BANGOR – Best-selling author Stephen King has filed a $10 million lawsuit against his insurance company, claiming it didn’t provide full coverage for the injuries he received when struck by a van two years ago. The lawsuit, filed last week in Penobscot County Superior Court,… Read More
Hearing snafu stalls hospital’s heart care plan Conflicts of interest found in board considering lab
BANGOR – The state botched a public hearing Monday on St. Joseph Hospital’s cardiac catheterization application, which resulted in many of the more than 100 people who had gathered leaving angry. Expected to run most of the day, the meeting lasted just minutes after members… Read More
AUGUSTA – A pair of bills that would curb the use of cellular telephones by motorists appeared to be headed for defeat Monday as critics queued up to pan the measures during a legislative public hearing. Sponsored by Reps. Joseph E. Brooks, D-Winterport, and Gerald… Read More
In a Feb. 9 Style story on the Building Community Through the Arts program, the survey results were reported incorrectly. High school students’ tests indicated that 16.5 percent strongly agreed before the program that class members respected each other despite their differences, while 32.7 percent strongly agreed after… Read More
WASHINGTON – Scientists say they have largely deciphered the genetic code of the mouse, a step that will provide a vantage point to better understand the biology and diseases of people. Celera Genomics of Rockville, Md., said Monday its data covered more than 99 percent… Read More
WASHINGTON – The nation’s airlines are failing to address the biggest complaints from passengers: delayed or canceled flights and lost baggage, the government says. Though some customer services have improved, the Transportation Department’s inspector general said Monday, more than a quarter of flights were delayed,… Read More
WISCASSET – Directors of Maine Yankee have elected Wayne Norton as company president, a post that includes overall responsibility for managing the decommissioning of the closed nuclear power plant. Norton has worked at Maine Yankee since 1991 and was named nearly a year ago as… Read More
TRENTON, N.J. – Lechters Inc., one of the country’s largest housewares retailers, has announced a restructuring that will close 166 of its 490 stores and eliminate 725 full-time jobs, or one-third of its full-time staff. All four Maine Lechters stores will remain open, according to… Read More
WASHINGTON – The 23 small independent telephone companies serving 135,000 customers in Maine may find it easier to get involved in paging, Internet and other enhanced telecommunications services under legislation drafted by a senior Republican. The Independent Telecommunications Consumer Enhancement Act would help small and… Read More
I feel the need to respond to Steven Michaud of the Maine Hospital Association regarding the ongoing shortage of hospital nurses. I have 24 years on the front lines of nursing, working as a nurse in hospital, long-term care facilities, and home health. I have been a staff… Read More
Six years of squabbling that put the United States nearly $1 billion in debt to the United Nations were swept away last week when the Senate voted without a single dissenting vote to back a repayment plan in exchange for a future reduction in the U.S. share of… Read More
Each time another too-hot Internet company starts selling off its office furniture on the way to bankruptcy, a plan by two Colby professors to save Social Security looks more like a smart investment. Congress should think so, too, and seriously consider their proposal. Economics Professors… Read More
In November 1996, I voted to support a $1.5 million bond (matched in amount by the federal government) to purchase the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. I understood that access would be limited and that it might take time and effort if I wanted some evening fly fishing where Soper… Read More
In a time when we feel that we have lost the personal and the civil in life, I recently had two experiences that show both alive and well in Maine. Having recently moved back here after a long time away, it is great to have confirmed your best… Read More
I would like to disagree with the person who felt that we shouldn’t welcome Martha Stewart to Maine. I enjoy her show every day and her “Ask Martha” column in your paper. I get pleasure every time she mentions something about our state, and I… Read More
As technology coordinator for the Yarmouth School Department, I fully support Gov. King’s proposal that provides Maine schools with a portable computing devices for seventh and eighth grade students beginning in 2002. This is an exciting proposal that will help prepare students for the technological world in which… Read More
I am no expert on Maine’s energy economics, but I can’t accept at face value official reassurances about the state’s access to electric power. I don’t expect rolling blackouts. Nonetheless, I am skeptical that the deregulated energy market on which Maine increasingly relies will deliver power in an… Read More
BANGOR – A regional special education board representing 30 towns in Penobscot County has voiced its opposition to the proposed location of a methadone clinic at Acadia Hospital. The Southern Penobscot Regional Program for Children with Exceptionalities, which provides educational services for about 75 special… Read More
LIMESTONE – Federal legislation has been introduced to transfer ownership of a portion of an underground pipeline that once carried jet fuel to a former military base from the federal government to the Loring Development Authority of Maine. “We believe that it can play a… Read More
ALBANY, N.Y. – Maine independent Angus King ranked No. 28 while Republican Paul Cellucci of Massachusetts took the top spot on the biennial fiscal policy report card on governors issued Monday by a conservative think tank. New York’s GOP Gov. George Pataki slipped from third… Read More
AUGUSTA – Maine’s first settlers probably didn’t wait until November to start cutting their firewood. But that native intelligence seems be ignored when it comes to helping low-income families heat their homes. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
BANGOR – Preliminary activity got under way Monday at U.S. District Court in a lawsuit pitting a Bell Atlantic Corp. service technician from Hancock against the communications magnate for which he has worked for the past 13 years. An eight-member jury was picked and opening… Read More
BANGOR – A 72-year-old woman who was raped in her home in rural Edinburg after attending a Saturday evening Mass last June told jurors Monday that she has had to sell her home and still sleeps on the couch because she’s afraid to go to bed. Read More
ST. ALBANS – Selectmen and Town Manager Larry Post reached an impasse Monday night, when Post refused to sign the board’s “best and final” contract offer. The board voted unanimously to retain an attorney to advise them on how to deal with the situation. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
BREWER – During their meeting at 6:30 p.m. tonight, city councilors will consider creating an entity that would focus its energy on bringing the community’s waterfront redevelopment plan to fruition. The redevelopment plan for Penobscot Landing, as Brewer’s waterfront is now known, was adopted by… Read More
BREWER – Residents of North and South Main streets who petitioned the City Council last month for relief from traffic problems in their neighborhoods could get some help soon. During the council’s monthly meeting at 6:30 tonight, officials will consider steps toward mitigating the use… Read More
BANGOR – The City Council on Monday postponed a decision on whether to expand the protection zone around the environmentally sensitive Penjajawoc Stream. The council, without dissent, approved a four-week delay on the proposed zone change that would further restrict development along 4.5 acres of… Read More
Ellsworth OKs intersection redesign City manager says changes will improve sight distance of drivers
ELLSWORTH – The City Council voted 6-1 Monday night to approve a plan to redesign the intersection of Routes 1 and 172. The plan submitted by the Department of Transportation called for two major changes to the current fork created by the two roads. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
PITTSFIELD – An 82-year-old Pittsfield man suffered chest and side injuries at noon Monday in a two-car accident at the intersection of Route 100 and Detroit Avenue. Lionel Gurney, operating a 1992 Oldsmobile, could not see the oncoming traffic because of a high snowbank, said… Read More
ROCKWOOD – The fiery, controversial Rockwood fire chief, Joe Munster, has resigned his position effective Feb. 20, and it appears more resignations of firefighters may follow. Munster has served as chief of the only county-operated fire department in the state for three years. During that… Read More
AUGUSTA – The Department of Justice recently announced that Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kennebec Valley has been awarded a Juvenile Mentoring Program Grant. BBBS will receive $195,000 during the next three years to expand its mentoring program further north into Somerset County. The agency… Read More
Washburn District High School Second quarter honor roll 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
ST. AGATHA – Joined by husbands, boyfriends and supporters, 25 women celebrated their fund-raising snowmobile ride on one of the coldest days this winter Sunday night at the Lakeview Restaurant. Afterward, most of them bundled up again and jumped back onto their snowmobiles, again in… Read More
Frenchville The annual town meeting will be held Tuesday, March 20. Polls will be open at the fire station from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to elect two selectmen and two school board members to three-year terms. The business meeting will be held at 7:30… Read More
FORT KENT – They’re going to don their masks, stamp their feet to old-time music, probably dance a jig or two and eat some chicken stew before the night is done. Feb. 27 is Fat Tuesday, and Fort Kent’s annual Mardi Gras celebration will end… Read More
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HARRINGTON – The Ark Animal Shelter will celebrate “2001: A Spay Odyssey” this month with a “Stitch in Time Saves Nine” coupon program. The idea is to offer a discounted rate for spaying or neutering that is better than the rate provided throughout the year. Read More
MACHIAS – Kindergarten registration for School Union 102 will be held for children who will be 5 years old by Oct. 15 on April 12-13. Sign-up will be at the Holy Name Parish Hall in Machias for Wesley and Rose M. Gaffney School pupils, and May 1 for… Read More
ELLSWORTH – Six Hancock County high school students are participating in LINC-Arts, a mentoring program of the Maine Alliance for Arts Education. The program matches students who are talented in any of the arts with outstanding local artists who serve as mentors. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
BLUE HILL – The Liberty School will hold an open school day Feb. 23. The open house is designed to allow potential students and their families to visit. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner =… Read More
SULLIVAN – The Mountain View School is planning an International Folk Dance project May 18-24. Participating schools will be Mountain View School, Gouldsboro Grammar School, Winter Harbor Grammar School and the Ella Lewis School in Steuben. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
ROBBINSTON – The Robbinston Grade School is now online at http://come.to/R wildcats. For information, e-mail the Web designer and coordinator at klreed@loa.com. Read More
MACHIAS – The civil jury trial of Dr. Cynthia Sammis began in Washington County Superior Court on Monday with two very different descriptions of the May 27, 1990, birth of Shannon Gafner. Shannon’s parents, William and Janet Gafner, are suing Sammis for malpractice, alleging that… Read More
LINCOLN – The cause of a fire that left a family of seven temporarily homeless Sunday night is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Interim Fire Chief Frank Hammond said no injuries were reported. The chief called state investigators to assist the local… Read More
ORONO – The Town Council on Monday night unanimously approved a resolution in support of Eastern Maine Medical Center’s request to establish a positron emission tomography, or PET, center in Bangor. The resolution, similar to one passed in Bangor, was brought to the council by… Read More
MILLINOCKET – Bonfires, a pig roast, antique snowmobile rides and displays, sled-dog rides and snowmobile races are some of the events that will be held during the Katahdin Area Winterfest 2001. The Millinocket and East Millinocket snowmobile clubs are teaming with the Katahdin Area Chamber… Read More
Bangor police charged Elbert “J.R.” Alston, 33, of Bangor with domestic assault after it was reported that he grabbed his live-in girlfriend by her hair and dragged her from the bed to the floor. The woman told police Sunday that the incident occurred about 5… Read More
BANGOR – Union representatives met Monday with representatives of International Paper Inc. at two sites to negotiate severance packages for the more than 250 workers affected by last week’s announcement that IP lumber mills in Costigan and Passadumkeag will close in April. The union representatives… Read More
WISCASSET – The attorney for a former SAD 40 coach on trial for alleged sexual contact with two eighth-grade girls suggested Monday that money was a motive in the case for one of the victims’ families. Ashley J. Hunt II of Rockland is accused of… Read More
ROCKLAND – City councilors agreed Monday night to table a scheduled vote on a contract zoning agreement with the Samoset Resort. The agreement, under negotiation for months, would allow the Samoset to build a marina in the harbor, adjacent to the Rockland Breakwater. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
Rockland District Court Eric D. Butler, 18, Appleton, failure to make 48-hour accident report, $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())… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Belt-sander racing will be an added event at the Southern Piscataquis County Chamber of Commerce’s annual Penquis Valley Region Expo. The exposition will be held April 6-7 at Piscataquis Community High School, Guilford. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – The Central Highlands Audubon Society, a chapter of the Maine Audubon Society, invites the public for an afternoon of cross-country skiing at the Swett property. Participants will meet at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Piscataquis Regional YMCA and then proceed to the Swett property… Read More
Machias District Court Randy G. Millay, 33, East Machias, assault, dismissed; violating conditions of release, dismissed. 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
CALAIS – Following are divorces granted in 4th District Court during January on grounds of irreconcilable differences: Kelly L. Ulvila, Calais, and Dennis M. Ulvila, Rockland, married at Rockland on July 20, 1980; shared custody of two children. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
THOMASTON – The Maine State Prison crafts program is being phased out in favor of an assembly-line operation at the new prison. “This will be a much more efficient operation,” Warden Jeffrey Merrill said, “and we’ll be able to involve many more inmates.” googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
BANGOR – A 35-year-old man accused of raping a Bangor woman two years ago and wanted on similar charges in Colorado remains at the Penobscot County Jail on bail set Monday at $30,000 cash or $75,000 surety. Also on Monday, the Penobscot County District Attorney’s… Read More
NORRIDGEWOCK – It may be rural Maine, not the Kentucky mountains, but a five-year feud between two Norridgewock property owners sounds a lot like the tale of the Hatfields and the McCoys. The constant bickering over where the boundary line exists between two Oak Hill… Read More
LEWISTON – An Auburn man was arrested Monday in connection with the second of two central Maine drugstore robberies in three days involving the prescription painkiller OxyContin. Anthony Gonzalez, 46, was picked up at a friend’s house and ordered held in the Androscoggin County Jail… Read More
WASHINGTON – The Rockport and Calais police departments, as well as the sheriff’s departments in Cumberland and Sagadahoc counties, have been awarded a total of $500,000 in COPS in Schools grants, according to Maine’s congressional delegation. The Rockport Police Department will receive $125,000 to assist… Read More
BATH – Lawyers and researchers equipped with personal scanners, digital cameras and other high-tech devices are becoming a familiar sight at Maine’s 16 Registries of Deeds, a trend that has raised questions about the need for restrictions. In Sagadahoc County, the board of commissioners will… Read More
AUGUSTA – With the recent buildup of snow and ice on roofs, it’s a good time to check the condition of outdoor heating oil tanks. Falling snow and ice can sever oil lines and empty the contents of the tank, according to David McCaskill of the Department of… Read More
RIVERVIEW, New Brunswick – The Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Association of New Brunswick will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, and Monday, April 9, in the upstairs meeting room at the Riverview Market. The association is a charitable organization and memorial cards are available… Read More
FREEPORT – A Freeport man who was rescued by firefighters from his burning home was listed in satisfactory condition Monday at Maine Medical Center. Firefighters were searching the dwelling when they heard Russell Hall moaning in the basement. They re-entered the home through a bulkhead… Read More
Bait. Casting a line. Banded. Nibble. Keeper. All the above terms sound like they’ve been pulled from tales around a fishing hole. But in this case, they’re part of a dating-scene lexicon Sue Bonzey has developed to use with her new line of jewelry for… Read More
Nature’s white blanket is a blessing for gardeners, but it’s hard on wildlife – this phase of winter when daylight grows, but no plants come to life, when the wind gusts so forcefully it takes away your breath. Yet, at this very moment, there are… Read More
Dear Jim: I have seen pictures of beautiful European masonry fireplaces that can heat an entire house with only one short fire each day. How do these fireplaces work and are they applicable to American homes? – Sam R. Dear Sam: These European (Finnish, Swedish,… Read More
ORONO – After scoring 33 goals in his first 71 games, University of Maine senior left winger Dan Kerluke had managed to find the back of the net just 17 times over the next 68 games entering last weekend’s series at the University of Massachusetts. Read More
BAR HARBOR – This Bangor High swimming team’s senior class is one meet away from perfection, although Monday night’s Penobscot Valley Conference championship meet at the Mount Desert Island YMCA provided the “elder” Rams with another high point in their stellar interscholastic careers. Bangor racked… Read More
ORONO – With about five minutes to play in Monday’s Eastern Maine Class B boys first-round playoff game, Fort Kent guard Charles Bard succinctly summed the game up in seven words. Kneeling in front of the scorers’ table as he was waiting to check into… Read More
FORT KENT – Eight Maine youngsters will be competing in their first U.S. Junior National Biathlon Championships that will be held for the second straight year at the Maine Winter Sports Center here Feb. 24 through March 1. They will be among 80 of the… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL At Mount Desert Island YMCA 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
Carolyn Brown Carolyn Brown, a senior guard at St. Joseph’s College, has been named the Hammond Lumber player of the week. Brown scored 24 points in a conference win over Thomas and tied a school record with six three’s in a game. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
At Eaton Mountain Slalom Skiing 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
PORTLAND – The Portland Pirates Wives’ Club has raised more than $29,000 for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Maine at Sunday’s “Evening with the Pirates”. The event was highlighted with a live auction where a Wayne Gretzky autographed New York Rangers jersey sold for… Read More
Eleven Maine athletes have been nominated for the 2001 McDonald’s All-American High School Basketball Team. Joe Campbell of Bangor High School, James Sam of Caribou, Ryan Garland of Hermon High School, Kevin Roberts of Mount View High School in Thorndike, Nick Pelotte of Valley High… Read More
Joshua McAuliffe of the Bangor Police Athletic League boxing team won the heavyweight championship at the Northern New England Golden Gloves last Saturday in Burlington, Vt. McAuliffe won an unanimous 5-0 decision over Eric Shanks of Winooski, Vt. McAuliffe dominated the match, twice causing the… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL Official standings as reported by the Maine Principals’ Association for games played through Feb. 10. Boys and girls basketball points compiled by Bob and Gertrude Butler of York, respectively. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
BANGOR – Robert Pilsbury scored 23 points to carry Husson past the University of Maine-Machias 96-66 in a men’s basketball game at Newman Gym Monday night. Quinson Lancaster followed up with 14 points, Matt Breen recorded 13 points and 12 rebounds, and Ryan Rivera and… Read More
THORNDIKE – Kevin Roberts scored 10 of his game-high 23 points in the first quarter to lead the No. 10 Mount View Mustangs to a 70-46 Class B prelim win over the No. 15 Foxcroft Academy Ponies in schoolboy basketball action Monday night. Mount View… Read More
LUBEC – Sara McConnell poured in 23 points to power the No. 12 Lubec Hornets to a 66-52 Class D prelim victory over the No. 13 Jonesport-Beals Royalettes Monday night in schoolgirl basketball action. Breanne McPherson netted 17 for the winners and Miranda Richardson added… Read More
EAST MILLINOCKET – Delany Wilkes nailed a 3-pointer from the top of the key with one second remaining to rally No. 15 Mattanawcook Academy to a 63-60 prelim victory over No. 10 Schenck in schoolboy basketball action Monday night. Andrew Weatherbee’s 3-pointer had tied it… Read More
Big play not reported After 27 years in higher education, 16 of them as a college president dealing daily with public information media, I can vouch for the old saying, “You can never win a [squirt] fight with a skunk, and you can never get… Read More