BELFAST – A judge has rejected an attempt to expand an overtime violations lawsuit against MBNA America to include all current and former employees. A lengthy civil trial looms for four current or former MBNA employees now that Superior Court Justice Francis Marsano has rejected… Read More
AUGUSTA – Despite periodic warnings from state officials and laws requiring disclosure of contract terms, dozens of charitable groups across the state are continuing to use professional fund-raising companies that often return less than 10 cents of every dollar they raise to the charity. Many argue, however, that… Read More
BANGOR – Maine had enough extra electricity to energize all the homes in Hartford, Conn., and then some on Thursday, but could not get it out of the state to help them or the rest of New England. At another point, enough electricity from other… Read More
MONTPELIER, Vt. – A group of investors with ties to the Mad River Valley has been negotiating to buy Sugarbush Resort in Warren from the cash-strapped American Skiing Co. None of the principals was willing to discuss the negotiations Thursday and it was not clear… Read More
ORONO – The Maine “Industries of the Future” team will host an Energy and Technology Expo from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, on Wells Common at the University of Maine. There will be industrial tours, demonstrations and exhibits on emerging technologies in… Read More
Montreal-based Domtar Inc. has completed its acquisition of four U.S. paper mills from Georgia-Pacific Corp., including G-P’s Baileyville mill in Maine. The sale totaled $1.65 billion in U.S. dollars. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
Over the last decade those of us promoting the development of an east-west highway across Maine have regularly heard one common dissent. Those dissenters have said that no one will use such a highway; they claim that only a very few people want to travel from the Canadian… Read More
Coming just a week after the depressing news that Maine, in 1998 anyway, had the nation’s highest tax burden, the news of its top 10 scores on eighth- and fourth-grade mathematics national exams was something to cheer. It shows that sometimes all that government investment pays off in… Read More
President Bush seems to have it right that the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty stands in the way of the National Missile Defense that he is determined to build. But he seems to underestimate the difficulties of getting around the pesky agreement. The treaty, signed and… Read More
“Police say family of 3 killed by drunken officer” (BDN, Aug. 6) makes me sick to my stomach. Joseph Gray, a 15-year veteran of the New York police force, was released on his own recognizance after killing a 24-year-old woman who was eight months pregnant, the son whom… Read More
According to the Bowdoin professor (Chris Potholm), the 2nd District is going to vote for Susan Collins in 2002; it’s in the bag because Chellie Pingree is a liberal and is for some form of gun control. I’m only one voter in the 2nd District and will not… Read More
How many angels can dance on the head of a pin? It is said that during the Middle Ages, the world’s most pre-eminent scholars wasted considerable time debating such questions. To the vast majority of the American people, the stem-cell research issue is just such a question. Read More
Tuesday night, July 17, I was on my way home to Sherman from Dyer Brook. It was pouring rain so hard the visibility was limited. I knew there was construction going on in Island Falls, so I kept looking for a flagger ahead and work area signs. Read More
It’s 3 a.m. July 17. Four jets thunder out of Knox County Regional Airport in Owls Head in violation of the curfew. One of the many people awakened calls the official airport noise hotline. When her complaint is ignored, as usual (contrary to the airport’s stated policy on… Read More
OTISFIELD – An Israeli mayor who challenged his government by sending dozens of young people to the Seeds of Peace camp received a warm welcome from campers during a visit this week. Because of an escalation of Mideast violence, the Palestinian government balked at sending… Read More
AUGUSTA – A Superior Court judge Thursday took under advisement a case that could decide whether the state’s largest charitable health-care trust gets millions of dollars more in funding. A consumers’ group complained that the state insurance regulator erred in calculating the value of Blue… Read More
BOSTON – A Russian tanker docked at a Canadian oil refinery is the prime suspect in a maritime collision off the coast of Massachusetts that killed three fishermen, U.S. Coast Guard officials said Thursday. The M.T. Virgo “at this point matches the profile” of the… Read More
SCHOODIC POINT – It’s Acadia National Park’s secret. On the eastern side of Frenchman Bay, across from bustling Mount Desert Island, the Schoodic Peninsula portion of the park draws just 11 percent of the 2.7 million visitors recorded each year at Acadia. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
BANGOR – A former Rite Aid pharmacist pleaded guilty Thursday to a felony theft charge after stealing nearly $1 million in prescription drugs from the pharmacy chain last year. Christopher Comfort, 35, of Pittsfield entered his plea in Penobscot County Superior Court after weeks of… Read More
BANGOR – A Canadian man arrested last December as he attempted to cross the border into Maine at the Aroostook County town of Hamlin was sentenced to six months in prison recently for making a “false, fictitious and fraudulent” statement to immigration officials, according to a superseding indictment… Read More
HERMON – On a night of record-setting attendance, a fight believed to have started between several drivers at Speedway 95 Wednesday expanded to include several hundred people before it was broken up. Police are still investigating the fight to determine the cause as well as… Read More
Presque Isle District Court Ryan J. Bard, 19, Presque Isle, disorderly conduct, $200; displaying false license or identification, dismissed; disorderly conduct, $100; possession of drug paraphernalia, dismissed; minor consuming liquor, $200. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
WASHINGTON – Two Native American housing authorities in Maine will receive grants totaling $1,022,236 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to expand affordable housing options, U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins announced Thursday. “It is important for public housing authorities to… Read More
ST. FRANCIS – Residents here are worried that continued declining enrollments could close their elementary school, and they have started a grass-roots effort to forestall the possibility. A nearly one-hour discussion Wednesday night at an SAD 27 board meeting was about the pros and cons… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Although layoffs announced recently by the Bangor Daily News included the full-time reporter’s position in Presque Isle, the newspaper’s office in that city remains open, Julie Murchison, news editor at BDN, said Thursday. “For now, we will provide coverage to Central Aroostook… Read More
HOULTON – Nomination papers for 15 elected positions on five governing boards are currently available at the Town Office. There are two three-year openings on the Town Council. Councilor Paul Romanelli is prohibited from running again in November, as the town’s charter prohibits anyone from… Read More
SMYRNA – A leaking 55-gallon drum of potassium hydroxide carried by a tractor-trailer truck traveling east on Route 2 Thursday afternoon brought a quick response from area emergency crews. Potassium hydroxide is most commonly known as lye. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
HOULTON – As a result of action taken Wednesday night by the Town Council, property taxes for this year will increase by a half mill, or about 2 percent. The council voted unanimously to take $200,000 from the revenue sharing account to cut what otherwise… Read More
BLUE HILL – The Blue Hill Peninsula Chamber of Commerce will settle into its first permanent home this week, a small weathered-gray building with a bank of windows reflecting a view of Blue Hill Bay. With a place to call home, things will start to… Read More
BANGOR – Beal College will have an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17. People interested in Beal’s programs are encouraged to attend. Read More
BANGOR – The topic “Preparing for Outdoor Adventure” will be addressed at the next Tuesday Forum luncheon by Jon Tierney, owner of Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School. The forum will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Aug. 14, at Geaghan’s Restaurant. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
ORONO – The current location of the superintendent’s offices – just off the entrance to the school that serves the system’s sixth- through eighth-graders – is fine with Tom Perry. “I love being where I am,” he said, but that doesn’t mean the superintendent thinks… Read More
HOLDEN – During a public hearing this week on the proposed town charter, residents shared views on what they want – and don’t want – for their town in the years to come. Though all Holden Charter Commission’s meetings have been open to the public,… Read More
ELLSWORTH – A local man was summoned on multiple charges, including assaulting an officer, after he was arrested Tuesday night for criminal speeding. Charles A. Brunious was uncooperative but was not combative until Ellsworth police Officer Loren Clarke took him to the Hancock County Jail,… Read More
Bangor District Court Laura M. Carroll, 16, Bangor, curfew violation, $25. 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… Read More
BANGOR – A man was stabbed at his apartment and fled to Main and Union streets where a passer-by called for help. Bangor police are investigating the stabbing which was first reported at 9:47 p.m. The injured man was taken to Eastern Maine Medical Center. Read More
OWLS HEAD – Townspeople will gather Aug. 27 for the annual town meeting to vote on a $509,731 municipal budget that has decreased by nearly $7,500. According to Frank Mullin, chairman of selectmen, money from excise taxes and permit and license fees will pay for… Read More
WARREN – Selectmen will contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office to determine if a Main Street building owned by Crowe Rope is required to have a fire sprinkler system that works. The board voted unanimously Wednesday to check into the matter after discussing safety concerns… Read More
CAMDEN – The fate of a popular nightclub is in limbo as town officials ponder renewing the bar’s liquor license. Gilbert’s Publick House on Bayview Street is one of two bars in town that regularly feature live rock bands. The music and ample dance floor… Read More
MACHIAS – Five graduates of Machias Memorial High School have scored high enough on advanced placement exams to be given college credit for some of their high school courses, according to Principal Terry Atwood. Atwood said the students took the exams in May and recently… Read More
BAR HARBOR – High temperatures caused a large leaf pile in a town storage lot on Crooked Road to spontaneously combust Wednesday afternoon, keeping firefighters from four towns busy for four hours. The pile of leaves, which the town uses to mix in with its… Read More
CALAIS – A Thursday morning house fire that began sometime after the owners left for vacation caused extensive damage to the home, according to Fire Chief Dan Carlow. Carlow said the fire at the Main Street home in the Hinkley Hill area of Calais was… Read More
PLEASANT POINT – Drivers who expect to travel on Route 190 Saturday evening should be prepared for a possible delay, according to Police Chief Joseph Barnes. Barnes said police will shut down Route 190 by the causeway in Pleasant Point at 9 p.m. for the… Read More
CHERRYFIELD – State Rep. Edward Dugay, D-Cherryfield, says the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Health and Human Services has set aside Aug. 24 to hear from biological parents whose children have been involved with the Child Protective Services Division of the Maine Department of Human Services. Read More
MACHIAS – The University of Maine at Machias broke ground for a child care and education center Thursday, the third phase of the university’s $4 million Center for Lifelong Learning. When completed, the $500,000 facility will serve children in the Machias area and be an… Read More
AUGUSTA – Read With ME, the literacy program begun by Mary Herman, swings into action next week with a packing blitz at the Augusta Armory on Monday, Aug. 13. Read With ME provides a book bag filled with literacy information and two books to kindergarten… Read More
The Komen Maine Race for the Cure celebrates its fifth anniversary this year when people from all over the state, and Canada, participate in the event scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 16, in Bangor. “It’s the only Komen Race for the Cure in the state of… Read More
BANGOR – Interactive learning games with Barney, the Magic School Bus and Paul Bunyan found a home Thursday in the children’s wing of the Bangor Public Library. The library received a $17,500 grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which came in the form… Read More
STRONG – Five Pennsylvania missionaries were injured when the driver of their car ran a stop sign and collided with a logging truck, police said. Four of the missionaries remained hospitalized on Thursday after the accident on Routes 4 and 145 Tuesday afternoon. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
BANGOR – A Frankfort man Thursday was sentenced in federal court to three years of probation after earlier pleading guilty to using a false Social Security number. Karl Richard, 53, will complete four months of home detention with electronic monitoring as part of the conditions… Read More
WASHINGTON – Sensor Research & Development Corp. in Orono will receive $990,765 in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to conduct research projects focusing on high-tech ways to improve the environmental performance and fuel efficiency of coal-burning power plants, according to members of Maine’s congressional delegation. Read More
STAMFORD, Conn. – The murder trial of Kennedy nephew Michael Skakel still may hinge on an alleged confession to an acquaintance, despite the witness’s death from a drug overdose. Gregory Coleman, who died Tuesday, testified at a hearing in April that Skakel told him: “I’m… Read More
With just three days left before the fall high school sports season gets underway, Stearns High School may be losing its head football coach. Stearns principal Paul MacDonald said Thursday coach Tom Bertrand has interviewed with another school and may not return to his football… Read More
CAPE ELIZABETH – Matt Doyle’s idea of what constitutes a good round might be called into question based on his first two rounds of the 83rd Wendy’s Maine Open Golf Championship. Doyle, a 24-year-old pro from West Simsbury, Conn., shot a 2-under-par 69 Thursday at… Read More
HOLE-IN-ONE Maurice Nisbett 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
Cradled between the rolling hills of Beddington, some 50 miles east of Bangor, rests Pleasant River Lake. It’s a body of water that’s considered a marginal cold water lake. One factor contributing to this classification is its lack of deep holes. About 70 percent of the lake has… Read More
LEWISTON – Bates College announced Thursday that Paul Gastonguay will become the new men’s and women’s tennis coach while John Illig will take over both the men’s and women’s squash programs. Gasatonguay was named the NESCAC’s 2001 coach of the year after leading the Bobcats to a third-place… Read More
Audra Curtis of Belfast and Cassie Hintz of Old Town are both just 13 years old, but they are already old pros when it comes to winning state titles. Curtis and Hintz will be chasing more state titles – and state records – in the… Read More
Bruce Bickford, perhaps the most successful male distance runner Maine has ever produced, is returning to his home state to coach. Bickford, a 1988 Olympian at 10,000 meters, was named head men’s cross country and track coach at the University of Southern Maine Wednesday. Bickford… Read More
ORONO, Maine – Maine’s 138 golf courses pump about $205 million into the state’s economy, according to a University of Maine study released Thursday. The sport has grown steadily over the past century, and 22 new courses have opened since 1990 with five more under… Read More
BELFAST – Internationally known actress Liv Ullmann this weekend will add the Belfast Maskers theater to the list of stages she has graced. Ullmann and her partner, Donald Saunders, will be in town to dedicate the restructured Maskers theater. Ullmann and Saunders donated funds to… Read More
Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education, in the elder, a part of experience. – Francis Bacon, English philosopher Growing up, I often complained of my parents’ lack of interest in Disney World and Hawaii as family vacation spots. Many of my… Read More