Philip Price in his Jan. 25 Bangor Daily News letter, “Ivy League scholars,” while accusing columnist Maggie Gallagher of being reactionary, himself provides a key example of what the elitist left represents. His words display an arrogance shared by those who consider themselves liberal while at the same… Read More
    The events of Sept. 11 and after opened a lot of eyes to a lot of vulnerabilities in matters of homeland security, public health, law enforcement, investigation and prosecution. While there is disagreement on whether some of these vulnerabilities are real and overlooked or imagined and overblown, federal… Read More
    Though all the actors gathered quickly, who can say whether the $8.5 billion drama over coveted state highway funds is already scripted? If it is, this will happen: State highway officials will testify about the centrality of federal funding to local transportation plans, members of Congress will talk… Read More
    I cannot let the letter, “High drivel” (BDN, Feb. 1), go unchallenged. It would seem that the author lives in his own personal haze, bordering on a pea soup fog. Even President Bush’s sharpest critic in the form of Sen. Tom Daschle heaps praise on the president for… Read More
    The dictionary definition of a hero is someone who achieves a feat. A lot of the time you think of a hero as someone saving someone or something. That is a type of hero, but here are some others: war heroes, civil rights heroes and presidential heroes. Read More
    Bravo to Rep. Joseph Bruno who said, “It’s too early in to the budget discussions to be talking about the laptop program.” Some of that $30 million could be used for a school wherever one is needed. If you have a representative pushing for laptops,… Read More
    My father told me as a child, if it doesn’t make sense, don’t do it. I am now trying to make sense of the Ayers Island LLC proposal. It appears to me after attending the task force meetings that three issues don’t make sense: googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    Northern Bay is the heart of Penobscot, home to fishing, sailing, lobstering, clamming and duck hunting for so many. But Maine needs jobs. Penobscot needs jobs. Should we transform Northern Bay and Bagaduce into an industrial corridor in hopes of creating jobs? No way. Mike… Read More
    Now that the wild turkeys are becoming a nuisance – pecking at pumpkins and destroying bales of hay – the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife could start another snaring program to get rid of pesky turkeys. Lisa Nadeau googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
    Stephen Bowen argues that Maine’s tax burden is bloated and needs to be reduced (BDN oped, Jan. 31). Although the system could use restructuring, Mainers should be very careful about radically reducing taxes. Here’s why. Reducing taxes shifts power from government to corporations. The primary… Read More
    Second-biggest and fastest-growing of world religions, Islam in the post-Sept. 11 world attracts more attention than ever. Its external observers tend to be either lumpers or splitters. Many lumpers regard the Muslim experience monolithically – often in negative, talk-radio style as the single-minded source of virulent terrorism. This… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Maine’s gas tax would be adjusted every year to provide a cost of living increase for highway programs under a measure proposed by Gov. Angus King to help deal with ever increasing highway expenses and often shrinking revenues. The Maine Department of Transportation… Read More
    HERMON – The Hermon Elementary School kindergarten registration will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, and from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14. Parents should bring the prospective kindergartners’ original birth certificate, immunization records, and any court documents… Read More
    BANGOR – Eastern Maine Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit will hold its 22nd annual valentine party for all former patients of the NICU and their families. The event will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10, in EMMC’s Mason Auditorium. For information… Read More
    BLUE HILL – The two boards that now govern George Stevens Academy have sent a proposal to the Legislature asking that one of those boards be dissolved. The proposal asks that the Legislature dissolve the GSA joint board, a move that would leave the academy’s… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – A painting reported Monday as missing was recovered Tuesday across the street from where it last had been seen. A painting of a horse’s head had disappeared from The Mex restaurant on Main Street sometime between 5 p.m. Jan. 17 and 9 a.m. Read More
    SURRY – The Surry Republican caucus will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10, at the Surry Municipal Office. At this time, the election for the town Republican officers, Hancock County Republican Committee, and delegates and alternates to the state convention on May 3… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – Marjorie Hunter of the University of Maine’s Cooperative Extension Office will conduct a class on healing herbs at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, in the Riverview Room at the Ellsworth Public Library. Hunter will highlight some of the most popular healing herbs, discuss… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – A workshop for new family child care providers will be held for people interested in beginning a family child care business and for those involved in Maine Roads to Quality by Child and Families Opportunities Inc. Some of the topics to be covered… Read More
    CASTINE – Maine Maritime Academy’s Corning School of Ocean Studies will sponsor a spring 2002 seminar series All lectures will be held at 3 p.m. in the Humanities Lecture Hall, Bath Iron Works Center for Advanced Technology, on the college campus. Lectures, which are free… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – The biennial Democratic caucuses for the city of Ellsworth and the town of Otis will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10, at Ellsworth City Hall in the City Council chambers. All registered Democrats of Ellsworth and Otis are encouraged to attend. Read More
    TRENTON – An employee of American Legion Post 207 reported to police Monday that someone has targeted the organization in an apparent fraud scheme. She said that a man called Monday afternoon and told her he was a member of the Legion post and needed… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – Walking across a crisp blanket of snow in snowshoes benefits balance, cardiovascular endurance, coordination, muscle strength and endurance, said SAD 53 K-4 physical education instructor Sue Nile this week. “It’s fun!” said her pupils. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – The City Council on Monday voted unanimously to hold public hearings on a proposed ordinance to regulate commercial nudity. The hearings have been set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, and Monday, March 4, at City Hall, in conjunction with regular council… Read More
    HOULTON – The 2002 Democratic caucuses will be held Sunday, Feb. 10, for the following towns in Aroostook County. The meetings are listed in order of town, time, location and convener, where available: Allagash – 2 p.m., town office, Louis Pelletier. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    HOULTON – The Town Council on Monday approved hiring a grant writer for the town. “We should be more aggressive in getting grants,” Town Manager Peggy Daigle said Tuesday. “We need to do whatever we can to move Houlton into a better economic position.” googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    VAN BUREN – SAD 24 is holding registration for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten pupils for the 2002-2003 school year. Registrations will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, March 8. To be eligible for kindergarten, a child must be 5 years old before Oct. Read More
    WASHBURN – In the past 30 days, three Polaris snowmobiles have been stolen in Greater Washburn, one incident occurring between 4 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14 behind the Griffin’s One Stop on Main Street. This was one of three similar snowmobile thefts reported in Washburn… Read More
    PATTEN – People Helping People, a support group for those coping with serious health concerns, along with their families and friends, will hold its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 11, at the Mt. Heights Health Care Facility, downstairs meeting room, Island Falls Road. Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – Applications are available for the Aroostook County Federal Savings & Loan Association Scholarship Fund Program and may be picked up at local high school guidance offices. The program is for high school seniors who will pursue postsecondary education upon graduation, and for… Read More
    DIXMONT – The 2002 Etna and Dixmont Democratic caucuses will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10, at the Dixmont Town Office, Route 202. Participants at the caucuses will elect delegates to the Maine Democratic State Convention, the Penobscot County Democratic Committee and the… Read More
    HAMPDEN – Democrats will caucus to select delegates to the Democratic State Convention, elect municipal officers, county committee members and discuss important issues at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10, at the Hampden Municipal Building. Attendees are asked to bring their viewpoints, ideas and questions for discussion. Read More
    ROCKLAND – A local man is suing a Rockland karate instructor for allegedly fracturing his cheekbone during a sparring session at a martial arts class. Eric Allyn of Rockland filed a lawsuit Friday in Knox County Superior Court claiming that his karate instructor, William Whitmire… Read More
    ORONO – The University of Maine Winter Carnival 2002: Breaking the Ice, will be held Sunday, Feb. 10, through Saturday, Feb. 16. Events during the carnival include a snow sculpture party, game night, American Red Cross blood drive, UMaine winter Olympics, Mardi Gras casino night… Read More
    BANGOR – Hospice of Eastern Maine invites area residents living within a 25-mile radius of Bangor to join its patient care volunteers, to share their time with terminally ill patients and their families. HOEM’s comprehensive, free 20-hour spring 2002 volunteer training course will be held… Read More
    ROCKLAND – Soon after Marjorie East and her husband bought a house on Limerock Street in 1960, they encountered a man at the city dump preparing to deposit a Clarion wood cookstove on the garbage heap. Way before back-to-the-landers made it fashionable, East recognized the… Read More
    GREENVILLE – Independent Energy Producers of Maine blame energy deregulation and rules that discriminate against “green” power producers for the closures of three Maine renewable energy plants. The recent closure of a renewable energy plant in Greenville, the Greenville Steam Co., after closures in Jonesboro… Read More
    The 2002 Democratic caucuses will be held on Sunday, Feb. 10 for the following towns in Piscataquis County: Abbot – 2 p.m., Guilford Fire Station. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is sponsoring a Pesticide Recertification Training session at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 28, at the Piscataquis County Extension Office. All interested people are welcome to attend this free meeting. Private pesticide applicators will receive two recertification credits… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Piscataquis County Office is sponsoring a series of free programs on “Using the Computer for Farm Financial Record Keeping and Exploring the Internet.” Training sessions will be from 7 to 9 p.m. March 25, April 1 and… Read More
    MACHIAS – The first children will arrive next week at the University of Maine at Machias’ $500,000 child care facility, which formally opened Tuesday as the latest milestone in a four-year, $4.5 million capital campaign. Almost 100 people gathered for the opening of the Elizabeth… Read More
    SABATTUS – A Sabattus man was killed Monday when his snowmobile went airborne while going over a knoll and rolled over several times, the Maine Warden Service said. Dana J. Bilodeau, 21, apparently was traveling too fast in a large open field and had passed… Read More
    While most people have not yet begun working on their income taxes, some have, and others soon will be. A letter from Candy Eaton, program director for Hancock County Children’s Council, asking that I remind readers about the $1 checkoff on your 2001 Maine Income… Read More
    WASHINGTON – Looking to strengthen financial aid for students from low-income families wanting to attend college or receive vocational training, President Bush is proposing to remove millions of dollars in funding for local research, education and community projects. All of the programs targeted for cuts… Read More
    AUGUSTA – The Maine House of Representatives on Tuesday voted to allow the Maine State Housing Authority to issue up to $500 million more in bonds. Enactment of the measure would boost the amount of bonds that the authority could issue to more than $2.1… Read More
    PORTLAND – The Maine Turnpike Authority plans to introduce pacer vehicles later this month as its latest weapon to help slow traffic through construction zones. The specially marked trucks will drive side-by-side through construction areas at 50 mph, forcing would-be speeders to follow at a… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Ten new state troopers have begun their assignments, increasing the number of officers in the Maine Department of Public Safety to 333. At the recent swearing-in ceremony, Col. Michael R. Sperry, chief of the state police, told the new troopers, “You have the… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Former state Sen. John Hathaway of Kennebunkport, who lost a bid for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 1996, entered the GOP gubernatorial primary contest Tuesday. In a filing with the state’s ethics commission, Hathaway declared his intent to qualify for public… Read More
    PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Superior Court judge ruled Tuesday that the state’s lawsuit against lead paint manufacturers can proceed on a single issue: whether it constitutes a public nuisance. Judge Michael Silverstein’s ruling means that, for now, the state will not be required to identify… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Efforts to date by the King administration to raise $15 million in private contributions for the state’s laptop computer fund have been somewhat anemic. But Gov. Angus S. King hinted Tuesday that the cash finally may be starting to trickle in. “I’m going… Read More
    Let me just begin by saying, right up front, that I am in high pout mode. And I have been for the last 20 or so hours. Round about 4 p.m. Sunday, I settled into my recliner, picked up the remote, and discovered our local… Read More
    Loafing around The Ellsworth Public Library has announced the winners of its Bountiful Breads Contest, held Jan. 26 at the library. Shelley Felix won the people’s choice award for her Almond-Poppy-Seed Bread in the adult category. In the child category, Joshua and Cordelia Walsh took… Read More
    PORTLAND – Adding a new twist to northern New England’s largest indoor event, the Portland Flower Show plans to stage a Garden Gate Art Gallery in March. The sixth annual show will be held March 13-17 at the Portland Company Complex on the Portland waterfront. Read More
    GUILFORD – One hundred and one, and no longer counting. It took an almost superhuman effort from a skinny, 5-foot-9 senior guard; a defensive strategy Bill Belichick himself would have admired; and a near-perfect offensive game plan to stop the longest high school basketball win… Read More
    Defining moments. Our lives are dotted with them. Good and bad. For long-suffering New England sports fans, the New England Patriots’ dramatic last-second 20-17 victory over the heavily favored St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI will be one of those moments. It was the… Read More
    At Hermon Mountain PVC Slalom 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
    LOCAL At Aloupis Pool, Bangor 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 Official Class A basketball and Classes A and B ice hockey standings as reported by the Maine Principals’ Association (due to a computer glitch some girls basketball records may not be correct; the points were unaffected). The MPA will release final points for… Read More
    The first Big East Conference Class B championship basketball games will be played tonight at the Bangor Auditorium. The Houlton and Mount Desert Island teams will take the floor at 5:30 p.m. for the girls’ title game. The Bucksport and Caribou boys will follow at… Read More
    Since Dec. 18, winning matches, qualifying for states, and winning team titles have lost a lot of importance for members of the Medomak Valley wrestling team. That was the day sophomore wrestler Stephen Michaud went down in a heap and landed on his head while… Read More
    HOULTON – Matt Michaud tallied two goals, including the game-winning shorthanded goal 3:47 into the extra session, to give the Stearns Minutemen a 5-4 overtime victory over the Foxcroft Academy Ponies in high school hockey action Tuesday night. Michaud scored off a pass from Rick… Read More