OLD TOWN – Call it beginner’s luck. Zane Byron didn’t expect to shoot a wild turkey on the third morning of the season, but by 8 a.m. Wednesday, he was posing for a snapshot with an ungainly 14-pound bird in front of the Old Town… Read More
    AUGUSTA – The realities of an anemic stock market crashed down on the shoulders of Maine’s chief executive Wednesday when budget analysts concluded the state faces a potential $180 million revenue shortfall over the next 14 months. Then the bad news for Gov. Angus S. Read More
    A story that appeared in the April 29 NEWS on a Shrine circus ringmaster did not give his complete name. The correct and complete name is Charles Van Buskirk. — googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
    WASHINGTON – Guilford of Maine was one of 280 facilities nationally, and 33 in New England, recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at the 2002 National Environmental Performance Track annual members meeting for their participation in the agency’s National Environmental Performance Track program. The… Read More
    NEWRY – American Skiing stock plunged to its lowest level ever for a brief period before recovering on Wednesday. The over-the-counter stock hit a low of 6 cents a share after a block of 3 million shares was sold in the largest single transaction in… Read More
    SOMERS, New York – Pepsi Bottling Group Inc. agreed to acquire the operations of Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of Aroostook in northern Maine. Financial terms of the transaction, which is expected to close in 30 days, were not disclosed. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
    MBNA, one of Maine’s biggest employers, is closing a call center in Florida, and a Chamber of Commerce official in that state said Wednesday a tight labor market may be the reason why. The credit card company announced late last month that it would close… Read More
    Maine’s senators recently supported a bill to offer Americans discount prescription drugs through government price controls – as long as the government exerting the control was in Ottawa and not Washington. Their support of a measure to allow wholesale drug imports from Canada is needed and welcome, but… Read More
    Until recently, the story of Maine’s offshore islands has been a dismal tale of declining year-round population. A century ago, there were more than 300 full-time island communities, most of them with general stores and schools and many with their own post offices. That number dropped to 14,… Read More
    Concerning the letter titled, “Taxes, peace and security,” by David Demere (BDN, April 26); the public would be better served by reviewing the Budget of the United States Government available on the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Web site. There one can view the fiscal year budget… Read More
    In response to the April 26 letter by Susan Kamuda; yes, there are bad apples in all businesses, but animal cruelty is a rarity with both circuses and zoos today. We have been coming to Maine with our elephants to perform at the Shrine Circus… Read More
    The recent campaign ads for Chellie Pingree make the pharmaceutical industry out to be monsters for being financially successful. However, that aside, let us not forget that this industry invests hundreds of millions of dollars to research and to develop new medications that are saving our lives. Most… Read More
    The April 27-28 article reminded me that “Life During Wartime” was playing at the Pavilion Theatre at the University of Maine. I saw it and it was great. All of the cast did an outstanding job and this letter is to thank them all for their great performance. Read More
    We’ve all made mistakes in life and the purpose of this letter is to reveal one of mine. I am a citizen activist who attends the legislative sessions every day. I am also a philosophical Democrat although issues have always been more important to me than party politics. Read More
    Dr. Erik Steele’s Channel 5 News discussion of teen-agers’ sleep habits on April 23 did not tell the whole story. Children who live with parents who smoke in their homes are breathing massive amounts of toxic pollution, which makes them drowsy and lethargic, and brings… Read More
    Although the laptop fantasy seems to have become an irreversible reality, the debate continues on the pages of the Bangor Daily News. Recently Alan Bain of New Hampshire presented the somewhat one-sided argument that computers are public education’s salvation even though educators don’t know how to use them. Read More
    BANGOR – Wednesday was a big day for Diane Cormier-Youngs. “Are you coming in tonight?” the owner of Diva’s Gentlemen’s Club excitedly asks a middle-aged man who strolled into the bar Wednesday afternoon. “Tonight, it’s fully nude.” googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
    Engineers are the world’s problem solvers. Whether clad in hard hats or lab coats, they are the innovators who design our bridges, roadways and airports, our cars, medical devices, power stations and communications systems. And while it may not necessarily be true that we live in a man’s… Read More
    CALAIS – City officials Wednesday blamed a failed pump for the release of about 100,000 gallons per day of raw sewage into the St. Croix River. The release from the Union Street pump station began Monday, plant supervisor Ray Beaulieu said. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    MILLINOCKET – Water levels in Great Northern Energy’s massive water storage system on the West Branch of the Penobscot River are looking a lot better than they did a month ago. After consulting with regulatory agencies, the company on Wednesday doubled the amount of water… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Maine’s state ethics commission cleared the way Wednesday for Green Independent gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Carter to receive public financing for his Blaine House campaign. Voting 4-0, the panel agreed to accept a staff recommendation that treats Carter’s handling of a pollster’s memorandum that… Read More
    BANGOR – “It’s a community-building, spirit-building kind of day,” Liz Russell said in describing Eastern Maine Technical College’s Tech Day 2002. Held on Wednesday, Tech Day incorporated technical presentations regarding curriculum at EMTC and an Earth Day ceremony with food and fun activities. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    BREWER – During an emergency special meeting Wednesday, city councilors unanimously approved a nonexclusive parking lot lease with the owner of the T.J. Ryan Center, a hockey rink on the Acme Road. An emergency preamble added to the council order by unanimous consent made the… Read More
    BANGOR – Those hoping to take a left off the new Stillwater Avenue exit are out of luck. The City Council, meeting as the Strategic Issues Committee on Wednesday, voted 6-2 not to reconsider the right-hand-turn-only off the new Stillwater Avenue interchange with Interstate 95. Read More
    BANGOR – Two Indian Island brothers accused of assaulting a police officer six months ago are the subjects of a civil lawsuit filed by Attorney General Steven Rowe on Wednesday at Penobscot County Superior Court. Rowe accuses the pair of civil rights violations. The attorney… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – A local group trying to put a building moratorium out to referendum will have to wait until November instead of having the issue on the primary ballot next month. Citizens Organized for Responsible Development, a group of residents who want to enact a… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – Three years ago, renovations were begun at City Hall and the city made sure those renovations preserved historic exterior features of the building. Last week, the city was recognized for its efforts by a historic preservation organization. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
    BUCKSPORT – The Maine Public Utilities Commission has approved a 7.44 percent increase for Consumers Maine Water Co.’s Bucksport Division, while two other area communities, Stonington and Castine, have proposed increases in their municipal water rates. The increase is slightly less than the 8.02 percent… Read More
    SOUTHWEST HARBOR – Selectmen on Wednesday voted unanimously to create a special committee to review the applicants for code enforcement officer and to recommend the best candidate. Selectmen Chairman Lee Worcester III said a committee process had served the town well in the past and… Read More
    BAR HARBOR – The town’s new planner says he isn’t a radical environmentalist, but he does think the earth and sea should dictate where and what kind of new development is allowed in communities. “I’m a realistic environmentalist, not a tree-hugging environmentalist,” said William Cohen,… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – A party at a Waverly Avenue home Wednesday evening concluded with a Portland man being charged by police for furnishing alcohol to minors. Heath Huffer, 21, formerly of Pittsfield was charged by Pittsfield police Officer Nicholas Fletcher with three counts of furnishing alcohol… Read More
    Washburn High School Third quarter honor roll 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
    FORT KENT – The SAD 27 school board voted unanimously Tuesday night to try again to renegotiate leases for two elementary school libraries, a move that could save the district $300,000 over the next 20 years. Last November, residents turned down a proposal to refinance… Read More
    FORT KENT – A representative of the Maine Veterans Service will be available to assist veterans of northern Maine in matters pertaining to veterans affairs at the following times, dates and locations: . 1-4 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at the… Read More
    FORT KENT – About 70 residents of SAD 27 took 20 minutes Tuesday night to pass a school budget of $9,165,419 to operate the district’s four elementary schools and one high school. The seven-town district budget for 2002-2003 is up about $450,000 over this year’s… Read More
    LINCOLN – The Penquis Community Action Program is holding a free IRS workshop on “Taxes and the Small Business Owner” from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, at Mattanawcook Academy, Room 121. The workshop is for individuals who are in business or who are… Read More
    PATTEN – People Helping People, a support group in northern Penobscot and southern Aroostook countries for those coping with serious health concerns and their families and friends. will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 13, at the Mount Heights Health Care facility. Entry to the… Read More
    TRENTON – Members of Maine’s congressional delegation are urging the federal Transportation Security Administration to work with Bar Harbor Airport officials to assist them in complying with the agency’s new security directive and to ensure that the airport is not forced to suspend operations. The… Read More
    THOMASTON – A Rockland District High School graduate has been tapped for the SAD 50 superintendent’s post. Judy Harvey, 54, of Waterville has signed a tentative agreement that will be voted on by the board May 8, SAD 50 Chairwoman Jamie Doubleday said Wednesday. Harvey’s… Read More
    BELFAST – The teen-age girl injured in a January accident involving a Waldo County Sheriff’s Department patrol car has notified the department that she plans to sue the county for $1 million. The notice of claim was filed by Wilbur Fuller of Montville on behalf… Read More
    DEXTER – Local economic development planners hope H.H. Brown, the owner of Dexter Shoe Co., will reduce its asking price on the company’s vacant Water Street facility. Members of the local development corporation hope to secure at least one of the company’s vacant buildings as… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – Hoping to help low-income families in the Penquis region avoid financial crisis and bankruptcy, Penquis CAP will offer free financial education classes this year. The education classes are financially supported by the Piscataquis County Fund of the Maine Community Foundation. The foundation awarded… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – John Henderson of Dover-Foxcroft has announced his candidacy for House District 112. The Democrat seeks to represent Atkinson, Dover-Foxcroft, Parkman and Sangerville in Piscataquis County and Bradford in Penobscot County in a seat now held by James Annis, R-Dover-Foxcroft. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    DEXTER – Certified nursing assistants who have been working in the field for at least a year and who are listed in the Maine Certified Nursing Assistant Registry may sign up for a state-approved certified medication aide class that will begin Sept. 10. Participants in… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – The Young Entrepreneurs Society is having an open house from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, at the Penquis Community Action Program building, 50 North St. Aspiring entrepreneurs ages 12 to 15 in SAD 68 and their parents are invited to learn… Read More
    GUILFORD – Dr. Charles Lyons, University of Maine at Augusta president and vice chancellor of University College, will speak about changes in higher education in the Penquis region and throughout Maine at an Issues and Eggs breakfast May 15. The event, which will begin at… Read More
    What special evenings they will be when the Three Rivers Kiwanis Club holds its second annual variety show, “The Old Town Hall Tonight,” at 7 p.m. Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4, in the auditorium of the Milo Town Hall on Pleasant Street in Milo. Read More
    CHELSEA – Authorities were investigating an accident on Route 17 that killed a man. Alexander Cummings, 48, was driving east Monday morning when his car crossed the centerline, went off the road and struck a tree and a utility trailer, the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department… Read More
    BRADFORD – A 52-year-old Bradford man was killed when he lost control of the motorcycle he was riding and crashed Wednesday afternoon. Hubert Given died at the scene on the Storer Road near the LaGrange Road. Police said Given had passed a couple of cars… Read More
    PORTLAND – Maine Medical Center is enrolling patients in clinical trials of a procedure that sharply reduces clogging of heart arteries after angioplasties. Drug-coated stents are seen as a potential breakthrough in the treatment of heart disease. The devices kept arteries clear for six months… Read More
    PORTLAND – A federal judge on Tuesday sentenced a Peru man to 12 years in prison for a shooting incident that shattered a window and injured a neighbor. Jeffrey Stearns, 45, pleaded guilty in January to possession of a firearm as a felon. Stearns, who… Read More
    BROOKSVILLE – Approximately 30 residents turned out Wednesday night to hear what officials from the Maine Department of Transportation had to say about a proposed project to repair the Davis Narrows Bridge over the Bagaduce River. The narrows is the site of a reversing falls… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – Stan Richmond thinks the current zoning of the Birdsacre wildlife sanctuary is “ludicrous,” and he told the planning board so Wednesday night. Richmond, president of the sanctuary, was not critical of the board or the city but said it simply doesn’t make sense… Read More
    WELLS – Some residents fear that a water bottling company may threaten their wells. At least seven residents living close to the Northern Springs Inc. plant have had low or dry wells this winter. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
    PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – A Massachusetts man was being held after bolting from police, jumping a fence and sprinting across the runway at the Pease International Tradeport on Wednesday morning. Jonathan Snow, 24, of Hamilton, Mass., drew the attention of police when he parked his car… Read More
    ANDOVER – A Lewiston High School teacher who got lost in a snowstorm while hiking alone on the Appalachian Trail last weekend was rescued after spending two cold nights in the woods. Patricia Spilecki, 41, of Sabattus was spotted Tuesday evening by a Maine Warden… Read More
    The month of May is named for Maia, the Roman goddess of the fields and plants. Maia was said to be the daughter of Atlas, whose seven daughters are represented by the Pleiades, and the mother of Mercury. In medieval times, people went “a-Maying” on the first day… Read More
    There is an adage in the law that tough cases make bad law. That is so because cases that present close legal and common-sense calls necessitate razor-edge legal conclusions that are difficult to apply to other factual situations in other cases. The First Amendment freedom-… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – Compact swings and hard, line drives. That’s what Bucksport baseball coach David Gonyar is stressing to his team this year and that’s exactly what he got Wednesday afternoon as the Golden Bucks jumped on Ellsworth early and cruised to a 10-1 victory. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    After some less-than-exciting experiences in France and Germany, former University of Maine women’s basketball star Jamie Cassidy is happy to have another shot at playing professional basketball – back in the United States. Cassidy opened training camp Tuesday with the Detroit Shock of the WNBA. Read More
    Boys Big School (Classes A-B) 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
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    COLLEGE At Dennis Highlands GC 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
    The Houlton Police Association and the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office, are sponsoring a benefit basketball game, between its members and the Court Jesters Comedy Basketball Team, on Friday, May 10 at 7 p.m., at Houlton High School. Admission is $10 for adults, and no charge… Read More
    COLLEGE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE 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
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – Seth Gabarro’s three-run home run in the fourth inning proved to be the difference as he helped lead Foxcroft Academy to an 8-5 high school baseball victory over Dexter. Gabarro also singled twice and drove in five total runs. Josh Withee pitched a… Read More
    Back in 1998, Narraguagus High School in Harrington sent its 80 graduates in a variety of directions, just like every school does. Two of those grads landed at Bowdoin College in Brunswick. And four years later, those two – Casey Kelley and Nick Lyford –… Read More
    WORCESTER, Mass. – Simon Williams led off the eighth inning with a triple and scored on Joe Drapeau’s one-out single Wednesday, providing the winning margin in the University of Maine’s 5-4 baseball victory over Holy Cross at Fitton Field. Freshman righthander Greg Creek of Chelsea… Read More
    SEARSPORT – Senior Ashley Woodward fired a perfect game Wednesday, striking out 13, to lead Narraguagus of Harrington to a 5-0 victory over Searsport in a battle of high school softball unbeatens. The game was Woodward’s eighth career no-hitter and her third in five starts… Read More
    BANGOR – Women With Wings, the Bangor Women’s Singing Circle, celebrating nearly nine years of singing together, will present “Hand in Hand & Heart to Heart” at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Bangor, 120 Park St. Admission is by donation. Read More
    What’s your biggest spring chore this year? I like mowing the lawn. 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
    ORONO – For nearly a decade, aspiring journalists in Maine high schools have received instruction, encouragement and inspiration from the Maine Center for Student Journalism at the University of Maine. Its founding director, UMaine associate professor of journalism Kathryn Olmstead, will be honored by the… Read More
    BREWER – Nationally known recording artists Dave Mallett and Dan Seals will be the featured performers as the Brewer Middle School wraps up its 75th anniversary celebration this month. Maine native Mallett, considered one of folk’s finest singer-songwriters, has recorded 11 albums, including the recent… Read More
    BANGOR – Lt. Robert Welch of the Bangor Police Department was among those honored with a 2 Those Who Care Award from United Way of Eastern Maine and WLBZ 2. Welch routinely volunteers his off-duty time to worthy causes such as helping raise funds for… Read More
    ORONO – In an effort to identify soil erosion problems that could be harming water quality in Pushaw Lake, the Greater Pushaw Lake Association has started conducting a survey within the watershed. The purpose of the survey is to work with landowners and local governments… Read More
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    BANGOR – Penobscot Theatre Company will continue its 2002 season with Neil Simon’s comedy, “The Odd Couple.” It runs May 8-19 at the Bangor Opera House, 131 Main St. Half-price performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. May 8-9. Opening night is 8 p.m. Friday, May… Read More
    During Sunday’s Maine State Candlepin Open championship matches at Bangor-Brewer Lanes in Brewer, an observer remarked that the turnout of fans wasn’t as large as he had expected it to be. “Yeah, I know,” Charles Milan III responded. “If I were bowling, they would have… Read More
    ORONO – The Bangor Symphony Orchestra’s season finale is scheduled for 3 p.m. May 5 at the Maine Center for the Arts in Orono. Conductor candidate Uri Barnea, conductor of the Billings Symphony in Montana, will lead the orchestra’s performance of Beethoven’s “Ninth Symphony,” also… Read More
    Bangor To welcome the University of Maine’s new Center on Aging to the community, the Bangor City Council recently approved a resolution proclaiming May 1-4 as May Festival: A Celebration of Generations. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
    ORONO – The University of Maine Patrons of the Arts have recognized the contributions of Sandra and Ted Leonard with the Vincent A. Hartgen Award. The award honors “people whose efforts are beyond the normal call of duty,” said Leonard Minsky, chairman of the patrons. Read More