AUGUSTA – After weeks of discussion, House and Senate leaders attempted Tuesday to sell a new compromise $5.2 billion state budget proposal to a skeptical and noncompliant rank and file. Although the governor’s office and legislative leaders agreed in concept to the package, several House… Read More
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – Unaware that a drawbridge was open, drivers came close to plunging into the frigid, swift-moving Piscataqua River during the weekend when they got the green light to cross the bridge. One driver slammed on the brakes about a car length from the… Read More
Deciding to become a single parent eight years ago, Robert Vomes found plenty of naysayers. “People were surprised at first – there were a lot of people who were saying I couldn’t do it,” the unassuming Carmel man said this week. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
On Page A1 of Tuesday’s paper, a story on the California blackout forecasts featured a picture of a man with the name Davis. The man is Gray Davis, governor of California. A headline on Page B1 of Tuesday’s paper contained an incorrect reference to a… Read More
MILBRIDGE – A Portland attorney has filed suit against a Milbridge sea cucumber processor on behalf of Spanish-speaking migrants who say the company allows them to work “off the clock” and that they are not paid overtime. Donald F. Fontaine filed the complaint Monday in… Read More
Most people don’t know where Masardis is. We are located 150 miles north of Bangor and 60 miles south of Fort Kent on Route 11. My ancestors have lived here more than 100 years. When towns were given ZIP codes, we were assigned 04759. We… Read More
Some members of the Maine Legislature would like better health insurance. Who wouldn’t? But their bill to extend members’ benefits has gone nowhere. Under present law, legislators get lifetime health coverage only if they are 62 years old when they leave office. They gave quick… Read More
Your mortgage resides in Iowa, your credit card accumulates debt in Delaware and your small-but-proud mutual fund rides the market in Manhattan. The Maine Legislature is debating how to protect personal information as banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions get into each other’s businesses, but the fact… Read More
On May 16 the Bangor Daily News published a front page story titled, “Tougher standards set for cholesterol,” from The Associated Press. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute has announced new recommendations. There is no mention of something called homocysteine in the article. If… Read More
It was very disappointing to see the House rejected the gun bill that would have limited access to handguns to anyone with a protection from abuse order issued against them. I urge the people of Maine that before you vote for someone to serve in the House you… Read More
All those people who cry “not in my back yard” and hold to the theory of no more cutting of trees, no more mining of coal, no more dams on rivers, no more drilling for oil and gas, and never even think about the cheap power from the… Read More
I have been watching daily for the newspapers throughout our state to take a deep breath and stop for a moment to recognize the incredible work done by foster parents for the children of Maine. Thus far, I have only had the opportunity to feel embarrassment over the… Read More
In response to the letter from Charlotte Lugdon and Shirley Harvey (“Take back town,” BDN, May 12-13), let me assure readers that the dance class was given polite, ample, written notice to relocate. They were also told if they wanted to continue at the same site, they could… Read More
I was watching the recent parade in Medway of Maine hero Bradford Borland on the news a week ago and noticed the so-called “hero” seemed bewildered why he was there and so was I. I’m afraid I don’t understand the word hero as it’s used in these times. Read More
Whether in Washington or Bangor, the axiom “the business of government is business” rings loud and clear. The Bangor City Council will likely grant good neighbor Wal-Mart a building permit to expand its operation. Similarly, Brewer government representatives salivated at the disclosure that a new Wal-Mart is on… Read More
Violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories escalates in a terrible, vicious and demoralizing cycle. In just the past few days, more than 20 people have been killed and scores injured. At risk is the progress the parties have made over the past decade in their search for… Read More
AUGUSTA – A strong majority in the Maine House of Representatives gave final approval Tuesday to a bill requiring health insurance carriers that offer coverage for the spouses of health plan members to offer similar coverage for domestic partners of plan members. The House fended… Read More
BANGOR – Federal prosecutors on Tuesday cited a combination of factors in their decision not to file charges against the latest batch of British nationals accused of diverting overseas flights to the city’s airport last week. Assistant U.S. Attorney James McCarthy said because both airlines… Read More
BANGOR – Hubert Saunders, 60, claims he was a rising star in the corporate world of Webber Oil Co. until he told company leader Larry Mahaney he had prostate cancer. Within a few weeks of the conversation, Saunders said, he was fired from a $64,000-a-year… Read More
For the last seven years, Daphne and Steve Izer of Lisbon Falls have been fighting to rid the highways of the hazardous trucking practices that claimed the life of their 16-year-old son. Jeff Izer, his girlfriend and two of their friends were killed on the… Read More
BANGOR – For the owners of the city’s only strip club, it’s time to put on the tops and turn on the taps. Faced with a June 1 deadline to stop topless dancing at the club or move out of the downtown, Diva’s owner Diane… Read More
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK – The midmorning sun is shining in a clear blue sky as tourists scramble over the rocks atop Cadillac Mountain to photograph foggy cobwebs blowing across the Porcupine Islands below. But Paul Nichols is at his computer, locked inside a small aluminum… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Countless hours of research, fundraising and persistence have paid off for Pittsfield veterans. The newly placed Veterans Memorial on Main Street, surrounded by a park especially created for it, will be formally dedicated Monday after the traditional Memorial Day parade. Although the black… Read More
HAMPDEN – The Hampden Business Association will award its Business Person of the Year Award to Harold Bouchard, owner of H.O. Bouchard, Inc., at an award dinner at 6 p.m., Thursday, May 24, at the Spectacular Event Center at 395 Griffin Rd. in Bangor. The… Read More
BANGOR – One woman was killed and two people were seriously injured Tuesday night when the car they were in left the northbound lane of Interstate 95 and crossed into the southbound lane, rolling over and hitting a guardrail. Maine State Police were still investigating… Read More
Bangor District Court Robert A. Wiley, 38, Glenburn, burglary, bound over 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 (isMobileDevice()) {… Read More
BREWER – Police searched the area around a Wilson Street convenience store late Tuesday night for a man who had robbed the store, brandishing a weapon. Officers were stationed at strategic locations around the Big Apple convenience store where at 10:45 p.m. it had been… Read More
ALFRED – A woman has filed a civil lawsuit against her estranged husband who allegedly shot her earlier this month in their North Berwick home. The suit filed Monday in York County Superior Court by Petina Quint seeks compensation and punitive damages for the May… Read More
WATERVILLE – The Allied Orders of the Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Maine, will hold its annual encampment on June 21-23 at the Best Western Inn. An open house will be held at 8 p.m. Friday, June 22, in the Fenway Room. The… Read More
CASTINE – The Maine Maritime Academy training vessel State of Maine has arrived in Natal, Brazil, for the first stop on its training mission. The ship will remain in Natal until Thursday, when it will begin a trip to Galveston, Texas, where it will be… Read More
MOUNT DESERT – The Mount Desert Island Historical Society has been awarded the 2001 Statewide Historic Preservation Honor Award for Organizational Excellence from Maine Preservation. In 2000, the society restored an 1892 one-room schoolhouse in the town of Mount Desert. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
BLUE HILL – A Blue Hill man has become the first executive director of the Blue Hill Heritage Trust. Jim Dow comes to the trust after 12 years as a senior staffer for the Maine chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Dow has served on the… Read More
Mt. Blue High School, Farmington Graduation at Mount Blue High School will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 9. 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
PITTSFIELD – Members of the town council’s Ordinance Committee agreed Monday night to forward two new local laws – a pooper-scooper requirement and piggery restrictions – to the council for adoption. Mayor Gary Jordan said following the Monday night meeting that neither restriction is expected… Read More
PALMYRA – One day before Palmyra selectmen were set to discuss the status of the town’s volunteer fire chief, Fred Campbell threw in the towel. Campbell submitted a formal resignation from the unpaid post, citing his “deepest regrets” for leaving the position immediately. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
PORTLAND – A Casco Bay Lines ferry captain accused of harassing and intimidating co-workers, as well as some passengers, has been fired. General Manager Patrick Christian said the ferry company fired Adam Nice of Portland on Monday after an internal investigation into the findings of… Read More
Hodgdon High School HODGDON – Principal Stephen J. Fitzpatrick has announced the honor parts for the Class of 2001. They are: Lura F. Griffin, valedictorian; Melissa S. Dwyer, salutatorian; Jamie L. Cleary, first honor part; Heather F. Bartlett, second honor part; and Amanda A. O’Bar,… Read More
HOULTON – Police are investigating a rash of overnight burglaries that occurred within a short distance of each other sometime after midnight Tuesday. The first burglary to be reported to Houlton police came in at 5:45 a.m. Tuesday from the Houlton Farms Dairy Bar on… Read More
HOULTON – Members of the Town Council and representatives of Boyd Sanitation met for more than an hour Monday night to discuss an average 19 percent rate increase request from Boyd. “We want to be fair to you, but we have a fiduciary responsibility to… Read More
WATERVILLE – The Allied Orders of the Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Maine, will hold its annual encampment on June 21-23 at the Best Western Inn. An open house will be held at 8 p.m. Friday, June 22, in the Fenway Room. The… Read More
UNITY – The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association will hold an organic blueberry workshop at 3 p.m. Thursday, June 7, at the Blueberry Hill Research Station in Jonesboro. The station is located on the north side of Route 1, five miles west of Machias. Read More
BANGOR – Classes at James F. Doughty Middle School were let out early Wednesday after a bomb threat was telephoned to the school on Fifth Street. According to Bangor High School Principal Norris Nickerson, school officials received a telephone call alleging there was a bomb… Read More
BREWER – A proposed impact fee for new development along the booming Wilson Street corridor was soundly endorsed Monday night by members of the City Council and planning board, even by one of the first major developers expected to pay it. According to Drew Sachs,… Read More
THOMASTON – SAD 50 voters said yes to a new $2.2 million kindergarten through fourth-grade Cushing school when they cast their ballots Tuesday at the polls. The overall vote between Thomaston, Cushing and St. George was close at 439-400. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
LINCOLN – Residents of Chester, Lincoln and Mattawamkeag will learn more about SAD 67’s proposed $8.7 million budget during informational meetings next month. The meetings are designed to provide district voters with information before they decide the fate of the budget proposal during a daylong… Read More
Bangor District Court Tyler Tracy, 23, Lewiston, operating motor vehicle while under influence of intoxicating liquor, $400, jail three days, license suspended 90 days. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i… Read More
THOMASTON -SAD 50 ballots were still being counted Tuesday for a $9.1 million budget, but it looked like it would pass. SAD 50 comprises Thomaston, Cushing and St. George. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
BELFAST – A city woman in her 80s had a rude birthday awakening when prowlers forced their way into her home. One man was arrested in the break-in last weekend after he was found passed out in the woman’s bathroom from excessive alcohol consumption. A… Read More
ROCKLAND – A string of thefts and property damage in surrounding neighborhoods apparently preceded Monday’s break-ins and vandalism at the SAD 5 administrative building and at the Lincoln Street Center, police said Tuesday. Rockland police Sgt. Lloyd Daniels said Detective Sgt. James Pease and Detective… Read More
STONINGTON – Voters here will act on competing articles regarding the airport and its management when they gather for a special town meeting Thursday night. At issue is the effort by the Stonington Airport Committee to construct safety overrun areas at the airport. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
ELLSWORTH – A car crashed into the side of an oil truck on Route 1 near the Orland-Ellsworth line late Tuesday afternoon, sending two people to the hospital. The car’s driver, John Dunn, 56, of Ellsworth, was traveling west on Route 1 in Ellsworth when… Read More
CALAIS – New Brunswick officials insist they are not trying to control the location of a new international bridge but that they have a legitimate concern about traffic patterns around the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. As plans for the bridge project progress, officials from the… Read More
Jonesport-Beals High School JONESPORT – Colleen Haskell, principal of Jonesport-Beals High School, and the faculty have announced the class parts for the school year 2000-2001. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var… Read More
Women golfers who think they would enjoy a tournament all their own certainly will want to play in the first Women’s Charity Golf Tournament to benefit the Good Samaritan Agency in Bangor. The nine-hole, four-woman scramble tournament begins with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Read More
PORTLAND – Maine is on track to break a 60-year-record for the driest spring, and that has some farmers and weather trackers keeping a worried eye on the sky. The state has seen only 1.63 inches of moisture for the two-month period and only .42… Read More
PORTLAND – A Biddeford man who once dressed up in Ku Klux Klan-style outfits and paraded outside a black mayoral candidate’s house was convicted of terrorizing on Monday. A York County jury found Robert Kalex, 36, guilty of yelling racial threats at Rory Holland. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
BRUNSWICK – More than a dozen Canadian cyclists, following the route taken 200 years ago by Benedict Arnold in his failed bid to capture Quebec City, coasted into town this week. Led by Thierry de Brouwer, who works for a television network in Quebec Province,… Read More
BANGOR – A volunteer firefighter from Medway pleaded guilty Tuesday to setting a fire that destroyed an abandoned convenience store in that town last fall. Heidi Carey, 23, of Millinocket entered the arson plea Tuesday morning before Justice Andrew Mead in superior court and was… Read More
AUGUSTA – Opponents of a universal health care system say Maine can’t afford the proposed $3.4 billion-per-year program, which has won an endorsement by the House of Representatives and awaited a Senate vote Tuesday. “In order to pay for it, we will have to double… Read More
BANGOR – Bangor Mental Health Institute Superintendent N. Lawrence Ventura will step down from his position after 13 years as head of the facility. Ventura, 57, reached Tuesday, declined to comment on his retirement, scheduling an interview for next week. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
PORTLAND – Officials in the state’s largest city Monday unanimously approved a measure to recognize same-sex and opposite-sex domestic partners as families. It is the first city to adopt such an ordinance. The domestic partnership ordinance will give committed couples many of the same rights… Read More
BANGOR – Maine’s highest court has upheld a Penobscot County jury’s conviction of a former Etna town clerk for theft, saying there was sufficient evidence presented at trial to support the guilty verdicts. Janice Parsons, 49, has been free on bail pending the outcome of… Read More
ROCKLAND – Maine, observed and imagined, is the subject of a small, but rich exhibit at the Farnsworth Art Museum. “Trending into Maine: The Illustrations of N.C. Wyeth” features Wyeth’s work for the book “Trending into Maine,” written by Maine native Kenneth Roberts. The works… Read More
Newburgh’s Ricky Craven figured he was in perfect position to contend for the win in the second leg of The Winston Open last Saturday night at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (N.C.) in Charlotte, N.C. He would have started outside of pole-sitter Ricky Rudd for the 16-lap No Bull Sprint… Read More
Tory Cavalieri, who earned America East All-Rookie team honors with the University of Maine men’s basketball season, has decided to transfer. Cavalieri, a 5-foot-10 point guard from Atlantic City, N.J., has been given his release by UMaine and hopes to attend a school closer to… Read More
A few weeks ago, Bangor basketball star Joe Campbell knew he’d be playing some of his college games at the University of Maine’s Alfond Arena. But up until a few days ago, Campbell thought he’d be playing those games for the Binghamton (N.Y.) University Bearcats,… Read More
HAMPDEN – While Jen Jimmo had a monster pitching effort, the rest of the Bangor softball team stuck with plain old ground-ball singles for a 5-0 victory over Hampden Academy Tuesday at the Weatherbee school complex. Jimmo fired a one-hitter and the Rams pounded out… Read More
It is known as the “Gold Club Case.” Professional sports are holding their collective breaths. This one has a real bad smell to it. Nothing in sports is more sacrosanct than the integrity of the games. That the games are decided on the playing surface… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Ground was broken this week for a second world-class cross country ski trail designed to promote the Nordic sport and its healthy lifestyle. About 75 people gathered Monday at the site on the border between Presque Isle and Fort Fairfield for the… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL At Caribou 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
LLOYD CARSON BROOKS – Lloyd Carson of Knox aced the 125-yard, par-3 fourth hole at Country View Golf Course on Friday. Carson used an 8-iron to to get his first hole-in-one, which was witnessed by Leuna Nason, Bruce Hall, and Shirley Hall. Read More
HIGH SCHOOL At Pittsfield 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
COLLEGE Academic All-District softball googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i < slot_sizes.length; i++) { if (isMobileDevice()) { if (slot_sizes[i][0]… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL At Howland 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
For a golfer whose part-time job requires working almost every weekend from mid-April to the end of October, getting done with that job would seem to be a joy. For Pittsfield’s Roger Ross, Central Division scorer for the Maine State Golf Association for the past… Read More
Rick Sinclair’s careers – first as a basketball player and now as a coach – have taken similar paths. On the court, Sinclair starred at Hermon High School and then at Husson College in Bangor. Now, after a two-year stint on the sidelines as the… Read More
LINCOLN – The Central Red Devils jumped out to a six-run lead and then held on to record a pointworthy 7-4 victory over the Mattanawcook Academy Lynx in schoolboy baseball action Tuesday. Matt Libby and Billy Kane each had two singles and a double to… Read More
VAN BUREN – Van Buren lefthander Phil Smith struck out 15 and walked none as he no-hit the Fort Kent Warriors as the No. 1 team in Class D, the Crusaders, prevailed 4-0 in schoolboy baseball action Tuesday. Tyler Hughes broke up a no-hit bid… Read More
GUILFORD – Dennis Glynn pitched a four-hitter, striking out seven, to lead the Piscataquis Community Pirates to a 9-1 schoolboy baseball victory over the Lee Academy Pandas Tuesday. Buddy Leavitt paced Piscataquis with four singles and an RBI. Randy Burgess hit a two-run home run… Read More