While forest fires in the West have captured the nation’s attention, a similar but less visible disaster has been wreaking havoc with East Coast trees: an arboreal broil caused by this summer’s record-breaking drought and high temperatures. From Georgia to New Jersey, extreme water shortages… Read More
Two proposals for how to evaluate mercury pollution in the Penobscot River have been filed in federal court, and this week U.S. District Court Judge Gene Carter must begin resolving the differing plans. Late last week, the Maine People’s Alliance in cooperation with the Natural… Read More
AUGUSTA – Panelists on an 18-member legislative task force quickly discovered Tuesday it would be nearly impossible to gauge the impact of a gambling casino in the state that doesn’t include the specific proposal submitted by Maine’s two largest Indian tribes. Setting aside concerns over… Read More
BANGOR – An inmate at the Penobscot County Jail was found dead in an observation cell early Tuesday morning less than 18 hours after another prisoner hanged himself at the facility. Bruce Hansen, 42, was discovered dead at 6:45 a.m. by jail officials, Penobscot County… Read More
A Tuesday story regarding the Monday suicide of a Penobscot County Jail inmate should have said that the last suicide at the jail took place in 1989, not 1985 as reported. The incorrect information was provided by the Sheriff’s Department. Read More
Following are petitions for bankruptcy filed at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Bangor: Richard Currier, truck driver, Sherrie Currier, laborer, no dependents, Houlton: assets, $1,310; debts, $36,492. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false;… Read More
BANGOR – The Maine International Trade Center has assembled experts in international marketing, finance and logistics for an Export 101 Seminar to be held in Bangor on Thursday. The seminar will provide critical trade information. Featured topics will include Incoterms 2000 and methods of payment. Read More
MILLINOCKET – After an ongoing difference of opinion with the editor, five staff members of the Katahdin Times weekly newspaper resigned Friday and began work on a competing publication this week. After the resignations, three reporters, the advertising manager and the office manager began work… Read More
Following are petitions for bankruptcy filed at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Bangor: Thad Grotton, bartender, Jennifer Grotton, aka Jean Gropton, bartender, three dependents, Rockland: assets, $83,923; debts, $127,033. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
The tragedy of Sept. 11 would not have happened if the commercial airline pilots had been armed. This summer the House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to arm the pilots. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
One of the more intriguing developments to come out of last week’s summit of New England governors and eastern Canada premiers was the decision to pursue the joining of the region’s electrical systems. Such a merger, all the leaders agreed, could advance cross-border cooperation and, the New England… Read More
Parents of college students and many students themselves will have noticed a painful hole in their bank accounts this month caused by tuition payments. Parents and generous relatives of students as yet too young for college but who are thinking they’d like to go someday, preferably without the… Read More
A few years ago my wife and I visited Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and Michigan, and were impressed with the development of the waterfronts of these cities; there are parks, paths and museums. Why can’t Bangor and Brewer do this? Bangor has made a great… Read More
Holden residents should have received their 2002-2003 property tax bills in the mail recently. I was shocked to see the 10.5 percent increase in the mil rate used to calculate taxes. With no changes in valuation, residents will see their property taxes increase by this amount. Read More
I am not surprised that the owners of the land that the Penjajawoc Marsh is located on have decided to cut off all public access to this area, nor am I surprised at the reactions of the bird-watchers. Beavers who were placed in this area… Read More
Sugar addiction is the No. 1 problem in America today. If you will look around you will see a lot of very fat people who were not there 10 years ago. People don’t gain 100 pounds or more by eating carrots and lettuce. Years ago… Read More
A class action suit was filed in 1996 in Pensacola, Fla., by retirees William Schism and Robert Reinhie who sought reimbursement of money withheld from their pay for Medicare and for future Medicare deductions. They welcomed attorney at law, Medal of Honor winner Col. George E. (Bud) Day. Read More
An editorial published Aug. 24-25 in the Bangor Daily News accused the AFL-CIO of getting the facts wrong on Sen. Susan Collins’ prescription drug record. Unfortunately, that editorial did not carefully examine the senator’s record on the most crucial prescription drug votes. The facts of the advertisement are… Read More
PITTSFIELD – The winner of last weekend’s $5 million top lottery prize has been to the Maine Lottery Commission in Augusta but has still not publicly revealed her identity. Rich Sperlazzi of the commission said, “The ticket has been filed in the system,” but added… Read More
WINTERPORT – Barring a last-minute hitch, demolition of the West Winterport Dam will begin Thursday. The head of a conservation group that wants to restore wild salmon to the Marsh Stream between Frankfort and Winterport said Tuesday the wrecking ball is scheduled to start swinging… Read More
DEER ISLE – Road conditions during a heavy downpour Tuesday morning are being blamed for the death of a New York man in a car accident, according to state police. Frank Lacatena, 33, of Utica, N.Y., was headed east on Sunshine Road around 11 a.m. Read More
PITTSFIELD – A Palmyra woman hadn’t spent the entire $50,000 jackpot she won in 1996 when she bought a Tri-State Megabucks ticket on Sunday. This time, Teresa Robbins, 37, won a much bigger prize – $4.8 million. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
HERMON – Two Bangor women were injured, one of them seriously, in a three-vehicle crash Tuesday at the intersection of Cold Brook, Odlin and Emerson Mill roads. Kathy Betts, 35, the driver of one of the vehicles involved in the crash, was taken to St. Read More
BOSTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is expected Thursday to add the Callahan Mine in Brooksville to its Superfund list, making way for federal funding for cleanup of the site. Although not unexpected, the announcement nonetheless will put the full force of the EPA… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Rusty Bell of Yankee Communications in Benton has a special reason for assisting Pittsfield police in tracking down a prankster who has been cutting into radio communications: He used to be a Pittsfield officer. Bell, who now installs, repairs and maintains police two-way… Read More
ELLSWORTH – The Hancock County Children’s Council will sponsor a four-week class called “Living With Toddlers” for parents and caregivers of children ages 12-36 months from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, starting Oct. 16, at Downeast Health Services conference room, 52 Christina Ridge Road. The… Read More
BREWER – Police in Brewer and Bangor had their hands full Tuesday sorting out what amounted to a van full of groceries, alcohol, clothes and comforters, a day’s worth of work for two alleged shoplifters. Authorities estimate the two women casually left stores in both… Read More
BANGOR – Like most communities in the state, Bangor is seeing a decrease in student population, Superintendent Robert Ervin said Tuesday. Enrollment districtwide has decreased by almost 100 students according to initial tallies, he told the school committee during his opening day assessment. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
OLD TOWN – The City Council on Tuesday gave a clear indication that it favored renovating the existing public safety building at the corner of Middle and Brunswick streets rather than moving the city’s fire department and rescue squad to another part of the community. Read More
BANGOR – The Bangor STD Clinic will end Thursday morning sessions on Sept. 5 and will hold those sessions from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, starting Sept. 11. Monday night clinics will continue to be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The clinic is still… Read More
BANGOR – The 6th District Masons in conjunction with the Grand Lodge of Maine will hold a Child Identification Program from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at Toys R Us in Bangor. The program is designed to aid parents and law enforcement… Read More
ORRINGTON – A Hermon teen suffered minor injuries when the car he was driving struck and broke a utility pole early Monday morning, police said. The 17-year-old, whom police are not identifying because the accident is still under investigation, was driving south on Fairwind Road… Read More
BAR HARBOR – The Town Council on Tuesday all but decided to take $120,000 from the general fund and delay $100,000 in capital improvements to stave off a 36 percent increase in sewer rates this year. If approved at the council’s next meeting, the plan… Read More
PITTSFIELD – The crime wave that Pittsfield police have been struggling with all summer continued overnight Tuesday with the burglary of the Pittsfield Ambulance garage at Sebasticook Valley Hospital. Three ambulance attendants were sleeping in the Leighton Street building when the burglary took place. According… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Ministers, school officials and hospital representatives met Tuesday night to plan the town’s Sept. 11 memorial at Hathorn Park. A temporary program was created which includes the national anthem, songs about peace, and prayers and words for the victims, their families, the rescuers,… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Communications problems between town councilors and the mayor caused at least two candidates to miss applying for the appointment to a vacant councilor seat Tuesday night and prevented the one candidate who showed up at the meeting from being considered. Dr. John Dow… Read More
CARIBOU – Carrie Horne of the National Alliance of the Mentally Ill of Maine will present “Issues in Childhood Mental Illness” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, at the Caribou Recreation Center. Topics to be covered include childhood mental illness, engaging the… Read More
CALAIS – A local man was charged with criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon after he allegedly pulled a loaded handgun on a bartender at a local pub. Michael Guidi, 25, was arrested at the Black Bear Pub and Restaurant, 24 North St., around midnight… Read More
CALAIS – Bangor Savings Bank says it will open a branch at 114 North St. The bank’s current facilities in Calais and Baileyville will discontinue operations on Friday. The new branch will open Monday. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
ADDISON – A detour starting Monday is planned for traffic headed to the Ada Batson Bridge on the East Side Road. Peasley & O’Halloran Construction said in a news release that traffic would be routed around the bridge over the Wescogus Road and Route 187… Read More
CAMDEN – The Select Board heard nearly 90 minutes of public comment Monday night as it nears a decision on two options for a new police station. The board wants to put one of the proposals, renovating the town-owned Payson building or building a new… Read More
BELFAST – Former Mayor Page Worth and Mayor Michael Hurley have had their political differences over the years, but the fight to save the footbridge across the Passagassawaukeag River is one battle they will wage together. Worth, Hurley and a spectrum of community leaders gathered… Read More
SEARSPORT – A Stockton Springs man was killed Tuesday morning when his passenger car was rear-ended by a lumber truck on Route 1 near Bay Engineering. When reached Tuesday night, Police Chief James Gillway said he was withholding the release of the man’s identity pending… Read More
CAMDEN – The juvenile host of a party where alcohol and drugs were used was arrested last week. Sgt. Rob Laite of the Camden Police Department said officers were summoned by neighbors about 10 p.m. Friday to a party at a home on William Glenn Drive. Officers found… Read More
ROCKLAND – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded a $31,500 grant to the Rockland Fire Department to buy a breathing-air compressor. The grant will be used to buy and install a high-pressure air compressor used to refill firefighters’ air tanks and will be the… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Womancare will receive $310,000 in rural development assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to build a new facility, it was announced Tuesday. U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins made the announcement that the advocacy organization received the funding under the USDA’s… Read More
GREENVILLE – Police expect that two 15-year-old girls will be convicted of criminal mischief in connection with the vandalism of flower boxes around Shaw Block last month. A reward offered by a resident for information on vandalism that has occurred in Greenville prompted a call… Read More
GUILFORD – The following enrollment courses will be offered through SAD 4 Adult Education beginning this month: Microsoft office in two parts, starting Sept. 9; substitute teacher training, starting Sept. 23; personal health care attendant, starting Sept. 9; hunter safety, starting Sept. 30; beginning computers,… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Piscataquis County commissioners were elated Tuesday to learn that they no longer have to sample monitoring wells at the Orneville landfill. The landfill, which was closed in 1994, is in very good condition, according to Theodore Wolfe of the Department of Environmental Protection. Read More
GUILFORD – Selectmen agreed Tuesday to close the solid waste transfer station next to the municipal garage no later than May 1, 2003. That date was included in a schedule of compliance submitted by the state Department of Environmental Protection and signed this week by… Read More
WASHINGTON – Workers laid off by Ansewn Footwear in Bangor are now eligible for federal retraining assistance, according to U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe. The Bangor shoe and leather products manufacturer announced in February that it would close, idling 65 workers. “Department of Labor certification of… Read More
ORONO – The University of Maine Alumni Association and the University of Maine Foundation are seeking interested people to serve as volunteers at the campus’s new Buchanan Alumni House. Volunteer ambassadors will welcome alumni, friends and visitors to the Buchanan Alumni House, which opened last… Read More
BUCKSPORT – The Bucksport Flotilla of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is offering a nine-week Boating Skills and Seamanship Course 7-9 p.m. Thursdays, starting Sept. 12, at Bucksport High School. The course covers basic boat handling, legal requirements, navigation rules, piloting, sailing and weather. Read More
CONWAY, N.H. – A Maine woman died from her injuries after a car slammed into a farm stand during the weekend. Effie Carr, 78, of Portland was injured Friday afternoon when a car hit Sherman’s Farm Stand. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
CUMBERLAND – Chebeague Island residents angered by fast-rising property taxes are exploring the possibility of seceding from the town of Cumberland. A group of residents has formed a committee called Save Our Island and set up a meeting this month with representatives from nearby Long… Read More
BANGOR – A former Bangor man charged with murdering his mother in Pennsylvania was indicted Tuesday on a charge of possession of heroin. On the same day that the Penobscot County grand jury indicted Michael “Gizmo” Melendez, 35, a judge issued an arrest warrant for… Read More
Recognizing that “following on the heels of September 11, this will be a hard year,” Dawn Edgecomb still hopes all goes well with the fifth annual Acadia Area ATVers’ Charity Ride, KISS 94.5 Christmas is for Kids campaign. “Last year, we raised more than $5,000,”… Read More
PORTLAND – An Auburn man who robbed four banks to feed his heroin addiction was sentenced Tuesday to seven years in prison. William Morgan, 32, used a chrome-colored air gun to steal more than $23,000 from banks in Augusta, Lewiston and Gardiner over a 26-day… Read More
Not long after the sixth season of MTV’s “Road Rules” started airing on the cable network, Piggy Thomas noticed a couple of Girl Scouts following her around the grocery store. During her three-month ride around Australia with five other people in a Winnebago, Thomas had… Read More
THE PESTO MANIFESTO – RECIPES FOR BASIL AND BEYOND, by Lorel Nazzaro, Chelsea Green Publishing Co., New York, 2002, paperback, 200 pages, $14.95. Basil has an ability to attract. Only the other day, as I was buying a couple of verdant bunches of the stuff,… Read More
The squirrels have nothing to fear from me. Whether it’s due to lack of ability or straight laziness, neither a picker nor gatherer am I. Every year as the northern Maine winters turn into spring then summer and finally fall, I watch the seasonal bounty… Read More
The Maine Humanities Council has been awarded a grant by the Belvedere Fund of the Maine Community Foundation that makes possible the continuation of the council’s popular free library reading and discussion series, “Let’s Talk About It.” These facilitated book groups will be held in 35 libraries in… Read More
Former University of Maine assistant captain Dan Kerluke is the new Bangor High School hockey coach and he is already looking forward to the challenge of his first coaching job. “It’s fantastic. I’m very excited about it. I’ve got practices already outlined,” said the 25-year-old… Read More
It was a memorable weekend for University of Maine men’s soccer coach Travers Evans. Just as he was to get into his rental car to follow the team bus Thursday for the season-opening Quinnipiac Classic (Conn.), his wife, Johanna, went into labor with the couple’s… Read More
HAMPDEN – The buzz around Hampden Academy’s preseason football camp this fall has centered around the emphasis on incorporating a legtimate passing game. New head coach John Sparacio has a long-range plan for his program, so he warns fans not to get overly excited early,… Read More
Winterport’s Mike Bordick hasn’t made any decisions about his future after this season. But there is bound to be interest in the record-setting Baltimore Orioles shortstop and former University of Maine star. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
ORONO – Saturday’s Maine-William & Mary football game will serve as Armed Services and Community Day at the University of Maine. By displaying a valid military ID, service personnel may obtain a ticket to the football game for $5. Local military agencies, in particular Army… Read More
COLLEGE Heather Hathorn 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
HOLE-IN-ONE Bill Albrecht googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i < slot_sizes.length; i++) { if (isMobileDevice()) { if (slot_sizes[i][0]… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL At Foxcroft GC, par 36 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
UMaine football fans can still purchase season tickets for the 2003 season through Friday. The reserved seats for the Black Bears’ five games at Alfond Stadium are $55 for adults and $40 for youth or senior citizens. That’s a savings of $5 for the five-game package. Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – After an early series of offensive missteps, the Presque Isle boys soccer team righted itself just in time to score a goal, gain the momentum and roll to a win Tuesday night. Trevor Graves scored two first-half goals and assisted on another… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – After an early series of offensive missteps, the Presque Isle boys soccer team righted itself just in time to score a goal, gain the momentum and roll to a win Tuesday night. Trevor Graves scored two first-half goals and assisted on another… Read More
DYER BROOK – Jon Porter was a little surprised when some of the players on his Southern Aroostook boys soccer team came to him last spring with a few unusual requests. They were asking for more practice – an indoor league over the summer, games… Read More
WASHBURN – Micah Laplante scored 8:27 into the second half to lift the Van Buren Crusaders to a 1-0 schoolgirl soccer win over the Washburn Beavers Tuesday. Laplante ran onto a bouncing ball in the penalty area and directed it into the net with her… Read More
WASHBURN – Micah Laplante scored 8:27 into the second half to lift the Van Buren Crusaders to a 1-0 schoolgirl soccer win over the Washburn Beavers Tuesday. Laplante ran onto a bouncing ball in the penalty area and directed it into the net with her… Read More
Bowen looks forward to challenge Wrestling in family’s blood as success has followed Brewer freshman
Justin Bowen is entering a whole new world. Six years ago, Bowen began working out on a wrestling mat with his father, Joe. Since then, Bowen the younger has rolled over the competition, picking up state and regional wins every step of the way. Soon… Read More
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Tara Bedard’s goal at 58:12 lifted the University of Maine to a 2-1 women’s field hockey victory over Indiana University Tuesday. Kristy Ferran assisted on the game-winning goal as Maine improved to 2-1 over 1-1 Indiana University. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More