A front-page story on school funding Wednesday incorrectly said state lawmakers had approved a bill that sets out a timetable for a transition to an essential-programs-and-services funding model. Instead, lawmakers included money in the state budget to continue implementation without a timetable. Because of an… Read More
    WASHINGTON – A Michigan company is recalling thousands of bottles of a children’s painkiller sold nationwide because they may cause an overdose of acetaminophen. Recalled are a batch of 4-ounce bottles of cherry-flavored pain reliever sold under the Kroger, Good Sense and Hy-Vee brands that… Read More
    WASHINGTON – Toys R Us is recalling about 7,000 pairs of children’s cargo pants because plastic toggles on the pockets can break off, posing a choking hazard. The Kids R Us division of the Paramus, N.J.-based company has received one report of a 9-month-old boy… Read More
    NEWPORT – Ames Department Stores Inc. on Thursday announced the closing of 47 stores, including its 16-year-old store on Main Street in Newport. The closing leaves the 42-year-old Connecticut-based chain with 22 stores in Maine, including stores in Bangor, Belfast, Ellsworth and Dover-Foxcroft. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    Good for Montreal, for showing the “Picasso Erotique” exhibition of 350 sexy paintings and drawings and sculptures and ceramics from all over the world. Good for Picasso, for putting on paper and canvas (and bronze and clay) his thoughts and fantasies from youth through old age. Read More
    Thanks for running Maggie Gallagher’s column “Hate speech of gay marriage advocates” BDN, Aug. 8). It appears that hate speech is only applicable to those who speak out in defense of heterosexual marriage and the universal institution of the home where a father and mother… Read More
    Don’t you just love it when it’s some telemarketer calling and your Caller ID shows “unavailable”? You’re available to them, aren’t you? It seems a never-ending battle to keep these intruders out of our homes. Some of them even wear masks and say they are… Read More
    Dog owners mean to be kind in taking their dogs with them in their vehicles, but they could be risking the dog’s life. I’ve witnessed three dogs suffering from heat exhaustion as a result of being left in a vehicle. On hot, or even warm,… Read More
    Bruce Kyle’s column (BDN, August 4) pointing out the deplorable appearance of so many of Maine’s citizens, expressed exactly how I feel. I am an old lady (84), a native of Ellsworth, which was settled by many of my ancestors who would be horrified to see how people… Read More
    Jonathan Carter uses the odd phrase of “extremist rhetoric” in bashing Commissioner Ron Lovaglio’s logic and sound reasoning in keeping Maine a working forest with a world reputation in ecological balance. Mr. Lovaglio is an official of the State of Maine whose interest is primarily… Read More
    The U.S State Department estimates that as many as 15,000 child slaves work on Ivory Coast’s cocoa, cotton, and coffee farms. The U.S House of Representatives passed a “slave free” labeling initiative for the chocolate industry in late June. It now awaits Senate action. The… Read More
    The Department of Commerce last week looked over the decades-long complaint by the United States that Canada unfairly subsidizes its softwood lumber industry, considered Canada’s claims that it is merely more efficient at its sawmills and decided preliminarily both were right, sort of. The decision, which is not… Read More
    Your front-page article, “Vatican slams holocaust panel’s work” (BDN, Aug. 8) brings up a long standing and baseless criticism of Pope Pius XII. For centuries it has been the practice of the Catholic Church to appoint a “Devil’s Advocate” to investigate the life of a candidate for canonization… Read More
    President Bush’s boneheaded plan to give amnesty to 3 million illegal Mexican immigrants is a terrible idea. Amnesties encourage illegal migration by rewarding lawbreakers; they insult the millions of law-abiding immigrants whose families play by the rules, waiting patiently outside this country in order to enter legally, and… Read More
    ORONO – After officially announcing his candidacy for Maine governor in April, Republican James D. Libby has spent the last few months visiting different parts of the state, trying to make his name more recognizable. Libby, from Buxton, has served four terms in the Maine… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Traffic counts on the Maine Turnpike are close to setting records, according to state officials, who said Thursday all indicators are pointing toward a prosperous 2001 tourist season. The Maine Turnpike Authority reported that July was the second busiest month in the agency’s… Read More
    STONINGTON – Visitors from New York escaped serious injury when their car was rear-ended by a 1-ton dump truck Wednesday. About 7:40 p.m., Herbert Silverstein, of Hudson, N.Y., attempted to merge his 2000 Lincoln Continental into traffic on Route 15A near Highland Avenue. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – An Oklahoma woman reported that someone stole the brightly colored out-of-state license plate from her car Wednesday night. Amanda McLellan, 22, is visiting the area from her home in Bixby, Okla. She is working in Bar Harbor for the summer. She told police… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – The fifth annual fair of the Hancock County Genealogical Society will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Bucksport Road. People interested in genealogical research are encouraged to bring their resources and questions… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – Owners of classic cars and other vehicles will have a chance to show off their pride and joy at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 26, at the fifth annual Central Maine Car Show. Proceeds from the show will be used to provide tuition… Read More
    NEWPORT – A Corinna teen was taken by LifeFlight helicopter to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor after her car struck a culvert early Thursday morning. Newport police were notified of the accident at 5:18 a.m., said Newport Police Chief Jim Ricker. Members of Newport… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – Sebasticook Valley Hospital will open a free clinic at the Scott Webb Medical Center in Hartland beginning Sept. 12. Three local retired physicians, Dr. John Dow, Dr. Thomas Peirce and Dr. John Crane, will staff the clinic one Wednesday afternoon each week. Dow… Read More
    The Northern Maine Development Commission will offer a free workshop titled “Finance and Accounting Issues for the Non-financial Manager” this month at several locations in Aroostook County. All workshops will begin at 6 p.m. and end by 9 p.m. Workshops will be held: googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    AMITY – Members of Amity-Cary Grange No. 384 are in the process of restoring cemeteries in Amity. Anyone who has information pertaining to the cemeteries, or who would like to make a donation to help the project, should contact George Moorhouse at 532-3721 or write to him at… Read More
    AUGUSTA – The Maine Centers for Women, Work and Community at the University of Maine at Augusta will offer a course this fall titled “Creating Your Future,” designed for first-time job seekers and people changing careers. Each participant will develop a personal career plan, tailored… Read More
    Presque Isle District Court Otis Antworth, 70. Palatka, Fla., failing to extinguish fire, $200. 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
    LIMESTONE – The rooms are empty now, but there was hope and optimism Thursday that the facilities now ready for entrepreneurial businesses will fill up quickly with companies wanting to generate new products for the agriculture and forestry industries. The Loring Applied Technology Center, a… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – A Sullivan man accused of stealing money from his grandmother with the help of his twin brother was one of 38 people indicted Wednesday by the Hancock County grand jury. Timothy Joy, 27, is charged with five counts of forgery and two counts… Read More
    BELFAST – An illegal bomb factory, sexual assaults, wanton destruction of property and signs of a growing heroin problem in Waldo County were among the crimes addressed by the Waldo County grand jury, which handed up 27 indictments this week, six of which were impounded until the people… Read More
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said Thursday she wants a Senate committee to investigate the rise of prescription narcotics abuse, particularly OxyContin. Collins said she is seeking the hearing by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
    AUGUSTA – The family of a Sidney man has identified him as the victim of this week’s fatal accident in the central Maine town of Litchfield. The family of William Ammarell, 32, began making funeral arrangements Wednesday. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
    GARLAND – A local man who was burned in an explosion earlier this week remained in critical condition Thursday, according to a spokesman at Maine Medical Center in Portland. Lawrence Furbush, 84, suffered second- and third-degree burns from his waist to his head after a… Read More
    LINCOLN – Later this year, Lincoln will be able to issue a larger variety of licenses, including coyote night-hunting permits and trapping licenses, to residents and nonresidents. This week, the Town Council authorized the town clerk and tax collector to become online agents for the… Read More
    FRIENDSHIP – Two teen-age girls were injured Wednesday when the all-terrain vehicle they were riding struck a car and they were thrown from the four-wheeler. Hannah M. Thompson, 15, and Miranda Simmons, 14, both of Friendship, suffered cuts and scrapes, sheriff’s Chief Deputy Todd Butler… Read More
    OWLS HEAD – More than 200 “dream machines” will be featured at the Owls Head Transportation Museum’s 24th annual auction of antique, classic and special interest automobiles on Saturday. For more information, call 594-4418 or check the museum’s Web site at www.ohtm.org. Read More
    ROCKLAND – A St. George man will go to trial in October for the alleged 1999 murder of a Rockland man at a Thomaston home. The trial will be held in Bath. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
    ROCKLAND – The City Council has tentatively scheduled a review of two proposals to buy the Lincoln Street School building on Thursday. Midcoast Christian Academy recently sent a letter to the City Council offering to buy the building for $65,000, with an option for the… Read More
    GUILFORD – Two clerks at a local supermarket were surprised Thursday when an intoxicated man allegedly tried to assault them while they were on their lunch break. Donald Gray, 27, of Dexter was arrested and charged Thursday with disorderly conduct and attempted assault. His bail… Read More
    SANGERVILLE – The Sangerville Public Library will hold an open house from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, to celebrate the arrival of the 65 new hardcover children’s books from the Libra Foundation. As thanks for donations received for the Books For Children program,… Read More
    CALAIS – The state’s nudging of the city toward renovating its existing school facilities, after recent figures have indicated the population of school-aged children is declining, represents a change in the state’s approach to Calais’ school needs. For the past few years, the state has… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Leaders of the Maine House and Senate plan to interview five candidates next week in hopes of filling the soon to be vacant post of executive director of the Legislative Council, according to the chief of the screening panel. The current executive director,… Read More
    More than 25 independent Longaberger basket sales consultants are working to raise $5,000 for the American Cancer Society’s breast cancer research programs. Julie Grover of Brewer said the Downeast Branch of Longaberger Consultants, which includes representatives from all over Maine, is donating “100 percent of… Read More
    SIDNEY – A crash in Sidney killed a local woman and a woman from Arizona on Thursday, authorities said. A westbound box truck traveling on Town Farm Road failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Middle Road, the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department said. The… Read More
    PORTLAND – A South Portland woman who was raped and murdered had expressed fear of the neighbor who now stands charged with the crime seven years later, thanks to DNA evidence. Foster D. Bates, 34, of Attleboro, Mass., is accused of raping and murdering Tammy… Read More
    BANGOR – The Maine Air National Guard Base in Bangor is holding a spaghetti lunch to benefit Family Connections. The dinner, scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 21, will be held at the Horizon Inn on the base. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    GREENVILLE – Plum Creek Land Co. could have applied for a traditional subdivision application without providing any indication of the company’s vision for the future for its proposed development of land around First Roach Pond. Instead, the company chose to take a broader view of… Read More
    Leslie Winchester of Bangor is a veteran when it comes to competing at the national level. But when the 30-year-old Orono High School teacher got in her boat at the American Canoe Association national championships in Ohiopyle, Pa., at the beginning of the month, she… Read More
    HIGH SCHOOL At Edmundston GC 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
    HOLE-IN-ONE George McVety 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
    FORT KENT – Anthony Lamarr netted two goals as the Fort Kent boys soccer team shut down Caribou 3-0 in high school action Thursday. James Raymond scored off a Jesse Jalbert assist for the 1-0 Warriors. Corey Daigle added an assist, and Nick Thibodeau turned… Read More
    A Maine icon in the sport of archery is featured in a video by the Maine Bow Hunters Association, which stresses ethics, safety and a strong relationship with the landowner. Last fall, 52-year-old Jim Wambolt of Enfield was asked by Andy Collar, co-owner of Ursus… Read More
    It takes some guts to use a lobster as a prop in a Shakespeare production in Maine. The effect can be totally mean-spirited, freakishly corny, or sharply insightful and jocular. Julia Whitworth’s production of “The Tempest,” performed this weekend only at the Stonington Opera House, falls into the… Read More
    MACHIAS – Described by Life magazine as “the greatest country music fiddler of all time,” 73-year-old Vassar Clements returns to Washington County this weekend for the third annual Machias Folk Festival. The legendary musician has yet to miss the Down East festival. Clements has played… Read More
    If you stand on the platform at the old Bangor and Aroostook Railroad station in Oakfield, you might see the light on the front of a diesel engine as it idles in the railroad yard a half mile to the north. As the light gets… Read More