AUGUSTA – Lawmakers have completed the first session of the 120th Maine Legislature, but they did not address a federal tax change that will start to reduce state revenues significantly before the two-year state budget cycle is completed. The phased-out repeal of the federal estate… Read More
BANGOR – Comair is expected to return two of its three pre-strike flights between Bangor and Cincinnati next month. One flight will begin July 12 and the other July 18. The third flight may be back in service by September. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
BANGOR – A Moscow couple has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that their civil and constitutional rights were violated when the Department of Human Services and the Maine State Police invaded their home and took custody of their five children last January. In the complaint… Read More
BANGOR – In 1930, when now 89-year-old Clara Swan was a Husson College freshman, the school was known as the Maine School of Commerce and fit into one floor of a downtown building, with the Emple Knitting Mill upstairs and the Center Department Store downstairs. Read More
The last name of the Jonesboro woman charged in a June 8 burglary in Marshfield was misspelled in a story Friday. Her name is Toni Tafs. Monday’s story on the Northern Maine Soap Box Derby incorrectly stated that Lyron Blum-Evitts is from Millinocket. Blum-Evitts is… Read More
HARTFORD, Conn. – A national milk processor and the New England states announced an antitrust settlement Monday that state officials said would prevent the company from dominating the region’s milk market. Attorneys general from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire were investigating… Read More
BANGOR – Internet support company EnvisioNet still does not have an agreement in place to receive $638,000 in funds from a group of investors that already has money in the company. Attorneys for EnvisioNet, the investors and the company’s creditors will appear today in U.S. Read More
STAMFORD, Conn. – International Paper Co. said late Monday it was cutting 3,000 jobs – about 10 percent of its salaried U.S. work force – and restructuring several of its businesses. How many of the salaried workers in Bucksport or any other facility in Maine… Read More
PORTLAND – Dismayed by the country’s escalating energy crisis, a group of Maine churches is doing its part to conserve energy. The Maine Council of Churches has launched a program called “Let There Be Light” in an effort to teach people about energy conservation and… Read More
I support Gov. King’s fingerprinting plan for all school employees. I retired after a 20-year military career, with a high-level security clearance. I then retired after a second career with the sheriff’s department. Both of these vocations required fingerprinting and an FBI background check. The… Read More
A story last week from California describing how the top executives of the bankrupt Pacific Gas & Electric Co. would be allowed to receive $17.5 million in bonuses as incentives to stay is a reminder of an important truism of business: You have to pay for talent, even… Read More
The Bush Justice Department may be correct that the federal lawsuit launched against the tobacco industry by the Clinton Justice Department is too weak to win, making a settlement the only realistic resolution. If so – and that remains to be proven – the Bush team must now… Read More
My heartiest congratulations to Dr. Moshe Myerowitz for his June 22 commentary regarding vitamins. The tactics of the pharmaceutical wing of the medical industry are reprehensible. It is wholly regrettable the depths to which one can sink when inspired by raw greed. Robert W. Ronco googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
The bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building and the botched investigation to follow remain as controversial in the minds of those who truly “think outside the box,” as with the JFK assassination. Only the most moribund and delinquent subjects of our imperial government believe Timothy McVeigh alone… Read More
Bruce Kyle no doubt echoed the frustrations of many Internet users in his comments (June 23-24) about the trials of telephoning one’s server for technical support. In addition to the problems he details, we users of Macintosh computers suffer additional indignities at the hands of… Read More
The Bush administration has taken the correct position in being against the Kyoto treaty, but has received more international pressure to reverse his position during his recent meeting with internationals. This month, a report released by the National Academy of Sciences was to some, seen… Read More
I graduated from high school this year, and intend on going to college and becoming a teacher. As a future teacher, I don’t mind the fingerprinting law. However, there are a lot of people who do. Sixty-four teachers have resigned because of the law (BDN, June 23-24). Read More
It would probably be inappropriate of me to suggest that whoever sits next to C.N. Brown spokesperson John D. Pinto at the next board meeting roll up the Bangor Daily News’ June 23-24 edition and smack him with it. But the public relations person might like to. Read More
The June 20 article on drug use Down East listed HIV and hepatitis C among the many health problems associated with opiate addiction. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 56 percent of AIDS cases among women are linked to injection drug use or sex with… Read More
This column is about U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, and you. Growing up barely big enough to pound chalk erasers together, I had to pick my fights carefully. There were some kids in my school you never fought with because they were… Read More
ST. AGATHA – A committee looking to raise $100,000 to assist the rebuilding and renovation of the St. Agatha Catholic Church, ravaged by fire on April 10, reached its goal this past week, 40 days after starting work. The St. Agatha Reconstruction and Restoration Fundraising… Read More
LIMESTONE – Training and Development Corp., the Bucksport firm that has run the Loring Job Corps Center for the past five years, has been awarded a $14 million contract to operate the facility for another term, according to an announcement by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins. Read More
BANGOR – The City Council on Monday decided not to appeal a judge’s finding that the city ordinance used to reject a controversial plan for a 224,000-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter off Stillwater Avenue was unconstitutional. The decision to accept the ruling came during a Monday executive… Read More
MADAWASKA – The excavation of an old dumpsite ended Friday, and 68 containers of unknown chemicals were removed to be analyzed and disposed of properly. The containers were removed over a period of four days last week from two areas of the so-called Cote Farm… Read More
AUGUSTA – The Maine Human Rights Commission on Monday rejected a discrimination claim against the town of Camden which involved allegations of death threats made by one police officer against another. The discrimination claim filed by Officer Allan King was dismissed. The commission also ruled… Read More
CONCORD, N.H. – New Hampshire is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to give the state another chance to explain why it thinks the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is in Portsmouth. “I am hoping against hope that what they will do … is realize there are significant… Read More
ELLSWORTH – A Hancock County woman was mentally abused and “in a fit of terror” when she shot to death her live-in boyfriend last summer, her lawyer told a jury Monday. In opening remarks during his client’s murder trial, Bangor lawyer Jeffrey Silverstein said Malia… Read More
UNITY – The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association is sponsoring the annual Common Ground Country Fair 2002 poster contest. The winning artwork will be featured on the 2002 fair poster, googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
UNITY – The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association is looking for volunteers to help at the 2001 Common Ground Country Fair on Sept. 21-23. Volunteers are needed to share their skills and to help set-up and clean up for the fair. Volunteers get free… Read More
PORTLAND – Marion “Jeannie” McDevitt, daughter of Reginald and Marion McDevitt of Lamoine, graduated cum laude May 26 from the University of Southern Maine School of Law. A 1992 graduate of Ellsworth High School and a 1996 graduate of Tufts University in Somerville, Mass., McDevitt… Read More
BAR HARBOR – More than $1,300 in donations were presented to Camp Beech Cliff and the Bar Harbor Food Pantry last week. The checks, for $690 apiece, represent profits from the Bed and Breakfast Tea and Tour, held most recently in mid-May, said Clare Wood,… Read More
PITTSFIELD – The Pittsfield Public Library invites people of all ages to join the Summer Reading Club, “Find Treasures at Your Library,” now through Aug. 3. The first special program will be at 6:30 p.m. tonight. Zachary Field will entertain the crowd with juggling and… Read More
SKOWHEGAN – The Skowhegan Economic Development Office, Skowhegan Development Corp., Chamber of Commerce and Department of Labor are looking for volunteers to assist them with a Skowhegan business visitation program survey that will be done in the Skowhegan area. Data collected in the surveys will… Read More
OWLS HEAD – A car cruise and rally of antique, classic, modified and custom cars will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 7, at the Owls Head Transportation Museum. The three-county cruise will wind its way over the rolling hills and along the seashores… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Planning board members Monday night approved the final site plan for a major Pittsfield Industrial Park expansion by Walpole Woodworkers Inc. of Massachusetts. The special meeting was called to expedite the company’s plans, since expansion and relocation are necessary because of two recent… Read More
GARDINER – Surrounded by stacks of bagged bottles and cans, Bob Doherty took a break as business slacked off during a hot afternoon at Tiger Town Discount Beverage and Redemption Center. Doherty, manager of the business located in a distinct orange-and-black building, said it’s been… Read More
FORT KENT – Two people were injured and more than $25,000 in vehicle damage was incurred Saturday in three separate accidents. At 1:50 a.m. Bobby Jo Hafford, 21, of Presque Isle lost control of his girlfriend’s car on South Perley Brook Road. He failed to… Read More
FORT KENT – Fifteen third-grade pupils from Fort Kent Elementary School recently surprised hospital officials at Northern Maine Medical Center by presenting eight garden planters that have been placed at hospital entrances. While visiting at the hospital, pupils also assisted groundskeeper Steve Babin, by raking… Read More
FORT KENT – The University of Maine at Fort Kent will offer its French Immersion Camp for area children ages 5 to 12 next month in both Madawaska and Fort Kent. The program, which is designed to teach children an appreciation for French language and… Read More
CARIBOU – Tractors and equipment will be on display July 14-15 as part of Caribou’s Agri-Cultural Celebration. The Antique Tractor and Equipment show will be held in parking lots at the intersection of Sweden Street and Hatch Drive. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
FORT KENT – Paul Thibodeau, 14, of Troop 189 received his Eagle Scout rank on June 17. While in Scouts, Thibodeau served in leadership capacities including patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader and senior patrol leader. He also participated in spring and fall camporees in… Read More
CORINTH – The annual strawberry supper will be held at 4:30, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 29, at the Corinth United Methodist Church on Route 15. Admission is $6, and reservations are requested. To make reservations, call 285-3557. Read More
ORONO – The Ayers Island Task Force will meet in the Orono council chambers at 7 p.m. tonight, June 26. The agenda includes a presentation by Sebago Technics, Inc., of Westbrook, an engineering firm hired by the town to conduct a feasibility study and develop a plan for… Read More
BANGOR – A Van Buren man Monday pleaded not guilty to charges he imported cocaine into the United States from Canada and that he possessed cocaine with the intent to distribute it Eric D. Gagnon, 27, was arraigned before Magistrate Judge Margaret J. Kravchuk. The… Read More
BANGOR – The City Council on Monday adopted a $64.2 million budget for fiscal year 2002 that includes a 1.3 percent increase in the city’s property tax rate. After a series of uncontested votes, the council gave its blessing to the budget – which will… Read More
AMHERST – A Wells man was airlifted from Route 9 Monday afternoon after the car he was driving crashed into the side of a tractor-trailer. Many hands were needed along with extricating equipment to remove Maurice Boivin, 66, of Wells and Illinois, from his station… Read More
ELLSWORTH – A passenger railroad between Bangor and Trenton is still a distant dream. But Maine’s Department of Transportation took a leap forward Monday when they announced a plan to spend this summer answering the key question – If we build it, will the passengers… Read More
SANGERVILLE – The 43-acre town-owned parcel in the village will be divided next month and sold to several abutting landowners. Selectmen agreed to sell the land to abutters at $500 an acre. The land was initially proposed as an industrial park, but was considered too… Read More
SEARSPORT – The librarian and archivist at the Penobscot Marine Museum will be the guest speaker in the museum’s Tea & Talks lecture series this week. John Arrison will speak on “The History of Navigation: 500 Years of Reckoning at Sea.” His talk is set… Read More
ROCKLAND – Penobscot School’s annual book sale will be held at the school from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 30, and Sunday, July 1. This year’s sale features novels in hardcover by well-known authors. Also featured are books in various foreign languages. Books… Read More
ROCKLAND – The granddaughter of Andrew Wyeth is presenting special weekend tours of the Farnsworth Art Museum. Victoria Wyeth, great-granddaughter of N.C. Wyeth and niece of James Wyeth, has conducted tours at the Farnsworth in past years. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
THOMASTON – The next meeting of the Thomaston Library Community Center Committee will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday June 26, in the downstairs level of the Thomaston Library. The public is invited to attend and help with this new and exciting project to build a… Read More
BELFAST – A sparsely attended district budget meeting resulted in an overwhelming vote of support for raising an additional $2.3 million in local taxes to support the SAD 34 school budget. Residents attending Monday’s budget meeting at the Troy Howard Middle School voted 63-37 in… Read More
ROCKLAND – A gaggle of tourists filled the sidewalks of Camden and Rockland on Monday, and they are expected to do the same in Bar Harbor today. But unlike most of the state’s visitors this summer, none of this group – numbering 150 – will… Read More
LINCOLN – A representative of the Bangor Department of Human Services office will assist residents interested in applying for food stamps and-or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families from 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, at the Penquis CAP building, 119 Main St. Read More
BANGOR – The passing lanes of Interstate 95, both northbound and southbound, will be closed today as concrete is poured on the new bridge deck. Northbound traffic will be diverted through the cross-over lanes into the southbound lane. Two-way traffic will be in effect from… Read More
OLD TOWN – Friends remembered Robert Bruce Fiske on Monday as a man who dedicated his life to his family, his profession and his community. Fiske, 68, a professional forester and former Old Town School Board and City Council member, died at his home Sunday,… Read More
BREWER – The city’s new and improved land use code – a document aimed at keeping pace with a rapidly changing community – will undergo a fourth and final review Thursday during a joint public hearing of the City Council and planning board. The hearing… Read More
ORONO – It took the Town Council less than an hour Monday evening to approve a municipal and school budget of nearly $12 million for 2002, but the vote wasn’t unanimous. Councilor Sophia Wilder praised the work that went into the document, but said she… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – The Center Theater Group will present its annual Children’s Drama Workshop July 16-27 at the East Sangerville Grange. The workshop culminates in the performance of “Pete’s Feat,” an interactive musical spoof based on Peter Pan, at 6 p.m. Friday, July 27, at the… Read More
CALAIS – A 23-year-old Alexander man was arrested on a charge of assault early Saturday after an incident on Main Street. Sgt. David Randall of the Calais Police Department said Anthony Pottle struck his girlfriend. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
WHITNEYVILLE – Four Washington County teen-agers have beaten the odds and earned a black belt in a style of karate developed four centuries ago in Okinawa. Leila Alciere of Wesley, Billy Bellows of Machias, Sean McDermott of Marion and Nyla Patterson of Northfield began taking… Read More
BAR HARBOR – A new College of the Atlantic graduate received a national citation recently, honoring her for her work with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered youth. Sarah Grasso received the certificate of leadership from the National Youth Advocacy Commission following her senior dance recital… Read More
MACHIAS – For the first time in almost five years, the old Machias Grange Hall is alive with activity as a small group of socially active artisans works on a stone mosaic mural that will be part of an agricultural exhibition hall at the site of Maine’s Common… Read More
NEW GLOUCESTER – One of the world’s last Shakers has been laid to rest, leaving just six members of the unorthodox sect. Sister Frances Carr, the Sabbathday Lake community’s eldress, knows the world speculates about the religion’s future, and has heard the phrase “the last”… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – A local man, Jesse LaBlanc, was honored Monday during the annual town meeting for his heroic efforts during a fire last October last year. On behalf of the Kiwanis Club International, Dennis Lyford, president of the Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Club, presented LaBlanc with the… Read More
DEXTER – The town’s 200th birthday celebration in August is gearing up to be quite the affair, according to organizers. There will be a road race, a parade, a craft show, children’s games, band concerts, a public supper, fireworks and dances held on Aug. 11. Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – The following divorces were granted in 13th District Court recently on grounds of irreconcilable differences: William A. Crosscup of Farmington, N.H., and Barbara Nutter of Brownville; married at Townsend, Mass. Dec. 31, 1995. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
AUGUSTA – A high-tech thermal paper ticket that has become the industry standard for state lotteries will make its debut in Maine on July 1. “It cuts down on costs and is more efficient,” said Eben B. Marsh, director of the Maine Bureau of Alcoholic… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – A local man, Jesse LaBlanc, was honored Monday during the annual town meeting for his heroic efforts during a fire last October last year. On behalf of the Kiwanis Club International, Dennis Lyford, president of the Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Club, presented LaBlanc with the… Read More
BANGOR – The Penquis Community Action Program has received $1,109,457 in federal grants to fund Head Start initiatives. According to Jean Bridges, director of child development at Head Start, the organization has received the funding for the past 35 years. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
Hoping to catch residents and tourists as they begin their summer vacations rather than being in the midst of them, the St. Croix Valley International Garden Club scheduled its Lubec-Campobello Garden Tour a bit earlier this year. To begin a week that celebrates America’s Independence… Read More
BANGOR – Dramatic descriptions of the capture of Marquis Craig in Portland last fall dominated a suppression hearing Monday at U.S. District Court. Craig is one of five Massachusetts men indicted following an early morning armed robbery at the Budget Host motel in Waterville. The… Read More
BAR HARBOR – It is said that good things come to those who wait. Certainly it was so for the audience at the Criterion Theatre on Sunday evening who endured a warm, half-hour wait for the house to open. Avishai Cohen and the R. J. Miller Quintet’s performances… Read More
From the far corner of the auction house, through a haze of sawdust and smoke, Everett Underhill nods his head to the auctioneer with the confidence and poise of a high-stakes Vegas card shark telling the dealer, “Hit me.” “One thirty-five,” Jay Hanson jabbers. “Do… Read More
On thousands of acres of Maine agricultural land, freshly pollinated blossoms are falling from bushes native to our coastal and inland regions. In late summer, this land will be blanketed under a crop of sweet, wild blueberries – one of our state’s most unique and valuable farm products. Read More
Dear Jim: I think that adding a ceiling fan or two would improve our comfort and save a few bucks on our electric bills. I want unique-looking fans instead of the standard “big box” variety. What is best? – Carrie V. Dear Carrie: Adding a… Read More
KINEO TOWNSHIP – Out in the middle of Maine’s most storied lake, on an “island” that isn’t really an island, near a “rock” that’s far more than a rock, Marshall Peterson has a challenge for you. It’s quite simple, really. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
University of Maine hockey coach Shawn Walsh has spent the last week in the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Md. as the expected battle between brother Kevin’s transplanted stem cells and Walsh’s own cells is taking place. The hope is that Kevin Walsh’s stem… Read More
Jesse Speirs of Bangor was named a first alternate to the U.S. Junior Amateur championships after a sudden-death playoff at a qualifying tournament in South Dennis, Mass. Monday. Speirs, 14, shot a 144 (72-72) in the 36-hole, two-day qualifying tournament at the Dennis Highland Golf… Read More
Brian Heal MILO – Brian Heal of Milo aced the 150-yard, par-3 second hole at the Katahdin Country Club in Milo Sunday. He used a 7-iron. Barrett Graves, Terry Bailey and Galen Larson witnessed the feat. Read More
Seven Maine golfers will be in the field competing at the Women’s New England Golf Association Championship at the Walpole Country Club in Walpole, Mass., beginning this morning and running through Thursday. Leading the Maine contingent is 20-year-old Abbie Spector of Waterville. Spector has won… Read More
The Maine Hoops 14U/8th grade boys basketball team swept the Maine Hoops Invitational Tourney held in Portland this weekend winning all five games. The tournament hosted some of the top youth teams in New England. Playing on the team were Aaron Gallant and Jordan Heath of Bangor, Jordan… Read More
BANGOR – When the 26th version of the R.H. Foster Energy/Mobile Junior Bunyan Golf Tournament is teed off at 8 this morning at Bangor Municipal Golf Course one thing will be painfully obvious. Interest in the tournament is dwindling. Only 14 golfers are registered for… Read More