Maine went to bat for its fishermen Friday, calling for far less draconian measures than those proposed by federal regulators to protect New England’s groundfish stocks. The state joined New Hampshire and Rhode Island in filing comments in federal court panning proposed federal regulations that… Read More
OLD TOWN – Student teacher Stephen Jones had completed his fourth class on the history and culture of Islam before sophomores at Old Town High School on March 11 when a telephone rang at the back of the room. Social studies teacher Martin Clark picked up the telephone,… Read More
PORTLAND – State Sen. John L. Martin, D-Eagle Lake, and state Rep. Rosaire Paradis, D-Frenchville, met Friday with leaders of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland to relay the concerns of people of the St. John Valley about the removal last week of two parish priests. Read More
A Page One story in Thursday’s editions about hunting and fishing fees contained an error. Turkey permits for state residents cost $5. — googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i =… Read More
AUGUSTA – The story of a Houston mother convicted of murder after drowning her five children in a bathtub brought back haunting memories for Joe Brannigan. Now a state legislator and executive director of a mental health agency, Brannigan was a Roman Catholic parish priest… Read More
John Turner wonders about people who complain that student grades today are inflated. His small rural school in east Texas gave him A’s for doing very little, he says, while his son Stephen, a junior at Langley High in Fairfax County, Va., has to master “math and chemistry… Read More
I am a police sergeant in a suburb of Rochester, N.Y., and have been a police officer for 23 years now. Recently I read a lengthy Associated Press article, which had an accompanying photograph, about the efforts of one of your younger residents, Miss Kelly Davis. Read More
President Bush’s State of the Union address on Jan. 29 was a renewed call to arms for the American people against global world terrorism. His words were well received at home, but they were unsettling to many of the allies, especially Europeans. They worried about the go-it-alone tone,… Read More
State economist Laurie Lachance brought complaining about taxes to a new level this week – meaning she proposed a specific package of reforms and did not just whine about the state’s high taxation. However, her ideas, even the ones that have been tossed around for years without anyone… Read More
I am deeply saddened by the non-renewal of the contract of Terry Atwood, our Machias High School principal. In the time I have known Atwood I have seen a dedicated professional, a caring administrator who has a tremendous work ethic. We are very fortunate to have such a… Read More
Many aspects of the economy of northern and eastern Maine are greatly dependent on the network of roads through the area and I believe they are adversely impacted by the state’s transportation policies. Maine’s governor at a Husson College gathering recently, expressed his opinion that it was up… Read More
A man was struck by a car driven by a nurse’s aide in Texas. His head was imbedded in her broken windshield and she did nothing to help him as he bled to death in her garage over a two- to three-day period. It seems… Read More
Your March 13 edition reported that the University of Maine at Machias has seen an increase in enrollment for the second time in six months. Being a non-traditional student myself, and also residing in Washington County, I was pleased to learn of UMM’s successes in attracting new students. Read More
I am getting tired of the Bangor Daily News’ socialistic views on your editorial page – everything from support of the north woods park to “it’s only for the children” mentality. Your published support for additional taxes to construct a new auditorium is typical of your published solutions… Read More
Start with Iraq, Pakistan, Palestine and Yemen – once all in the British Empire, now all in our daily terror headlines. Add Afghanistan, with whom Britain thrice went to war. Resulting pattern: a clear correlation, at least in the Islamic world, between past, London-based imperialism and current, violent… Read More
A display at Searsport’s Penobscot Marine Museum points out that “Down East” is a nautical term which can be traced to the 1800s. “Coastal schooners sailed from Boston to Maine, setting their course northeast,” the display explains. “They sailed with the prevailing southwest wind, or downwind; hence, the… Read More
Unless you were raised by wolves – or politicians – you probably learned as a child at your mother’s knee the principle of housekeeping entropy. Dirt gets dirtier the longer it sits. Yesterday’s socks, for example, not only will not pick themselves off the floor… Read More
Play a word association game outside of New England and use “maple syrup” as the prompt. The response likely would be “Vermont.” Maine producers are hoping to turn that around by creating a powerful, recognizable identity for Maine maple syrup, an annual $3 million industry. Read More
PORTLAND – American Skiing Co. has announced it is delaying the release of its second-quarter earnings report, which will show a substantial drop in revenue and an operating loss. In a document filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, American Skiing said it received new… Read More
CARIBOU – Raymond Jacques, 56, of Chelsea became the state’s 12th snowmobile fatality of the year Friday morning when the sled he was driving slammed into some trees. Jacques was riding with friends and relatives in a party of seven, all from the Chelsea area. Read More
BAR HARBOR – Fishermen from all along the coast of Mount Desert Island are worried about a dredging project proposed for Bar Harbor. It’s not the actual dredging of about 1.57 acres of sea floor that bothers fishermen, however. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
Former Maine Sen. John Hathaway, citing difficulty in collecting the needed donations to qualify for public financing under the Maine Clean Elections Act, bowed out of the governor’s race Friday. The Kennebunkport Republican’s unexpected exit leaves former state Rep. Peter Cianchette of South Portland and… Read More
When it comes to doing crossword puzzles, it appears that I’m ready for the big leagues. At least that’s what I was led to believe by a recent story in USA Today about the upcoming 25th Annual American Crossword Tournament. Accompanying the story, which featured… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – The parents of the late Bridget Anderson-Burke, who was shot and killed in Monson in February 2000, have filed a lawsuit against the man who discharged the firearm that killed the teen-ager. The suit also names his parents. In a four-count lawsuit filed… Read More
AUGUSTA – And then there were 10. There will be one less congressional candidate on the campaign trail next week, with Democrat Kaileigh Tara deciding not to submit the needed signatures to the Maine Secretary of State’s Office by the 5 p.m. Friday deadline. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
BAR HARBOR – The Gender Project of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Acadia Waldorf School will hold a four-part discussion series for fathers from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. beginning Wednesday, April 3, at the school on 55 Kebo St. Fathers will be… Read More
Barbara, 7, is a bubbly, energetic young girl with blond hair and blue eyes. An outgoing child who easily makes friends, Barbara enjoys arts and crafts, swimming, reading, listening to music and shopping. Barbara, athletic and competitive in nature, is easily accepted by her peers… Read More
BANGOR – The planning board on Tuesday will consider changing the zoning for more than 225 acres off Outer Broadway. But while the acreage makes the zone change one of the biggest in the city’s recent history, property owner Judson M. Grant said the changes,… Read More
BLUE HILL – Windy weather and dry conditions allowed one unpermitted fire in Hancock County to spread out of control Thursday and gave firefighters concerns about another, according to state forest rangers. Two men, each responsible for one of the fires, have been charged with… Read More
BUCKSPORT – Town councilors have agreed to extend a tax exemption for the local private water company, a move that will avoid a big hike in the water users rate. In 1997, the town granted the Consumers Maine Water Co. an exemption on approximately $3… Read More
MOUNT DESERT – The Mount Desert Island Historical Society will hold a workshop titled “Planting an Heirloom Flower Garden” with Elisa Felton from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 1, at the Abby Fulton house in Manset. Heirloom seeds are available as a fund-raiser… Read More
PITTSFIELD – As new Pittsfield town manager Kathryn Ruth prepared for Tuesday’s council meeting, it was clear she is an advocate of clear communication. The agenda for the meeting was the shortest item in the inch-thick council packet. “Communication is extremely important,” Ruth said Friday. Read More
CORINNA – Corinna selectmen Wednesday night authorized Fire Chief Alan Clark to seek a federal grant for firefighting equipment. The grant requests total $82,730 and Corinna’s 10 percent match would be $8,273 if granted. Town Manager Judy Doore said Thursday that Clark is seeking funds… Read More
SEARSMONT – A routine annual town meeting is expected to take place today. Residents will vote on the second selectman position, a post now held by Ken Seekins. Seekins has indicated he will seek re-election.The meeting begins at 9 a.m. at the Ames School. Read More
Cary Residents will hold their annual meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, March 25, at the Smith schoolhouse and elect a selectman to a three-year term. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var… Read More
CARIBOU – Arthur Benner is retiring as superintendent of schools in Caribou on June 30, and he hopes to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor to the Maine Legislature in the next general election. Benner became superintendent when Irvin Belanger retired in 1996. Benner… Read More
PREQUE ISLE – The Aroostook Medical Center will hold “A Matter of Balance – Managing Concerns About Fall” from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 27, at the McCain Conference Room in the A.R. Gould Hospital on the TAMC campus. Participants will learn how to… Read More
CARIBOU – The 72nd Annual Caribou Future Farmers of America Banquet will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, in the Caribou High School Cafeteria. Agricultural games and door prizes will be awarded. A silent auction also will be held. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – The Presque Isle Career Center will host a job fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, at the center on 66 Spruce St. The job fair, a joint endeavor between the Local Area Workforce Investment Board and the… Read More
EASTBROOK – New addresses, new animal control equipment and repaved roads are among the proposals residents will vote on at the town’s annual town meeting at 7 p.m. Monday. The meeting, which will be at the town office on Route 200, will be preceded by a 6 p.m. Read More
BELFAST – A routine traffic stop on Thursday led police to recover a stolen laptop computer. Officer Eric Kelley stopped a car on High Street near the Belfast Variety Store at 4:32 p.m. after observing an expired inspection sticker, Belfast Police Chief Allen Weaver said. Read More
Machias District Court Cases Feb. 1 to Feb. 28, 2002 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 () {… Read More
CALAIS – Twice each month, grief support group meetings for people who have suffered a loss of any kind are offered on the first and third Tuesdays, but beginning at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, they will be held at a new location. The new… Read More
Columbia A fire in the past year that destroyed the fire station and old town hall will affect the agenda at this year’s annual town meeting. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for… Read More
CALAIS – If drug court works, it could represent a lifeline for a county that is being choked by prescription drug addicts who would rather steal and deal than heal. “When you interview drug addicts, what you find is they commit a crime every three… Read More
GUILFORD – Robert Littlefield chased away a demon for a distraught homeowner, rescued a reporter (not this one) from an outhouse, and chauffeured an administrative assistant to work in a bucket loader when the roads were too slick for her small vehicle. For Littlefield, who… Read More
ABBOT – Undeterred that his first lawsuit against members of the 120th Legislature was dismissed, an Abbot man has filed a second complaint for violation of the Freedom of Access law. Wilbur “Bud” Landry said Friday that he failed to specify a statute in his… Read More
Abbot Fifty warrant articles will need voter attention at 7 p.m. Monday during the annual town meeting at the town hall. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i… Read More
CAMDEN – Just like comedian David Letterman, Camden Police Chief Phil Roberts has his own top 10 list. Roberts announced this week that he is cracking down on the top 10 parking ticket offenders. More than $7,800 is owed on outstanding parking tickets, the chief… Read More
PORTLAND – The Maine International Trade Center will hold an educational program entitled “Building a Healthy Company Through International Sales and Sourcing.” It will feature experts from the Small Business Development Center, Hussey Seating and Cuddledown of Maine. The seminar will take place from 3… Read More
WATERVILLE – Art historian Walter S. Gibson will present a slide show lecture titled “Bruegel and the Art of Laughter” at Colby College at 4:30 p.m. Monday, April 1, in Room 1 of the F.W. Olin Science Center. In addition to many articles in scholarly… Read More
WATERVILLE – The Colby Cares About Kids mentoring program will be one of eight mentoring programs recognized by Gov. Angus King next week at the Capitol in Augusta. King will hold a press conference on the growth of mentoring in Maine and will formally recognize… Read More
NEWPORT – Local lawyer Joshua A. Tardy has announced that he will be seeking election to the Maine House of Representatives for District 125, which includes the towns of Charleston, Corinth, Exeter, Stetson and Newport. Tardy is a former member and chairman of the board of directors of… Read More
THORNDIKE – Three former selectmen are expected to challenge the three incumbents in voting today at the annual town meeting. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. at the Central Maine Auction Hall. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
The following divorces have been granted in 6th District Court in Rockland on grounds of irreconcilable marital differences: David Grierson, South Thomaston, and Joyce Grierson, Cushing, married Oct. 1, 1994, at Owls Head. Name changed to Joyce Nelson. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
SEARSPORT – T.M. “Mac” Deford has a secret he wants to tell the world. Beginning in May, Deford will take over the helm at the Penobscot Marine Museum, replacing longtime director Renny Stackpole, who will retire. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
SOUTH THOMASTON – Residents will gather Tuesday, March 26, to consider a 9 percent increase in the gross municipal budget for 2002, which totals $691,598, and to elect town officers from the floor. The annual town meeting will start at 7 p.m. at the Gilford… Read More
WARREN – The SAD 40 budget proposed for 2002-2003 is $17.8 million; that figure, however, is still subject to change. The school board will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, at the Education Service Center, at 44 School St., to review the budget again. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
LINCOLN – A relief fund created seven weeks ago after two devastating fires wiped out 25 percent of Lincoln’s downtown in January has climbed to $27,000. Some officials say the tragedy has brought out the best in people. Generosity is evident by the long list… Read More
Freezing rain that produced black ice created havoc along several eastern Maine roads and highways Friday night, causing dozens of motor vehicle accidents, stalling traffic, and making life miserable for emergency workers and police trying to respond to the slippery situation. Several rollover accidents were… Read More
ELLSWORTH – The Maine Community Foundation is seeking nominations for the 2002 Noyce Award for Non-Profit Excellence. This year’s award, which includes a $5,000 unrestricted grant, will honor a nonprofit organization that best strengthens the connections between groups and organizations that have not traditionally worked… Read More
Anyone who regularly passes through the intersection of Stillwater Avenue and Broadway in Bangor is familiar with the large building on the corner across from Broadway Park. For some time it’s been in dire need of repair, but now, thanks to the efforts of two… Read More
ELLSWORTH – An Aurora man accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl who baby-sat for his infant son may not have his case heard until May, even though he is scheduled to go on trial this month in Hancock County Superior Court, according to a county prosecutor. Read More
NEWPORT – Newport Police Chief James Ricker confirmed Friday that a quantity of pills seized during the arrest last week of a Down East couple on prostitution charges were OxyContin. Ricker would not confirm how many pills were found, saying only, “There were more than… Read More
LIMESTONE – The Maine School of Science and Mathematics will hold an interdisciplinary themed weekend with art, math, music, and computer programming languages from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 22, and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 23, at the school. John Peterson… Read More
WASHINGTON – The Maine Bureau of Social Services, a division of the Department of Human Services, will receive a $2,089,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to fund victim compensation payments to eligible crime victims. “We applaud the Department of Justice’s decision to award… Read More
MOUNT DESERT – The Mount Desert Island Historical Society is seeking residents and business owners who can share memories of farming on MDI. The society would like to borrow photographs and artifacts, such as farm equipment, for a summer exhibit on the history of farming… Read More
BOSTON – The Bangor Daily News was among eight daily newspapers honored Friday with the New England Newspaper Association’s annual “Publick Occurrences” Awards for courage and independence. The “Publick Occurrences” awards were established in 1991 to mark the 300th anniversary of Publick Occurrences Both Foreign… Read More
BANGOR – More than 800 high school and technical college students from around the state took part in the Skills USA-VICA contests Thursday and Friday, with the top competitor in more than 50 categories advancing to the national competition in Kansas City, Mo., in June. Read More
ALBANY, N.Y. – Northeastern states, including Maine, drew closer Friday to using their combined market clout to reduce the cost of prescription drugs. Senators and representatives from Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut met in Albany in the latest meeting of The Northeast Legislative… Read More
BANGOR – The recipients of the Principal’s Award for the Maine Principals’ Association have been announced. The MPA Honors Luncheon will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at the Bangor Civic Center. The keynote speaker will be U.S. Rep. John Baldacci. The following… Read More
WINDHAM – The owners of Sappi Paper Mill have reduced the flow of water through one of its Presumpscot River dams, a move that will raise the drought-induced low water level of Sebago Lake. The company is planning to close the dam further next week,… Read More
PORTLAND – Portland officials who have been pressing forward with plans for a cruise ship terminal are reconsidering the strategy now that a construction company is negotiating a short-term project that will create 800 jobs. Jeffrey Monroe, the city’s transportation director, said it might be… Read More
BANGOR – Food vendor applications are available for the National Folk Festival in Bangor. Deadline for the food vendor applications is March 31. Folk Festival organizers plan a “Taste of Traditions” food court, offering festivalgoers a broad array of food choices, including ethnic, local and… Read More
OLD ORCHARD BEACH – Fire investigators have determined a fire that destroyed three downtown businesses was intentionally set and are turning to the public for help in solving the case. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is asking anyone with photos or video footage of the… Read More
Back in December, the two teams many hoops observers thought were the two best in the state hooked up in a “meaningless” preseason exhibition game. After 32 hard-fought minutes and another four in overtime, Brunswick’s boys walked off the court with a 71-70 win over… Read More
DARLINGTON, S.C. – Ricky Craven, who resurrected his career after his own head injury, spoiled Steve Park’s comeback Friday by winning the pole for the Carolina Dodge Dealers 400. Park, at his first race since bruising his brain in a wreck here last September, qualified… Read More
A few weeks ago, while trying to juggle duties at the Eastern Maine tournament as well as keep an eye on Yoko Anton Ohno (or whatever that speed skater’s name is), a co-worker sidled up to my desk and said something that has changed my plans for the… Read More
BOSTON – Senior right winger Niko Dimitrakos has had some memorable moments at the FleetCenter during his University of Maine men’s hockey career. He came through again Friday night after almost being the goat. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
MADAWASKA – The Harlem Rockets will face off against the Madawaska Business All-Stars at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 4 at the Madawaska High School gymnasium. The Rockets are undefeated since the team’s inception in 1993, and should break the barrier of 1,200 wins during… Read More
COLLEGE 2002 ECAC Division III Women’s 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
GULFPORT, Fla. – Craig Harvey belted his second two-run home run of the game in the 11th inning Friday, lifting Husson College of Bangor to a 6-4 baseball victory over Salem State (Mass.). Harvey’s second two-run home run of the game came with one out… Read More
Wade McLaughlin has been named varsity baseball coach at East Grand High School in Danforth. The 29-year-old middle school special education teacher at East Grand is also the coach of the girls varsity basketball team. McLaughlin, a 1990 Limestone High graduate, played baseball for the… Read More
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Mark Reichley stroked a double and three singles Friday night to spearhead an 18-hit attack as the University of Maine cruised to an 18-7 baseball victory over Pennsylvania at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Mike Ross knocked in four runs with a three-run… Read More
In the past when his teams had won Eastern Maine Class A championships and were gearing up for the state final, Cony of Augusta girls basketball coach Paul Vachon admits he may have been a bit restrictive. This season, he handled things a little differently. Read More
What do you do when you lose a NEWS All-State first-team star forward and one of your top rebounders to graduation? Well, if you’re Mike Francoeur, you simply pluck a couple of reserves who gave you plenty of productive minutes off the bench last year,… Read More
BOSTON – There comes a point in time when all of a coach’s poker-faced pregame pronouncements mean nothing. There comes a time when all the things that have happened in a team’s past are weighed against what might happen in the future, and tough decisions are made. Read More
If spring fever hasn’t hit you yet check your pulse. Next Wednesday’s the day when the sun “crosses” the equator on its apparent trip northward. (Yes, I know it’s really the earth’s tipping that causes the northward “march.”) On Wednesday, the day of the Vernal Equinox, we’ll have… Read More
No matter what month it is, regardless of weather conditions, Maine hunters are in the enviable position of having an open game season available. Throughout the winter, gunning opportunities are a bit lean, but one quarry in particular is abundant, widespread and always challenging. For sheer hunting potential,… Read More
The snowmobile trail conditions are gathered from the Maine Snowmobile Association’s Web site. 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 has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i… Read More
AUGUSTA – Those who want to hunt moose in the state of Maine are reminded that the deadline for moose permit applications is April 1. Completed applications must be postmarked no later than midnight April 1 or delivered to Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife… Read More
It is such a thrill at this time of year to witness the beginning of avian courtship rituals in response to the coming of spring. Our walk on a sunny, near-balmy morning gave us the chance to hear the high, tinkling notes of a brown… Read More
MAINE CURIOSITIES: QUIRKY CHARACTERS, ROADSIDE ODDITIES & OTHER OFFBEAT STUFF, by Tim Sample and Steve Bither, The Globe Pequot Press, Guilford, Conn., 2002, 211 pages, $12.95. This book is a half-gallon jar of hard candies; you know, the round ones, each a different color. You… Read More
Footsteps fall on a thick carpet of rust-colored pine needles as Harlan Pierson weaves among stately evergreens and through low woodland plants in the forest behind his Knox home. Long paces carry him over ledge outcroppings, under branches of mighty pines, across swollen paths reluctantly releasing the winter’s… Read More
Just imagine the conversations they had. From 1916 to 1931, two giants of American history, industry and commerce, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, were actually next-door neighbors as they wintered in Fort Myers, Fla. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
As the last patches of hard, dry snow faded earlier this week, the lack of winter cover revealed a landscape sorely in need of tending. The late-winter scene harkens with perennial beds not quite fully cleared of debris, stonewalls or fences aching for repair, paths that yearn for… Read More
TRENTON – Trenton Elementary School has received some finishing touches to its new addition. Artist Gail Cleveland has donated four large canvases to decorate the main entryway. The oil paintings are scenes of carriage road bridges and each panel is approximately 3 feet by 4 feet. Read More