AUGUSTA – Anxious mothers asked the Legislature on Friday to protect their children by increasing sentences for child abuse and expanding the sex abusers registry program. Members of the Legislature’s Criminal Justice Committee replied that tougher laws on child abuse are likely to make it… Read More
PORTLAND – President George W. Bush will travel to Portland on Friday to address the Portland Area Chamber of Commerce, according to the White House press office. It will be Bush’s first visit to Maine since becoming president. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
A deadly salmon disease that has devastated fish farms in New Brunswick has been found in Maine for the first time. Last month, a fish from an aquaculture pen near Treat Island in Cobscook Bay, halfway between Lubec and Eastport, was found to have infectious… Read More
Ronald Roderick of Skowhegan pushed his wheelchair-bound wife up the ramp at the Bingham Area Health Center and carefully maneuvered the wheelchair through its entrance. Pausing long enough for staff members and other patients to relocate some chairs to allow the wheelchair into the waiting… Read More
WASHINGTON – As businesses announce massive layoffs and companies impose hiring freezes, work force developers and job trainers are playing one of the most important roles in their careers, Gov. Angus King of Maine said Friday. As a guest speaker to the National Association of… Read More
BIDDEFORD – Biddeford Textile Corp. on Friday began distributing paychecks for back wages for 350 workers. Tom LeVeen, president and chief executive officer, enclosed a letter with the checks that apologized for the company’s problems and asked for the support of workers as the company… Read More
PORTLAND – American Eagle and USAirways Express are helping to put the jets back in the Portland International Jetport. Both airlines announced Thursday that they’ll be switching some flights from propeller aircraft to regional jets this spring. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
BANGOR – Merrill Merchants Bancshares Inc., has announced a cash dividend of 7 cents a share on common stock for the first quarter of 2001, an increase of 17 percent over last year’s first quarter dividend of 6 cents a share, according to President and Chief Executive Officer… Read More
FREEPORT – The Teamsters have given up their effort to organize workers at L.L. Bean after a petition drive fizzled and the company improved working conditions, a union representative said. L.L. Bean has given 10 percent bonuses to employees and clarified policies, as well as… Read More
Encouragement is something a lot of today’s teens don’t get enough of. Instead of encouraging words, we are faced with hurtful remarks, crude phrases and even worse … silence. I’m only 16, but I have had enough. Sure I get encouragement from my family and… Read More
I took one look at the story “Bucking the trend” (BDN, March 9) and was shocked. What was the Bangor Daily News thinking running such a story? What made this article so disturbing is that it comes so soon after a series of more school… Read More
The Shriners are one of the most highly respected service organizations in the world because of their wonderful hospitals for treatment of children who have been terribly hurt. Having said that, I wish with all my heart that all Shriners would come to realize that… Read More
I just read an article about a proposal to increase health insurance in Maine. The proposed bill would increase by 2 percent the number of children covered by health insurance. To get the extra money, Rep. Michael Saxl wants to increase the cigarette tax 50 cents a pack. Read More
I participated in the Maine troop greeters’ reunion March 8 at Bangor International Airport. Oh, the emotions! With the music, crowd and many of the original greeters, it was like yesterday and we were doing our thing – singing, hugging and crying. There were memories… Read More
But for three years of grad school and a five-year employment stint with Cornell University, I’ve always lived in rural Maine and am an avid Maine Public Radio listener. For most of a decade as a young adult, a radio was my only electronic device for news and… Read More
After years of stalling, the Senate finally begins debate Monday on the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform bill. The central feature of this important legislation is its ban on “soft money” contributions to political parties, the unregulated and unrestricted contributions that totaled nearly $488 million in the last election. Read More
A summer visitor asked a waitress in Kittery if it was all right to eat a new-shell lobster. She explained that the new-shells contain more water, but they are tender, tasty and easy to crack open. Her information had come from a leaflet sent by the Maine Lobster… Read More
John Franklin’s March 9 op-ed commentary on BACORD’s (Bangor Area Citizens Organized for Responsible Development) supposed conspiracy to devalue and control local land was unfortunately full of inaccuracies, distortions and divisive personal attacks. Perhaps some additional information could help to clarify some of the questions involved in the… Read More
In mid-March, at the confluence of St. Patrick’s Day, the first day of spring, pothole season and the made-for-television national collegiate basketball tournaments known as “March Madness,” one of those insipid, three-dot columns seems just the ticket to lighten the load. By now you know… Read More
I was very disappointed when we read the March 1 article concerning “Highway North” by Debra Sund of the Bangor Daily News staff. I quote: “Economic survey on proposed highway produces mixed results… A preliminary economic analysis of a dozen routes for a new north-south highway in Aroostook… Read More
AUGUSTA – Deeply troubled by the recent death of a 5-year-old Chelsea girl in foster care, a legislator from Bangor is calling for a federal investigation into the case. State Sen. Tom Sawyer, a Republican, said Thursday that he was circulating a petition among fellow… Read More
LINCOLN – Drug agents and local police broke up an active methamphetamine laboratory late Thursday night at a Lincoln residence where two young children reside. Two men were arrested and charged at the 26 West Broadway residence, but not before a gunshot was fired. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
AUGUSTA – State budget talks stalled Friday as further deliberations and negotiations were pushed into next week. “Well, I was hoping I could say ‘may as well get finished’ instead of ‘may as well get started,”‘ a subdued Sen. Jill Goldthwait, the independent co-chairman from… Read More
Helen Higgins was in one of her down moods a few days ago. She was going to turn 107 years old shortly, and was feeling there was no reason in the world for anyone to live as long as she had. Sitting in her home… Read More
AUGUSTA – For a Presque Isle mother, getting her children to eat lunch at school is a constant struggle. The problem is not that they’re picky eaters, said the woman who wants to remain anonymous. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
LIMESTONE – A plan to manage the forests at the Loring Commerce Centre has the potential to become a state model for the concept of community forestry, a new idea being developed in some parts of the state. The Loring Development Authority of Maine, which… Read More
DENVER – The father of a baby who was found last week in a trash bin appears to be willing to cooperate with the Denver Department of Human Services, an agency official said. The man, whose name and hometown were not released, called the department… Read More
SCARBOROUGH – A man with a hearing impairment was fatally wounded Friday in an exchange of gunfire with police after an afternoon standoff in the parking lot of the Shop ‘n Save supermarket off U.S. 1, authorities said. The man, identified as James R. Levier,… Read More
BREWER – City police are investigating three incidents at two Wilson Street businesses over the last week. Sometime between 9 p.m. Sunday and 5 a.m. Monday, more than $25,000 worth of tools and equipment were stolen from Brewer Car Care, Manager Glenn Geiser said Friday. Read More
EDDINGTON – Voters next week will fill three elected positions and approve a municipal budget for the year ahead during their annual elections and town meeting. In local elections Monday, March 19, voters will choose two selectmen for three years and two SAD 63 directors… Read More
BANGOR – If you collect hubcaps, this is heaven. If you drive a car, it’s not quite so nice. 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
VEAZIE – Nomination papers are available at the town office for the June 12 election. Available are two three-year town council positions and two three-year school committee positions. Nomination papers must contain the signatures of no less than 25 registered voters and no more than… Read More
ELLSWORTH – Nomination papers for the June 12 special election for one city councilor will be at the city clerk’s office Monday, March 19, at City Hall. Papers are due back at 5 p.m. Friday, April 27. Read More
DEDHAM – Nomination papers will be available beginning March 24 for offices of selectmen, treasurer, tax collector, school board, town clerk and road commissioner. For information, call the town office at 843-6217. Read More
HANCOCK – A .25 caliber handgun was stolen from a residence on Old Route 182 in Hancock Thursday morning, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department said. Julie Lounder left her home at about 9:30 a.m., returning two hours later to find that a thief had pried… Read More
FAIRFIELD – The civil lawsuit filed last year against Fairfield by a mother whose daughter died in a car accident was settled this week for considerably less than the $174,000 originally sought. Cathy Landry had sued the town after the July 18, 1998, death of… Read More
KENNEBUNK – An investigation by federal, state and local authorities concluded Friday that a fire that destroyed much of Verizon’s repair and installation fleet in York County was an accident. Investigators discussed the case in the afternoon and concluded the fire started in one of… Read More
NEWPORT – For eight years, the Newport-Plymouth Elementary School PTA has collected labels from Campbell Soup Co. products to purchase school equipment as part of the Campbell’s Labels for Education program. This year’s campaign has taken on new meaning as the campaign team dedicates it… Read More
HOULTON – Plans by the state Department of Transportation to spend more than $7.8 million on Route 1 between Houlton and Topsfield is good news for people who have lobbied for the project over the past two years. “It’s a great step in the right… Read More
HOULTON ? The rattle of snare drums, the thump of bass guitars and the blare of trumpets filled the classrooms and hallways of Houlton High School on Friday as the Maine State High School Instrumental Jazz Festival got under way. Close to 1,000 student musicians… Read More
Fifteen-hundred bicyclists will sweep through northern New England in September to raise money for an AIDS vaccine. The four-day, 400-mile ride from Montreal to Portland, Maine, is expected to raise millions of dollars for research. Participants will camp out along the way in giant tent… Read More
ORRINGTON – Though it would mean new costs for some property owners, local officials say the timing has never been better to bring sewer and water lines to the north end of town, a venture for which the community has been waiting more than a decade. Read More
Residents will consider a municipal budget of $148,988 during the annual town meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, March 19, at the town hall. Officials are proposing that the town spends more than it did last year, but the amount proposed to be raised from local… Read More
A Stockton Springs man suspected of shoplifting and wanted on several warrants fled from police into the woods along outer Union Street in Bangor early Friday morning, but was captured later when he tried to complete his getaway in a cab. Shawn Ashworth, 26, was… Read More
Editor’s Note: This story clarifies a March 8 report of Lamoine’s annual town meeting, held Wednesday, March 7, 2001. LAMOINE – A small group of residents concerned with water quality issues led a successful initiative at last week’s town meeting, requiring selectmen to gain citizen… Read More
BELFAST – It’s no secret where ground zero is for a “big box” commercial store in Belfast. “As close to the intersection of Route 1 and Route 3 as possible,” City Planner Wayne Marshall said Friday. Businesses that do advance work for such retailers as… Read More
WARREN – A controversial sex education video, produced by the makers of “Sesame Street,” will be shown to SAD 40 directors Monday and to the public. The location of the viewing has been changed to Warren Community School, which is located at the intersection of… Read More
LINCOLNVILLE – The Lincolnville United Christian Church will be host of a visitors’ day Sunday. Following a special service at 9:30 a.m. will be fellowship and refreshments. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false;… Read More
WINTERPORT – The public is invited to a baked bean and casserole supper tonight. The supper will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 17, at Calvary Apostolic Church on Route 1A. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
Warren Voters will consider an 8 percent increase in the proposed 2001 municipal budget next week. 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++) {… Read More
BEALS – A model boat show will be the highlight of the Beals Historical Society annual meeting on Monday, March 19. Velton Peabody, president of the historical society, said the show is the first he’s ever heard of and will include between 50 and 60… Read More
Whiting Voters will elect a selectman and a member of the SAD 77 board during the first part of the annual town meeting Monday. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – The following divorces were granted by Judge David Griffiths in January in Maine District Court on the grounds of irreconcilable differences. Harold S. Fitzsimmons and Lori A. Fitzsimmons, both of Castle Hill, married in Washburn, May 20, 1994. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
AUGUSTA – Summer internships in state government are again available to Maine residents attending college. The 12-week Maine State Government Summer Internship Program provides work experience and benefits students and state agencies. Interns gain an understanding of state government, a chance to exchange views with… Read More
Kayanna Schuh, a second-grader at Furry Elementary School, 310 Douglas Drive, Sandusky, Ohio 44870, is doing a project, “Picture America,” and would appreciate any information, brochures, postcards or photographs readers may send her about Maine. Nina Casella, an eighth-grader at Washington Manor Middle School, San… Read More
Although Ricker College in Houlton officially closed its doors in 1978, many of its legacies live on through its graduates and the people of the communities Ricker served. Ricker’s arts legacy, for example, continues in the nonprofit Houlton Children’s Theatre. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
BETHEL – Superintendent Kent Rosberg has dealt with threats that pervaded Telstar high school and middle school over the last couple of years. He said he watched as the perpetrators often received a “slap on the wrist.” Against that backdrop, he can’t understand why a… Read More
ELLSWORTH – Union River supporters ventured down to the city’s public harbor park Friday afternoon to celebrate the historic dredging of the river’s Federal Navigation Channel and the reopening of the Ellsworth Harbor. U.S. Rep. John Baldacci, city officials and more than 50 onlookers watched… Read More
PORTLAND – A federal court ruling that allows Naples to pass an ordinance listing the services it would require from a cable operator looking to serve the town has been hailed as a victory for dozens of other Maine communities. U.S. Magistrate Judge David Cohen… Read More
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, and Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, were joined by a bipartisan group of senators Thursday in introducing a bill to provide greater access to life-saving breast cancer screenings. The bill responds to recent revelations that inadequate Medicare payment rates and shortages of qualified… Read More
PORTLAND – Two robbery incidents in Cumberland County involving OxyContin illustrate the risks that people are taking to obtain the highly addictive painkiller, police say. “It’s going to get worse before it gets better,” said Scott Pelletier, a detective sergeant with the Portland Police Department… Read More
The NCAA basketball tournament is now two days old (three, if you spent all of Saturday glued to the tube instead of polishing the dog or walking the truck and are a bit slow getting to the newspaper). If you’re like me, you’re getting a bit punchy. That’s… Read More
It wasn’t so long ago that Nokomis’ four sophomore starters were playing for a Corinna Junior High team that went undefeated for almost three straight years. But two of the girls have been watching Eastern Maine tournament games from the Bangor Auditorium stands for what… Read More
BOSTON – The University of Maine Black Bears won’t be defending their Hockey East Tournament championship. The Black Bears squandered three one-goal leads as the Providence College Friars, who entered the game the game figuring they had to win to gain NCAA Tournament consideration, rallied… Read More
BOSTON – You weren’t there for The Speech. You’ll never see it on TV. You won’t hear it on the radio. You’ll just sit there, like the rest of us, and wonder what it was like on Thursday night, when a gaunt Shawn Walsh shared a few words… Read More
In regard to Saturday night’s clash between the Rams from Bangor and the Rams from Deering of Portland for the Maine Class A state basketball title, it’s not a difficult game to build up. Want to go the WWF route? Call it “Rampage 2001”. How… Read More
CAPE ELIZABETH – Organizers of the Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race held on August 4, are encouraging runners to register for the race online. Registration forms can be found on the web at http://www.beach2beacon.org, or through the bank’s web site at http://www.peoplesheritage.com. This year, the race’s… Read More
While winter still has its grips on the Pine Tree State, several professional baseball players and managers with Maine ties are at training camps in Florida and Arizona preparing for the season. One is former Bangor East Side Little League All-Star and Zone 1 American… Read More
The Eastern Maine Technical College Golden Eagles haven’t been playing too many official basketball games lately, but coach Tom Libby hopes a steady diet of scrimmages has prepared his team for the National Small College Athletic Association tournament. The NSCAA split into two divisions this… Read More
ORMOND BEACH, Fla. – Mike Ross drilled a solo home run to lead off the seventh inning Friday, capping a five-RBI performance that propelled the University of Maine to an 8-7 baseball victory over Fordham. Ross, a junior outfielder, stroked two-run doubles in the second… Read More
Some of the results from the New England High School Track and Field Championships were incorrectly reported in a story in Friday’s editions. The following Maine athletes who finished among the top 10, along with their correct finishes, times and/or distances follow. BOYS – In… Read More
ORONO – Seventy members of the University Singers will devote a week of their spring break to performances and student recruitment efforts as part of their annual New England tour, from March 19 to 25. The singers, under the direction of Dennis Cox, professor of… Read More
DEER ISLE – Haystack has engaged theater artist and art educator Michael Stasiuk to work with the island’s middle school students, in a project that won funding recently from the Surdna Foundation of New York. Stasiuk, from Portsmouth, N.H., will help students make large papier-m?ch?… Read More
ELLSWORTH – Hancock and Washington county residents with a strong interest in receiving classical voice training to sing opera, operettas and art songs are encouraged to apply to the Maine Community Foundation’s Lee Patterson Scholarship Fund for Classical Voice Training for financial assistance. May 1 is the deadline… Read More
A hush falls on the excited crowd gathered in the Bangor Armory for Rampage Pro Wrestling’s Ides of March 2001. Everyone in the audience can see that Mourning Star, the reigning champion, is incensed. The champ has snapped out of his usual sullen mood and… Read More
You have to wonder about St. Patrick, even on his “day.” Despite what you have heard, he is not a saint and not even Irish. Maewyn Succat was born in A.D. 389 and couldn’t wait to change his name. His introduction to Ireland came at… Read More
ELLSWORTH – Filmmakers in the early stages of their careers and promising Maine poets are encouraged to apply for funding through two fellowships available through the Maine Community Foundation. The deadline for applying for both fellowships is May 15; recipients will be notified in late… Read More
Do you need to know where the nearest church in your denomination is … the addresses of all the churches and synagogues in a specific area of Maine? The Maine Council of Churches has announced a Directory of Maine Churches and Synagogues on the home… Read More
PORTLAND – The Portland law firm Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson has launched the Maine Arts Initiative, a series of programs aimed at providing legal and technical expertise and education to arts organizations and artists. The first program will be held April 3 at the Institute of Contemporary… Read More