One in five registered nurse positions in hospital-owned nursing homes are vacant, a new study by the Maine Hospital Association has found. The shortage is up 71 percent from a year ago and it is twice as acute as the nursing shortage within hospitals themselves,… Read More
    A photo caption on Page A4 Saturday, which accompanied a story on home-schooling, lists the students’ identities in the wrong order. The students working together are (from left) Abby Rice, 13, Seth Williams, 16, and Simon Rice, 14. Read More
    AUGUSTA – Special interest groups in Maine are feeling the pinch in the economic slowdown and are worrying about their ability to raise money, especially in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks. Edye Cronk, president of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, wrote to members… Read More
    PORTLAND – The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram and the Portland Newspaper Guild have reached a tentative deal on a new contract. The tentative deal reached Saturday would be the guild’s first contract since Guy Gannett Communications sold the newspaper to The Seattle Times Co. Read More
    The individuals or organizations that have started this campaign of fear are accomplishing their mission. We have been deluged with information, endured countless interviews with legitimate, and some not so legitimate, individuals on their thoughts, and had NBC interviewing their own associates within their organization as they had… Read More
    War correspondents aren’t what they used to be, and modern presidents, the Pentagon, and evidently a majority of American citizens like it that way. In the Civil War, Mathew Brady and his crew roamed the battlefields with their big primitive cameras and produced a classic… Read More
    For the exotic new threat of bioterrorism, a congressional task force offers the mundane antidotes of food inspections, border security, protection of water supplies and improved law enforcement. They are the kinds of measures that have been debated many times in Congress and defeated many times because they… Read More
    Thank you for publishing the Oct. 22 op-ed by John J. Sweeney, president of the AFL-CIO. His views and commentary are shared by many who have to work for a living. He noted, that in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 tragedy, the Congress reacted… Read More
    When I was in the Navy, I had a commanding officer who said, “It’s better to keep your mouth shut and have people think you’re a fool than to open it and prove them right.” This was one of the many lessons that I learned from him. It’s… Read More
    During the Nov. 6 election, Maine voters will express their opinions on a $36 million bond issue designed to support higher education. Passage of the bond (No. 6 on the ballot) will be very important to the continued improvement of Maine’s publicly supported colleges – including the University… Read More
    I thoroughly agree with Susan Edson’s comments (BDN, Oct. 25) regarding Whitney Azoy’s series. I, too, hope the commentaries will continue. My husband and I have known Whit for many years when we were at The Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, N.J. Whether at a dinner… Read More
    The series of Whitney Azoy’s tutorials should be reproduced and given to every member of the Senate and House as well as all the White House players. These commentaries would explain the situation in such a manner that even Washington could understand. Splendid series! W.H. Read More
    On the municipal ballot for the Nov. 6 election is a proposal to increase the pay of City Council members from $400 a year to $2,000. During my first year as city manager of Bangor, their pay was increased from $0 to $400. The vote was hotly contested. Read More
    Concerning Paul Hanson’s letter and the feature commentary by Arthur Greif which both appeared in the Oct. 15 issue of the Bangor Daily News, we support their observations concerning the problems the United States has been overlooking regarding the injustices meted out to the Palestinians by Israel. Read More
    The Bangor Daily News will accept letters and commentary about the upcoming election until noon Wednesday, Oct. 31, and will publish them through Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 3-4. Because of the limits of space, not all submissions can be printed. Read More
    Dear Mom, I am in Atlanta at my annual medical conference, getting my brain packed tighter than Santa in Spandex with up-to-date medical information. Everything doctors know seems to go out of date faster than goat cheese on hot pavement. As they were last year,… Read More
    Seventh in a series Three weeks and counting into the First Afghan-American war, it’s fair – without sounding treasonous – to ask one hard question: “Are we A) stalling, or B) falling into a long war in a far place, C) doing a bit of… Read More
    My husband is a proud graduate of the University of New Brunswick at Saint John; I am a graduate of and doctoral student at the University of Maine. Though we both agree that we each received a fine undergraduate education, just for fun we occasionally argue over who… Read More
    BELFAST – With no fanfare and little public notice, Francis Marsano has ended a career that includes decades as a highly visible midcoast lawyer, three terms as a state legislator, and more than eight years as a Superior Court justice. Or did he? googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    A judge has upheld a $125,000 settlement between lawyers for a Passamaquoddy housing organization and its former executive director, who sued five years ago after her dismissal and an ensuing federal investigation. A Washington County Superior Court justice awarded Pamela F. Francis $50,000 and an… Read More
    Question 2 Do you favor a $5,000,000 bond issue for biomedical and marine research and development by Maine-based nonprofit and state research institutions? googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i =… Read More
    It may be hard to believe now, with all the trauma our country has endured recently, but there was a time when we couldn’t get enough information about the sex life of U.S. Rep. Gary Condit. We talked about such things a lot as a… Read More
    PALMYRA – With the current expansion project at the Route 2 Wal-Mart store, the Sebasticook Valley Chamber of Commerce building is “literally up in the air,” said director Jane Briggs on Monday. The log building, now up on cinder blocks, has been moved to its… Read More
    BANGOR – A local labor group’s request for City Council hopefuls to sign a pledge of support has come under fire from one candidate in the waning days of the campaign. In declining to sign the Greater Bangor Area Central Labor Council’s “statement of principles… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – A Winterport man accused of burning down his Orland home for the insurance money in December 1999 and then fleeing to Pennsylvania appeared Monday in Hancock County Superior Court. No trial date was set, however, for Merle Crossman, 48, according to his attorney. Read More
    ELLSWORTH – A 27-year-old man was arrested early Sunday on a charge of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants after police saw a beer bottle fall off the roof of his car. Ellsworth police Officer Bart Tokas arrested Scott Kelly of… Read More
    WALTHAM – An Ellsworth man was summoned on a charge of operating a vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants after his car went off Route 179 and hit a large rock. Kory L. Jordan, 18, reportedly was driving a Dodge south at 1:10 a.m. Read More
    ELLSWORTH – An 18-year-old man from East Machias escaped injury Sunday night when he fell asleep at the wheel and demolished his car on U.S. Route 1A just south of the Dedham-Ellsworth town line, according to police. Wade Walker was driving a 1988 Ford Escort… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – A local man was arrested on multiple charges early Saturday morning at a gas station on High Street after he allegedly attacked a woman at a motel room in Hancock and fled in a car. Russell Crossman, 41, reportedly forced his way into… Read More
    Belfast District Court Charles A. Bryant, 29, Belmont, violating protection order, $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()) { if (slot_sizes[i][0]… Read More
    PORTLAND – Laura Foss of Gorham thought it was cute when her son Jacob started spinning around in place in the months between his first and second birthdays. “We thought he was dancing,” she said. Then other traits emerged. He wouldn’t play like other children. Read More
    Presque Isle District Court Edmund R. Adams, 72, Fort Fairfield, violation of rule fish, $70. 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
    PRESQUE ISLE – A partnership announced Monday between Northern Maine Technical College and the Aroostook County Action Program will allow more people to take evening college classes without having to worry about where to find a baby sitter. Beginning in January, students taking evening credit… Read More
    AUGUSTA – An empty auditorium is a temptation for a musician. Vince Gabriel of Warren – who performs electric and acoustic blues under the name Blind Albert – is a veteran of the Vietnam War and visits the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital at Togus… Read More
    A health program for women with cancer or those recovering from cancer called “Look Good … Feel Better” will hold sessions in November at the following locations: BANGOR: 6-8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5, Eastern Maine Medical Center. Call Randa Shirland at 973-8108 for more information. Read More
    PORTLAND – The state’s highest court on Monday threw out a judge’s decision in favor of the town of Cushing in a dispute over the tax status of 400 acres owned by the Cushing Nature and Preservation Center. The Maine Supreme Judicial Court unanimously rejected… Read More
    The investigation continues and more charges are expected after Brewer police seized drugs, including Ecstasy, from a local motel efficiency apartment Friday night. This was believed to be the first seizure of Ecstasy in Brewer. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
    HOLDEN – The town’s first charter is the subject of an informational meeting tonight and a vote of adoption next week. The informational meeting at 7 p.m. at the municipal building is aimed at giving residents a chance to ask questions about the charter and… Read More
    BANGOR – Retired Col. Donald J. Strout died Saturday in Bangor after a long illness. Strout, 84, spent 24 years in the U.S. Army Air Corps and the U.S. Air Force, but he was best known in Maine for the hundreds of people he taught… Read More
    A health program for women with cancer or those recovering from cancer called “Look Good … Feel Better” will hold a session 6-8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5, at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. Call Randa Shirland at 973-8108 for more information. The “Look Good… Read More
    BANGOR – St. Joseph Hospital officials will hold a meeting tonight for neighborhood residents concerning the hospital’s request to rezone nine residential properties in the area. The 6 p.m. meeting will be held at the St. Francis Center (the old fire station) on Center Street. Read More
    ELLSWORTH – The court system in Central Europe is evolving after decades under communist rule, and though there are many differences from the American judicial system, there are some striking similarities, according to Maine District Court Judge Bernard Staples of Ellsworth. Staples joined a delegation… Read More
    ROCKLAND – Police said they found the driver of a pickup truck who fled an accident scene Thursday after allegedly hitting a pedestrian on Main Street. John Thompson, 21, of Spruce Head was summoned during the weekend by Rockland police Officer Joel Neal for operating… Read More
    ROCKLAND – A Hope man was hospitalized and a city woman was injured when a car and motorcycle collided on Broadway early Monday. Joseph Berry, 63, was admitted to Penobscot Bay Medical Center in Rockport and was in stable condition, according to a hospital spokeswoman. Read More
    THOMASTON – SAD 50 residents are invited to meet with the school board Monday to discuss the qualifications and skills that should be considered in selecting applicants and interviewing candidates for superintendent. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5, at Georges Valley… Read More
    THOMASTON – Three Route 1 accidents three days in a row resulted in minor injuries and relatively minor damage. On Monday, Thomaston police Sgt. Kevin Haj responded to a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Routes 1 and 131 near Montpelier’s Gen. Henry Knox Museum… Read More
    BELFAST – “When Should I Take My Child to the Emergency Room?” is the topic of the final offering of Waldo County General Hospital’s Wellness Lecture Series for the fall. The speaker, Dr. John Gage, is medical director of the hospital’s emergency department and a… Read More
    ROCKLAND – Busy hands caused a driver to lose control of her vehicle Monday on Union Street, leading to damage to two traffic signs, the corner of a house, and the front steps and fence of the same home. At 10:30 a.m., Tamaline Wallace, 40,… Read More
    GARLAND – The town of Garland dedicated a bronze memorial plaque on Oct. 6 to honor its military veterans. The plaque lists the names of those who served in the Civil War, World War I and World War II. A star follows the names of those who made… Read More
    SKOWHEGAN – The Skowhegan Regional Vocational Center will hold an open house and skills showcase from 5 to 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8. Students from all programs will demonstrate vocational skills. Program demonstrations will be ongoing in automotive technology, carpentry, cooperative education, electrical construction, digital… Read More
    NEWPORT – The Sebasticook Valley Community Center and the Penobscot Committee for Keeping Kids on Track, a United Way of Eastern Maine program, are seeking applications for programs or projects that meet the needs of children 10 to 14 years old. Any organization or group… Read More
    FAIRFIELD – The Fairfield United Methodist Church will hold a holiday fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at the United Methodist Church, located on Route 201. Home-cooked food, crafts and activities for children will be available. For information call 453-7505. Read More
    EAST MACHIAS – The Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission is weighing its options following a final town vote to deny the panel a permit to construct a salmon weir on the East Machias River. “I don’t have a written decision from the town, but when I… Read More
    Calais District Court Norman J. LeBlanc, 60, Bouctouche, New Brunswick, operating after suspension, $150. 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
    PRESQUE ISLE – SAD 1 officials were continuing their investigation Monday into an Oct. 23 incident in which a student at the school fired a shotgun. “We’re still in the middle of the investigation,” Superintendent Gehrig Johnson said Monday. “We’re sorting this out.” googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    How fortunate we are to have the opportunity, particularly at this time, to celebrate our diversity so close to home. The International Student Association and the Office of International Programs at the University of Maine is sponsoring Culturefest 2001 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Read More
    CARIBOU – The state liquor store on Bennett Drive closed its doors Saturday, leaving two state-owned outlets in Aroostook County, one at Presque Isle and another in Houlton. The Caribou store is one of eight state stores being closed this fiscal year. Two of its… Read More
    BANGOR – He was loved, respected and admired. The loss of John Silsby Bacon took many by surprise when he died Sunday afternoon at age 71 after battling Lou Gehrig’s disease for more than a year. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
    BAR HARBOR – Quick action by two town police officers early Monday morning helped to save a woman who had slipped into the waters of Compass Harbor. The 34-year-old woman had been walking on a rocky point of land that projects into the harbor when… Read More
    AUGUSTA – The Maine Arts Commission is planning two workshops to assist communities and community leaders interested in applying for funds under the Maine Arts Commission Discovery Research and Local Cultural Initiative programs. The workshops will be held as part of a larger series of… Read More
    The trick-or-treaters scamper up the steps for their goodies, all of them dressed as firefighters or police. This week’s seasonal cover on The New Yorker is as pointed as candy corn and just as sweet. What better Halloween costumes than those honoring our “local heroes”… Read More
    Dear Jim: I saw some pictures of the aftermath of a tornado and the only things standing were geodesic dome homes. I have always thought they looked neat. Are those types of home energy-efficient and easy to build? – Alan R. Dear Alan: For the… Read More
    When it comes to catching up with University of Maine football games on television, Black Bear pigskin fans must travel north. Due to a financially-motivated decision by station officials at Lewiston low-power station WPME (Channel 35), which services the Portland area, UPN-35 is not simulcasting… Read More
    Soccer teams from Winslow High, John Bapst of Bangor and Falmouth will get an unusual and unprecedented experience when they play in the boys and girls Class B state championship games this weekend. The two state finals will be held at the MBNA-owned Point Lookout… Read More
    Charles Pitts, Kara White and Lyndsey Smith of Unity College have been recognized as United States Collegiate Athletic Association All-Americans. Pitts, a striker on the soccer team, had his senior season cut short by a knee injury. He wound up the third leading goal scorer… Read More
    Wings of America is offering sponsorship to the Regional Footlocker Races to eligible junior high or high school American Indian cross country runners. The sponsorship consists of the reimbursement of allowable expenses up to $250. Wings of America is also accepting applications for the 2002… Read More
    WILLIAMSTON, Mass. – Jesse Speirs, a local golfer from Bangor, placed first in the Plantations Junior Golf Tour at Waubeeka Golf Links this weekend. Speirs shot a 78 on Saturday and a 73 on Saturday to win the boys 14-15 age division. Read More
    COLLEGE Danny Noyes 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
    COLLEGE Little East Conference 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
    The rest of the story Not to take anything away from the article on Buddy Nickerson (BDN, Oct. 20-21) because I feel that he deserves all that was written about him, but there is another side of the story that was left out. Buddy’s real… Read More