Mainers showed how much they value education Tuesday, passing two bond issues for higher education and school improvements by wide margins. A $36.7 million bond to fund improvements on the state’s public college and university campuses appeared headed for easy victory late in the evening. Read More
Five of the six bond issues on Tuesday’s ballot won with comfortable margins based on unofficial results, but only about one in every four Mainers who were eligible to vote bothered to go to the polls. The only borrowing proposal that struggled was the one… Read More
WASHINGTON – As the anthrax cleanup plods along in U.S. Rep. John Baldacci’s office, the Democrat’s staff has once again been relocated. While they are back in their old building, they are still one floor below their old office in several conference rooms that have been rearranged as… Read More
The John Bapst soccer player in a photo in Monday’s paper was not Taylor Lynn. Read More
AUGUSTA – An advisory panel that counsels state government trimmed forecasts for growth in employment and personal income Tuesday, potentially setting the stage for a reduction in actual revenue estimates by a second panel later this month. A downward revision of revenue estimates would pressure… Read More
The Brown Co. of Bangor has hired Rodney Russell as assistant sales representative. Russell was formerly a financial adviser at Paine Webber of Bangor, and vice president of Russell’s Mill Inc. of LaGrange. David E. Michaud has been named superintendent of Consumer Maine Water Co.’s… Read More
AUGUSTA – The State Planning Office reported Tuesday that heating oil prices in the state were lower again this week, marking the fifth week in a row that prices have declined. The average price of a gallon of home-heating oil dropped a penny to $1.16… Read More
There is some confusion regarding the walking sticks and this year’s Veterans Day parade. First, the Cole Land Transportation Museum is not in charge of the parade; Col. William Deering (942-6482) and Donald Dorr (945-5965) are the organizers as they have been for many years. Read More
Everyone should know by this time that too many Maine children are overweight. The standard proposed remedies are better eating habits and more exercise. Leading health specialists believe that’s not enough. One of them is Andrew F. Coburn, director of the Institute for Health Policy… Read More
It has been more than four years since the Justice Department sued Microsoft for antitrust violations, alleging that the company used its operating system monopoly – the ubiquitous Windows – to stifle competition and innovation in the software industry. Supporting that central allegation were claims that Microsoft forced… Read More
For the first time ever in a “war” a U.S. administration, in this case George W. Bush and Donald Rumsfeld, will not allow a press pool for access and distribution of information to the public. This is a recent development. During World War II the… Read More
Dr. Richard Smith and his colleagues should be commended for speaking out about their patient care and safety concerns. These are real issues that have been developing over the last several years. Irving Kagan of the Eastern Maine Healthcare (EMH) Board of Trustees wasn’t aware of any of… Read More
We watch the news and hear of another anthrax case. The threat of smallpox looms in the background. Wouldn’t it be wiser and safer to vaccinate everyone and the fear would be eliminated? When the threat of polio had everyone in a panic children and… Read More
The Hampden Town Council will shortly decide whether or not to enter into an agreement with Pine Tree Landfill Inc., which operates the landfill at Interstate Exit 44. Under this proposed agreement, the landfill’s operator would provide a package of benefits to Hampden, the landfill’s… Read More
My father had a heart transplant not quite seven years ago, the last option for him. He has since received Medicare coverage with Medicaid as his supplementary which has been a lifesaver because he is on numerous medications, which are covered by Medicaid (with a small co-pay). Read More
It’s a great time to wear a uniform in America. We call our soldiers, firemen and police officers heroes. It’s about time. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0;… Read More
Question 5, a bond issue for environmental and agricultural projects, was drawing strong support from the state’s voters Tuesday. With 93 percent of the state’s precincts reporting, 64.9 percent of voters had cast their ballots in favor of the $17 million bond. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
PORTLAND – Ben Alfiero has seen red lobsters, white lobsters and blue lobsters. As a co-owner of the family-owned Harbor Fish Market, he has come across blue lobsters with white spots, white lobsters with blue spots, and lobsters with extra claws. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
BANGOR – The man investigators say killed a 27-year-old Ellsworth man and buried him in a shallow grave on a Bradford woodlot 12 years ago is currently an inmate at the Beckley Federal Corrections Institute in Beaver, W.Va., and it could take awhile to get him back to… Read More
Bill Vandegrift of Bangor, who did not disclose how he voted on Question 1 on Tuesday, said he does not believe there is a housing crisis in Maine. A number of voters in central and eastern Maine happen to agree with him. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
Maine’s $61 million transportation bond passed by a nearly 3-to-1 ratio Tuesday, according to unofficial election results. With 93 percent of the state’s 661 precincts reporting results to the Bangor Daily News, Question 3 was passing with 74.1 percent of voters in favor and 25.9… Read More
A bond issue that would earmark $5 million for biomedical and marine research was squeaking by Tuesday night. Question 2 proved to be the most closely contested of the six bond issues on the ballot. With 93 percent of precincts reporting, 52.6 percent of voters… Read More
FORT KENT – Registered nurses Jane Rioux and Pauline Jandreau, who work at Northern Maine Medical Center’s emergency room, have volunteered to speak on behalf of EN CARE. Through EN CARE, adolescents are informed about the consequences of alcohol and drug use, especially for those… Read More
MADAWASKA – The second annual Madawaska Fall Health Fair will be held Sunday, Nov. 18, at the Acadia Family Health Center. Health screening tests will be available to children and adults. Children will be able to have a breathing test that checks for asthma, as… Read More
CARIBOU- The Caring Area Neighbors for Cancer Education and Recovery, or C.A.N.C.E.R, board of directors has received a grant from the Maine Community Foundation to expand services in neighboring communities. C.A.N.C.E.R. is a nonprofit organization founded in 1999 in the Presque Isle area by a… Read More
FORT KENT – Rachel Albert, University of Maine at Fort Kent associate professor of nursing and nursing division chairwoman, who has drawn national media attention for her research in alternative pain management techniques, will present her findings at an academic-community gathering at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, at… Read More
1st District Court, Madawaska MADAWASKA – The following divorces have been granted on grounds of irreconcilable differences in 1st District Court in Madawaska since June. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var… Read More
BAR HARBOR – Voters narrowly approved a zoning change Tuesday to outlaw drive-through restaurant windows within town limits. According to supporters, the prohibition was designed to limit the growth of fast-food restaurants and their resultant traffic and litter problems – particularly along Route 3 where… Read More
ELLSWORTH – A former principal at the city’s high school and the two other candidates endorsed by a citizens development group were elected easily Tuesday night to the three open seats on the City Council. Leon Beal Jr., who retired as the Ellsworth High School… Read More
LINCOLNVILLE – In convincing fashion, residents agreed to fund the town police department in Tuesday’s voting. The referendum article asked residents whether they would spend $19,635 from surplus funds to pay for the continued operation of the police department through the remainder of the fiscal… Read More
ROCKLAND – Two pro-business candidates were elected Tuesday to the Rockland City Council. Edward Mazurek and Mark Curtis easily won the two open seats in a field of four candidates. Mazurek garnered 875 votes and Curtis took 794 votes. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
CAMDEN – Maine Public Radio listeners in Knox, Waldo and Lincoln counties will be able to tune in a stronger signal for the station beginning Tuesday. WMEP-FM 90.5 becomes the seventh signal for the MPR network. Programming is simulcast on all stations throughout the state. Read More
BUCKSPORT -By more than a 2-1 ratio, voters Tuesday authorized town officials to raise and appropriate $150,000 for street and road improvements. The local article passed by a vote of 573-248. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
MOUNT DESERT – Although voters approved all six state bond issues, a $7.07 million bond for local sewer improvements was narrowly defeated in Tuesday’s election. The proposal failed by a vote of 363-394, a margin of only 31 votes. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
BLUE HILL – The fall initiation ceremony for the George Stevens Academy National Honor Society on Nov. 5 featured the induction of 12 new members. The 2001 fall inductees are Andrea Janet Flynn, Jen Freilino, Emily Anne French, Megan L. Friend; Jacob Grindal; Tobias Grindal,… Read More
ELLSWORTH – The Hancock County Farm Service Agency has announced that the final date to obtain crop insurance on blueberries in Maine for the 2002 crop year is Nov. 20. Current policyholders also have until Nov. 20 to make any changes to their existing contracts. Read More
CASTINE – With all candidates running unopposed, Castine voters elected a slate of municipal officers on Tuesday. Incumbent Selectman Peter Vogell received 294 votes to win another three-year term. Matthew Whitting was elected to a three-year term on the school committee with 278 votes. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
SOUTHWEST HARBOR – Voters approved a local shellfish conservation ordinance by a vote of 309-88 in Tuesday’s election. The new ordinance creates a shellfish conservation committee, which will oversee licensing of hobby and professional clam diggers as well as work with the Department of Marine… Read More
TRENTON – After more than 10 years of planning, Trenton Elementary School has completed a large addition that includes a new office complex, science lab, gymnasium and several large classrooms. A Portland architectural firm, SMRT, was responsible for the aesthetically pleasing, functional design. Bowman Brothers,… Read More
NEWPORT – The SAD 48 building committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, for a tour of district buildings. The tour will start at St. Albans Consolidated School, proceed to Hartland Consolidated and end at Palmyra Consolidated School. Read More
PITTSFIELD – Warsaw Middle School has planned an ambitious day of events Friday, Nov. 9, to mark Veterans Day. The activities will begin at the start of school with a flag-raising ceremony by the Nokomis ROTC, followed by an assembly and speakers. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
NEWPORT – The Newport Community Food Bank will pass out Thanksgiving turkeys and fixings during regular hours Nov. 17 for all qualified clients. Read More
ELLSWORTH – Women, Work and Community is offering a three-session workshop from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays starting in November. The sessions will assist those who either want to join the work force but don’t know where to begin, or those who want to switch jobs to… Read More
SKOWHEGAN – The Somerset County Local Emergency Planning Committee will meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the county communications building on River Road in Skowhegan. Read More
PITTSFIELD – The SAD 53 board of directors meeting scheduled for Monday, Nov. 5, has been rescheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12. Read More
PITTSFIELD – The First Universalist Church is holding its annual turkey supper from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, at the church on Easy Street. Tickets for adults are $5; children under 12, $2.50. Read More
CORINNA – All home-schooled children are invited to Stewart Free Library at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, for a time to visit, get acquainted with each other and to browse the library for additional resources. Light refreshments will be available. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
NEWPORT – The Newport service area of the Salvation Army announced this week that Bud’s Shop ‘n Save in Newport will sponsor the area’s “giving tree” and receptacle for new donations for children for Christmas. The tree will be in place by Monday. Parents of… Read More
HOULTON – The Partnership for a Tobacco Free Maine will hold the first of many statewide training sessions to aid health field professionals with tools they need to help tobacco users quit. This two-day training session will be held from 8:15 a.m. 4 p.m. Thursday,… Read More
BANGOR – Voters by a 2-to-1 ratio on Tuesday decided that 50 years without a raise was too long. With 67 percent of voters in favor, city councilors here – beginning in 2004 – will earn $2,000 each year instead of the $400 stipend they… Read More
A Bangor man was arrested Monday night less than an hour after allegedly stealing a van in front of a Pine Street residence in Bangor. A 1997 Chevrolet van was reported stolen at 11:30 p.m. by the owner. Officer Allen Woolley of the Bangor Police… Read More
BREWER – Voters increased the debt cap for school facilities, gave the City Council the power to oust members who act against the city’s best interest and filled four local offices during citywide elections Tuesday at the Brewer Auditorium. In City Council elections, incumbent Manley… Read More
BANGOR – Their roadside signs might not have survived Tuesday’s whipping winds, but three of the eight candidates for City Council did withstand the will of the voters. City Councilor Gerry Palmer earned 2,212 votes Tuesday, followed by newcomers David Nealley with 2,198 votes and… Read More
HOLDEN – Residents voted Tuesday to adopt their first town charter in a local referendum that drew more than 600 voters. The charter received widespread support, with 466 residents voting in favor and 155 opposed. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
HAMPDEN – In the two contested council races Tuesday, voters chose two newcomers over two incumbents by narrow margins. District 1 saw Edward C. Murphy defeat current Mayor William J. Romano by a count of 150 to 138. And in District 4, state Rep. Brian M. Duprey edged… Read More
BANGOR – Voters returned incumbent Phyllis M. Shubert to the Bangor school committee for her sixth term and she will be joined by first-time committee member James F. Cox, who edged Eric C. Taylor for the remaining open three-year seat. Tuesday’s election results were as… Read More
BANGOR – The Rotary Club of Bangor invites area businesses, schools, nonprofit groups and religious organizations to apply to be part of the annual Festival of Lights parade, scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, in downtown Bangor. The theme for the 2001 parade is… Read More
LINCOLN – The Penquis Community Action Program is hosting an IRS workshop on “Taxes and the Small Business Owner” from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, at Mattanawcook Academy, Room 121. This workshop is for individuals who are in business or who are contemplating going into business. Read More
BRADLEY – The United Methodist Church of North Brewer-Eddington will sponsor “The Shoestring Shop” thrift shop on 942 Main St. in neighboring Bradley through December. It will be open from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. The proceeds go… Read More
CARIBOU – Cary Medical Center and Aroostook Mental Health Center are collaborating to present an educational community luncheon on suicide awareness from noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, at the Chan Center at Cary Medical Center. Judy Boudman, manager of AMHC’s emergency services department,… Read More
LIMESTONE – Pat Farrell of the Maine School of Science and Mathematics, a math teacher, is being honored with the Siemens Award for Excellence in Teaching Advanced Placement Mathematics and Science. He will receive an award of $1,000 and also will be honored the weekend of Nov. 9… Read More
FORT KENT – The University of Maine at Fort Kent is asking the community to help identify deserving people to place in nomination for the Distinguished Service Award presented annually at the commencement ceremony in May. First awarded in 1973, the honor is bestowed upon… Read More
CARIBOU – County Health Link, a consortium of health and social service agencies serving Aroostook County, was awarded a federal grant to conduct a countywide population health needs study. This scientific study will collect data from a number of sources to identify the health problems and service gaps… Read More
LIMESTONE – For the fifth time since the Defense Finance and Accounting Service Limestone opened its doors in January 1995, the agency has made a donation of computer equipment to local school systems. The most recent donation started in August, and 10 schools or school… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Piscataquis County deputies and jail employees enrolled in the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union have been working without a contract since December 2000. On Tuesday, the county commissioners said a proposed three-year contract with AFSME needed further review before… Read More
LINCOLN – By one vote, an 18-year-old high school senior edged out an incumbent in the Lincoln Town Council race during Tuesday’s elections. Voters elected Samuel Clay, a student at Mattanawcook Academy, by a vote of 366 to 365 over incumbent James Libby. Voters also… Read More
MILLINOCKET – Millinocket residents overwhelmingly said they favor area school boards exploring the issue of school consolidation. The nonbinding advisory referendum was approved by a vote of 1,198 to 165 during Tuesday’s elections. It asked, “Do you favor efforts of the four area school boards… Read More
MACHIAS – With no treatment funds available until next summer, state efforts to help Washington County respond to an epidemic of prescription drug abuse are turning to prevention and education. Kim Johnson, director of the Maine Office of Substance Abuse, said her office recently received… Read More
CALAIS – A 21-year-old former convenience store clerk who in September told police that two men had attempted to rob the Calais Mainway, was sentenced Tuesday in 4th District Court. Joseph Brewer of Calais entered a guilty plea to the charge of making a false… Read More
BROOKTON – Two men escaped injury when their pickup truck smashed into a utility pole Tuesday morning, but the accident led to two short power outages while Eastern Maine Electric Co-operative workers repaired the damage. Russell Grass, 17, of Brookton and his brother Robert Grass… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Greenville received a small windfall Tuesday when the Piscataquis County commissioners approved donations to the local airport and the Natural Resources Education Center. The commissioners voted to add $10,000 to the proposed unorganized territories budget for 2002-2003 – now under review by the… Read More
BELFAST – For the second time in five years, the Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce has eliminated its executive director’s post. The Chamber board voted 10-0 on Oct. 31 to eliminate the position, which has been held by Jill Bixby for the last year. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
VINALHAVEN – When the election night stir ended Tuesday, Bodine Ames and Eric Davis had won the two vacant seats on the Board of Selectmen. Ames garnered the most votes with 206, while Davis won a seat with 190 votes. The resignations of Chairwoman Emily… Read More
DEXTER – Two incumbents were returned to the Dexter Town Council on Tuesday during municipal elections. Fred Banks and Roger Brawn were returned to their seats and Sharon Mountain was elected to fill a third council position. The votes were as follows: Banks, 408; Brawn,… Read More
Residents in Sangerville, Cambridge and Wellington voted Tuesday to close the three elementary schools in their towns next year. SAD 4 directors had voted to close these schools to consolidate the district’s services, improve curriculum coordination and improve program access in the face of declining… Read More
An Ebeeme Lake camp owner on Monday reported to the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department that a kayak had been stolen from a garage on his property. Investigator Jamie Kane of the Sheriff’s Department said someone forced the garage door open to obtain the “Otter” Old… Read More
BANGOR – A federal grand jury Tuesday indicted a Bangor man on one count of distributing cocaine. Jarrod Canada, 29, of Ohio Street, also known as “D,” faces the possibility of 30 years in prison, a $2 million fine or both if convicted. He is jailed pending further… Read More
WATERVILLE – Dozens of Colby College students and faculty rallied Monday against “nasty language and violent symbols” aimed at gays and lesbians on campus. The call for a unified front against prejudice was organized after a threatening, obscene message was left for a gay male… Read More
PORTLAND – The City Council has created a citizen group to review police handling of misconduct complaints against officers. Over fierce opposition from the Police Department, the council voted 5-4 Monday to form the panel to audit the department’s internal affairs process for fairness and… Read More
CALAIS – A former tribal governor and the manager of the Passamaquoddy Tribe’s bingo operations appeared in 4th District Court on Tuesday to answer charges of aggravated unlawful gambling. Former Gov. John Stevens, 68, of Indian Township and Charles Devoe, 57, of Princeton entered not… Read More
Friends, community members and family are holding a benefit spaghetti supper from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Guilford United Methodist Church on School Street in Guilford. Donations will be accepted at the door, and 50-50 raffle tickets will be sold. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
PORTLAND – A referendum testing public sentiment for universal health care was approved by a narrow margin by city voters on Tuesday despite a lopsided campaign against the proposal. The final unofficial tally showed the advisory referendum passing by 532 votes, or 52 percent to… Read More
WESTBROOK – U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, who says tens of thousands of acres of forests have been lost to sprawl in Maine, has introduced a bill to stop sprawl by protecting working forests. Southern Maine’s working forests are disappearing because land is more valuable as… Read More
AUBURN – A man who fled to avoid facing charges that he molested two girls in Lisbon has turned himself in – eight years later. Michael H. Poulin, 51, had avoided state, local and federal investigators since 1994, when he slipped away after his arrest… Read More
ZARELA’S VERACRUZ: COOKING AND CULTURE IN MEXICO’S TROPICAL MELTING POT, by Zarela Martinez (with Anne Mendelson), Houghton Mifflin Co., New York, 2001, 400 pages, $35.00. Some of the following may not be true. I’m just making an educated guess here, because I’ve yet to see… Read More
You’ve heard those tsk-tsk, told-you-so stories about chefs who move to Maine with a dream and a whisk. They want to live closer to the land and be quaint. But often they struggle to make it as the new kid on the block. They can’t fit in. Or… Read More
Coffee connection If you’d like to kick back with a steamy cup of coffee, a cappuccino or a latte, try the new Vault Caf?, in the former People’s Heritage Bank building at the corner of Hammond and Columbia streets in Bangor. Jim, Sam and Sarah… Read More
Former Falmouth High School soccer great Roger Levesque may be on a path that someday takes him into the circle of great Maine athletes that includes the likes of Billy Swift, Ricky Craven, Joey Gamache, Mike Bordick and Joan Benoit Samuelson. Levesque, 20, is a… Read More
For the eighth straight season, the LTC Class B playoff pairings bear the hoof prints of the Foxcroft Academy Ponies. Despite a youthful roster with just seven seniors, all of whom are starters, and several upperclassmen who were first-year varsity players, the Ponies have gone… Read More
Brian Butterfield, who has been a coach for the Diamondbacks and the Yankees, said he couldn’t watch much of the World Series. “I tried. But I couldn’t enjoy it. I got real uncomfortable,” said Butterfield, a former Orono High School three-sports star and UMaine second… Read More
LOCAL CISV 5K Cross Country run 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
All Stars COLLEGE 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 = [[300,250]];… Read More
One thing about the Maine All-State Volleyball team, it’s a select club that’s hard to join, especially if you’re not a senior. In that respect, the second annual all-state team proves that point better than the first as all six team members are seniors. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
GRAY – Cell phone users and Gray area residents lost telephone service – including 911 – for more than 10 hours Tuesday, authorities said. A problem at Pine Tree Networks caused the outage for the 657 telephone exchange. Cell phone users were affected because their… Read More
SALEM, Va. – Two fans following a rock band apparently overdosed on drugs in a motel Monday, and a man traveling with them was charged in their deaths. Alcohol and “crushed-up morphine” killed 18-year-old Andrew Briggs of Shelburne, Vt., and 20-year-old Amanda Parks of Portland,… Read More