AUGUSTA – Republicans in the Maine House and Senate are making greater strides toward unity this year as they confront a proposed governor’s budget that contains more than $46 million in new tax increases. While munching on slices of pizza at GOP state headquarters in… Read More
BANGOR – Oh, there have been proposals in the past. Maybe a restaurant? How about office space? Condominiums, anyone? 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
TENANTS HARBOR – Island owner Bert Witham believes he was swamped by an unforeseen wave of deception when he sold his 84-acre property on Metinic Island in 1993, and he fears a ripple effect on Maine’s other island owners. Vickie Johnson of South Thomaston, who… Read More
In Wednesday’s Style story on fondue, the sentence on fondue pot prices should have read, “Now, high-end cooking stores are selling sleek stainless steel models, brightly colored cast-iron pots, and shiny copper sets for up to $125 each.”… Read More
A proposed half-cent tax increase on wild blueberry growers, reported in a story Wednesday, would be used for promotion and to support Wild Blueberry Commission involvement in issues affecting growers. Read More
PORTLAND – Members of the Sierra Club on Wednesday urged Mainers to call on their senators to vote against Interior secretary nominee Gale Norton’s confirmation. The Maine chapter also announced an advertising campaign against Norton, which included radio and television ads that began airing in… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Norman Mitchell, who has worked for Edwards Systems Technology in Pittsfield for 30 years, knew what was coming Wednesday when a supervisor walked into his office. Mitchell and more than 15 other top-ranking supervisors and office personnel were laid off permanently. This followed… Read More
AUGUSTA – Heating oil prices in Maine continued to fall this week, as prices for propane did just the opposite. The State Planning Office reported Tuesday that the average price for a gallon of heating oil had dropped to $1.46. That is the lowest it… Read More
BANGOR – Customers of Adelphia Cable will see an increase in their monthly bills next month, but they’ll also have new channels added to their television lineup. Adelphia’s basic cable service will remain at $10.30 per month to receive the major networks and Maine PBS. Read More
This letter is in argument to Paul A. Levine’s Jan. 12 commentary. Raoul Wallenberg has been my hero since I was young. This man saved dozens, even hundreds, as Levine wrote. Isn’t this a hero? We honor someone who saves one person and write about them in the… Read More
The nomination of Gale Norton, former attorney general of Colorado, to secretary of the interior caused predictable resistance from environmental groups a couple of weeks ago. Those groups promised to stop the confirmation process entirely or at least make her Senate hearing, scheduled for today, as damaging as… Read More
Maine Public Radio’s new slogan, “The radio you listen to,” raises two questions. One, of course, is about grammar and the placement of prepositions. The other is about meaning and whether this radio listens back. Following the Maine Public Broadcasting board of trustees meeting here… Read More
I am writing this in reference to Sawyer Environmental Recovery Facilities’ self-serving plan to expand that human-enhanced, geological mishap, in a town that looks as though it has fallen out of a Norman Rockwell painting. This scenic place has already swallowed more than its share of… Read More
On page A9 of the Jan. 9 Bangor Daily News there was a commentary by Paul Newlin regarding Sen. Susan Collins’ endorsement of John Ashcroft for attorney general of the United States. Newlin apparently is out of touch with the contemporary political scene or he… Read More
With the U.S. Mint’s recent efforts to revamp American coinage, specifically with the state quarters and last year’s new dollar coin, the time has come for the half dollar to be redesigned and restored to its former glory among American coinage. Besides the collector’s aspect, it appears there… Read More
This is in response to the Jan. 16 letter, “Marching orders.” I would be upset if one of my children were so selfish that he or she turned down a chance to be a part of history because the child couldn’t have things his or… Read More
The battle for the Allagash “wilderness” is heating up. Will state Sen. John Martin win and turn the waterway into Disneyland North? Or will those who want the region to be wild and free prevail? Help save the region and the river from being ruined… Read More
It should be no surprise that electrical power prices are rapidly rising in Maine and across the country. Here in Maine we have shut down Maine Yankee, torn out dams and closed biomass plants. This has increased our dependence on imported power. We also have… Read More
My first reaction after seeing the picture (BDN, Jan. 11) of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial was one of shock followed by a lingering anger. I am 72 years old and FDR was the president during much of my early life. I saw his pictures in newspapers, magazines… Read More
Defense Secretary designate Donald Rumsfeld is right. We need to build a National Missile Defense system, but not so much to deter ballistic missiles, cyberspace attacks and terrorism, but to intercept asteroids, a real and present danger. After watching “The World of National Geographic’s” program… Read More
I don’t smell smoke; I smell a good old-fashioned “tea tax.” Gov. Angus King is already charging 74 cents per pack of cigarettes and now wants to increase it by another 26 cents, making a nice rounded figure of $1 of tax per pack. This amounts to one… Read More
While following what the media have called the “Jonesboro homicide” in both the print and television news media over the many days since this crime occurred, I have been struck by the nature of the coverage. For the first week, there was no real mention of the fact… Read More
Those of us who observe the Legislature for a living recognize two fundamental truths. The first is that, due to the seasonal nature of their work, the long hours and low pay, Maine lawmakers, though sometimes wrong, are most times a well-meaning bunch. The second,… Read More
WASHINGTON – Methadone clinics for the first time must be accredited in a manner similar to other health facilities, say new government rules intended to improve quality of treatment for heroin addiction. Under the rules, published Wednesday by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services… Read More
BANGOR – A North Vassalboro man convicted of threatening to kill a Vermont college professor was sentenced Wednesday to 15 months in prison. Jonathan Blumberg, 48, was ordered to complete two years of supervised release after finishing his prison term. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
LINCOLN and BREWER – Details of Eastern Paper’s proposed concessions from union workers were revealed by union officials Wednesday. The request for concessions from all employees to aid the struggling company was announced Tuesday. Details about salaried employee concessions were not available. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
AUGUSTA – The Rockland man accused of shooting and killing a 22-year-old mother of four in 1999 has pleaded guilty to murder and is expected to serve 35 years in prison. Herman Baker, 31, was arrested in September 1999 for the murder of Hope Harford. Read More
AUGUSTA – Even though the ink on Gov. Angus King’s proposed two-year budget is barely dry, Republican leaders are willing to accept his proposal to increase school subsidies by 5 percent next fiscal year. “I’m ready to jump on board and say I’ll take the… Read More
AUGUSTA – The Maine Youth Center school that lost its accreditation needs more staff with better pay and a program that focuses more on therapeutic needs than academics, according to a legislative report that will be made public soon. The report’s recommendations will test the… Read More
ELLSWORTH – Marcia Lawless’ voice quaked Wednesday as she testified that her ex-husband, 67-year-old Frederick Lawless, kidnapped, assaulted and threatened to kill her at his Orland home last May. The slight, blond woman never met her ex-spouse’s eyes as she tearfully described the incident before… Read More
BANGOR – Sara Belisle and Mary Molnar, both sophomores at Bangor High School, have received the Girl Scout Silver Award, the highest award a Cadette Girl Scout can earn. The award was presented at a Jan. 7 ceremony at the Carriage House at the Girl Scout Office in… Read More
BELFAST – The following were divorces granted in Belfast District Court on grounds of irreconcilable marital differences: Patrick Cook, Brooks, and Tabitha Cook, Swanville. Married at Knox on Aug. 28, 1999; shared custody of one child; Tabitha Cook to change her name to Tabitha L. Read More
BELFAST – The new police station, renovations to City Hall and a downtown parking lot will be financed through a combination of grants, reserves and borrowed money. The City Council agreed to the financing package recommended by City Manager Terry St. Peter during its meeting… Read More
BLUE HILL – Blue Hill Memorial Hospital will offer a pediatric basic life support and CPR course from 6 to 10 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26. The course, designed by the American Heart Association, will be held in the inservice room in the basement level of the hospital. Read More
ELLSWORTH – The Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation District will host a septic installation workshop for contractors, code enforcement officers, licensed plumbing inspectors and site evaluators from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, at the Hilltop House Restaurant. Topics will include installation,… Read More
BLUE HILL – Blue Hill Memorial Hospital’s oncology clinic will hold a cancer support group meeting from 10:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Feb. 7, in the Sussman Medical Office conference room, second floor. This is an informal session designed for people with cancer and their… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Vickery Elementary School will hold a Scholastic Book Fair from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, through Thursday, Feb. 8, in the school library. The book fair also will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, for those… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Several town councilors have pledged not to drop the ball regarding the proposed creation of a town community center, despite the fact that the project liaison’s position has been severely cut back. When councilors trimmed the economic director’s position during budget deliberations from… Read More
SKOWHEGAN – Phil Roy of Fairfield said Wednesday that the Somerset County Commissioners “had an opportunity to put this whole issue to rest today, and they chose not to” after a morning commissioners’ meeting. Roy, who stressed he was acting not in his capacity as… Read More
DETROIT – Although some residents were upset that they weren’t informed of some shifting of town funds earlier this year, they were satisfied Tuesday night that the board’s actions were in the best interest of the community. “It appears to be just a matter of… Read More
SKOWHEGAN – Without formally admitting that they had met illegally or conducted themselves improperly, the Somerset County Commissioners vowed Wednesday morning to be more open and public with their business. Although all three commissioners remained silent on the issue of illegal meetings, their attorney, Warren… Read More
FAIRFIELD – Police said a Norridgewock woman was lucky to escape nearly unscathed Wednesday night when her car collided head-on with a runaway horse. According to Fairfield police Officer Amie Trahan, Barbara J. Libby, 32, received only bruises when she struck the horse, which was… Read More
FORT KENT – Community High School students and adult residents involved in Community Voices held a merchant education program Jan. 10. Participating in the four-hour training were Community Voices members and their guests: student officers from the SADD Club at Community High School, law enforcement officers and representatives… Read More
MADAWASKA – Town officials were given the go-ahead Tuesday night to look into the purchase of two parcels of land for future use. At the same meeting, selectmen approved a list of five tax-acquired properties that will be sold by bid. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
HOULTON – The impact of the resignation of the town manager last month and the pending retirement of the town’s police chief on a lawsuit filed by three former police officers is not yet known. “They have yet to have any impact,” said Daniel Felkel,… Read More
Houlton District Court Eugene H. Albright Jr., 44, New Limerick, assault, jail 60 days, all suspended, probation two years. 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
MADAWASKA – The Madawaska School Department and selectmen will be working on the town budget starting next month, and indications at a Tuesday meeting of the two groups was that money again will be tight. During the last two budget years, the town had an… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – United Way of Aroostook funding applications for 2001-2002 are now available. Nonprofit health and human service organizations serving Aroostook County citizens may apply to the United Way of Aroostook for funds that are being raised during the current annual fund-raising campaign. This… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – The Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle and HORIZONS Health Centers throughout Aroostook County continue to have applications available to sign up parents and children for low-cost or no-cost health and dental insurance through expanded Medicaid and Cub Care. Families with incomes up to $35,000… Read More
HAMPDEN – With a deadline less than two weeks away, no one has filed nomination papers to fill the District 2 council seat vacated recently by Dan Stover, according to the town manager. Papers are available at the town office and must be returned by… Read More
ALTON – Dogs must be licensed by Jan. 31. The late fee as of Feb. 1, will be $5 per dog. The owner must provide proof that the dog to be licensed has had a current rabies vaccination, and show proof that the animal has been spayed or… Read More
A Bangor man faces an assault charge after it was reported he became jealous and bit his girlfriend on the face while she was playing a video game late Tuesday night. Robert Alfred Cormier, 36, of Bangor was arrested on two warrants but also charged… Read More
BANGOR – City, state and county officials on Wednesday considered a preliminary plan to relocate the city’s crowded district court to the current police headquarters. The proposal, presented at a City Council workshop, comes on the heels of a failed try to place the new… Read More
Bangor District Court Justin R. Swett, 20, Waterville, minor possessing liquor, $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 < slot_sizes.length; i++) { if (isMobileDevice()) { if (slot_sizes[i][0]… Read More
ROCKLAND – The public is invited to welcome the Year of the Snake at the Penobscot School’s Chinese New Year celebration Sunday, Jan. 21. Traditional Chinese New Year festivities include: making folk art decorations and cooking jiaozi -dumplings – and exploring Chinese culture through presentations… Read More
HERMON – In an effort to keep dialogue open, members of the Town Council and school committee met jointly Wednesday night. Michael Kucsma, who works on facilities issues for the State Department of Education, attended the meeting to answer questions about how funds are allocated… Read More
ROCKLAND – City councilors went from the philosophical to the nuts and bolts Wednesday night when they continued to wrestle with a zoning agreement for the Samoset Resort’s proposed marina. Meeting in an informal workshop session, councilors worked at refining the conditions that might be… Read More
BELFAST – MBNA New England is prepared to make a major contribution to the city’s planned skate park. MBNA Vice President Shane Flynn confirmed Wednesday that the company is willing to assist the city in bringing its dream of a skate park to reality. MBNA… Read More
ROCKLAND – Police on Wednesday were investigating the shootings of a man’s two cats. Deputy Chief Wally Tower said Harry Perkins of Carolls Lane reported that one of his cats was shot in December. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
FREEDOM – The Freedom Historical Society scrapbook with updated pictures is now available after a special reprinting. The reprinting was made possible by community grants and matching funds from the town. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
ROCKLAND – The Georges River Land Trust invites the public to an open house at its new offices from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25. The trust has moved to larger office space in the Syndicate Block, 328 Main St., to accommodate its expanded… Read More
BELFAST – A free course, “Do-it-yourself Solar Air Heating,” will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at The Green Store, 71 Main St. The course will cover solar principles, site requirements, sizing, construction and operating characteristics of air-type solar collectors. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Bangor & Aroostook Railroad has reimbursed some Greenville businesses for bills incurred during a train derailment in 1999, but still others are waiting for compensation. Piscataquis County commissioners recently received a $2,500 check for assistance provided by the county’s Emergency Management Agency when… Read More
ST. ALBANS – Town Manager Larry Post is considering the “best and final offer” on a new contract, according to Larry Emery, chairman of the town’s Board of Selectmen. Post and the board began negotiating a new contract late last year in preparation for the… Read More
EAST MACHIAS – The auditor for SAD 77 has painted a bleak picture of the district’s financial practices but says the problems could be resolved if the school board follows his recommendations. Ron Smith of Smith & Hulsey in Harrington said the district probably will… Read More
CALAIS – The Calais and Baileyville police departments on Wednesday joined the statewide gun safety lock giveaway program sponsored by the Maine Citizens Against Handgun Violence Foundation in Portland. Trigger locks, along with a gun safety information sheet, now are available free from both police… Read More
AUGUSTA – Gov. Angus King wants all of the Maine State Lottery vending machines in grocery stores removed in 21/2 years. King proposed the move in his two-year budget, saying he’s uncomfortable that the machines aren’t monitored. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
Eileen Lafland of Brewer dropped by the office this week to say the Eastern Maine Snowmobile Club will sponsor a snowmobile trail safety check from noon to 3 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 21, at its clubhouse on the Levenseller Road in Holden, if snow conditions allow. Read More
PORTLAND – Some Portland authorities are concerned about the reaction of the area’s elderly population to the beating death of an 88-year-old man last week. John McCann, a retired teacher and school administrator, was beaten and kicked to death in a grocery story parking lot… Read More
AUGUSTA – Several Maine media groups are teaming up with other organizations to promote public access to government records. Representatives of the fledgling Freedom of Information Coalition met Wednesday and expressed hope that the new network will be able to broaden understanding of existing right-to-know… Read More
WASHBURN – An Easton man was injured late Tuesday afternoon when the snowmobile he was riding collided with a Jeep on Route 164, according to local police. Keith Kneeland, 45, the son of state Sen. Richard Kneeland, was taken to The Aroostook Medical Center in… Read More
The Nature Conservancy has reached its goal of raising $50 million to protect lands across Maine, including the headwaters of the St. John River, the group announced Wednesday. More than two years ago, the group purchased 185,000 acres of timberland, including 40 miles of rivers, from International Paper… Read More
NORTHEAST HARBOR – One of the best-known islands in Blue Hill Bay, 435-acre Tinker Island, joined the protective umbrella of the Maine Coast Heritage Trust in the final days of 2000, the trust announced Wednesday. As one of the largest remaining unprotected islands on Maine’s… Read More
BANGOR – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded community development grants to organizations in northern and eastern Maine, according to members of Maine’s congressional delegation. Funding announced Wednesday includes Rural Business Enterprise Grants of: googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
MADAWASKA – Some of the best snow conditions in the Northeast await an expected 1,500 snowmobilers coming to the fifth annual International Snowmobilers Festival that will be held Feb. 2- 4 in the St. John Valley. Festival officials, municipal administrators and festival sponsors launched their… Read More
SKOWHEGAN – Police in Somerset County are turning to the public to help solve a series of gun shop burglaries over the past eight months. Since May 2000, a total of 11 burglaries have been reported at gun shops in Madison, Solon, Skowhegan and Canaan,… Read More
ROCKLAND – The violas play it at normal speed, the violins go twice as fast, and the basses play twice as slowly. The piece is “Festina Lente,” literally fast-slow, and Arvo Part’s three-part canon will be a highlight of a Portland Symphony Orchestra concert, “Sacred… Read More
ROBERT INDIANA: FIGURES OF SPEECH, by Susan Elizabeth Ryan, Yale University Press, New Haven and London, 2000, 303 pages, $45. The artist Robert Indiana, who lives on Vinalhaven, is most famous for his LOVE paintings of the mid-1960s, paintings as often ripped-off as reproduced. Nearly… Read More
Snowbanks surround the Maine Center for the Arts. The north wind whips across university parking lots, trying to seep through the red brick building to chill the patrons and performers inside. Not this weekend. For three days, Old Man Winter will be held at bay… Read More
Paintings by Joshua Pouwels, Philip Barter and Matt Barter; sculpture by Rick Beckjord, at John Edwards Market, Main Street, Ellsworth, through January. Art galleries in unlikely places sometimes seem as if they happen by accident, a few paintings thrown together to cover up naked walls. Read More
In 1987, a trio of University of California at Berkeley biochemists, led by the late Allan Wilson, captured worldwide attention by saying that they had found the biological “Eve.” The researchers used small bodies in the cell called mitochondria that are the source of the cell’s energy. These… Read More
A compromise has been reached between America East administrators that will allow the four departing schools to leave the conference a year early without penalty while also admitting two institutions for next season. Delaware, Hofstra, Drexel, and Towson will join the Colonial Athletic Association for… Read More
MILO – Six days ago, an ailing Penquis Valley boys basketball team limped down Route 16 to take on a young Orono team and ended up losing to the Red Riots by a deceptively close nine points after trailing by as many as 18 in the late going. Read More
MONSON – Fierce Chase Cross Country Ski Trails will host the Subaru Ski Fest, an international ski festival on Saturday, Jan. 27. Designed to introduce people to the sport while showing other skiers to learn about what’s new in cross country, the event will start… Read More
ORONO – Sarah Marquez popped in a game-high 20 points as the Orono Red Riots edged Penquis of Milo 54-51 in schoolgirl basketball action Wednesday. Jessica Wagner scored 15 more and Marilyn Nichols added 12 as Orono tumbled Penquis from the ranks of the undefeated. Read More
ASHLAND – Allen Milton scored nine of his 12 points in the fourth quarter as Washburn held off an Ashland rally for a 56-48 schoolboy basketball win Wednesday night. Daren Pesut scored a game-high 14 points for the winners while Ben Umphrey and Tyler Bragg… Read More
MAINE vs. DREXEL Time, site: Thursday, 7:30 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
CASTINE – Mike Wilcox of Bangor scored a game-high 18 points, including three 3-pointers to lead the University of Maine-Farmington Beavers to a 75-57 win over Maine Maritime Academy on Wednesday. Tom Nadeau and Mike Fullerton added 14 each for the winners. Fullerton nailed four… Read More
David Mallett, recognized by the Bangor Daily News as one of the 58 most memorable Mainers of the 20th century, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at the University of Maine at Machias Performing Arts Center. Mallett performs music that marries the melodies of country with… Read More
Northern New England’s largest recreational vehicle and camping show will take place Feb. 2-4 at the Bangor Auditorium and Civic Center. The Down East Camping and Recreational Vehicle Show will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2; from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3;… Read More
The Institute of Contemporary Art at Maine College of Art will present the annual Faculty Show 2001 from Saturday, Jan. 27, through Thursday, March 1, at the MECA in Portland. A reception with the artists will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1. For information,… Read More
Ani DiFranco and her band return to Portland after a two-year hiatus, 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, at the Merrill Auditorium. She brings to the stage her crack touring band, featuring Daren Hahn on drums, Jason Mercer on bass and Julie Wolf performing on keyboard and vocals. DiFranco… Read More
Take two educators, a plumber and an accountant, years of musical experience and a knack for harmonizing, and you’ll get a quartet that produces body-swaying, toe-tapping, pleasing-to-the-ear music. That’s the combination that makes up Evergreen, a musical group well known to Maine audiences for its… Read More
DEXTER – The kind of music that flows from a house of worship is normally the deep, reverberating tones of an organ, but any kind of music can be heard coming from within a Dexter church on the third Saturday of most months. That’s when… Read More
In theaters ALL THE PRETTY HORSES. 112 minutes, PG-13, directed by Billy Bob Thornton, written by Ted Tally, based on Cormac McCarthy’s novel. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0;… Read More
Thank you to those who’ve sent in bird sightings. The latest include a red-tailed hawk being mobbed by crows on the bank of the Penobscot River in Bradley. Another was a rare sighting of a Carolina wren. The wren’s usual range extends into upstate New… Read More
I found out years ago I didn’t always need to be drilling holes in the ice, or tracking a buck in a fresh November snow to be learning new techniques about those outdoor sports that constantly tug at my heartstrings. Some of my most valuable lessons have come… Read More
Sometimes the places closest to home are the most fun to explore at this time of year. Even if you’ve been a frequent visitor in other seasons, taking a ski or snowshoe tromp through a snow-clad landscape is a new and rewarding experience. We’ve been… Read More