WASHINGTON – The Federal Reserve, faced with an economy that went from bad to worse after the terror attacks, cut a key interest rate Tuesday by a half-point, driving it down to a level not seen since 1962. The rate cut, the ninth this year,… Read More
AUGUSTA – It’s over. The state’s economy that chugged along merrily for the last five years and produced record surpluses has stopped in its tracks, and the governor’s chief financial advisers told key lawmakers Tuesday to prepare for tough times ahead. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
The contract, approved Friday after weeks of pitched negotiations and before the last contract expired Sunday, will raise salaries by 7.5 percent this year, bringing a starting registered nurse’s income from $36,000 to $38,700. Nurses will receive an additional 5 percent pay increase in year… Read More
AUGUSTA – Maine’s health care providers aren’t adequately prepared to serve the state’s growing population of seniors, members of a panel at the Governors’ Conference on Retirement and Aging suggested Tuesday. The state has a growing staffing shortage, an inadequate number of doctors with significant… Read More
A Tuesday story about St. Joseph Hospital’s request for a zone change for nine of its properties included an incorrect zone listing. The hospital wanted to change the zone from residential to government and institutional service. A Monday story on the 2nd District congressional race… Read More
MONTPELIER, Vt. – Sales of milk and dairy products made Vermont New England’s top agriculture producing state last year, a regional agriculture report shows. The report from the New England Agricultural Statistics Service showed that total agricultural receipts in Vermont were $508 million in 2000,… Read More
WASHINGTON – Looking to help small business and assist laid-off workers in a sluggish economic climate that many analysts view as bordering on recession, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins introduced legislation Tuesday that calls for capital gains cuts and extended unemployment insurance. The Maine Republican said… Read More
BREWER – Gas masks are flying off the shelves at the Maine Military Supply Inc. in Brewer, the result of burgeoning Internet mail-order sales after the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. People fearing “NBC” – nuclear, biological or chemical terrorism – started placing… Read More
BANGOR – A Maryland company has been selected by the Maine Public Utilities Commission to be the supplier of standard offer electricity to more than 550,000 state households starting next March. Constellation Power Source, a subsidiary of Constellation Power Group of Baltimore, was chosen after… Read More
CHICAGO – United Airlines, citing continued soft passenger demand in the wake of September’s terrorist attacks, announced Monday it will downgrade service in several cities at end of the month. Elk Grove Village-based United will withdraw service from Allentown, Pa.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Norfolk, Va.; Portland,… Read More
BATH – The sale of a fish processing and freezer ship could have implications for the city’s working waterfront. The 366-foot Atlantic Frost is believed to be the largest ship of its kind on the East Coast. The vessel will be sold Nov. 7 at… Read More
PORTLAND, Ore. – A coalition of law firms went to courts across the nation Tuesday to force the pharmaceutical industry to begin immediate studies on whether vaccines containing a trace of mercury googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
There have been groups of people peacefully protesting the use of military force in response to the horrific terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and potentially the White House or the U.S. Capitol. The protesters believe military force is not the answer to worldwide terrorism,… Read More
When the U.S. Supreme Court entered its fall term a year ago, its most important and controversial case wasn’t even on the horizon. The November 2000 election was still a month away, Bush v. Gore was still for the voters, not judges, to decide. In… Read More
While the public will not soon know the full reasons that NATO yesterday concluded the United States has provided sufficient evidence linking Osama bin Laden to the Sept. 11 attack, it should gain confidence from the deliberate preparations led by the Bush administration. Congress, with the help of… Read More
Congratulations to Channel 12. They have won the Bad Taste Award for 2002 for the promotional crawl superimposed over Sister Wendy’s discussion of paintings in the Chicago Institute of Art Museum on Sept. 19. Since it has been some years since I have been able… Read More
I was a destroyer sailor. In 1962 the U.S. Navy trained me in a school in California called Advanced Destroyer School. When I first entered that tan building on a hot day in October a sign above the doorway read, “Give Me a Fast Ship for I Intend… Read More
I hope the $40 billion needed to just begin our recovery is coming out of the foreign aid budget. For that matter, maybe it would be an effective measure, or at least motivational, to suspend all foreign aid until the agents of this disaster are securely bound in… Read More
In May of last year, my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. It was a difficult time for him and our family. To help better understand Alzheimer’s and provide the best care for my dad, I decided to look for any information I could through… Read More
We would like to thank the Ohio Street Redemption Center and all of the people in the Little City, Trillium Trail, Fox Hollow and Birch Street neighborhoods who donated bottles to the bottle drive for the New York crisis. We would like all of you who helped to… Read More
While our attention is understandably focused on major issues of se-curity and safety impacting our nation, Congress is also engaged in important work on the most sweeping federal education reform package in decades. These reforms – known as the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)… Read More
Rep. John Baldacci and Sally Jacobs (BDN, Sept. 5) recognize that economic development demands vision and the creation of something new. The city’s determination to develop the sensitive area along the Penjajawoc marsh and stream does not reflect either vision or creativity. Rather, it ignores the mounting evidence… Read More
AUGUSTA – Fire departments in 26 Maine communities have received more than $1.1 million in grants during the first year of a new federal program aimed at providing equipment and training to local firefighters across the country. The program was almost eliminated by President Bush earlier this year. Read More
PORTLAND – Maine suffered more unhealthy air quality days this summer than it has in a decade, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA announced Monday that Maine had 15 days during the summer when ozone levels reached what are considered unhealthy levels. That… Read More
AUGUSTA – Former federal administrator Patrick McGowan said Tuesday he will not be a candidate for Congress in Maine’s 2nd District next year. McGowan, a former state representative from Canaan, had been thinking about joining the field of Democrats who are competing for their party’s… Read More
CALAIS – A former Eastport man who advertised on the Internet for someone to abduct and rape his daughter was sentenced Tuesday to 18 months in prison and also ordered to register as a sex offender. Harry Munson, 38, also was placed on six years… Read More
AUGUSTA – Even though Stephen Lockhart’s attorney said that his client did not intend to kill his wife, multiple witnesses testified Tuesday that Lockhart threatened to kill Andrea Lockhart on more than one occasion before he allegedly fatally struck her with a piece of wood and encased her… Read More
MACHIAS – A stunned board of selectmen met Tuesday in an emergency session to respond to a June 8 letter they saw for the first time this week. On June 8, the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development informed former Machias Town Manager Scott… Read More
SKOWHEGAN – Lake George Regional Park will be host of a fund-raising auction Nov. 3 at the Skowhegan Community Center. For information about making a donation, contact Nancy Warren at 474-0708. Read More
BAR HARBOR – Town councilors Tuesday approved a new fee system for recycling appliances at the municipal waste disposal center. According to public works director Chip Reeves, a worldwide decrease in the value of recyclable metals necessitates the change. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
BELFAST – Committees studying the condition of Waldo County’s buildings and technology presented reports to the county commissioners Tuesday and their findings weren’t pretty. Both the facilities and technology committees painted a picture of cramped, crumbling buildings in need of repair and replacement, and of… Read More
WALDO – The location of a natural gas compression station in this rural Waldo County town would result in an undreamed of financial windfall for local taxpayers. That was the observation made by veteran First Selectman Kathy Littlefield during a Tuesday discussion of the proposal… Read More
MILBRIDGE – The Washington Hancock Community Agency sponsors a network of 60 family child care homes and two centers in Hancock and Washington counties who participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Last year, more than 1,000 children were served by this program… Read More
TRENTON – Kathy’s Breakfast and Chowder House will sponsor a benefit spaghetti supper for the New York police and fire departments. The supper will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Sunrise Motel. Cost is $10 per person, and donations will… Read More
ST. GEORGE – The town is expected to close on the $130,000 purchase of the McDonald property on Oct. 26, Town Manager John Falla said Tuesday. There are no immediate plans, however, for the buildings and grounds. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Pittsfield Police Chief Steven Emery said this week that he was very disappointed at the reaction of some local parents after their children were discovered at an alcohol and marijuana-laced party recently. “We have so many parents that come in here [to the… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Town councilors voted Tuesday night to keep the town’s Code of Ethics in place after several residents said the code was doing its job and should be retained. The Board of Ethics, which is responsible for hearing ethics’ complaints regarding councilors, board members… Read More
PITTSFIELD – The Pittsfield Public Library will be hosting a special evening of discussion and sharing in the wake of the Sept. 11 terror attacks. “Let Freedom Ring – Maine Communities Read and Reflect” will be held form 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11,… Read More
SKOWHEGAN – Redington Fairview General Hospital will present stress reduction training at 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at Senior Spectrum Resource Center at 45 Leavitt St. The workshop is free and is offered by Somerset County Cooperative Extension Service. For more information, call Gene Tobey, (800) 287-1495. Read More
NEWPORT – The Newport board of selectmen will meet at 6:30 tonight in the municipal building. The agenda includes discussions of the police garage and roads identified for abandonment of winter maintenance. Read More
WOODLAND – Woodland School Department officials hope that a November bond issue for school construction will be passed so they can consider building an addition to their elementary school. The school board has been looking for residents interested in working on a building committee, if… Read More
GRAND ISLE – The town advertised for a couple of months to sell the 15,900-square-foot Grand Isle School building, but the deadline for proposals has come and gone with no offers. Residents now want to convert the building for community use. “There were no votes… Read More
The following divorces have been granted in 2nd District Court in Houlton on grounds of irreconcilable differences: Joseph P. Ledger, North Amity, and Sally J. Ledger, Linneus, married June 8, 1985, at Houlton. Custody of two children awarded to the mother. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
Aroostook County Superior Court, Houlton Jon A. Clayton Jr., 37, Blaine, attempted unlawful sexual contact, 364 days in jail, all but 6 months suspended, one year probation, registration as a sexually violent predator; sexual misconduct with a child, 364 days in jail to be served… Read More
LIMESTONE – Limestone Methodist Church will hold a baked bean supper from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13. Donations pay for meal. For more information, call 325-4870. Read More
FORT KENT – The following events are scheduled at Northern Maine Medical Center: . First Aid Course Part 1, with Percy Thibeault, EMT, will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. today, in the Second Floor Solarium. Participants must register by calling 834-3155. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
FORT KENT – The University of Maine at Fort Kent corporate relations office will hold an open house at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, to introduce the Aroostook County Service Corps. The session will be held in UMFK’s Grindle conference room in Cyr Hall. Making… Read More
BREWER – After a public hearing Tuesday night that generated nearly an hour of lively debate, city councilors voted 3-1 to add to the Nov. 6 election ballot a charter amendment that would give them the authority to remove one of their own under specific circumstances. Read More
UNITY – The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension will hold the 12th annual Farmer to Farmer Conference in Bar Harbor Nov. 2-4. At the conference, farmers and other agricultural experts will share information about sustainable agriculture. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
BREWER – Integra Direct, an operator of direct response call centers, has opened a new facility in the city’s East-West Industrial Park. “Our business needed to expand in order to meet demand for our services and Brewer had the skilled people we needed,” said Vincent… Read More
BANGOR – Students will come to see China in a new light because of a unique program approved by the school committee Monday. Bangor will participate in a three-year partnership with Primary Source, a Boston based non-profit organization that runs the New England China Network… Read More
SEAL COVE – Police have arrested a man suspected in a hit-and-run accident on Route 102 that injured a Colorado woman on Monday. Frederick Ward, 21, of Bangor was arrested late Monday night after a chase through the woods in Bangor. The search for Ward… Read More
BANGOR – Despite concerns from a handful of neighbors, the city’s planning board on Tuesday approved St. Joseph Hospital’s request to rezone nine residential lots near the Broadway campus. “We feel like we’re the last of the Mohicans,” neighbor Anne Marie Messer said of the… Read More
BANGOR – Attendance was down but profits were up this year at the Bangor State Fair, according to preliminary figures released by Bass Park officials Tuesday. Mike Dyer, director of the Bass Park complex, said fair profits jumped to $58,594 – a 46 percent increase… Read More
BANGOR – A Frito-Lay truck was burglarized near the Frito-Lay warehouse on Outer Hammond Street early Tuesday morning. According to Lieutenant Ron Gastia of the Bangor Police Department, a call was received just before 3 a.m. that products had been taken from one of the… Read More
BANGOR – Moorhead Kennedy, former U.S. Foreign Service Officer and hostage in Iran, will be keynote speaker at the Husson Business Breakfast Thursday. Kennedy will use his unique perspectives to address the question, “Terrorism: Is Retaliation Enough?” googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
BANGOR – A peace gathering, sponsored by the Peace & Justice Center of Eastern Maine, will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7, at the Hammond Street Church. The gathering is planned to coincide with a National Peace Walk March organized by major national peace… Read More
BANGOR – Bangor Area Citizens Organized for Responsible Development will be sponsoring a Bangor City Council candidates forum on development in the Bangor Mall area from 7 to 9 tonight at the Bangor Public Library upstairs lecture hall on Harlow Street. BACORD is a local… Read More
BANGOR – The Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder group begins the school year with an in-depth discussion regarding federal and state laws that affect children and teens with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The meeting informs parents about additional support at schools. Informational handouts… Read More
MILLINOCKET – A proposal to give Great Northern Paper Inc., a tax break on its $172 million modernization project received little support on Tuesday. Some residents suggested the proposal be renegotiated. The proposed tax agreement lays the groundwork for resolving a tax dispute. The town… Read More
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Fire Administration, a subdivision of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has awarded a grant of $6,120 to the Tremont Volunteer Fire Department in Bass Harbor to buy firefighting equipment. Additionally, the USFA has awarded a grant of $9,626 to the Carrabassett Valley Fire Department… Read More
CUSHING – The $2.27 million raised by voters in May for a new Cushing Community School may not be enough. The results of an independent budget analysis arranged by Lewis & Malm Architecture of Bucksport indicate that an additional $487,607 may be needed to complete… Read More
TROY – A public baked bean supper, sponsored by the Seven Star Grange No. 73, will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m., Oct. 13. Cost for adults is $5 and children 5-12 is $2.50; children under 5 are free. For information, call 948-2290. Read More
BELFAST – The University of Maine Cooperative Extension will hold five business workshops at the Waldo County Extension Office. . “How and Why to Write a Business Plan,” 9 a.m.-noon, Oct. 16, with presenter Marnie DuBois, SBDC business counselor. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – A Sebec man accused of setting fire to his home on New Year’s Day was among those indicted Tuesday by a grand jury in Piscataquis County. Christopher S. Curtis, 40, is accused of setting fire to his two-story home on the Milo Road… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – The following divorces were granted in 13th District Court in August on the grounds of irreconcilable marital differences: Terry Levensalor of Dexter and Lesley Levensalor of Dover-Foxcroft; married at Dover-Foxcroft June 12, 1993. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – A Plymouth, Mass., man was arrested Tuesday for criminal threatening and assault in connection with an incident in Guilford on Monday night. William Hatery, 38, turned himself in to the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department on Tuesday after learning there was a warrant for… Read More
GREENVILLE – The Natural Resource Education Center and the Central Maine Chapter of Small Woodland Owners will sponsor a field trip to a cable logging operation in the Moosehead region at noon Thursday, Oct. 11. Cable logging is a means of extracting logs from terrain… Read More
DEXTER – The monthly meeting of the Alzheimer’s Support Group will be held Thursday, Oct. 11 at Dexter Health Care, 64 Park St., Dexter. For further information, call Dianne Coppola at 924-5516. Read More
MACHIAS – A Washington County grand jury indicted Tuesday a local minister and former Calais School Committee member on a charge of tampering with a witness or informant in connection with last year’s vandalism of Calais High School. Although he has been indicted, the Rev. Read More
ELLSWORTH – A Hancock County grand jury Tuesday indicted a Bass Harbor man on drug and explosives charges. The grand jury charged David C. Faulkingham, 33, with unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs, unlawful possession of scheduled drugs and criminal use of explosives. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – A proposal to develop a speculative building to draw industry and resulting jobs to the region was presented Tuesday to Piscataquis County Commissioners. With Piscataquis County lagging other Maine counties in wages and available jobs, the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council is making… Read More
The final date to obtain crop insurance on apples or blueberries in Maine for the 2002 crop year is Nov. 20, 2001. Current policyholders likewise have until Nov. 20 to make any changes to their existing contracts. As a result of significant increases in premium subsidies in 2000,… Read More
BANGOR – The U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Treasury Department have awarded a total of $350,000 in federal funds to MaineStream Finance of Bangor. The Treasury Department also has awarded another $57,000 to Four Directions Development Corp. in Old Town. The awards were… Read More
From time to time in this column, I will update you on events or activities that have taken place, or will take place, to aid the victims of the terrorist attacks our country suffered on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001. People throughout the United States and… Read More
HOULTON – The National Transportation Safety Board has determined that pilot error was the cause of a July 19, 2000, crash of a Canadian cargo plane in Linneus that killed the pilot and co-pilot. The probable cause of the crash of the twin engine Grumman… Read More
MONTPELIER, Vt. – Eight Northeastern states are forming a coalition their legislative leaders believe would have the economic power to force pharmaceutical manufacturers to lower their prices. Legislators from the six New England states, New York and Pennsylvania plan to adopt a regional plan later… Read More
BANGOR – The U.S. Small Business Administration has awarded a $249,822 grant to Eastern Maine Development Corp. of Bangor to help small businesses grow larger through mentoring programs, according to members of Maine’s congressional delegation. The grant, awarded under SBA’s Business-to-Business Learning, Investment, Network and… Read More
FALMOUTH – A teen-ager from Silver Spring, Md., committed suicide when he drove his father’s car in the wrong direction on the Maine Turnpike and slammed head-on into a tractor-trailer, authorities said Tuesday. Daniel McGivren’s death followed a 12-hour car trip Monday that began after… Read More
BANGOR – The chief of National Public Radio hopes that his institution can help Americans through what have become uncertain times. Kevin Klose, chief executive officer for NPR, said that his programming service has two missions in the wake of the Sept. 11 tragedies: “to… Read More
OLD TOWN – Kendall Tracewski scored two goals as the Old Town Indians improved to 11-0 with a 3-1 high school field hockey victory over the Hampden Academy Broncos Tuesday. Liz Saucier added an unassisted goal, Kasey Spencer notched an assist and Emelie Richard made… Read More
Home-grown menus Restaurants across the state are cooking up locally grown and raised ingredients in honor of Maine Menus Month. With offerings such as steak fajitas, roasted game meats, stir-fried veggies or Maine crab ravioli, the selections are all mouth-watering. Maine Menus Month is a… Read More
Mark Franchi’s dream is becoming a reality. The Englishman who coaches the Hampden Academy girls soccer team announced Tuesday that there will be a multi-purpose indoor facility with artificial turf on Coldbrook Road in Hampden near Dysart’s truck stop and restaurant. He is hoping go… Read More
Three seasons after resigning his post as the Brewer boys varsity basketball coach, Mark Savage is likely headed back to the coach’s box – for the Brewer girls team. Brewer Superintendent Betsy Webb met with Savage Tuesday afternoon. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
Marcel Bastide has a gold medal but more importantly he still pedals a bicycle with both of his legs. Bastide, a transplanted Frenchman from the Toulouse area who lives in Orrington, won a gold medal in the 20-kilometer bicycle race in the 50-59 age group… Read More
Late University of Maine hockey coach Shawn Walsh will be remembered in many ways. But first and foremost, he should be remembered as a remarkable coach and teacher and leader of young men. Coaches at all level of sports could learn from him. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
BANGOR – If there was any harvest break rust on Presque Isle’s girls soccer team, it hardly showed on a bright, balmy Tuesday as they peppered the Bangor goal early and often. Despite a huge shot advantage, the visiting Wildcats had to settle for a… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL Official standings as reported by the Maine Principals’ Association. For games and matches played through Sept. 30. 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;… Read More
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HIGH SCHOOL At Samoset Resort GC, Rockport 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
WOODLAND – Linny Barbee scored two goals and assisted on the other to pace the Narraguagus Knights to a 3-0 schoolgirl soccer victory over the Woodland Dragons Tuesday. Missy Barbee scored the other goal for 8-2 Narraguagus of Harrington while Kelcey Rossi had an assist. Read More
When Parker Pruett graduated from Dartmouth College in the spring after a stellar track and field career, he made the same decision many star runners make. He wasn’t ready to stop competing. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
ORONO – Josh Hareld’s goal at the 66:55 mark gave the New Hampshire Wildcats a 2-1 men’s soccer victory over the Maine Black Bears Tuesday. Nicholas Mello scored the first goal on a pass from Hareld while Shaun O’Neil made four saves on 12 shots… Read More
MILO – April Allen and Lindsay Hamlin each scored a pair of goals to propel the Penquis Patriots to a 5-1 schoolgirl soccer win over Schenck of East Millinocket Tuesday. Erin Beasley chipped in with a goal and an assist for the 7-4-1 Patriots. Ashley… Read More