SOUTH PORTLAND – There was a strut in his step Friday as the President of the United States walked before an immaculate U.S. Coast Guard honor guard on his way to the podium in the gymnasium at Southern Maine Technical College. As he looked out… Read More
AUGUSTA – Cindy Leeman of Bristol believes that proposed cuts in state mental health services could cause her to lose her job and force her family to live “in a cardboard box.” Leeman said her 12-year-old son’s illness caused the state to place him in… Read More
A story in Friday’s Maine Day about a lawsuit filed against the town of Carmel contained incorrect information. The land in question is owned separately by Earle McSorley, Donald Hewes and Barry Higgins. If voters approve the loan, the land of all three owners will be subject to… Read More
As the wife of a Bangor Public Works employee, I would like to thank Tom Weber for his column on Jan. 17 concerning plow-truck drivers. While we often take for granted the modern conveniences of city life, it takes many committed and hard-working people to provide us with… Read More
How much would policyholders celebrate if their insurance rates dropped 1 or 2 percent? Probably not at all, but if they were to increase by that much while significantly expanding mental-health and substance abuse coverage, the effect, according to the King administration, would be “imprudent.” The fear of… Read More
Employing a tactic most often found among mob hitmen, the lead Andersen accountant for the Enron books refuses to testify before Congress – David “The Amortizer” Duncan says he can offer no information whatsoever that will not be self-incriminating. Can’t wait to hear Tony Soprano order his crew… Read More
I believe that plans to demolish the Maine State Prison buildings should be put on hold. The state should offer to lease the prison to the U.S. Department of Defense to house the prisoners from Afghanistan. The monies from the lease would help reduce Maine’s… Read More
How many chances does one get before the state permanently takes away the privilege to drive? I read about a man who was in court on his second and third OUI conviction. He’ll lose his driver’s license for a whopping 90 days for each offense, do a little… Read More
I’m not surprised that Bangor International Airport’s business has dropped off. I don’t think it had much to do with Sept. 11. Recently, I was called to make a trip to Indiana by a death in my family. I didn’t have time to take advantage… Read More
Gov. King makes a big deal of the federal 1:1 highway match but ignores the federal 2:1 match for Medicaid. We are talking human lives here. He proposes $50 million for laptop computers which, although nice, students will still learn without them. Is that an appropriate trade for… Read More
After reading the negative response to coyote snaring, I’ve decided some Maine folks know little about the outdoors other than it lies beyond their window. I’ve read “coyote snaring is cruel,” “coyotes kill only the sick and infirm deer,” “coyotes are only doing what is natural” and “snaring… Read More
I am profoundly grateful for the editorial that appeared in the Jan. 24 Bangor Daily News about coyote snaring program. This cruel and unjust program aimed at a natural predator just doing its job has been going on far too long in the name of politics. Numerous wildlife… Read More
I cannot think of a worse move than to seek another permanent crossing of the Allagash while Commissioner Ron Lavaglio’s department is still dabbing a bloody tissue to its nose in the middle of the illegal Churchill Dam fiasco. Lavaglio’s efforts to force through legislation… Read More
Has anyone considered the possibility of turning the old state prison at Thomaston into a tourist attraction with guided tours during the summer? A tour would be a unique experience – for most of us. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
The comments made by Mike Butler, Bucky Owen and John Dimond in their Jan. 21 column would have you believe that Facilitators Improving Salmonid Habitat is simply a “local, small, volunteer organization” working “to restore rivers and their migratory fish populations.” On the surface, who would question these… Read More
A neighbor recently told me that his immigrant father characterized taxes as “the price we pay for civilization.” My neighbor’s father recognized something we too seldom acknowledge, that taxes finance public goods and services without which neither a healthy quality of life nor economic progress would be possible. Read More
Remember that old bumper sticker message, “Plan Ahead,” in which the creator didn’t plan far enough ahead to include all of the letters on one line and, to make things fit, had to run the “d” scrunched on its side down the right-hand margin? That… Read More
Gov. King devoted the first quarter-hour or so of his State of the State address this week to bricks and mortar. From roads and bridges to prisons, hospitals for the mentally ill, schools, even the State House itself, Maine has been on a major fix-it-up binge the last… Read More
BANGOR – About two dozen employees at the six Sears stores in Maine lost their jobs late this week, part of the company’s nationwide cost-cutting strategy that includes the elimination of 4,900 positions by 2003. The vast majority of the layoffs, first announced in October,… Read More
BAILEYVILLE – One of Debby Feck’s earliest memories of the local pulp and paper mill is the day she and her mother delivered her father’s lunch basket, and she had to walk into “the dungeon.” Now, more than 30 years later, Feck is general manager… Read More
BELFAST – Recession? What recession? The second-largest credit card lender in the world, MBNA Corp., seems to have been unaffected by the national recession that began nearly a year ago. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
PORTLAND – The founder of Idexx has named a successor and is stepping aside – for the second time in three years. David Shaw is handing off the titles of chairman and chief executive officer to Jonathan W. Ayers and resigning from the board. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Donald Flannery has been named executive director of the Maine Potato Board. The announcement was made Friday during the board’s annual meeting. In making the announcement, Thomas Qualey, board president, said the board was pleased with the selection of Flannery. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
Birds that live in Maine all summer need a place in the south to escape the cold, snowy winter. Imagine, however, if their favored wintering area on the Caribbean coast was suddenly turned into a condominium development. To ensure this doesn’t happen, The Nature Conservancy’s… Read More
When the two college students from Orono go to trial on Jan. 30 to test the state’s public indecency law, Hessa Schneider plans to be in the courtroom to monitor the proceedings. The case of the female streakers represents more than just a silly college… Read More
AUGUSTA – Hoping to ease school districts’ financial woes, lawmakers are circulating a petition that calls for taking some of the money in Gov. Angus King’s laptop fund and adding it to General Purpose Aid for education. Twelve legislators came up with the idea, Rep. Read More
LINCOLN – In the wake of two catastrophic fires that destroyed 25 percent of Lincoln’s downtown business buildings in the past 10 days, fire officials are looking at ways to prevent a recurrence. Like many towns across the state, Lincoln’s downtown features many old, wooden,… Read More
ELLSWORTH – Almost a year after getting municipal approval to construct 208,000 square-foot Supercenter at the intersection of Route 3 and Myrick Street, Wal-Mart has decided to not build at the site. Keith Morris, Wal-Mart’s director of community affairs for New England, said Friday that… Read More
BANGOR – The executive director of the South Dakota Board of Regents has been named the third and final candidate for University of Maine System chancellor. Robert T. “Tad” Perry will visit Maine next week to meet with University of Maine System trustees, faculty, staff… Read More
CONCORD, N.H. – New England lawmakers have asked the federal government for an extra $40 million to handle the increase in veterans seeking health services in the region. Twelve New England senators have sent a letter to the region’s Veterans Administration office, asking for the… Read More
Robert, a lovable 9-year-old, has blue eyes, dark-blond hair and a charming personality. A third-grade pupil, he loves school and takes part in a wide range of activities there, at home and in the community. Robert loves to skate on in-line skates, swim, play Nintendo… Read More
MACHIAS – The Washington County grand jury has indicted three men on charges of selling or possessing heroin. The indictments were among a number returned late Thursday by the grand jury. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
ORONO – With some much- needed federal funding, the town hopes to start the initial cleanup this year of industrial contaminants still left on Ayers Island. Last December, the Environmental Protection Agency designated Orono a recipient of the Brownfield Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund. The intention… Read More
BANGOR – A total of 325 students graduated from the Penobscot Job Corps program Friday. Approximately 100 students marched in the ceremonies at the Job Corps Union Street facility, which featured an appearance by U.S. Rep. John Baldacci. Within the graduating class were the first… Read More
SKOWHEGAN – The first of several gubernatorial candidates to appear before the Somerset Economic Development Corp. told members Friday that despite the current gloomy economic status, growth will happen because the county is full of opportunity. U.S. Rep. John Baldacci told the gathering of municipal… Read More
AUGUSTA – A Sept. 11 memorial would be created across the street from the State House under a bill heard at a hearing Wednesday. The bill by Rep. David Etnier, D-Harpswell, raised eyebrows at the Legislature’s State and Local Government Committee because it talks about… Read More
Madawaska District Court Jennifer Ayotte, 18, Madawaska, assault, jail 60 days, all suspended, probation one year. 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… Read More
HALLOWELL – Over the objections of local residents, the Land for Maine’s Future board voted Thursday to put money toward a public boat launch off Mere Point in Brunswick. The board authorized $174,000 in funding to help the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife… Read More
CARIBOU – Criminal charges could be in the offing if Maine Department of Environmental Protection officials can identify who left two barrels of waste oil and another substance along a rural road. Caribou Public Works Department workers found the two barrels Friday morning. The two… Read More
ROCKLAND – A Damariscotta man was found not guilty Friday of raping his former girlfriend on Thanksgiving Day 2000 and of committing aggravated assault. Alex Landau, 32, formerly of Rockland, was found guilty, however, of aggravated criminal trespass and the lesser charge of assault. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
MACHIAS – The Washington County grand jury has charged two Calais men with the Nov. 3, 2001, robbery of a Calais man with a gun they allegedly had stolen from him earlier in the day. Lee Hass, 24, and Thomas T. Henderson III, 25, are… Read More
MACHIAS – A Calais man with a history of drug violations was sentenced this week to six years in prison after being convicted of a felony charge for selling a narcotic painkiller within 1,000 feet of a school. Steven Barnard, 39, was sentenced Wednesday to… Read More
EASTPORT – The Washington County Technical College has developed a training program for people who work in the salmon aquaculture industry and will offer a 60-plus hour course beginning in February. The exact starting date will be determined in the next week, John Miller, WCTC… Read More
MACHIAS – The Washington County grand jury has indicted three men on charges of selling or possessing heroin. The indictments were among a number returned late Thursday by the grand jury. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – A representative of the Bangor Department of Human Services will be at the following location on the dates specified for residents who are interested in applying for food stamps and-or temporary aid to needy families: Dover-Foxcroft Office, 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m., Feb. 13 and 17,… Read More
ST. GEORGE – The openings for selectmen and SAD 50 director drew few candidates by Friday’s deadline for filing nomination papers, but there is competition for the one three-year school board post. Two residents are vying for the SAD 50 director’s seat previously held by… Read More
CAMDEN – Some parents in Camden and Rockport believe the SAD 28 board’s plan to move fourth-graders to the Knowlton Street school may stand in opposition to community sentiment. Kim Buckheit, a parent whose daughter will enter fourth grade next year, says the move to… Read More
PORTLAND – A Winthrop man became the first person to undergo a PET scan in Maine as a $2.5 million medical imaging unit made its debut at Maine Medical Center, one of five hospitals that will share the technology. “I would ordinarily have to go… Read More
GLENBURN – Police blame slushy roads for a Friday afternoon crash that sent a young Arizona woman to the hospital when a minivan full of children collided with an oncoming pickup truck on the Pushaw Road. Leah Trudeau, 14, from Glendale, Ariz., was still being… Read More
WOODVILLE – There will be a teacher’s workshop at 10:40 a.m. Friday, Feb. 8, at Medway Middle school. Opal Myrick Elementary School and Schenck High School will dismiss students at 10:42 a.m. No hot lunch will be served on this day. Read More
PORTLAND – A 66-year-old man lost his life when struck by a car when he was trying to cross Deering Avenue. Frank W. Cram of Portland was with a woman, police said, and the pair at first did not see an approaching car. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
BIDDEFORD – Vandals armed with marbles caused thousands of dollars of damage to homes, vehicles and at least two businesses in the downtown area. Police began receiving reports that marbles were being thrown or shot on Graham Street around 8:45 p.m. Wednesday. Similar incidents on… Read More
BIDDEFORD – Debra Bilodeau of Springvale is a woman with a mission: To add humanity to the long days and nights of inmates awaiting execution. As head of the Death Row Outreach Program, the 35-year-old mother of four tries to meet requests from death row… Read More
AUGUSTA – Maine ambulance services warned that Gov. Angus King’s proposed supplemental budget plan would hurt their businesses, particularly those in rural areas. As part of his proposal to eliminate a potential $248 million budget shortfall in the two-year budget cycle, King is proposing to… Read More
BUCKFIELD – The town’s high school has enlisted help from the state as it struggles to deal with a wave of student suicides, suicide attempts and self-inflicted injuries. Two teen-age boys who attended Buckfield Junior-Senior High School hanged themselves in separate incidents in the summer… Read More
BOSTON – The monkfish industry has apparently averted what it said would be a devastating spring shutdown of the fishery by federal regulators. A rule recommended last week by the New England Fishery Management Council – which advises federal managers on regional fishing policy –… Read More
CHELSEA, Vt. – A year after the murders of two Dartmouth College professors, the teen-age Vermont suspects who once did everything together spend their days in separate New Hampshire jails awaiting a courtroom reunion this spring. But they’ll be on opposite sides when they meet… Read More
PORTLAND – A stray bullet that shattered a living-room window and injured a woman inside the home will cost Jeffrey Stearns at least 15 years in federal prison. Stearns, 45, pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to possession of a firearm as a felon. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
WATERVILLE – A pilot escaped with minor injuries when his single-engine plane flipped onto its wings during takeoff at Robert LaFleur Municipal Airport, according to police and firefighters. Snow was falling and covering the runway as the plane got caught in a strong crosswind around… Read More
STARKS – The legal battle between the pro-marijuana group Maine Vocals, sponsor of the annual Hempstock festival, and this Somerset County town is heating up. Starks filed a lawsuit last week against Maine Vocals and its leader, Don Christen, saying they violated the town’s mass… Read More
AUGUSTA – Who speaks for God when lawmakers meet? That may well be an impertinent question, but to think that religious groups in Maine have no voice at all in the State House would be wrong. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
BANGOR – Eric Price, 25, of Camden was sentenced to 14 months in prison and ordered to pay more than $52,000 in restitution to his former employer, credit card giant MBNA, during a hearing Friday at U.S. District Court in Bangor. U.S. District Judge George… Read More
LINCOLN – Efforts to aid Lincoln’s downtown rebuilding project took a major step forward Friday with the creation of the “Lincoln Relief Fund.” In four days, two fires destroyed four Main Street buildings and wiped out 10 businesses, which employed about 40 people. Town officials… Read More
Sitting in his office one afternoon after practice, Camden Hills coach Jay Carlsen hardly sounded like the guy in charge of one of the top girls basketball teams in the state. The Windjammers had won 12 games going into Friday’s game against Oak Hill of… Read More
When 10-year-old Riley Craven climbs on her dad Ricky’s snowmobile for the fifth annual Ricky Craven charity ride around Greenville’s Moosehead Lake this morning, the proud father said it will be a “real treat for me. It’ll be the first time she’s done the charity ride with me. Read More
Ray Alley sits in a folding metal chair at Johnston Gym as his Easttern Maine Technical College basketball team – make that the five players who either didn’t have class, or didn’t have to work, or weren’t sick – works out. This is his world… Read More
BANGOR – How do you defend a team with one of the premier post players in the state plus a deadly outside shooting game? To start off, it helps to have a smart, 5-foot-11, defensive-minded forward named Katherine Miller. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
LOWELL, Mass. – University of Maine junior center Robert Liscak had game-winning assists in each of the Bears’ two wins over Merrimack College last weekend. On Friday night, he scored the game-winner. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
COLLEGE At Kingston, Rhode Island 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 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
MILWAUKEE – Free agent outfielder Matt Stairs, and the Milwaukee Brewers agreed Friday to a $500,000, one-year contract. Stairs, 33, a Bangor resident, played last season with the Chicago Cubs, hitting .250 with 17 homers and 61 RBIs. He was with the Oakland Athletics from… Read More
BELFAST – For the Belfast boys swim team, Friday evening’s meet against Camden Hills was a chance for the defending Class B state champions to swim some off-events against the Windjammers. It was a different story for the girls in the dual meet at the… Read More
ORONO – Joey Schacht nailed a 22-footer from the top of the key with two seconds remaining to lift Hermon over Orono 51-48 in schoolboy basketball action Friday night. The Hawks trailed by six points at the end of three quarters, but Hermon outscored Orono… Read More
ELLSWORTH – Mark Clapp nailed seven 3-pointers en route to 26 points as George Stevens Academy of Blue Hill prevailed over Ellsworth 56-47 in boys basketball action Friday night. Duane Ledien tallied 11 more for GSA. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
MILLINOCKET – Ben Smith led Piscataquis back from an early deficit to a 68-46 schoolboy basketball victory over Stearns at Wentworth Gym Friday night. The Pirates trailed 18-15 despite nine first-quarter points from Smith. He added six points in the second quarter as the Pirates… Read More
HARRINGTON – Brandon Emerson dribbled the length of the court in the final six seconds of overtime and hit a layup with six-tenths of a second to play to give Narraguagus a 70-69 boys basketball victory over Sumner Friday night. Emerson finished with 20 points,… Read More
ORONO – Nicole Munro and Jamie Hill scored two goals each Friday night to propel the University of Maine to a 7-1 women’s hockey victory over Quinnipiac at Alfond Arena. Meagan Aarts, Cheryl White, and Cailee Heggestad scored a goal apiece for 10-12-2 Maine, which… Read More
ORONO – Heather Ernest has been taking a beating in the post ever since she arrived at the University of Maine last season. The lanky 6-foot-1 forward from Temple (near Farmington) often gives away two or three inches and 20 or 30 pounds to her… Read More
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Maine vs. New Hampshire 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… Read More
Remember the last time I talked about snowshoes? Good, neither do I! So it must be time again. I know one of the last great snowshoe adventures I did was exactly a year ago, because it was the occasion of a certain friend’s birthday, and… Read More
If you’re interested in the best new movie, which local sporting goods store is currently having a great sale, or what restaurant offers good portions, better taste, and the best prices, just listen to the grapevine gossip and then follow the crowds. For the most dependable ice fishing… Read More
Legislators working on a bill aimed at increasing sportsmen’s license fees have said repeatedly that any resulting legislation will look vastly different from the original bill. Wednesday at the first work session on that bill, LD 1929, it became clear why. Legislator’s views on that… Read More
The trail conditions report is gathered from the Maine Snowmobile Association’s Web site. The report does not include the impact of Thursday’s storm. The complete report is available at mesnow.com Overview googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
I’ve always enjoyed being out after sunset, especially on clear, moonlit winter nights. In the coming weeks, I’ll have an even greater incentive to venture out: I will be a volunteer in Maine’s first statewide owl survey, a cooperative effort between Maine Audubon and the Maine Department of… Read More
Long Lake in Aroostook County officially opened its shores for salmon fishing on Jan. 15, and before the first weekend expired, a pair of hefty landlocked salmon had been escorted to nearby scales. First up was Daisy Mueller, who dedicated last Saturday to fishing the… Read More
It started out as a simple question. “Do you want to go to Marden’s?” ShopGuy asked. 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… Read More
HEAVENLY ERRORS: MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE REAL NATURE OF THE UNIVERSE, by Neil F. Comins, Columbia University Press, New York, 2001. If you don’t know the correct scientific explanation for Earth’s changing seasons, take comfort in this: All but two of 23 Harvard faculty and graduating… Read More
Paula Carter is a quick-draw artist. No, she doesn’t do fancy tricks with a pair of pearl-handled Colt .45s. 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
Look before you reap should be emblazoned on every seed catalog I read. Instead, I blithely order “interesting” offerings, caught up in the romance of growing something unique or something old or something I’ve never eaten but wouldn’t mind growing even if I have no… Read More
PORTLAND – U.S. Reps. John Baldacci and Tom Allen proudly announced that artwork from two Maine students will be on display for one year in the United States Capitol building. The winning selections were unveiled during a ceremony at Maine College of Art in Portland on Saturday. They… Read More
In poker, winners tell jokes and losers say “just deal the cards.” In football, winners make reservations and losers blame the referees. Patriots fans looking ahead to Sunday’s conference championship game with the rugged Pittsburgh Steelers are still looking back with rare satisfaction at last… Read More
A renaissance of thought and expression is evident throughout today’s Hungary but is nicely encapsulated in the posture and attitude of its capital city. Considered the “Paris of Central Europe” Budapest has a unique style and atmosphere that attract a steady stream of international guests. Unlike its French… Read More
Hoisting my snowshoes over my shoulder and grasping the top of a fence post that poked up through the snowbank, I scaled the only barrier between myself and early morning bliss. The sun barely peeked over the southeastern horizon. The air was so cold it burned the nose,… Read More