PORTLAND – A federal judge ruled Monday that the former owner of the now-defunct HoltraChem Manufacturing Co. plant in Orrington must pay for a study to determine the extent of mercury pollution in the Penobscot River extending all the way to Penobscot Bay. Depending on… Read More
An unaligned foundation that was free to expose poor or excessive health care practices anywhere in the state is closing later this week. The Manchester-based Maine Medical Assessment Foundation, which had an annual budget of more than $1 million, was unable to garner adequate local… Read More
FRANKLIN – An Ellsworth man is being called a hero for saving the life of a 16-year-old boy Monday while sacrificing his own. William O’Coin, 43, died Monday afternoon from asphyxiation in an accident at the University of Maine Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research, according… Read More
WASHINGTON – After rejecting several Medicare prescription drug benefit bills, the Senate struggled Monday with a compromise, endorsed by AARP, that could give both parties political bragging rights before the November election. Democrats lined up behind a scaled-back plan to help primarily low-income seniors and… Read More
BRUNSWICK – Passenger trains could start arriving in Brunswick from Rockland as soon as next year. The Maine Department of Transportation hopes to establish an active rail line on 56 miles of state-owned track between the two communities. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
SAINT JOHN, New Brunswick – The inaugural flight of the Pan Am Clipper Connection between New Brunswick and Maine and New Hampshire made its first scheduled run from Saint John to Bangor on Monday. More special guests than paying customers were on the flight, which… Read More
BANGOR – Rail World Inc. is willing to spend at least $50 million to buy Bangor and Aroostook System. But if the deal falls through, the consortium wants to make sure it will get paid $1 million in a deal “break-up” fee. Rail World, the… Read More
EASTPORT – The city’s international cargo port set a new record last week with a major pulp shipment to Asian ports. Last week, 40 Federal Marine Terminal Inc. longshoremen, working in two shifts, loaded more than 19,000 metric tons of pulp aboard the cargo ship… Read More
It is good to see Belfast City Manager Terry St. Peter’s penny- tax proposal get floated right now. It’s a reasonable proposal. With the newly formed commission to look at restructuring Maine’s tax systems, the idea is being raised at the right time to enrich popular discussion. Read More
Though it has been only seven months since the FBI and postal service redoubled their efforts and doubled the reward to $2.5 million in the search for information leading to the person who sent letters containing anthrax, it seems like a different time, or at least a different… Read More
On July 25, 1952, Puerto Rico was made a “free associated state,” or commonwealth, of the United States. Under that constitution, Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens (as they have been since 1917), they can serve in the U.S. military, but they can’t vote for president and have no… Read More
As a fully funded firefighter for the state of Maine, I recently took my first day without pay so I would not offend anyone else who also works for the state. How many more are in the wings? Despite the fact that we are 100 percent fully funded… Read More
In reference to the article (BDN, July 22), “High-tech world worrisome competition for county fairs,” by The Associated Press, datelined Barton, Vt.: I have worked a booth at several fairs each year for many years and am convinced that improving old-time fair attractions to so-called… Read More
On July 22 you published an Associated Press contribution related to a proposed toll road, and having emphasis on Gorham, the Maine Mall and commuter travel. For much of the past 17 years my avocational activity has had a heavy concentration on acquiring knowledge of… Read More
Is everyone in this area as sick of the constant assault on their ears of the rolling concerts on wheels as I am? It is bad enough to be briefly assaulted by passing vehicles. But the worst offenders are the ones who don’t even have the courtesy to… Read More
Merv Griffin has made millions producing the popular game shows “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy.” He should consider a new offering, “Today’s Demon.” Its contestants would include representatives of different professions, life styles, gender and ethnic backgrounds. Each would tell the audience how his or her willful pursuit… Read More
CARIBOU – Goldie Jordan, the 67-year-old woman found Sunday by searchers, was released Monday afternoon from a local hospital in good condition. Jordan had been in the Cary Medical Center since she was found Sunday shortly after noon after she was missing for four days… Read More
MACHIAS – The town manager said Monday that she was not aware that a blueberry herbicide had been detected in a sample from the town’s drinking water. “This is the first I’ve heard of it,” Town Manager Christine Therrien said. Edward Pellon, the chairman of… Read More
BAR HARBOR – Patients love the seemingly old-fashioned idea of a doctor taking the time to get to know them as individuals. Now a prominent geneticist argues that changing times means doctors should go beyond today’s standards for taking a family history. Advances in genetic… Read More
SOUTHWEST HARBOR – Three lobstermen were hurt Monday, one seriously, when their 35-foot boat collided with a 51-foot sailboat in Penobscot Bay, a U.S. Coast Guard spokesman said. The crash occurred at 11 a.m. in dense fog about three miles off the coast of Stonington,… Read More
AUGUSTA – A Perry seamstress failed to convince the Maine Human Right Commission on Monday she was fired from her job for “blowing the whistle” on electrical hazards in the workplace. In a 3-1 decision, the panel concluded Anna Pottle had not been discriminated against… Read More
BATH – From her seat at the defense table, Norma Small looked more like the grandmother she is than the calculating widow who the state contends hired a Waldo County petty thief and poacher to kill her husband nearly two decades ago. Small, 63, of… Read More
FAIRFIELD – The Mid-Maine Unit of the American Red Cross will hold a CPR and First Aid training class from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 1 and 24 at the Red Cross office. Both classes include instruction on adult, child and infant CPR with… Read More
BANGOR – Former Bangor High School soccer standout Katherine “Katie” Woodcock was released from an area hospital Monday evening, only a day after she was released from intensive care after a car accident Friday. Woodcock is the daughter of attorney Tim Woodcock, former Bangor mayor… Read More
BANGOR – Bangor Gas Co. will hold an informational meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, at the William S. Cohen School at 304 Garland St. to discuss plans for continued construction of a new natural gas distribution system. Officials from the company will discuss… Read More
BANGOR – A former University of Maine employee was sentenced to repay $40,000 after a judge found her guilty of embezzling that amount from the university over more than 21/2 years. Joan Bouchard, 40, of Milford also was sentenced to two years in prison with… Read More
ENFIELD – The new Doane Senior Citizen Center was officially dedicated Monday, thanks to the generosity of an Enfield couple who spent more than $160,000 to have it built. At the new center, dozens of area seniors, municipal officials and Rep. Rod Carr, R-Lincoln, gathered… Read More
ELLSWORTH – A Penobscot man was seriously injured after the station wagon he was driving was involved in a head-on collision with a septic truck Monday morning. Basil Bowden, 70, was driving his 1996 Ford station wagon east on Route 172 just before 11 a.m. Read More
NEWPORT – A fish way that will allow passage around the North Street Dam at the outlet of Sebasticook Lake is planned for completion this fall. Bids for the project will be opened Thursday afternoon and, if all goes according to plan, sea-run fish could be swimming upstream… Read More
PITTSFIELD – A recent attempt by the owners of a Pittsfield apartment building to obtain a permit to add a third apartment turned into a pingpong game, with the couple being bounced back and forth between the zoning board, the code enforcement officer and the board of appeals. Read More
PITTSFIELD – The Pittsfield Public Library will host a special children’s performance at 6:30 p.m. today at the library. The program by the Open Book Players features Readers Theatre adaptations of children’s books by Maine authors. Books to be presented are “Winter Waits and Spring’s… Read More
PITTSFIELD – The Pittsfield Public Library will hold a book signing from 3 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, when Harry Sylvester of Albion will sign copies of his book, “Legacy of the Blue Heron: Living with Learning Disabilities.” Sylvester will also discuss how and why he came… Read More
EXETER – A 14-year-old boy was seriously injured Monday and airlifted to a Bangor hospital after he fell off an ATV and struck his head on gravel. The boy, whose name was not released Monday night, wasn’t wearing a helmet and suffered a substantial head… Read More
CALAIS – A groundbreaking ceremony for the Downeast Heritage Center will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 5, on the waterfront of the St. Croix River. U.S. Sen. Susan Collins will deliver the keynote address. Other speakers will be Gov. Angus King, U.S. Rep. Read More
PORTLAND – State Rep. John Michael, an independent candidate for governor, returned to the airwaves Monday to defend his use of a racial epithet on a radio talk show last week. Appearing on WMTW’s “Early Edition,” Michael said he used the derogatory word for a… Read More
HOULTON – Sixteen people living in a boarding home were evacuated early Monday morning as local firefighters fought a fire in an adjacent, uninhabited building. The boarders were allowed to return to their home after the fire was put out after 6 a.m., according to… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Carter will be present Tuesday, Aug. 6, for the opening of his local field office. He will also attend a “Listening Tour” forum that day. The field office is located at the Northeastland Hotel, 436 Main St. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
MARS HILL – Morphine patches used for patients with severe pain were stolen from the Mars Hill Pharmacy during the early Sunday morning hours. The burglary happened at about 3:30 a.m., Chief Deputy Craig Clossey of the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department said. There was no… Read More
PALMYRA – The town wants to make residents aware of a detour on the Raymond Road due to road construction through Aug. 3. Residents are asked to avoid the road if possible. Homeowners need to watch for detour signs and try to keep traffic to… Read More
BANGOR – A high-speed car chase involving a Prospect Harbor man with a stolen Volkswagen lasted several miles but ended peacefully Sunday afternoon. Police had noticed the red car driven by Derrick Sack, 22, moving erratically through traffic and at a high rate of speed… Read More
BANGOR – An Etna woman pleaded innocent Monday to charges that she intentionally set a fire that that gutted much of her Route 2 home. Paulette Schmidt, 50, entered the plea in Penobscot County Superior Court, where her bail was set at $500 cash. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
BANGOR – Two men charged with a rash of home invasion burglaries in the area were sentenced Monday in Penobscot County Superior Court. Steven Robichaud, 29, of Hudson and Scott Ouellette, 20, of Glenburn will serve 18 months and nine months behind bars, respectively, for… Read More
PORTLAND – Longtime Republican financier Robert Monks said Monday that he is supporting Democratic Senate candidate Chellie Pingree in her race against Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Monks said he supports Pingree because he thinks the best chance for passing corporate reform laws is to have… Read More
BREWER – After months of remodeling, the much-anticipated opening of the Muddy Rudder is set for tonight. The 230-seat waterfront restaurant officially opens for dinner at the site of the former Harborside restaurant, just off the Joshua Chamberlain Bridge. The site offers views of the… Read More
BANGOR – A 32-year-old Indian Island woman will spend 18 months behind bars after a judge sentenced her Monday for torching an Orono trailer from which she had been evicted. Wendy Reed, a single mother of three children, was sentenced in Penobscot County Superior Court… Read More
BANGOR – A maintenance worker in the city’s school department killed himself early Monday morning in a pickup truck parked outside his Court Street workplace. Edwin Lowell, 39, was rushed to Eastern Maine Medical Center shortly after 6:30 a.m., when police officials found him on… Read More
LINCOLN – A veterans service officer from the Department of Defense will be at the Lincoln District Court office from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Aug. 8 and 22, to assist veterans, widows and their dependent children in filing for state and federal benefits. Read More
MILLINOCKET – A veterans service officer from the Department of Defense will be at the Millinocket District Court office from 9 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Aug. 1, to assist veterans, widows and their dependent children file for state and federal benefits. Read More
LINCOLN – U.S. Rep. John Baldacci announced Monday that a $25,000 grant was awarded to the town of Lincoln to redevelop the downtown area. The funding, made available through the Economic Development Administration, will be used to help implement Lincoln’s redevelopment program in response to… Read More
BELFAST – A Searsport man was in jail Monday after being arrested early Saturday on charges of intentionally striking another man with a car. Alton Lane, 23, is being held at Waldo County Jail on $25,000 cash bail on elevated aggravated assault and operating a… Read More
ROCKLAND – A Knox County Superior Court judge has backed the state’s decision not to renew a Rockland day care license. In December 2000, the state Department of Human Services would not reissue a license to Colleen Hupper, owner of Something Extra Day Care in… Read More
Belfast District Court Cases July 8-19, 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 () { // Define Slot… Read More
ROCKLAND – After deliberating Monday for a special session, the Knox County grand jury indicted a Rockland man on drug charges. Donald Pierce, 54, was indicted for unlawful trafficking in marijuana, cultivating marijuana and forfeiture of cash, savings and certificates of deposit totaling almost $200,000. Read More
CAMDEN – Dr. Lois Berg Stack will lead a walk through Merryspring Nature Park and Learning Center at noon Tuesday, Aug. 6. Participants will see lawn alternatives, including several groundcovers, which can offer seasonal interest, erosion control, texture and color to landscape. Stack has been… Read More
BELFAST – The Waldo County Democratic Committee will meet at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9, at Harbor Hill Healthcare at 33 Footbridge Road. All Democrats and friends are invited to the meeting and to the social period at 6:30 p.m. Bruce Cole, a progressive Democrat… Read More
BELFAST – Two benefit events for the nonprofit Vicky E. Morgan Foundation have been scheduled for Friday. A craft show will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, at Redman Hall, across from Camden Bank. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
MACHIASPORT – Constance Roth was recently designated a registered professional reporter by the National Court Reporters Association after completing a comprehensive testing process. Roth, an official court reporter for the state of Maine, free-lances in Washington and Hancock counties and has been reporting for a… Read More
Machias District Court Cases June 1 to 30, 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
CAMPOBELLO ISLAND – Margaret Wheatley, author of the business best-seller “Leadership and the New Science” and other books, will join Lighthearted Productions women’s retreat on Campobello Island from Aug. 6 to 9. Wheatley will participate in several workshop conversations during the four-day retreat and at other Down East… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – To assist veterans, widows and their dependent children file for state and federal benefits, the Department of Defense has announced times that a representative will be available around the area. The representative will be at the Penquis Community Action Program at 50 North… Read More
BELFAST – An afternoon chat with former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell and U.S. Rep. John Baldacci will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18, at Jed’s Restaurant. The price of $25 per plate includes a light buffet and a chance to meet local Democratic candidates. Read More
What great news Natalie Knox brings everyone associated with Searsport District High School. Just the fact that the $2 million addition to SDHS is now under way, “thanks to many private donations, the largest of which came from a $600,000 matching grant from MBNA,” Knox… Read More
SOUTH PORTLAND – Doug Hussey has always wanted a dog, but his new black Labrador is more than a great pet. Hussey is the new owner of Albert, the first service dog to graduate from training in Maine. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
WATERVILLE – Cheryl Johnston’s diabetes got so bad last fall she had to quit her job as a dialysis technician. Her vision deteriorated to the point where she could no longer drive or read normal-sized text. Johnston, 55, is not alone. She is one of… Read More
PORTLAND – Colin Hampton, the former Unum Corp. CEO who orchestrated the disability insurer’s groundbreaking switch in 1986 from mutual ownership to a stock company, has died at age 79. Hampton died July 24 in Amelia Island, Fla., after heart surgery. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
AUGUSTA – Maine forest officials bracing for the arrival of a voracious insect called the hemlock woolly adelgid are taking steps to protect hemlock stands across the state. The effort has received much attention, but it’s not the only threat to Maine’s $2.5 billion forest… Read More
SANFORD – A dozen people from the Sanford area are headed to the east African nation of Tanzania to build an orphanage. David Stanton of Waterboro, who organized the trip, said the Tanzanian government has donated 20 acres of land overlooking Lake Victoria for the… Read More
PORTLAND – Maine’s property tax relief program isn’t keeping pace as property taxes continue to grow. When inflation was taken into account, Maine’s circuit-breaker program paid out less money in 2001 than it did in every other year since 1997, according to an analysis by… Read More
No other swing was as comfy as Aunt Stelle’s: a long, dark green wicker one hung from a porch ceiling 12 feet high. How I loved swinging on it during daytime under the shade of oak trees, or sleeping on it at night before she called me in… Read More
Flywing. Eggplant. Champagne. Peacock. Ingredients in some witch’s mysterious brew? Hardly. They are but a few of the terms used to describe the hues of Tahiti’s impressive and precious jewel of the sea, the black pearl, also known as Poe Rava. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
Dear Jim: We seem to have water shortages every summer and my water-sewage bills keep increasing. Are there any methods or kits available to use household greywater to water the lawn and other landscaping? – Mike M. Dear Mike: Reusing greywater in homes is becoming… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – The Historical Pavilion at the Northern Maine Fair has received a $1,000 grant from the Aroostook County Fund of the Maine Community Foundation. The grant is for the expansion and development of the Historical Pavilion, including new banners for all historical participants, awards, and a… Read More
Six people who carved their own special niche during their time at the University of Maine and brought considerable recognition to the school will be inducted into the institution’s Sports Hall of Fame on Oct. 25. Two of them, former 17-year Black Bear hockey coach… Read More
It would appear that the best opportunity for the Boston Red Sox to make the American League playoffs is via a wild card berth. Entering Monday night’s play, the Red Sox were just one game behind Anaheim and Seattle in the wild card chase and four games behind… Read More
While many stations have phased out radiothons as a way of providing local services and benefiting local charities, Bangor all-sports station WZON (620 AM) is maintaining a link with radio’s roots. Monday, Aug. 5 marks WZON’s ninth annual Jimmy Fund Radiothon, a 12-hour charity benefit. Read More
What began as a 126-golfer field was pared to 40 as Chris Bixby of Portland, Ronald Kelton, and David Gushee all emerged from the first day’s action at the Maine Junior Championships at the head of their respective packs. In the ages 15-17 division, Bixby,… Read More
HOLE-IN-ONE Arthur Schlosser 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 Fort Knox Bay Festival 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
LAUREL, Del. – Lisa Belances hit two singles to help lead a Massachusetts team by the Hampden All-Stars in the ages 11-12 Eastern Regional softball tourney Monday. Michelle Wells scattered four hits and struck out six for the All-Stars from Hampden, Newburgh and Winterport representing… Read More
Sox, Orioles set poor example by fighting I just finished reading about the Red Sox-Orioles game in which Boston pitcher Derek Lowe intentionally hit an Orioles batter after Boston slugger Manny Ramirez was hit by a pitch earlier in the game. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More