BANGOR – When a 4-4 City Council vote earlier this month killed a try to place school committee term limits on the ballot, one question remained: How would vacationing Councilor Michael Crowley’s vote have tipped the balance? While it appears the term limits try would… Read More
BANGOR – In the real world, one needs only a pair of hip boots to cross the shallow Penjajawoc Stream. Talk about crossing it with a bulldozer, and that’s an entirely different story. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
READFIELD – As Powerball fever began to subside, Maine State Lottery players were buying tickets as usual in this central Maine town. At the Readfield Family Market, customers were at the counter in the middle of a sunny August afternoon buying instant “scratch” games. Down the… Read More
BELFAST – A sufferer of breast cancer has filed a lawsuit against Wal-Mart Stores after being subjected to a search when surgical bandages attached to her body were apparently mistaken for shoplifted items by a store security guard. Norma Fuller of Northport filed the lawsuit… Read More
Because of an incorrect press release from the Maine Forest Service, it was incorrectly reported in the July 20 Maine Day section that Scott Hanington, 41, of Hanington Timberlands in Wytopitlock had agreed to pay more than $6,000 in fines and restitution for illegally harvesting 275 trees without… Read More
ROCHESTER, N.H. – Prime Tanning Co. says it will close its plants in Rochester and Berwick, Maine, by the end of the year, putting 550 people out of work. Company President Ken Purdy said the leather processing company will sell its Rochester factory and convert… Read More
ORONO – The University of Maine has been chosen by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. to receive patent rights for a new papermaking technology that may increase the efficiency and environmental sensitivity of paper mills. Du Pont will donate the patent rights to… Read More
AUGUSTA – Nineteen people at the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel have taken an early retirement package offered by the newspapers as part of a cost-cutting effort. “This was a way to cut costs that would be the least damaging,” said John Christie, president of… Read More
PORTLAND – Nike Inc. has decided to move its annual shareholders meeting on Sept. 17 from the Center for Cultural Exchange to a larger venue to accommodate its employees in Maine and New Hampshire. A site selection committee that left Maine on Thursday made the… Read More
For years, the people of Calais have spoken loudly in support of a new, modern international border crossing to Canada as an important economic development tool for their struggling city. For the last several months, those voices have turned from advocacy to alarm as a project conceived as… Read More
This year has been a tough one for Maine farmers and their families. Like in past years, there are so many elements that can adversely affect our crops and yield. And this summer the two culprits are our lack of rain and the tremendous increase in energy costs. Read More
“After breakfast, I emptied the melted pork that was left into the lake, making what sailors call a slick …” – Henry David Thoreau, “The Maine Woods” googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false;… Read More
You may have been around the track a few times, and you may believe you have seen or heard of many strange occurrences, but I doubt that one of them was a major league baseball brawl precipitated by a pair of glittering diamond earrings worn by a relief… Read More
Recent U.S. Census reports have begun to trickle in providing much fodder for discussion. Headlines tell us our taxes are too high. In fact, they say our state tax burden is eighth in the nation and that the local tax burden is second. When combined, we have the… Read More
On Sept. 4 the voters in the eight towns of MSAD 31 will return to the polls to vote on the five remaining articles in the school district budget for 2001-2002. I am writing to clarify the meaning of the referendum articles and to explain the changes in… Read More
I saw a commercial showing children the right way to brush their teeth. My grandchildren’s father passed away, so the children are on Medicaid. My daughter-in-law has called from Bangor to Presque Isle and there is one dentist who takes Medicaid, but he covers three counties and is… Read More
I am standing at the ATM machine, minding my own business, when suddenly someone grabs me from behind and pulls me to the ground. Fear fills me for a split second, then a voice speaks to me, “Head butt, do your head butt.” The fear… Read More
I am writing to clarify Michael O’D. Moore’s article (BDN, Aug. 24) about Anthem Blue Cross-Blue Shield’s request for a rate increase in our individual products. Anthem BCBS offers a large number of products in order to meet the diverse needs of all of Maine. It is understandable… Read More
American automakers used to be the most innovative industry in our nation. Unfortunately, no longer. Detroit’s Big Three haven’t changed their basic engine technology in about 25 years, so our cars and sport utility vehicles still get about the same gas mileage they did in the 1970s. As… Read More
Being a strong advocate of the death penalty, I find myself at odds with Molly Ivins over her Aug. 22 commentary bashing the Texas judicial system. Her main complaint was the death sentence for convicted murderer Napoleon Beazely. Ivins claimed Beazely should not be executed… Read More
CALAIS – Two private investigators who said they represented a multimillion dollar pharmaceutical company that has come under attack for a prescription drug it manufactures have been sniffing around the city. The investigators for the Connecticut-based Purdue Pharma LP questioned local health care providers, addicts… Read More
GREENVILLE – The catch-and-kill fishing rule that has been proposed by fishermen in the Moosehead Lake region met with no opposition at a public meeting Thursday evening. It also met with little support. But the rule’s supporters were satisfied. As less than 30 area anglers… Read More
MAPLETON – When Ron Sites’ telephone rang at 9 p.m. last Saturday, his reaction was typical of what most people would think: just another telemarketer calling to sell him something. “That’s the first thing I’m thinking when they say this is so-and-so, is this Ronald… Read More
BANGOR – Three of the 12 young men about to embark on an extended sea adventure visited the Maine Veterans’ Home on Friday to meet some of the pen pals with whom they’ll be keeping in touch as they sail from Maine to Venezuela and back. Read More
A week after it lit up the night sky, spooking people throughout central Maine with an ominous roar that rattled their windows and gave them bad dreams, the eerie celestial event has pretty much been written off as an unsolved mystery. But for days it… Read More
ORONO – It’s not only the freshmen who are wandering around the University of Maine’s Memorial Union this weekend looking a little lost. Upperclassmen, faculty and staff are just as likely to be wearing puzzled expressions and asking directions to the bookstore. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
BANGOR – The YWCA will offer a national certification course for water fitness instructors, at primary and advanced levels, from 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, at the YWCA. The registration deadline is Sept. 23. Call 941-2808 for information. Read More
Bangor District Court Travis W. Enman, 18, Bangor, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, transferred to Superior Court; theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, transferred to Superior Court. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner =… Read More
Bangor police charged a Boynton Street man with domestic assault after it was reported he choked his girlfriend, who is seven months pregnant. Nigel Hall’s pregnant girlfriend came to the Bangor police station Tuesday afternoon, a short time after the alleged assault by her 20-year-old… Read More
BREWER – Representatives from several supporting organizations broke ground Friday morning on this community’s first Habitat for Humanity home. Economic Development Director Drew Sachs said that the city of Brewer donated the land for the house to the Greater Bangor Chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Read More
BANGOR – The city’s paving program will continue during the week of Sept. 3. On Sept. 7, all of Saratoga Avenue will be paved, as well as Essex Street from Interstate 95 to Grandview Avenue. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
BANGOR – Dr. John Blasko, director of clinical research at the Seattle Prostate Institute, will discuss “Current Issues in Prostate Cancer” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, at the Bangor Civic Center. The public is invited to attend the free information session. The session is… Read More
ELLSWORTH – A local physician has acquired a new computer-aided mammography device believed to improve detection of breast cancer by 20 percent. Dr. John Benson of Coastal Radiology is the first in Maine to purchase the $200,000 machine, called ImageChecker. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
BUCKSPORT – Wilson Hall is a deathtrap and it’s only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt inside it. That’s the assessment of the town councilors and the code enforcement officer. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
SURRY – Dozens of crabs scurried across Route 179 after a three-vehicle accident spilled the load of seafood Wednesday. “They were crawling all over everywhere,” said Deputy Tim Cote of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – After more than two hours of detailed discussion Thursday night, the Presque Isle planning board voted unanimously to recommend to the City Council that a proposed north-south highway bypass be located to the west of the city rather than east of it. Read More
The following divorces have been granted in 2nd District Court in Houlton on grounds of irreconcilable marital differences: Craig Rhoda, Burnham, and Nannette M. Rhoda, Houlton, married June 1, 1991, at Houlton, custody of two children awarded to the mother. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
GREENVILLE – Maine folk singer and songwriter Dave Mallett will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, outside the Blair Hill Inn. Attendees should bring chairs and proper outerwear in case of cool weather. Call 695-0224 to reserve a ticket or for information. Read More
CALAIS – Augusta is confused. That was the message at the City Council meeting Thursday night after interim City Manager Jim Porter said that some people who work for the Maine Department of Transportation claim that the city is divided over the issue of where… Read More
MACHIAS – An East Machias teen-ager may have been driving in the wrong lane but the alcohol-impaired driver of an oncoming vehicle was more at fault for a May 2000 accident, according to a Washington County civil jury. The jury of four men and four… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – The annual Youth Market Lamb Auction was held at the Piscataquis Valley Fair on Friday, Aug. 24. Angela Boyle of Windham raised the grand champion lamb and Pogo Realty of Windham was the successful bidder. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
MILO – A veterans services officer from the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management will be at the Milo town office on the second Wednesday of each month. She will be there from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Sept. 12. She will assist veterans,… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – The Piscataquis County Fund of the Maine Community Foundation has announced the recipients of five grant awards. Middle Ground, a traveling interactive exhibit aimed at stimulating discussion of forestry issues, was awarded a $5,000 grant by the fund. Wellington Community Forestry was granted… Read More
ROCKLAND – Knox County commissioners will hold a special meeting Wednesday afternoon to discuss a letter the county received from MBNA America this week. The commissioners wrote a letter to the credit-card lender regarding the company’s flights in and out of Knox County Regional Airport… Read More
ROCKLAND – The following divorces were granted in Rockland District Court in July and August on the grounds of irreconcilable marital differences: John Earl, South Thomaston, and Kathryn Earl, South Thomaston; married at Rockland, September 2, 1978, wife granted right to change last name to… Read More
Belfast District Court Susan M. Bryant, 43, Swanville, operating while under influence, 30 days jail, $1,000, license and registration suspended four years; operating after suspension, concurrent seven-day jail term, $500, license and registration suspended one year; failure to give correct name and address to officer,… Read More
SEARSPORT – A man has been arrested for breaking into his son’s car and stealing stereo equipment. Patrolman Merl Reed arrested Frederick Pike, 45, of Searsport on Thursday after he admitted taking the equipment from his son Brian Pike’s Volkswagen Jetta earlier that day. Pike… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – It has taken considerable time, but the address changes for Dover-Foxcroft for E-911 have been made and submitted to the U.S. Postal Service for its stamp of approval. The shiretown is one of the last communities in Piscataquis County to complete the process… Read More
MEDFORD – A search of a camp in Medford and a house in Milo on Friday resulted in two drug-related arrests. Andrew Robinson, 35, of Milo was arrested for trafficking in scheduled drugs, and Ty Cunningham, 35, of Medford was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of marijuana cultivation. Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – A 24-year-old Guilford woman was found guilty this week of criminal trespass but not guilty on a host of other charges. A Piscataquis County Superior Court jury found Laurie Morrison guilty of criminal trespass but not guilty of terrorizing, theft, criminal threatening, criminal… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – The Southern Piscataquis County Chamber of Commerce plans to create a calendar of local events to be distributed to news agencies and organizations throughout Maine. The Chamber plans to focus more on tourism in the coming year and hopes the calendar will attract… Read More
DEXTER – The Kiwanis Club is working to furnish children from ages 2 to 4 with books. The books, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” and “Mother Goose Favorites,” will be delivered by Sept. 1. All children in the 2-4 age group are… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – A veterans services officer from the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management will be at the Penquis CAP building from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Sept. 19, at 50 North St. He or she will assist veterans, widows and their dependent children… Read More
BELFAST – The Maine Employers for Traffic Safety will present a workshop on traffic safety at the Belfast Armory at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13. The group of employers has teamed up with the Bureau of Highway Safety in a joint effort to promote safe… Read More
BIDDEFORD – A bitter contract dispute between the city and its police and public works employees appears to be nearing an end. The City Council will vote Tuesday on new contracts, and Mayor Donna Dion predicted that they will be approved. Union members have already… Read More
AUGUSTA – The Maine State Police is warning motorists to expect delays and obey traffic laws this Labor Day weekend. The chief of the state police, Col. Michel Sperry, said troopers will look for drunken drivers and speeders, and will enforce the state’s seat belt… Read More
PORTLAND – It was 40 years ago Friday that the grand 138-foot clock tower at Union Station was demolished in a blur of dust and rubble, a scene that remained embedded in people’s minds for days, months, and even years. The sprawling granite train station… Read More
AUGUSTA – State officials mailed letters Friday alerting owners of elevators that are overdue for inspections or are of similar design to the Bethel Inn elevator that crushed an 8-year-old boy last week. The letters are a direct response to the boy’s death, which has… Read More
PORTLAND – A car crash at a produce stand in Newcastle that killed two people has given rise to an effort to force roadside vendors to operate farther away from highways. Erlon B. Bailey, 61, and Ian B. Graham, 59, both of Wiscasset, died Tuesday… Read More
With the support of a very special teacher and some very special friends and schoolmates, Danielle Clark of Ashland raised $1,000 recently, which she split between three very important organizations: United Cerebral Palsy of Maine, the Autism Society of Maine and the NKH Network. Danielle’s… Read More
AUGUSTA – The Health and Human Services Committee has decided to take its Department of Human Services investigation on the road. The 13-member committee will hold public hearings from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, at Ellsworth High School and from 6 to 9… Read More
BANGOR – Lillian Sherwood, 69, a former proofreader and copy editor at the Bangor Daily News, died unexpectedly Aug. 30 at a Bangor hospital. Born in Caribou, Sherwood worked for 33 years at the NEWS, starting as a proofreader in the composing room. She moved… Read More
AUGUSTA – “Fourteen months,” Maine Democratic Party chief Gwethalyn Phillips said Friday with a sigh, counting the time until next year’s general elections in Maine and marveling at how the serious campaigning started so soon. There’s already a crowd in the contest for the party’s… Read More
ALFRED – A Biddeford man pleaded guilty Friday to the 1998 murder of a 79-year-old woman who officials said was bound with duct tape, beaten and left to die. Christopher Wynne, 20, had initially pleaded innocent but changed his plea in York County Superior Court. Read More
BUXTON – A South Portland man was killed in a pickup truck rollover Friday morning in Buxton, police said. Police officers got a call at 6:19 a.m. and found the truck on its side on the lawn in front of a house. The victim, identified… Read More
BANGOR – A Frankfort man who was arrested with his wife six months ago with nearly 1,000 small bags of heroin in their vehicle was sentenced this week to eight months in prison. James L. Northup Jr., 35, earlier pleaded guilty to possession of heroin. Read More
Maine has filed papers urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reject an industry challenge to the state’s landmark prescription drug law that sets the stage for price controls if negotiations fail to drive down prices. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America asked the court… Read More
Just a week after his team’s glorious Little League summer finally ended, we find out that Danny Almonte was not the gifted 12-year-old we thought he was. Instead, he was a gifted 14-year-old who was playing against gifted 12-year-olds. Danny Almonte is a loser. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
ORONO – As the Old Town Indians spent all but one play of the fourth quarter in his team’s territory, and as what had been a 12-0 lead slowly melted away on a humid night, Ben Briggs thought about the way Orono football has been. Read More
SKOWHEGAN – After all the preseason football talk about how balanced Bangor was going to be on offense and how defense would again lead the way for the Rams, it was time to show people Friday whether there was anything to it. If the Rams’… Read More
The NEWS is starting a new Player-of-the-Week feature and is seeking nominations from coaches and athletic directors. Starting next Thursday, the NEWS will publish girls and boys players of the week for Eastern Maine’s big and small high schools. Four players will be selected each… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL At Blink Bonnie GL, Sorrento 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… Read More
HOLE-IN-ONE Stan Howard 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
On Sept. 19 the Bucks Mills Rod & Gun Club in Bucksport will host a bean supper at 6 p.m. that will be held in conjunction with a Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife sportsman’s forum. The meeting will run from 7-9 p.m. and will… Read More
Although the arrival of September signals the end of summer, I welcome the first of the months ending with ber-rrr. The reason being that it announces the arrival of autumn, which means bird hunting and duck hunting. Therefore, allowing that neither sport is complete without the pleasures of… Read More
HOULTON – David Carmichael and Lars O’Connell each scored second-half goals to power the Houlton Shiretowners past the Schenck Wolverines Friday. James Skehan stopped 13 of 13 shots for 2-5 Houlton. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
EAST SULLIVAN – Alex Brunton’s three goals led the Sumner Tigers to a 4-1 schoolboy soccer victory over Narraguagus of Harrington in their season opener. Kyle Joy scored the first goal for Sumner and Trevor Reynolds notched an assist. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
LINCOLN – Defense decided the game as the Brewer Witches converted three Mattanawcook Academy turnovers into touchdowns en route to a 27-7 high school football victory Friday night. The Witches’ defense provided the 21 points in the form of a Ryan Hahl fumble recovery in… Read More
BANGOR – Katie Nason scored two second-half goals to power the Stearns Minutemen to 3-0 season-opening victory over the Bangor Rams in high school field hockey action Friday. Nason scored on a Holly Frank assist early in the half, snapping a scoreless tie, then scored… Read More
ORONO – The University of Maine volleyball team opened its season Friday night with a close, straight-sets loss to Boston College, falling 31-29, 30-28 and 30-27. Leah Voss led the Black Bears with 16 kills and nine digs. Claire Poliquin had 11 kills and six… Read More
Most of the year, he talks up Tiffany and handles all manner of decorative arts – pottery and lamps and glassware that will be sold by one of the world’s most famous auction houses for prices that have lots of zeros on the end. But… Read More
There should be a plaque outside 410 Main St. in Rockland. In its latest incarnation, it will become the future home of the Rockland Courier Gazette. It has also been the home of the Island Institute, Bangor Daily News, the Rockland Coffee Shop and God… Read More
SOMESVILLE – Two years ago, Bangor Theological Seminary started a program designed to develop lay leadership and then to empower it in churches in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. A new session for the Certificate in Small Church Leadership Program is scheduled to begin Sept. 8 in four… Read More