WASHINGTON – By a vote of 97-0, the U.S. Senate passed a $10.5 billion military construction bill Wednesday that contains $93.6 million for military construction projects in Maine. The amount for fiscal year 2002 is 17.5 percent more than this year’s spending. The House approved it 401-1 last… Read More
    Brad and Dee Goodwin have been hired to manage the Sunbury Village Retirement Residence in Bangor. The couple lived in Ithaca, N.Y., before returning to the area to accept the position. She attended Brewer schools and Beal College in Bangor. He attended Husson College in Bangor and previously… Read More
    PORTLAND – Rail advocates always said the overhaul of a 77-mile stretch of track will support Amtrak trains at 79 mph. Tests that begin Wednesday will prove whether they were right. Workers will be testing the 115-pound track used in the $52 million overhaul in… Read More
    Soon, the U.S. Senate will consider the confirmation of John Walters to be the next United States drug czar. Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe should vote against confirming him. Public sentiment is moving rapidly toward the less expensive and more effective approach of objective information and treatment… Read More
    Just a month ago, members of the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee were wrestling with the question of whether to hold field hearings on the Maine Department of Human Services’ child-protective system. In the end, the committee decided that enhancing the public’s opportunity to participate in the… Read More
    Members of Congress may have thought the Sept. 11 attacks lifted the threat of closure to local military bases, but Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said the attack merely made closures more urgent. “The imperative to convert excess capacity into warfighting ability is enhanced, not diminished,”… Read More
    Any businessperson dealing in retail knows that shoplifting will eat up some profits. It, unfortunately, is a fact of business and a disparaging statement about human behavior and our society. However, when the stolen item is a living being, the disappointment is even greater. Last… Read More
    I am writing to tell you my concern about Bangor Hydro-Electric’s proposed transmission line between Orrington and Baileyville. Our state’s natural resources are irreplaceable and precious. Every form of development compromises wildlife and ecological systems, as well as the recreational and aesthetic aspects of our… Read More
    In reference to your article, “Rangers in Virgin Islands cracking down on nudity,” on page A3 of the Bangor Daily News, Sept. 5: Saint John is a city in New Brunswick while St. John is one of the three U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. Read More
    One can read Moses’ accounting of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18 and 19 or Paul’s instruction to the Roman Christians in Romans 1 to know what God thinks of homosexuality. In Leviticus, the book from which we derive probably 90 percent of what our… Read More
    High marks to the Bangor City Council for approving the non-discrimination ordinance 8-1 at its Sept. 24 meeting. Councilors’ statements in support were eloquent. Although I disagreed with Nichi Farnham’s dissent, I appreciated her thoughtful comments. Special thanks to Joe Baldacci and Judy Vardamis for… Read More
    On Sept. 11, our nation was forever changed. The firefighters of Bangor and other local fire departments wanted to assist with the rescue efforts in Manhattan, although our help was not needed at this time. We felt we had to help in some way, so we started collecting… Read More
    From the moment the World Trade Center towers came crashing down on that tragically historic Tuesday, they have been hailed as true national heroes. I’m speaking of the New York City firefighters, of course, that tough, valiant fraternity in turn-out gear that has had the… Read More
    BANGOR – The Maine Air National Guard has reduced its heightened alert status slightly, going from the highest state of alert to about a midlevel status as of Wednesday. The 101st Air Refueling Wing in Bangor remains at a higher security level than other units, however, because it… Read More
    PORTLAND – The Federal Aviation Administration reported 127 security lapses at Maine airports over the past decade, according to federal records. Between 1990 and 2000, the FAA took punitive action 47 times for lapses by airlines and airports in Maine. Five fines – totaling $17,000… Read More
    ORONO – University of Maine graduates hit the ground running last spring, achieving high scores on professional exams, and quickly landing jobs or entering graduate school. That was the word Wednesday from President Peter Hoff as he presented his annual state of the University of… Read More
    BANGOR – Work expected to correct problems at one of the city’s more dangerous intersections is set for completion in the next few weeks, according to city officials. Officials hope the realignment of the Sylvan Road with the Hogan Road – far and away the… Read More
    BANGOR – A Maine Driving Dynamics course is scheduled at Bangor High School from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 4 and Oct. 11. The course covers everyday driving situations using films, classroom discussions, and lectures. Those completing the course will receive a three-point credit on their driving record. Read More
    LINCOLN- A veterans service officer from the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management will be at the District Court office on Thursday, Oct. 11, and Thursday, Oct 25, from 9 a.m. until noon. The service officer will assist veterans, widows and their dependent children in filing for… Read More
    BANGOR – Eastern Agency on Aging is making appointments to provide assistance in filing for the Tax and Rent Refund/Low Cost Drug Program for those 62 and over wishing to apply. Administered by the Maine Revenue Services, the program provides property tax relief for qualified… Read More
    MILLINOCKET – A veterans service officer from the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management will be at the District Court office on Thursday, Oct. 4 from 9 a.m. until noon. The service officer will assist veterans, widows and their dependent children in filing for state and federal… Read More
    VEAZIE – The Veazie Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2, at the Curran Homestead in Orrington. Members and guests are invited to a tour of the Homestead, followed by refreshments and a short business meeting. The Garden Club is open to… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – The 18th annual Autumn Gold celebration this weekend will include a few first-time activities. Autumn Gold kicks off Friday night with its first fireworks display. The fireworks will begin at dusk, around 8 p.m., at The White Birches on U.S. Route 1. Organizers… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – An ambulance on its way to a three-car accident at the intersection of U.S. Route 1A and Winkumpaugh Road sustained an estimated $10,000 in damage Tuesday when it was hit by a tractor-trailer. Blue Hill resident Thomas Astbury, the driver of the truck,… Read More
    PALMYRA – Upon the request of the Detroit planning board, both the Detroit and Palmyra selectmen have urged the Maine Department of Transportation to take a close look at a dangerous intersection, locally known as “Dead Man’s Curve.” The spot is the intersection of Routes… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – Problems delaying the 911 switch from a local service to the Somerset County Communications Center from Oct. 1 to Oct. 15 are minor and easy to solve, Pittsfield Town Manager D. Dwight Dogherty said Wednesday. However, a dispute about who will provide daytime… Read More
    SKOWHEGAN – Four people were arrested recently as the result of three separate drug raids conducted by the Somerset County Sheriff’s Department, according to Detective Lt. Carl E. Gottardi II. Daniel Corson, 33, of Madison, Bruce Bowen, 34, of Canaan, and Bradbury Shaw, 48, and… Read More
    PALMYRA – The Sebasticook Valley Chamber of Commerce will be moving to a new location on the construction site of the Palmyra Wal-Mart store. Although Wal-Mart will pay for most of the moving costs, President James Lemieux has announced a list of expenses that will be incurred, as… Read More
    WATERVILLE – Works of this summer’s participants at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture will be on display at the Colby College Museum of Art until Sunday, Oct. 28. The works include photographs, paintings, video, silkscreens and etchings. For more information, call 872-3228. Read More
    PITTSFIELD – The regular SAD 53 board of directors meeting originally scheduled for Monday, Oct. 1, has been changed to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8, at Warsaw Middle School library. An agenda will be available in advance of that meeting. Read More
    PITTSFIELD – Maine Central Institute will hold its annual Homecoming Weekend this week, beginning with a pep rally at school. A parade will be held on Main Street, from Edwards’ parking lot to the football field at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, followed by class competitions, a bonfire and refreshments. Read More
    NEWPORT – The SAD 48 Pre-School Program, in partnership with Kennebec Valley Community Action Program, is accepting applications for its program in Palmyra. To apply, contact the Palmyra School for an application and information at 938-4544. Read More
    WATERVILLE – A humorous motivational presentation by Murray Banks titled “Personal Best of Stress: The Ultimate Balancing Act” will be held at Page Commons Room in Cotter Union at Colby College at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2. For more information, call 872-3058. Read More
    NEWPORT – The Sebasticook Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold a special meeting from 5-6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2, at Scotty’s Restaurant on Route 2. An update will be provided on the progress of the Penquis Tourism Coalition and a regional guidebook that is being… Read More
    WATERVILLE – A discussion of making renewable fuel from restaurants’ used vegetable oil will be held at Colby College at noon, Wednesday, Oct. 3, in Foss Dining Hall. The presentation, titled “But Does it Smell Like Fried Clams?” will be by Don Hudson, president of the Chewonki Foundation. Read More
    MADAWASKA – New York City may be nearly 700 miles from Aroostook County, but emergency personnel from throughout the region are feeling the pain and the loss of life from the Sept. 11 attacks and yearn to assist their counterparts. Like many others throughout the… Read More
    FORT KENT – Lisa Ornstein has been playing the fiddle for 37 years and wants to spread the love she has for the instrument among the children of the St. John Valley. Starting small, she is working on organizing a group of 14 fourth- graders… Read More
    ST. FRANCIS – The St. Francis Historical Society will hold its annual craft bazaar from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at the St. Francis Elementary School. An heirloom quilt contest will be a major attraction. Prizes will be awarded for oldest quilt… Read More
    The following divorces were granted recently by Justice Paul Pierson in Aroostook County Superior Court in Caribou on the grounds of irreconcilable differences: Ronald Fitzpatrick and Deborah Fitzpatrick, both of Houlton, married Aug. 22, 1992, at Houlton. Custody of one minor child to the mother. Read More
    BREWER – The city soon may have some new methods for publicly chastising – and removing – unruly council members. During a public hearing set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, residents will have a chance to sound off on a proposed charter amendment… Read More
    ROCKLAND – A woman whose pickup truck was struck in the rear by another vehicle Monday gave police a false name, Deputy Chief Wallace Tower reported Wednesday. The woman, whose actual name is Maria Landi, 58, of Rockland, told police she was Geraldine Holm. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    ENFIELD – Enfield taxpayers are taking advantage of a discount by paying their bills early. Town officials said more residents seem to be paying their taxes early this year, which in turn is alleviating the town’s temporary tight cash flow. More residents not only are… Read More
    ROCKLAND – Not a single clump of sod has been turned, but the planned apron expansion at the Knox County Regional Airport is already hitting Knox County hard in the wallet. County commissioners learned Wednesday from Treasurer Linda Post that planning and permitting battles have… Read More
    ROCKLAND – It’s a deal that makes sound financial and political sense, City Manager Tom Hall believes. Whether city councilors agree remains to be seen. But Hall and Mayor Carol Maines learned more Wednesday about a tax increment financing deal Ocean Properties is considering presenting… Read More
    CAMDEN – Police are investigating the theft of some prescription drugs at Merryspring Gardens Estates, an assisted-living complex on John Street. Lt. Ron Campbell said the theft was reported Sunday. A locked cabinet where residents’ prescription drugs were stored was forced open, he said. Read More
    BELFAST – A city man was charged with being a heroin dealer following a lengthy investigation and police raid of his Waterville Road home. Charles W. Murphy, 35, of Belfast was charged with trafficking in heroin, possession of heroin, trafficking in marijuana, possession of marijuana… Read More
    BELFAST – Dr. Charles Lyons, interim president of the University of Maine at Augusta, will be guest speaker at the Greater Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Chat at 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 5, at the National Theater Workshop of the Handicapped. Lyons’ talk will… Read More
    ROCKLAND – The Farnsworth Art Museum Guild of Volunteers seeks Farmers’ Market vendors as part of the museum’s Harvest Day Community Celebration from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20. Seasonal products and crafts vendors are needed for the market, which will take place on… Read More
    CAMDEN – A Christmas by the Sea planning meeting will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, at the Camden Public Library in the Jean Picker Room. All community members, groups, and organizations are welcome to attend, especially those looking to have their event included in the… Read More
    Dover-Foxcroft District Court Walter Breese Jr., 48, Blanchard, negotiating worthless instrument, 60 days in jail with all but 10 days suspended, probation one year, restitution $163.13; negotiating worthless instrument, 10 days in jail, restitution $204.67; negotiating worthless instrument, 10 days in jail, restitution $44.13; negotiating… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – A class on Positive Parenting will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located on the Bangor Road. The basic works of the late Glenn Latham, who was an educator and… Read More
    MONSON – The Monson Museum’s annual Fall Harvest Day, sponsored by the Monson Preservation Society, will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6, at the museum, the Old Post Office and at the Memorial Park. Among the scheduled activities are an art show… Read More
    MACHIAS – Trustees at Down East Community Hospital appear to have collided head-on with their own staff over a proposal to downsize the 35-year-old Machias hospital. And if the community meeting that the board sponsored Tuesday to explain the proposal is any indication, residents of… Read More
    The American Red Cross will conduct four blood drives in Washington County during the next month. Blood donations in October will allow the Red Cross to ship blood out of the New England region to New York and Washington for the treatment of burn victims. Read More
    SKOWHEGAN – One of three Pittsfield women who claimed they were arrested last month for disorderly conduct only because they were black pleaded not guilty Wednesday and requested a trial in Skowhegan District Court. Dorothy Moss, 24, will stand trial on January 28. The two… Read More
    For 22 years, Evelyn Curtis has been serving residents and students of Carmel, Levant, Etna and Dixmont as secretary to the superintendent of SAD 23 and SAD 38. Currently residing in Pittsfield, Curtis still commutes to her office despite periodic travelling to undergo treatment for… Read More
    The health and welfare of older Mainers will be the centerpiece for a state-sponsored two-day conference in Augusta next week. On Monday and Tuesday, state policy-makers, invited guests and members of the public will convene at the Augusta Civic Center for discussions on a wide… Read More
    BANGOR – Public hearings on Bangor Hydro Electric Co.’s proposal to build a new power line across eastern Maine will resume next week. The hearings before the Board of Environmental Protection were called off Sept. 11 after the terrorist attacks on New York City and… Read More
    PORTLAND – Major changes are in place to bolster security at the Portland International Jetport, where a pair of hijackers boarded a plane two weeks ago to take part in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. The Federal Aviation Administration has assigned a… Read More
    AUGUSTA – People operating sustainable agriculture projects that need money to grow should apply to The Harvest Fund at Maine Initiatives. Maine Initiatives, a nonprofit foundation, started The Harvest Fund last year to provide grants to projects involving healthy produce and goods. Since then it… Read More
    LEWISTON – A Lewiston couple has been charged with robbing a pharmacy of $600 worth of narcotics similar to OxyContin. Police charged Ernest Watson, 25, and Jamie Watson, 22, with robbing a Rite-Aid Tuesday afternoon. Police said the couple entered the store at about 4:15… Read More
    We need no reminders of Sept. 11, 2001, for the images of that day – and of days subsequent – are indelibly etched in our minds. Yet reminders are all around us and somehow they lift our heavy hearts. “Lobsters served 10 ways. God bless… Read More
    Sometimes words just don’t suffice … Music just gets to the heart of it. – concert organizer Karen Eisenhower CAMDEN – That’s what Tuesday night’s concert was like at the Camden Opera House. Inside the dark theater, a spotlight picked out the lone figure of… Read More
    It’s like stepping back into an earlier time as one approaches the Keith Anderson Community Center in Orono on a recent Saturday. The music wafting from the upstairs window is from the early to mid-20th century. Three of the retro Chrysler PT Cruisers parked outside… Read More
    BLUE HILL – The Bagaduce Music Lending Library announces that composer Thomas Lanese, of Surry, Maine and Anneville, Penn., recently donated all of his music compositions to the library. The 11 compositions include sacred and secular works, piano pieces, vocal classical solos, operas, and chamber music works. The… Read More
    BREWER – After watching his team fire 14 first-half shots that alternately ended up high, wide, high-and-wide, or in Brewer goalkeeper Stephanie Dickey’s hands, Bangor girls soccer coach Jeff Ingalls gave his girls a halftime talk and sent them back onto Doyle Field. But as… Read More
    The last time I saw him was in New Jersey for the Stanley Cup finals this past June. He has been invited by the Devils and he let me know he would be there. He promised to come to the TV booth where I was broadcasting the game. Read More
    The Maine team of Mark Plummer, Ron Brown Jr., and Tom Bean finished a distant 47 strokes of the winners of the USGA Men’s State Team Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn. Minnesota’s team score for the 54-hole event was 432, two… Read More
    Boys Big School (Classes A-B) 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… Read More
    HIGH SCHOOL At Harrington 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
    HIGH SCHOOL (top 4 count for team score) 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
    ORONO – The University of Maine will set up a remembrance wall outside Alfond Arena today as part of its initial steps to honor men’s hockey coach Shawn Walsh, who died Monday. The wall will be unveiled at 10:30 a.m. People are invited to stop… Read More
    GUILFORD – Sandi Haskell notched the game-winner off a pass from Karole-Anne Emery 38 seconds into overtime to lift the Piscataquis Pirates to a 3-2 field hockey victory over Foxcroft Academy Wednesday. Emery also had a goal and an other assist while Tedianne Galuski added… Read More
    JONESPORT – Joe Richards provided all the scoring the Machias Bulldogs needed with two goals as Machias improved to 8-0 with a 2-0 schoolboy soccer win over Jonesport-Beals Wednesday. Marcus Frutchey made 11 saves on 13 shots for the Bulldogs. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
    BANGOR – Janel Bonzey and Monica Willey each scored a goal to lead the Bangor Rams to a 2-1 field hockey victory over Orono Wednesday as they swept the season series. For the 4-4 Rams, Frankee Waldron and Allison Frazier combined to stop six of… Read More
    FARMINGTON – Jeff Beck scored the game-winner off a pass from Jeff Meinke as the University of Maine-Farmington Beavers won their fifth straight – 1-0 over Lyndon State of Vermont in men’s soccer action Wednesday. Mike Hansen made three saves on three shots in getting… Read More
    After 23 years of focusing on athletics, Old Town High’s Garry Spencer is heading to Central High to focus on academics. Spencer, who has served in a number of coaching, teaching and administrative capacities for the Indians, accepted a vice principal position at the Corinth… Read More
    Some Brewer residents may recognize Dana Wilson as the guy who was so diligent caring for the Little League baseball field. Others may know Wilson as a youth coach. Still other, older generation folks may remember Wilson as the offensive machine that produced 2,471 career points while starring… Read More
    COMING TO AMERICA In grave times such as we’re facing, we look to our heroes and leaders for inspiration and guidance. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i… Read More
    Leave it to the Australians to reinvent a particularly American tradition. Sure, the dance being done in the production “Tap Dogs,” at 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday at the Maine Center for the Arts in Orono is definitely tap. But it’s a more muscular, if… Read More