SINCLAIR – Divers on Friday afternoon recovered the body of a 72-year-old fisherman whose pickup truck went through the ice on Long Lake sometime Friday morning. The body of Richard Daigle of Sinclair was recovered at 3:43 p.m. about 15 feet from his pickup truck… Read More
Ice conditions are the worst they’ve been in 30 years, making the start of the 2002 ice fishing season a dangerous one for anglers who venture onto Maine’s lakes and ponds, say state fisheries biologists. Michael Smith, a biologist who oversees lakes and ponds in… Read More
PORTLAND – A state economy expert, who usually has his head in the numbers, now has his eyes on the skies. Charles Colgan, a public policy professor at the University of Southern Maine, said Friday that Maine’s prolonged drought, which has held on since early… Read More
A story in Friday’s Maine Day section about the initial court appearance of a woman involved in a standoff in Kenduskeag misidentified the presiding judge. The judge was Kevin Stitham. Read More
The National Science Foundation’s latest account of research and development investment shows Maine leading the nation in the percentage of increased funding since 1993. It’s an effort that hasn’t moved this state up the ranking much (from 50th to 49th in academic R&D) but shows that Maine is… Read More
A giant energy company with the most clout Washington has ever seen files for the largest bankruptcy in the history of capitalism. The retirement funds of thousands of innocent employees are wiped out while top company officials cash in. One of the largest and most respected accounting firms… Read More
Much to my dismay, I have found, once again, that the U.S. government is so far out of touch with the pace of technology, that I doubt it had anything to do with creating the Internet. Not only can our government not count votes in a timely, accurate… Read More
Olympia, Susan, Hillary, Barbara, Diane – all the women of the Senate and the House -where are you? In your hearts, do you really believe that bombing Afghanistan -intensifying the terror already felt by the citizens there – could possibly be the solution to the horrific crimes of… Read More
The recent controversy surrounding David Flanagan’s campaign for governor concerns me, particularly reporting that casts Flanagan as a long shot or a person having too little political experience to win the election. Flanagan is no long shot. He is both an extremely capable lawyer –… Read More
The commentary by Catherine B. Johnson of the Natural Resources Council of Maine (BDN, Dec. 26) stated that Plum Creek Timber Co. is destroying a lovely day hike up the No. 4 Mountain trail. We use this trail several times each year and have hiked it since Plum… Read More
Another tax! What an original way to pay for a new auditorium. We continue to add on a little here, and a little there, thinking nobody will notice. We don’t seem to care about the burden imposed on small business to collect this money, let alone those paying… Read More
Hats off to Deborah Turcotte Seavey of the NEWS staff. She has told the truth (BDN, Jan. 8). The big oil companies are getting ready for the summer people traveling. They can’t stand by and let prices go too low. People in Washington County always… Read More
On Jan. 1 you reported on the emergency landing at Bangor International Airport by a United Airlines flight. My wife and I were on that flight, on our way home to Cambridge, England, after spending the holidays with my wife’s family in Idaho. We would… Read More
Recent surpluses have promoted unhealthy spending policies that have come home to roost in Maine. Two years ago the Legislature had the “problem” of allocating $300 million in surplus money. Now we must overcome a $250 million deficit. On Tuesday, Gov. Angus King released his plan to make… Read More
In my previous incarnation as a working newspaper stiff covering all manner of trials on the court beat it often occurred to me that any judge whose instructions to the jury exceeded five minutes should, in an ideal world, be permanently defrocked. And I haven’t changed my mind… Read More
Everyone who knew him has a Nate Cohen story. Here’s mine. I first met Nate in August 1987. It was the first Tuesday of the month, or the second Monday, or whatever night the Eastport Port Authority meets. I was a reporter new to the… Read More
Jack Quirk Sr. has no secrets. That’s unusual for an automobile dealer. Just ask anyone who has gone through the process of trying to purchase a vehicle. Buyers usually think the sellers have something up their sleeves. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
AURORA – No charges will be filed stemming from the rollover of a tractor-trailer Monday that closed a section of Route 9 for more than 14 hours. Officials initially thought imprudent speed on the slippery road might have been a factor in the accident, but… Read More
BANGOR – Workers laid off from their jobs at Hyde Inc. in Bangor will be eligible for federal job training assistance under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program, U.S. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe announced Friday. The decision will make available a range of federal job training… Read More
HAMPDEN – An accident at the intersection of Mecaw Road and Route 202 Friday afternoon resulted in the emergency transport of two people. Just before 4 p.m., a Plymouth Voyager collided with a Mercury Sable, causing the Voyager to go through a snowbank and down… Read More
It’s one of the smartest revisions Maine has ever made to its driving laws, and probably one of the least popular among the teen-agers it was meant to protect. Less than two years ago, the state enacted a graduated driver’s-license law requiring that new drivers… Read More
STRONG – Landowners are threatening to keep snowmobilers and other outdoorsmen off hundreds of thousands of acres in central and western Maine to protest heftier fines for overweight trucks. A dozen people in forest-products businesses met Thursday to discuss what they say are excessive fines… Read More
ELLSWORTH – A judge has dismissed a manslaughter charge against a Southwest Harbor man, saying he is incompetent to stand trial for the 1997 death of a pedestrian hit while walking across a Route 102 bridge. Frank Rees, 76, was charged with manslaughter and aggravated… Read More
A former John Bapst Memorial High School soccer coach allegedly dismissed for making an off-color comment to his team has failed to convince an investigator for the Maine Human Rights Commission that he really was fired because he was a whistle-blower. Louis J. Janicki of… Read More
WALDO – A Waldo County deputy and a teen-age girl were injured Friday when their cars collided in front of the Waldo County Technical Center on Route 137. Deputy Ryan Porter, 23, of Albion and Tanya Fuller, 17, of Montville were taken by ambulance to… Read More
The Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine suspended a Bangor doctor and a Caribou physician assistant this week after investigations into allegations of misconduct. The cases involve Dr. David E. Anderson, a psychiatrist who until recently worked at Bangor Mental Health Institute, and physician assistant… Read More
Old Town police arrested a 21-year-old local man this week after it was reported he had barged into his former girlfriend’s home and assaulted her. The 19-year-old woman told police late Tuesday night that Wayne Robert Stilphen abruptly entered her residence at the Pine Haven… Read More
Daniella, a friendly, imaginative 11-year-old, has brown hair and brown eyes. An outgoing child, Daniella loves all outdoor activities. Bicycling, hiking and swimming are some of her favorite pastimes. She enjoys playing with other children and participating in family activities. Daniella loves pets and would… Read More
WINTER HARBOR – Even though the grammar school here might lose as much as a third of its pupils when the Navy base closes in June, residents seem inclined to keep it running without cooperating with other towns. A show of hands Thursday night at… Read More
BUCKSPORT – An old river dog may learn some new tricks. Councilors have given initial approval to a plan to bring to town a former Bangor cruise boat once called the River Dog. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
CASTINE – Maine Maritime Academy is making changes among its administrators, the college’s president said Friday. President Leonard H. Tyler said four appointments effective Friday “are influenced by the upgrading of our strategic plan and pending retirements.” googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Skowhegan District Court Judge James MacMichael issued an order Friday afternoon that requires that a 2-year-old Rottweiler dog that bit two children last weekend be held in quarantine until the dog owner’s court case is heard in February. Elizabeth Bernasconi, 34, would have… Read More
NEWPORT – Just as a driver began pulling his truck away from Newport’s recycling building Friday morning, he noticed a fire within the engine compartment. Within minutes, the fire had spread to stored cardboard in the building, resulting in damage to the facility, destruction of… Read More
PALMYRA – While heading with its emergency lights and sirens activated late Thursday to a report that a man had just forcibly entered a Madawaska Road residence, Pittsfield police Officer Larry Bennett’s cruiser slid on black ice and was heavily damaged. Bennett and his passenger were not injured. Read More
NEWPORT – Newport selectmen will decide Tuesday night whether to authorize Town Manager James Ricker to seek legal counsel on structuring a town-wide referendum vote that would require SAD 48 to have a line-item budget process. The meeting will be held at the town office… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Town councilors will begin the final phase of their search for a new town manager at the beginning of their meeting Tuesday night. Sixteen applications were received for the job, vacated by veteran town manager D. Dwight Dogherty on Dec. 31. Dogherty is… Read More
SACO – Kevin Keogh, the former chairman of the Maine Republican Party, has been appointed New England regional director for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Keogh, who lives in Saco, was nominated for the post by Sen. Susan Collins. He said he… Read More
BIDDEFORD – The city of Biddeford on Wednesday filed a multimillion dollar lawsuit against the owners of the city’s solid waste disposal facility, claiming the company owes the city money and is processing more waste than its contract allows. The suit against the Maine Energy… Read More
SPRINGVALE – Plans to build a veterans cemetery in southern Maine now depend on whether the town of Springvale will donate 30.5 acres to the project. Riverside Cemetery donated 64.5 acres of land, but surveys showed that only 56 acres were suitable. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
CARIBOU – Fifty-one people were indicted on Friday by the Aroostook County grand jury, including 10 charged with trafficking in prescription drugs, a Presque Isle high school student who allegedly fired a gun in school and two men accused of attacking a pedestrian with a stun gun. Read More
Aroostook County Superior Court Reginald H. Berry, 33, Ashland, assault, jail four months, all but five days suspended, probation one year, community service 40 hours. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var… Read More
CARIBOU – The Aroostook County grand jury on Friday indicted a Limestone woman for the murder last month of a Caswell child care provider. Laura Kirk, 33, allegedly went to the home of Tara Bell, 27, in Caswell sometime late Dec. 17. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
BAILEYVILLE – Because of unprecedented low water levels in the St. Croix Waterway system, Domtar Industries Inc.’s pulp and paper mill has been granted permission by the state Department of Environmental Protection to reduce flows on an emergency basis, company officials said Friday. “This allowance… Read More
CALAIS – Many are betting that the new Downeast Heritage Center will provide the economic stimulus that will get this border community moving forward again. And at a meeting of the Calais City Council on Thursday night, the panel gave its approval to the St. Read More
ROCKLAND – Knox County sheriff’s detectives are hoping to catch the culprits who stole more than 200 pounds of lobster in November from Maine Coast Seafood. The suspects are Bryce Larkin, 22, of Spruce Head and Doreen Beerman, 44, of Rockland, police said Friday. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
NORTH HAVEN – A public hearing and special town meeting are scheduled to discuss plans for installing a $1.68 million filtration system at the North Haven Water Department that is expected to double user fees. The public hearing will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. Read More
THOMASTON – The Maine Legislature offered a birthday greeting Friday to police Chief James Hosford. Hosford, who turned 60 on Dec. 30, has been on extended sick leave since October, Town Manager Valmore Blastow Jr. said Friday. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
ROCKPORT – A landmark is slated for development on U.S. Route 1. Almar Inc., the development company owned by Allen and Marge Mitchell of Camden, applied to build a professional office and six to 10 townhouses on the property known locally as the Varney property… Read More
AUGUSTA – The Legislature’s Taxation Committee on Friday presented a divided report on legislation submitted to help Dexter’s economic plight. On behalf of Dexter, Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville, and Rep. James Tobin, R-Dexter, introduced a bill that would allow some leeway regarding Dexter’s valuation. The… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Two local men who were involved in an accident early Friday found themselves in further trouble when police charged the driver with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants and arrested his passenger on two outstanding warrants. Robert Allen Stevens,… Read More
CHARLESTON – The Maine Department of Corrections and the Mountain View Youth Development Center will hold an open house from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18. Light refreshments of hot and cold items will be served. Guided tours will begin in the gymnasium where… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – If it had not been for the support and help she received during the last three years through Foxcroft Academy’s Jobs for Maine’s Graduates program, Leah Burdick would have been a high school dropout. The junior, who endured a “rough” childhood and had… Read More
Detroit car accident kills dog Woman crashes into utility pole, causing it to fall on other vehicles
DETROIT – A three-car accident Friday morning on Route 100 in Detroit resulted in the death of a family pet but no injuries to the three drivers. Cindi, a 14-year-old miniature dachshund owned by Marcia Ballard of Pittsfield, died in the accident. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
PITTSFIELD – The Pittsfield planning board will hold two public hearings next week, one concerning demolition and reconstruction of the former Wright’s Emporium restaurant on Hartland Avenue. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 14, in the council chambers of the municipal… Read More
Machias District Court Gary B. Albee, 51, Machias, burning without permit, restitution, $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()) { if… Read More
CALAIS – Energized by a tourist development plan that might make the downtown area a destination point, the City Council on Thursday expressed a desire to move forward with establishment of a resort-convention center. Now that the funding to build a Downeast Heritage Center is… Read More
LEE – High-pressure defense and solid work on the boards led the Lee Academy Pandas to their sixth consecutive win, a 66-33 verdict over Bangor Christian on Friday night. Lee was led by Shelby Pickering, Deidra Ham, and Kristin Bird in the win. Pickering led… Read More
BOSTON – A state official said his agency is looking for two members of an Attleboro religious sect who may have information about another sect member’s newborn child. “We’re looking for Mark and Trinette Daneau,” Harry Spence, commissioner for the Department of Social Services, said… Read More
What a clever way the dedicated folks who lovingly serve the Curran Homestead in Orrington have come up with to help you remember what they are up to during the next three months. “Save your 17’s!” they proudly proclaim in their recent mailing as they… Read More
Sue Bernard, news director at WAGM-TV 8 in Presque Isle for nearly 21 years, is leaving Aroostook County to become director of communications for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, which comprises all of Maine’s Catholic parishes. Bernard will be diocesan spokeswoman and oversee operations… Read More
PITTSBURGH – Legislators from eight Northeastern states seeking to lower prescription drug costs were warned Friday that an interstate proposal to control prices faces serious legal hurdles. William von Oehsen, a Washington, D.C., lawyer, told the Northeast Legislative Association on Prescription Drug Prices that federal… Read More
The foundation formed with $82 million from the sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maine to Anthem Insurance Cos. of Indiana is seeking public comment on how to spend its money to increase access to health care in Maine. Maine Health Access Foundation, Inc.,… Read More
BANGOR – They’re two different swim teams at two different levels. The Bangor girls are trying to qualify more and more swimmers as the Rams seek their first state championship since 1997. The Brewer girls are chasing personal-best times and state championship qualifications for their… Read More
Back in October – when he was merely the most-talked-about Black Bear who’d yet to play a minute of Division I college basketball – the guy nicknamed “The Big Rush” admitted that in one way, he was a bit special. “I think I got a… Read More
BOSTON – University of Maine interim head coach Tim Whitehead said one of the goals he has set for his team is to be the least penalized Hockey East team since Christmas. His Bears forgot about their discipline against Northeastern University on Friday night and… Read More
BURLINGTON, Vt. – The University of Maine men’s basketball team headed to Vermont on Friday hoping to win its first men’s basketball game in hostile Roy Patrick Gymnasium since 1998. The Catamounts had other plans. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
NEWPORT – If Mount Desert Island girls basketball coach Burt Barker had known what his scorebook would end up looking like before Friday night’s showdown with fellow unbeaten and defending state champ Nokomis, he wouldn’t have liked his chances. His Trojans shot just 30.6 percent… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL At Belfast 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
PRESQUE ISLE – Two-time defending champion Old Town will attempt to defend its title at the Big East Conference cheering championship today at 1 p.m. at Presque Isle High School. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for students. Read More
HIGH SCHOOL At Caribou 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
HIGH SCHOOL At UMaine Fieldhouse, Orono 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
MEN’S BASKETBALL Maine vs. Albany 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
MOUNT DESERT – Brandon Colbeth connected on all eight of his free throws in the fourth quarter, including both ends of a one-and-one with six seconds remaining, to lead Mount Desert Island to a 48-44 boys basketball victory over Orono Friday night. Colbeth finished as… Read More
MILO – Senior Megan Russell tossed in 18 points as the Penquis girls basketball team earned a 56-35 victory over Piscataquis Friday in high school action. Lindsay Hamlin added 10 points, and April Allen had nine points and five steals for the Patriots. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
MACHIAS – Darren Frazier scored four of his 10 points in overtime as Narraguagus pulled out a 67-59 schoolboy basketball victory over Machias Friday night. Chris Correll connected on a lay-up with three seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 57 for Machias. Read More
The Maine Snowmobile Association posts a weekly report on snowmobile trail conditions. The complete report is available at: www.mesnow.com Overview 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
You would think that after all these eons of life on earth that dressing for the outdoors in winter would be something we’d be able to do pretty much automatically. After all, humans seem to have survived up until now. We have, for sure, but… Read More
The warmest December in decades has made driving safer, heating homes less expensive and winter in general, a good deal shorter. On the downside the lack of snow and cold weather has severely curtailed many outdoor activities. Ice fishermen in particular are getting a bit… Read More
Since many neotropical migrants head south every fall, it is easy to forget that one songbird hangs around to brave Northeast winters – and warm our hearts in the process. The aptly named golden-crowned kinglet is a small, extremely energetic bird that is currently classified… Read More
Moose, bruin permits voted out DIF&W bill to increase hunting licensing fees to be considered Monday
Three hunting bills that were carried over from the last legislative session have been voted out of committee with little enthusiasm. One of them would have limited opportunities in the moose hunt, while a second would have increased them. A third would have created a second bear permit… Read More
Some of you may remember my last story about getting hooked in the thumb by one of my “sports” and landing in the ER to get the hooks removed. Everything is a learning experience and I think what happened on that day may have made me a little… Read More
Retailers made you wait a little longer for the holiday sales this season. After watching an encouraging report of “slashed prices” and “inventory liquidation” nationwide on the NBC Nightly News, I expected to go to the mall Dec. 26 and walk away with bags and… Read More
Like a mechanical clamshell, the Aqua Relax chamber opens up and Debbie Melnikas emerges in a trance. “That’s a real person in there!” a shopper exclaimed as she walked by the kiosk in the Bangor Mall. “I thought it was a dummy.” googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
Forget Sissy Spacek. Forget Tom Wilkinson. Forget Marisa Tomei. To local people, the real star of “In the Bedroom” is the mustache of Terry Burgess. If you judge a movie by how much glory it gives your neighborhood, that mustache wins hands down. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
Editor’s Note: “Letter From …” is a monthly column written by a Mainer, or person with ties to the state. Robin Griffiths and her family lived in North Sullivan and East Franklin from 1974 to 1983. The Griffiths since have made their home on the far-flung island of… Read More
Is it possible to receive too many seed catalogs? I think not! They’ve been arriving since mid-December and have been amassing in a basket beside my desk. Squirreling away seed catalogs is like banking comfort for those long winter evenings when nothing is quite as satisfying as fancying… Read More