More
    BREWER – The new session of baton twirling classes will begin Tuesday, Oct. 10, according to the Brewer Parks and Recreation Department. The class sessions are five weeks long and are held Tuesday afternoons or Thursday evenings at the Brewer Auditorium. The instructor is Diane… Read More
    This Republican is voting for Sen. Susan Longley. Here’s why we need Longley: For years, the Department of Environmental Protection gave me a really hard time with my water permit. Years passed, and I got the run-around. Only when I put a Longley on the… Read More
    Maine and the nation are currently gripped by heating oil and fuel shock, the likes of which we have not seen in two decades. Many have debated what “we” should do to prepare for this winter in order to protect our most vulnerable citizens, our elderly and young… Read More
    Music reviewer Norman Nadel hits a wrong note in his review (BDN, Sept. 28) of Horia Mihail’s recent piano recital at Husson College. He says that Mihail played Beethoven’s “Diabelli Variations” and even implies that Mihail said that was what he would play. Neither is the case. The… Read More
    In regard to the Rev. Jerry Falwell’s visit to Maine (BDN, Sept. 25), and paying out of his pocket to get here, I hope he has enough left over to get home. He’s not from Maine, doesn’t live in Maine and as far as I know has no… Read More
    Lawrence Grant (BDN, Sept. 25) seriously underestimates the potential impact of Question 2 if it were to pass. As well-intentioned as the proposal may sound, it has serious flaws that cannot be allowed to become law. It does more than simply require replanting – several sound silvicultural practices… Read More
    I was intrigued by the following sentence that appeared in your story (BDN, Sept. 30-Oct. 1) concerning the WalMart Supercenter and the Penjojowoc Marsh: “There is nowhere else in Bangor anything like this,” Judy Kellog Markowsky, director of the Maine Audubon Society’s Fields Pond Nature Center, said as… Read More
    I took notice once more of Highway 189 from Whiting to Lubec this year. We got a little extra for our tax dollars from the state highway department. We got a nice yellow line the first of the summer and today we got a white line on both… Read More
    The recent death of Canada’s former prime minister, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, represents the loss of a tremendous intellect and a great statesman, who helped hold Canada together during a trying time. Well-educated, Trudeau was the epitome of bilingualism. A five-part CBC series about this great… Read More
    Late one Saturday night recently, I was in my car listening to the radio when I tuned into WMEB 91.9, the University of Maine station. I was horrified at the extremely offensive music that was being played. I do knot know who preformed the music, but those responsible… Read More
    Vince Furnier is a 52-year-old part-owner of a restaurant, who likes to play golf in his spare time. Most people wouldn’t give him a second glance. But Vince has a secret life. When he puts on makeup and leather and takes the stage, as he… Read More