ORONO – Playing in front of a throng of hometown fans on opening night of the high school basketball season, the Orono boys basketball team had its hands full with sharp-shooting Bucksport Friday night. But despite a valiant, come-from-behind effort in the fourth quarter and… Read More
    More than 200 fledgling pipers can thank the Irish folk group The Chieftains for the ease with which they’re learning to play the Uilleann bagpipe. It was a Chieftains concert near Detroit some 30 years ago that first exposed inventor Ed Damm to the Seussian… Read More
    ADVENTURE GUIDE TO MAINE, by Earl Brechlin, Hunter Travel Guides, Newmarket, Ontario; 2000; 530 pages; $16.95. Many Mainers love Tim Sample’s self-effacing humor. We can laugh as he mocks our black-fly festivals and trailer parks, because he indisputably is one of us – born in… Read More
    No organization reflects the spirit of sharing during the holiday season like The Salvation Army. Founded in 1865 by William Booth, Salvationists – as members of the Army are called – volunteer their time to bring social, medical, educational and other community services to those who have fallen… Read More
    So I’m reading this funny column online the other day, having a good laugh at the expense of males everywhere as the woman writer chided men for not doing their share of the holiday shopping. She went so far as to call men worthless and… Read More
    BANGOR – A father of four young children, who is a former employee at a Brewer service station, was arrested Friday and charged with three counts related to the possession of child pornography. David W. Berry, 35, who listed his address as Millinocket, appeared before… Read More
    Golfers, as you probably know, are a finicky bunch. Everybody can name a few guys who own five drivers (none of which ever seem to hit the ball quite straight). We all have pals who buy a new putter or two every season, yet still end up yipping… Read More
    AUGUSTA – It’s a funny thing about traditional outdoor sports, just when you think a season is over and done with… talk of new regulations send hunters and anglers into a tailspin. Today is the last day of muzzleloading season, putting an end to the 2000 Maine deer… Read More
    BOSTON – The Boston University Terriers looked like anything but a team that lost six games in a row recently. The Terriers spotted the University of Maine Black Bears the game’s first goal before storming back for an impressive 3-2 win over the Black Bears… Read More
    ORONO – Without having to deal with the kind of swarming full-court pressure that has plagued it in recent games, the University of Maine women’s basketball team went on the attack Friday night. Sparked by tenacious defense, the Black Bears outscored Towson 29-10 during the first… Read More
    BANGOR – The state Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Friday that an Ellsworth man whose body was found in a shallow grave in Bradford was the victim of a homicide. Maine State Police investigators last week discovered the remains of Joseph Cloak Jr., who had been… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – A local AmeriCorps volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hancock County was chosen to represent the Promise Fellow program at a recent conference. Patricia Saunders McLellan spoke to an audience of 100 program directors at the Washington conference. McLellan’s presentation was about… Read More
    PORTLAND – Federal agencies governing the regulation of lobster fishing are pondering rule changes that would bring federal and state laws into compliance with one another. The National Marine Fisheries Service will conduct a public hearing in Portland next week to discuss the proposed changes. Read More
    MACHIAS – The Machias Community Chorale will present a centennial celebration concert next week at the University of Maine at Machias Performing Arts Center. The 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, concert will feature conductor Gene Nichols and an appearance by the Washington County Children’s Chorus. Read More
    When people began visiting the northeastern corner of Mount Desert Island, a knob of granite and pine that juts out into Frenchman Bay, they called it Eden. Today, residents use the prosaic Bar Harbor. But sentiment about this place is much the same. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    GLENBURN – A spaghetti supper sponsored by U.S. Rep. John Baldacci will be held Saturday, Dec. 9, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Glenburn Elementary School. Proceeds will benefit the Andy Butler Memorial Skate Park. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
    BANGOR – The City Council on Monday will hold a public hearing on a plan to borrow up to $4.5 million to fund an expansion and renovation of Bangor High School. The plan would add about 15 new classrooms, a 100-seat lecture hall and a… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Should a special education student be held responsible for his violent behavior? That’s the question that will be put to Hampden Academy students when they compete against Cape Elizabeth High School during the final round of the 2000 Maine State High School Mock… Read More
    BREWER – As part of its annual organizational meeting this week, the school committee approved a series of board and committee appointments. B. Calvin Bubar and Joseph Ferris will represent the school department in negotiations with teachers. Mary Ann McGuire will lead negotiations with educational… Read More
    LAGRANGE – A chimney connected to a wood stove was cited as the origin of a fire Friday that destroyed an addition to a mobile home on Route 155. According to Fire Chief Roger Stanley, the fire began about 2 p.m. What began as a… Read More
    Two people have been charged in connection with the theft Wednesday of more than a half-dozen leather coats from the Lane Bryant store at the Bangor Mall. Bangor police charged Michael Garland, 44, with theft and receiving stolen property while his girlfriend, Jessica Payne, 22,… Read More
    HIGH SCHOOL At Hebron 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 slot_sizes =… Read More
    ORONO – The University of Maine women’s basketball team will hold an autograph session immediately following Sunday’s home game with the University of Delaware. The game begins at noon at Alfond Arena in Orono. Admission is $9 for reserved seating, $7 for adult general admission,… Read More
    Houlton District Court Joseph J. Berentes, 44, Presque Isle, fugitive from justice, transferred to Superior Court. 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… Read More
    HARTLAND – The community will welcome the holiday season with Christmas in the Square today, sponsored by Hartland Helping Hands. Santa will arrive by firetruck at 1 p.m. at the town hall. He will hear wishes from children until 4 p.m. and will give presents… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – The Sebasticook Community Chorus will present the Year 2000 Christmas Concert featuring “Sir Nutcracker,” a cantata by Tschaikowski and Tillotson, as well as traditional carols at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Universalist church on Easy Street. Dr. Kathleen Clark is the director and… Read More
    Dover-Foxcroft District Court Christopher J. Scesny, 19, Dover-Foxcroft violating condition of release, continued for sentencing. 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())… Read More
    FAIRFIELD – Superintendent Dean Baker has won a contract extension and a raise. After meeting in closed session for about an hour, members of the SAD 49 board voted unanimously Thursday night to extend Baker’s contract by one year, through July 2004. The board also… Read More
    FAIRFIELD – Darren Hooper, the town’s deputy police chief, has sought a yearlong leave to serve as a police officer in the former Yugoslavia. Hooper sought a temporary job this week with DynCorp Technical Services, an international company that supplies officers to the United Nations… Read More
    NEWPORT – Nokomis Regional High School’s standing with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges is improving. In the summer of 1999, the SAD 48 high school was placed on probation by the esteemed association. The probation was a warning the school could lose… Read More
    COLLEGE NSCAA All-Region Team picks 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
    BARING – The Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge invites families to cut their Christmas trees on either of the two divisions of the refuge. The refuge is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Each family may cut up to two trees for… Read More
    VINALHAVEN – U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins said Vinalhaven Elder Care Services Inc. will receive a $550,000 economic development initiative grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to establish a Vinalhaven elder care facility. The funding was secured through the… Read More
    CALAIS – “Meridian Mobile Health Care,” the dispatcher said Friday at the offices of the former McGovern Ambulance Service on Union Street. Although the voice was calm, earlier this week it appeared there might not be any ambulance service for about 30 communities Down East. Read More
    MILBRIDGE – The Maine Rural Workers Coalition recently received a grant for $15,000 from the national office of Catholic Campaign for Human Development. The award was given to the organization to help hire an organizer to work with migrant workers in the Milbridge-Perry area. The… Read More
    BAILEYVILLE – A fire Friday afternoon near the No. 9 boiler at the Georgia-Pacific pulp and paper mill was quickly brought under control, company officials said. Around 12:45 p.m., employees discovered the fire on the “haul-up chain,” or conveyor belt, that carries hog fuel to… Read More
    MACHIAS – Despite a surplus of more than $900,000, Washington County’s 2001 taxes will increase by $160,636, commissioners have decided. On Thursday, they debated for two hours on how much of the county’s surplus should be used to reduce taxes before voting 2 to 1… Read More
    BLUE HILL – A financial aid workshop sponsored by the dean of students’ office at George Stevens Academy will be held at Maine Maritime Academy. The workshop will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, in Room 33. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
    Mike Bordick is coming off one of his best seasons which was capped by an appearance in the first Subway Series since 1954. But the former University of Maine star from Winterport is playing the waiting game these days. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
    WARREN – The monthly meeting of the Knox-Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, at the Warren U.S. Department of Agriculture Field Office on Route 90. The meeting is open to the public. Call 273-2005. Read More
    BELFAST – Senior Spectrum, an agency that provides an array of options for vital and independent living, will present an informational session with Partners In Caring, from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, at the Waldo Center, 18 Merriam Road. Partners In Caring offers… Read More
    BOOTHBAY – The Boothbay Railway Village will offer four nights of winter holiday steam train rides, starting this weekend. The rides are scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 9-30. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
    ROCKLAND – More than $400,000 in federal money will go toward upgrading 16 apartments used for elderly assisted living at the Methodist Conference Home, 36 Summer St. The $444,766 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will be used to bring kitchens… Read More
    BELFAST – The first holiday wreath auction to benefit Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Waldo County will be at KeyBank on Saturday, Dec. 9. This year’s silent auction features 65 wreaths decorated by local businesses, residents and organizations. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
    THE OLD SOMERSET RAILROAD by Walter M. Macdougall, Down East Books, 192 pages, $19.95. Whether you’re an old-time Mainer or a newcomer, you’ll enjoy the nostalgic narrative of “The Old Somerset Railroad” by Walter M. Macdougall. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
    Mattanawcook Academy, Lincoln 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
    Bangor District Court Dwayne A. Whalen, 21, Brewer, procuring liquor for minor, dismissed; violating condition of release, jail two days. 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
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    UNITY – The Unity Area Birders are sponsoring the fourth annual Unity Christmas Bird Count on Dec. 22. Bird-watchers are encouraged to participate by going into the field or watching feeders at home. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
    BELFAST – Waldo County General Hospital Aid plans its annual Silver Tea next week. The event will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, at the home of Patrick and Laura Strauss, 51 Northport Ave. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
    ROCKPORT – A year and a half after Aldermere Farm was bequeathed to the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, trust officials want to talk and listen to the community about plans for the property. The 137-acre farm was left to the trust by the late Albert… Read More
    WARREN – The Route One Advocacy Group will hold the last candlelight vigil of the 2000 season from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, at the intersection of U.S. Route 1 and state Route 90. Backers define the vigils as an expression of opposition… Read More
    PALMYRA – Karen Bertocchi is desperate to rescue her goat Jerry. Bertocchi’s goat slipped its tether several weeks ago and began roaming the woods and fields that border Interstate 95 in Palmyra. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
    BANGOR – A state study commission considering legislation that would make Maine the first state in the nation to adopt fair labor purchasing standards is holding a public hearing 9-11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 11, in Room 427 at the State House, Augusta. Rep. Zachary Matthews… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – Animal lovers from throughout the Northeast will gather in Pittsfield today in a show of support for the owners of two horses who were shot to death two weeks ago. The horses were grazing in a field along Webb Road, off Route 100,… Read More
    Duane and Charleen Aldrich of Lincoln, formerly of Lee, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at the Lee Academy Dining Hall. Read More
    Although they have yet to grant their first wish, they are ready, willing and eager to do so. One of my favorite Bangor Daily News colleagues, Jack Gifford, stopped by my office the other day, settled into a chair, and happily began telling me the… Read More
    ALFRED – Plans for a new York County Jail have hit a roadblock. After cheering two surprisingly low bids for the new structure, commissioners discovered Thursday that the project will cost far more than its $20 million budget. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
    FREEPORT – Residents in Winthrop and Paris don’t need to look any farther than their taps for good drinking water. The Maine Rural Water Association says customers served by the Winthrop Utilities District and the Paris Utility District have the best-tasting tap water in the… Read More
    BANGOR – The national commander of the American Legion is scheduled to appear in central Maine over the weekend. Ray G. Smith of Benson, N.C., will appear at Fairfield American Legion Post 14 for a breakfast program at 8 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 9. He will… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Democrats and Republicans in Maine’s numerically deadlocked Senate have begun a two-step draftlike process to decide how to apportion leadership positions and other seats on legislative committees. As an initial step this week, Democratic Senate President Michael Michaud and Republican Senate President Pro… Read More
    PORTLAND – A civil trial of a wrongful death suit brought by the sister of a disabled man who was shot to death by Brunswick police ended when lawyers agreed to settle the case for an undisclosed sum. The agreement was reached Thursday as the… Read More
    Kate O’Toole of Villa Hills, Ky. and Jeff Donaldson of Jasper, Alabama may have won the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award at a banquet in New York City Friday night, but Maine’s two representatives have had fun seeing the sights and meeting the other 10 finalists for the… Read More
    MAINE vs. DELAWARE Time, site: Sunday, noon; Alfond Arena, Orono 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
    MAINE VS. BOSTON COLLEGE Time, site: Sunday, 7 p.m.; Alfond Arena, Orono 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
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    WESTON, Mass. – Leslie Weed scored 23 points Friday night to lead Husson College to an 87-55 victory over Notre Dame (N.H.) in the first round of the Regis College Tournament. Leslie Trott contributed 12 points for the Braves. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
    WASHINGTON – “Don’t Suppress Democracy,” said one placard-bearing demonstrator in front of Vice President Al Gore’s official residence in Washington on Friday. “Count ALL the votes,” read another poster. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
    CHERRY HILL, N.J. – Subaru of America Inc. announced Friday the voluntary recall of certain 2001 Subaru Legacy vehicles. The recall involves the inspection of fuel hoses, rear center seat belts and right front wheel bearing housings on some models, including Legacy L, GT and… Read More
    BREWER – Calvary Baptist Church has taken over a former Agway building, where it is creating a gymnasium and center for city youth and will open a day care center early next year. Calvary Baptist Church has been in Brewer since 1895 at State and… Read More
    BAR HARBOR – The board of directors of FNB Bankshares (ticker symbol FBSH), parent company of the First National Bank of Bar Harbor, has declared a dividend of 35 cents per share to common shareholders of record Dec. 16. The dividend will be paid on Dec. 29. This… Read More
    From everything that has been written recently about the troubles of McGovern Ambulance Services and its closing Dec. 7, one would get the impression that all of Washington County was faced with an ambulance blackout. This is unfortunately true for the eastern end of the county but it… Read More
    Regarding the story “Father pleads guilty in attack” (BDN, Dec. 7), it is amazing that the father is being prosecuted. This father’s act of anger was precipitated by his son’s “lifestyle” of having sexual intercourse with his dog! Parents, just consider for one moment how… Read More
    In regards to “Father pleads guilty in attack; Man blames son’s sexual habits,” is this world going to get any sicker? Sometimes I think it can’t get any worse, but something pops up and proves me wrong. I do not approve of violence, but Philip… Read More
    I find it interesting that the University of Maine at Presque Isle is so enthusiastic about building a field house with a pool. We already have one underutilized pool facility in Presque Isle and I question why we would need another. The city of Presque Isle is supporting… Read More
    Maine Public Radio has always been an example of what’s right with public broadcasting. They have gone the extra mile to invest in their programming and to tailor their product to the people of Maine – locally produced public affairs, news and music leavened with a good balance… Read More
    Given that there are either seven or 11 or 14 access points along the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, depending on who is counting, the one at John’s Bridge between Eagle and Churchill lakes has attracted an inordinate amount of attention. That is in part because this access, long in… Read More
    The court cases decided yesterday in Florida were as muddled as anything could be in the close election for the nation’s next president. Though rulings earlier in the day from circuit courts suggested that it was time to begin the process of transferring power from one president the… Read More
    It was quite a year for politics. A close election. The media declares the Republican the winner. Democrats object. Votes are locked in state offices and can’t be counted. Party lawyers appeal to the Supreme Court. There is a hand count. Mobs march on the street. Read More
    A healthy sense of skepticism — and the ability to add and subtract– should be two well-worn tools in any news reporter’s old kit bag, as a story in Thursday morning’s newspaper aptly illustrated. The Associated Press dispatch told of a group of gung-ho World… Read More
    The BDN article about the purchase of Spencer Lake by John Malone (“The man who bought a lake: conservationists, sportsmen fearful that purchase of property may further erode public access,” by Susan Young, Nov. 27) provides valuable insights into the changing face of the Maine Woods. Timberland sales… Read More