CALAIS – The state’s first criminal case against a Maine salmon farm has ended with Heritage Salmon Inc. agreeing to pay nearly $15,000 for failure to report the presence of a deadly salmon virus in the company’s fish pens in Cobscook Bay. The violations of… Read More
AUGUSTA – Maine was declared the first state in the nation Tuesday to have all of its government-owned timberland deemed well-managed by both of the world’s top two forest certification systems. Both the Forest Stewardship Council, an independent group started by environmental, human rights and… Read More
Bush unveils small-business tax cut plan Bangor women entrepreneurs hear president by satellite link
BANGOR – President Bush, choosing an audience of women entrepreneurs at four locations nationwide, including Husson College, unveiled a tax-break package for small businesses Tuesday that he believes will save billions of dollars and stimulate economic growth. Bush, speaking live by satellite television to almost… Read More
AUGUSTA – High hopes abounded Tuesday for the swift enactment of a $160 million supplemental budget package that received a 12-1 vote of approval late Monday night by members of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee. Legislative leaders and Gov. Angus S. King expect the budget bill… Read More
A student’s name was misspelled in a Monday story in Maine Day about the Skills USA-VICA contests. The gold medalist in Culinary Arts (Secondary Division) was Kristin Giroux, United Technology Center. — googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
Young children who don’t sit on platforms known as “booster seats” while traveling in motor vehicles face greater risk of injury. That’s why Ford Motor Co., the United Way of Eastern Maine and Penquis CAP are teaming up to give the seats away, representatives of the organizations said… Read More
WATERVILLE – C.F. Hathaway Co., the 165-year-old shirt maker known for the man with the eye patch logo it adopted during the 1950s, will close its doors June 30, putting about 300 people out of work. Windsong Alliance Group, which bought the faltering company six… Read More
NEWRY – American Skiing Co. on Monday posted a $43.5 million net loss for the second quarter, saying cost-cutting efforts were offset by a late start to the ski season and weakness in the Utah market resulting from the Winter Olympics. The loss for the… Read More
LEWISTON – Gasoline prices have shot up by an average of 15 cents a gallon over the past two weeks and experts predict that motorists will be paying even more by summer. The increases, which follow months of price stability, are linked to a decision… Read More
AUGUSTA – A bill to plug loopholes exempting companies from Maine’s severance pay law was given preliminary approval Tuesday by the House of Representatives. The bill, LD 2054, which faces further votes after Tuesday’s 88-55 tally, was submitted after electronic components manufacturer Vishay Sprague announced… Read More
After reading the article (BDN, March 19) about the two female basketball players who are charged with theft and possible drug involvement, I was shocked to see that the courts, their parents and the McDonalds Corp. allow them to go on and represent their school at an all-star… Read More
Friday’s op-ed by American Airlines captain Darik Day was on the mark. His arguments for arming commercial airplane pilots make a lot of sense. Day may be off the mark on one of his points, however. He said that he does not speak for other airline pilots. Read More
As a consumer, I have never given much thought to home heating oil, except for the price when it was time to refill the tank – at least not until this morning. I learned that I could have my tank filled for 80 cents per gallon (for the… Read More
I would like to take issue with Margaret Cruikshank’s claim (BDN op-ed, March 19), “… Catholic children grow up in unhealthy emotional environments.” Although this is undeniably a most sad and difficult time for the church, the issue of pedophilia among priests has nothing to do with Catholic… Read More
The Department of Marine Resources has struck again. The latest campaign to save the weary fishermen of Maine from themselves involves crab fishing. The current lobster and crab license entitles us to harvest and sell both species, for now. Crab fishing is becoming an experimental fishery with 200… Read More
Your March 16-17 article titled, “Student teacher ousted,” enraged me. In a time when decent teachers are hard to find, Old Town High School prefers to throw out a qualified teacher because a few administrators and parents were nervous about an Islam subject matter. Stephen… Read More
Kent Ward’s March 16-17 column, “Maine geography is a matter of opinion,” gave a very good explanation of the origin of the word “Downeast.” Over the years, many “old-timers” have told me the same basic story about how Downeast originated with seafaring folk back in the days when… Read More
A pilot program to link seniors in need of good nutrition with farmers in need of customers has been so successful that it should be made a permanent part of agriculture’s mission and expanded to include the many seniors who would qualify and would like to participate. Read More
You don’t have to be a former chief justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court to know that the state Constitution trumps state statute. The opinion Daniel Wathen, who is a former chief justice, gave Monday to the Senatorial Vote Committee to that effect regarding the counting of… Read More
A unique idea was introduced by Gov. Angus King in the 119th Legislature – laptops for all seventh-grade students and teachers in Maine. The focus of this initiative was not to teach technology but to use technology for learning in all areas of the curriculum. Read More
The following commentary was submitted by the following St. John Valley parishioners: Roger C. Albert, James Boucher, Judy Paradis and Brian Thibeault. There are two sides to every story. As Madawaska parishioners, we have come to know the good side of the priests. The other… Read More
I read with interest your Feb. 22 editorial, “Two Lane Maine.” As a longtime resident of Eddington and a member of the citizen’s advisory committee for the I-395 connector, I wish to offer some thoughts on the proposed I-395 extension that is generating such comment and controversy. Read More
WALDOBORO – The chips were flying Tuesday as four stone artists finished carving a meandering stream into 20 tons of Maine granite that will wind up in a New Jersey hospital. The massive project, worth more than $50,000, will be loaded onto a truck today… Read More
BANGOR – A 21-year-old New Brunswick man arrested after a doctor found 33 Dilaudid pills in his rectum pleaded not guilty Tuesday to one count of importing the painkiller into the United States. Anthony David was indicted on the charge March 12. According to a… Read More
ELLSWORTH – A 15-year-old Bucksport boy testified Tuesday in Hancock County Superior Court that while sleeping at his basketball coach’s house last year, he woke up with his coach’s hand on his genitals. Travis White, 31, of Bucksport is accused of fondling the boy and… Read More
ASHLAND – MTK Inc., a 14-year-old trucking company that has been at odds with the town of Ashland over excise and personal property taxes, has moved out of town. The Aroostook County commissioners this week denied the company’s appeal of four years of personal property… Read More
AUGUSTA – Stephen King has written dozens of novels that have scared many people. But the scenarios described Tuesday by Dr. Dora Mills, director of the Maine Bureau of Health, in support of legislation giving the state sweeping authority to deal with a bio-terrorist attack, may be even… Read More
BANGOR – Mainers soon may be able to get a front-row seat at the Legislature simply by turning on their televisions. The Maine Public Broadcasting Corp. board of trustees on Tuesday gave the green light to continued study of the idea of providing C-SPAN-type coverage… Read More
The following divorces have been granted in 1st District Court in Caribou on the grounds of irreconcilable marital differences: Luis Garza and Donna M. Garza, both of New Sweden, married Oct. 3, 1987, in San Antonio, Texas. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
BLUE HILL – Talking about a problem often is the first step toward solving it. Officials at George Stevens Academy hope that will be the case when they bring a four-day drug and alcohol education program to the school next week. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
ELLSWORTH – City officials are hoping there is a heavy turnout of local residents for a March 21 forum on the physical state of the city’s schools. The forum, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Ellsworth High School, will allow residents to voice their opinions… Read More
BLUE HILL – A Florida man was arrested Sunday on assault and motor vehicle offenses after head-butting his father, according to police. Casey Wiseman, 23, of Bonita Springs, Fla., gave his 45-year-old father, a Blue Hill resident, a laceration over his right eye when he… Read More
ELLSWORTH – The Hancock County Republican Committee will hold a dinner meeting with Andre Cushing, state coordinator of the House Republican leadership team. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. (social hour) and 7 p.m. (dinner) Friday, April 12, at the White Birches’ Crazy… Read More
ELLSWORTH – A national celebration of 100 years (1902-2002) will be observed by 4-H alumni this year. The Hancock County 4-H celebration will be held at the Blue Hill Fair in September. Those interested in helping with planning and contributing ideas will meet at 6:30… Read More
PITTSFIELD – An expert on trash who recently assessed Pittsfield’s transfer station brought a laundry list of suggestions to the Town Council Tuesday night, suggestions that weren’t news to the councilors. All of the operational changes suggested by Karen McNaughton of Pine Tree Waste of… Read More
DETROIT – The Detroit planning board will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, at the Detroit Town Hall to accept a preliminary plan for an apartment building on North Road. Brent Wakefield is submitting the plan and, according to Joan Bradley of the planning… Read More
BENTON – Pupils at Benton Elementary School are preparing for Multicultural Day from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 21, at the school on 68 School Drive. The activities are designed to help pupils learn more about people from a range of cultures and… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – City residents made it clear Monday night that they want a bypass around the downtown – just not the one proposed by the state Department of Transportation. An overflow crowd of nearly 100 people packed the library at the Cunningham School and… Read More
Ashland Voting 278-69, residents Monday soundly defeated a proposed land use ordinance. 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
CARIBOU – Residents of Maine’s northernmost city may be looking at the same property tax rate this year as last year if education expenditures come through as preliminary figures show. The City Council has approved a 2002 budget of $6,659,797 for all expenditures, excluding education. Read More
ORIENT – A family of four lost all of their belongings Monday after fire leveled their home on Old Route 1. Robert and Diane Briggs and their two children were not home when the fire was reported to the Washington County Regional Communications Center about… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – The Maine Potato Board will hold a workshop meeting at 11 a.m. today in the ballroom of the Northeastland Hotel. Lunch follows at noon. The board meeting begins at 3 p.m. in the ballroom. Read More
FORT KENT – Area residents with an interest in diabetes are invited to participate in “Living with Diabetes: Take Charge of Your Life,” a daylong health fair Tuesday, April 16, at the University of Maine at Fort Kent. The fair, a coordinated effort between Northern… Read More
FORT KENT – Luc Albert has assumed his new duties as director of Northern Maine Medical Center therapy services. Albert, a licensed occupational therapist, received a bachelor of occupational therapy degree in 1998 from the University of Montreal Medical Faculty School of Rehabilitation. Following graduation… Read More
AUGUSTA – By a lopsided margin, the Maine House voted Tuesday to require the phaseout of all mercury thermostats from residential and commercial buildings by 2006. The Senate, meanwhile, delayed debate on another mercury-control bill that is also a priority for environmental advocates this session. Read More
Town to resolve zoning dispute Fate of illegal waterfront residence rests with Bar Harbor councilors
BAR HARBOR – After five years of circuitous lawsuits, Bar Harbor town councilors hold the final responsibility for deciding what is to be done about Jeffrey Salisbury’s illegal waterfront home. Councilors have the right to demand more than $3 million in fines and payment of… Read More
BANGOR – The city’s planning board, in a 5-0 vote, gave its stamp of approval Tuesday to developer Judson M. Grant’s request to rezone about 225 acres off Outer Broadway. The change, the biggest in the city’s recent history, must still win approval from the… Read More
CLIFTON – Residents elected two selectmen and adopted a $287,000 municipal operating budget during their annual elections and town meeting Saturday. In local elections in the morning, voters settled a three-way race for a pair of seats on the Board of Selectmen. John Senter, who… Read More
BANGOR – A 161/2-year-old Brittany spaniel wandered away from its owner on Cottage Street in Bangor late Tuesday night and wound up in police custody temporarily, after a motorist drove alongside it, steering the dog toward the police station and safety. Jessie, who has cataracts… Read More
BANGOR – The chief justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court and county and city officials pledged Tuesday to continue work toward finding a solution for easing the state court system’s space crunch during a meeting of the Penobscot County commissioners. County, state and city… Read More
WINTERPORT – Selectmen wiped the slate clean on personal property taxes for 2000-2001 at their meeting Tuesday night, forgiving or rebating $28,568. The board vote was the final step in a process begun when town assessors said the list of what was owed was not… Read More
LINCOLN – The owners of a long-standing Lincoln business were recognized Tuesday for their commitment to employees and to the town by Senate President Richard Bennett, R-Norway. Surrounded by about 20 employees, Daniel Johnston, president of the Johnston Dandy Co., proudly accepted the Senate President’s… Read More
LINCOLN – A free developmental screening will be held for SAD 67 (Lincoln, Mattawamkeag, Chester), from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, April 3, at the Ella P. Burr Elementary School, Lincoln. The screening put on by Child Development Services of Penobscot County is for all 3- to 4-year-old… Read More
ALTON – Alton Elementary School will hold its annual kindergarten registration Thursday, May 2. Children who will turn 5 years old on or before Oct. 15 are eligible to register. Bring child, birth certificate and immunization record to your appointment. Call 394-2331 for an appointment. Read More
BANGOR – The Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce governmental affairs committee will hold a breakfast discussion about Maine’s aging populace and the work force of the future. The breakfast will be at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 10, at the Sheraton Four Points, 308 Godfrey Blvd., Bangor. Dr. Leonard… Read More
CARMEL – Carmel Elementary School will hold its kindergarten registration for the 2002-2003 school year from 8 a.m. to 1:20 p.m. Tuesday, April 23. A child must be 5 years old on or before Oct. 15 to be eligible. Bring child, birth certificate, social security number and record… Read More
BANGOR – St. Joseph Healthcare and the Maine Emergency Nurses Association will hold a conference titled “Domestic Violence: the Path to a Hidden Wound” for health care professionals from 9 a.m. to noon today in the St. Francis Center (the old firehouse), across from St. Joseph Hospital’s Center… Read More
LINCOLN – The Lincoln Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce First Trade Show and Community Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 30, at Mattanawcook Academy, Route 2, Lincoln. More than 45 exhibitors from central and northern Maine will be in… Read More
AUGUSTA – The primary ballot for midcoast legislative seats is nearing completion, and each House and Senate district in Waldo and Knox counties has a contested race. Of the 11 seats up for election in the two midcoast counties, six have incumbents seeking re-election. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
ROCKLAND – Ten secret indictments were released Tuesday identifying the people whose cases had been sealed since March 7 by a Knox County Superior Court grand jury. Secret indictments are kept confidential until the accused are arrested or until 10 days have passed from the… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – The Piscataquis County Commissioners were briefed Tuesday on a community effort under way to convert a Main Street building in Dover-Foxcroft into a cultural and performing arts center. A group of local citizens hopes to purchase and renovate the building that once housed… Read More
GUILFORD – With the exception of social service requests, residents Monday breezed through a 25-article warrant with little discussion. The town meeting was the last official duty Robert Littlefield had before retiring after 30 years as town manager. In recognition of his service to the… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – The funds that both Piscataquis and Somerset County commissioners included in their respective 2002-2003 unorganized territories budgets for Greenville airport improvements were eliminated by the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation. Commissioners in each county had approved a donation of $10,000 for improvements to… Read More
Calais District Court Cases Feb. 15 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 – The city has won a 40-day extension of its option to buy some land near the industrial park that is being considered for use in a municipal well system. City councilors last week voted to ask for an extension on the option the… Read More
CALAIS – Jason Kneeland, a grass-roots coordinator for the National Audubon Society’s policy office in Washington, D.C., will talk about efforts to allow drilling for oil and gas in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge during a local visit. The meeting, sponsored by the society’s Schoodic… Read More
BOSTON – Fire departments have until April 1 to apply for federal grants to buy equipment and improve safety techniques, according to the U.S. Fire Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Fire departments may apply for grants in one of the following four categories:… Read More
For six years, the Millinocket Area Rotary Club has hosted a benefit auction to help improve the lives of those it serves. This year, money raised will be used to purchase an item greatly needed in an area with many lakes and rivers: a rescue… Read More
CLINTON – An armed robbery at a trailer on Route 100 has left a Clinton couple shaken and fearful about living in this rural farming community. “We used to keep our door open, but now we lock it and double-lock it,” said Nobert Page, recounting… Read More
MADISON – Dog lovers from across the nation have been moved by the plight of Ava, a dachshund mix recovering from an attack by a bald eagle. The eagle snatched the 13-pound pooch from her back yard March 8 and dropped her 30 feet to… Read More
AUGUSTA – The state attorney general said Tuesday a Lincoln County sheriff’s deputy was legally justified when he shot and killed a 61-year-old man at the man’s home in Somerville on Feb. 25. Attorney General Steven Rowe issued the report following an investigation by his… Read More
BRUNSWICK – Bowdoin College will honor 14 Maine secondary school teachers with distinguished teaching awards for the lasting effect they have had on the lives of their students. Honorees are chosen because they are former teachers of students who have excelled at Bowdoin. The students… Read More
GRAY – Burglars who made off with thousands of dollars from the Thriftway grocery store over the weekend got into the building by ripping a hole in the roof. Investigators suspect that someone used a tool like a crowbar to rip up the shingles, sheets… Read More
GOLDEN, British Columbia – The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have identified an American skier killed in a backcountry avalanche in southeastern British Columbia. Dr. Christopher Seitz of North Yarmouth, Maine, died Monday when he was caught in a snow slide in the Dogtooth Mountain Range… Read More
AUGUSTA – Gov. Angus S. King has signed a bill that will increase driver license revocations for habitual offenders from one year to three years. The law will allow certain habitual offenders to petition for work-restricted licenses after 18 months of license revocation. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
PORTLAND – A picture of a 10-year-old Portland girl is gracing the cover of a new paperback reissue of Harper Lee’s classic novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Audrey Seiz, a fifth-grader at Breakwater School, was chosen as the model by Freeport photographer Jack Montgomery, who… Read More
BANGOR – A fire that damaged the home of a Maine State Police trooper was set and not caused by a faulty droplight, a state fire investigator testified Tuesday during the second day of testimony in the state’s case against a 45-year-old Charleston man. Vance… Read More
BOSTON – If Mainers get to see any of the new seafood products introduced at the recent International Boston Seafood Show, it will be in the freezer aisles of the major grocery chains. Major seafood producers such Fishery Products International, Geisha and others rolled out… Read More
ORONO – University of Maine senior goalie Mike Morrison has become the odd man out. Understandably, the All-Hockey East first-team goalie isn’t happy about it. He admits he was surprised he didn’t receive the start in Maine’s 3-1 loss to New Hampshire in the Hockey… Read More
Lynne Walsh figures her late husband Shawn would be proud of the season his University of Maine hockey team has put together so far. The 23-10-7 Bears overcame a slow start following the Sept. 24 death of her husband due to kidney cancer to earn… Read More
Almost 12 years after graduating from Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield, Tom Bertrand is returning to his high school alma mater. Bertrand (Class of 1990) will succeed Bill Cowan as Huskies varsity football coach. Bertrand, a former Stearns of Millinocket head coach, was an assistant… Read More
Bangor television station WABI (Channel 5) is bringing University of Maine NCAA regional hockey action to local viewers for a fourth straight year. For the second straight year, Maine Public Broadcasting Corporation is teaming up with WABI to extend the live game coverage statewide. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
Online registration is now available for runners who wish to enter the fifth People’s Beach to Beacon 10K road race on Aug. 3 in Cape Elizabeth. The field will be increased from 4,000 to 5,000 runners this year, in celebration of the fifth anniversary of… Read More
When Andy Palmer died at age 48 on Feb. 3 after suffering a heart attack after a training run, the Maine running community mourned the loss of one of its best ever. Preliminary plans are in the works for a relay run in honor of… Read More
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida A&M baseball team racked up 10 runs in the fourth inning and 16 hits overall, rolling over the University of Maine 14-3 Tuesday afternoon at Moore-Kittles Field. The Rattlers, now 11-15, avenged a 9-8 extra-inning loss to the Black Bears… Read More
When Ricky Green left the University of Maine men’s basketball team on Nov. 7, the school issued a brief statement citing “personal reasons” for the decision. But a court case heard in Bangor District Court on Feb. 20 shows that Green’s departure from the team… Read More
OLD TOWN – The Class B boys ran off 18 unanswered first-half points en route to a 102-97 high school basketball victory over Class A in the Big East Senior All-Star game at MacKenzie Gym Tuesday night. Class A prevailed in the girls game with… Read More
Jack Fleming felt like he was at the end of his rope. He needed this thing. A thing that was hard to describe and apparently harder to build. The thing was a trailer. A trailer with three aluminum boxes that would hold equipment. And when… Read More
ABBOT – Residents voted Monday during the annual town meeting to raise $102,950 from taxation and take $20,300 from surplus for municipal spending in 2002. The municipal budget reflects a 9 percent decrease in spending from the previous year. After much discussion Monday, residents voted… Read More