PORTLAND – The state’s four gubernatorial candidates explored issues affecting Mainers from cradle to grave Friday night during a live 90-minute debate sponsored by WGME 13 television. Broken into two 45-minute segments focusing first on youth and family issues and, later, concerns voiced by Maine’s… Read More
When Gary Pelletier climbs into his late father’s 21-foot custom canoe, Big Red, and cradles a well-worn paddle in his hands, he doesn’t see the Allagash Wilderness Waterway’s pristine blue water and graceful birch groves. He sees ghosts. Draft horses walk through the middle of… Read More
NEW YORK – The country’s biggest health insurer has informed members of the senior citizens lobbying group AARP that it will reimburse them for prescriptions filled in Canada and elsewhere abroad. UnitedHealth Group Inc. sent a letter to the 97,000 people who purchased insurance with… Read More
A story about assessments in Rockland that appeared in some editions Thursday referred to a 54 percent increase in Dragon Products Co.’s property tax assessment. Dragon’s taxes on one of its waterfront properties in Rockland increased 22.9 percent and, on an adjacent parcel, 16.7 percent. Read More
I am very strong pro-choice and I am also supporting Mike Michaud for the Second Congressional District. I am a member of the Judiciary Committee, the committee that oversees most of the bills dealing with abortion. It is an important issue for me. I have talked with Mike… Read More
Democratic congressional candidate Mike Michaud has a four or five point lead in his 2nd District race and a growing communications problem. If he is to become Maine’s newest member of Congress he must find clearer responses to entirely predictable political questions. Republicans have made… Read More
In the days leading to the congressional resolution on war with Iraq, the White House persuaded many members with the argument that the greater the president’s authority to wage war, the less likely he will need to wage it. The possibility of pre-emption provides deterrence, the administration said,… Read More
The story (BDN, Oct. 1) about a new state program that helped immigrants receive bachelor degrees in math and science says that about 300 replacement teachers are needed every year and the immigrants will help fill that void. The article further states that after running out of money… Read More
Thank you for mentioning the two formal meetings on whether or not locals should vote yes to save Belfast’s footbridge, a deteriorating structure that is the subject of a referendum vote Nov. 5. The citizens group Friends of the Bridge will hold an open-house-like event from 2-7 p.m.,… Read More
I’m a loyal American citizen, but I tried to think how the foreign leaders would perceive the arguments Bush makes for pre-emptive strikes to protect national security because of the threat of weapons of mass destruction. It sounds reasonable, so I tried to see how it would apply… Read More
John Baldacci is a very good friend of mine and we have worked well together since 1994 when he went to Washington, D.C. as our congressman. He has been always attentive to the needs of federal employees and to the folks in Washington County. What’s more, he cares… Read More
State Rep. Patricia A. Blanchette, representing House District 119 (part of Bangor), was an important member of the Criminal Justice Committee the last two years. She is an ardent supporter of the judicial process and victim’s rights. No other legislator I have known has worked… Read More
The first thing about 96 percent of the world’s computer users see every time they go on-line is the Microsoft Internet Explorer MSN home page, a breezy mix of news, features ‘n fun. The first thing that vast majority saw this week – along with the secret for… Read More
“How about a baseball column?” asks long-time pen pal Carle Gray of Sullivan, a fan of the Atlanta Braves and one of the few old-timers I know who, in this electronic age, refreshingly continues to write actual letters. Always happy to accommodate a constituent, and mindful of the… Read More
Even frustrated Red Sox fans love October baseball. Remember how we felt when the World Series was cancelled in 1994? Bummed out, we blamed the greed of owners and players. Now consider this scenario: What if those owners had been the U.S. government and those… Read More
Habib Dagher is just giddy these days, even more than usual for the man who is a passionate advocate for increased investment in research and development as a conduit to a better economy. For the good part of a decade, the director of the University… Read More
BANGOR – It has been 10 years since Merrill Merchants Bank was founded as a community bank – 10 successful years, as far as Chairman William C. Bullock Jr. and President Edwin N. Clift are concerned. “It’s a success story not only that we’re proud… Read More
FORT KENT – Guarded optimism seemed to be the key words Friday about Kent Inc. and its financial problems, nearly four weeks after the company announced that it might close. “All avenues are being pursued as we speak,” Duane Walton, director of business finance at… Read More
CALAIS – A new border crossing at the area’s long-planned third bridge across the St. Croix River will have a separate travel lane for local commuters to ease congestion, a transportation planner says. Kevin Rousseau, planning specialist with the Maine Department of Transportation, told the… Read More
THOMASTON – Don’t even mention license plates. This showroom of prisoner productivity is all about furniture and crafts, nearly $2 million worth made in a year by some 145 inmates at the Maine State Prison, which was just around the corner for 178 years. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
BANGOR – Citing a potential distraction to voters, AARP officials on Friday said they would drop their challenge to Maine Republican Party television ads that they claim improperly suggested the seniors group “pulled its support” from 2nd Congressional District candidate Mike Michaud. “We are not… Read More
FRENCHVILLE – Helen Melvin’s try, try again attitude has made all the difference this year. The second-grade teacher at the Dr. Levesque Elementary School has been named one of five Maine teachers to win the 2002 Internet Innovator Award, including $30,000 in cash. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
PORTLAND – A Portland man was charged Thursday with manslaughter for giving a dose of prescription methadone to another man who later died of a drug overdose. A Cumberland County Grand Jury indicted Scott Darling, 40, in the death of Seth Jordan, 27, who was… Read More
WASHINGTON – The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service have named a Corinth woman to a newly created nationwide Taxpayer Advocacy Panel. Catherine Kelly, the only Maine appointee, will join 101 other volunteers on the new panel created to represent the concerns and issues of taxpayers to… Read More
Claiming he had had only nonalcoholic drinks Thursday night, a 19-year-old Houlton man nevertheless showed signs of intoxication and a breath test indicated he was intoxicated. Heading west on Union Street, Bangor police Officer James Dearing spotted a 1997 Ford Thunderbird approaching him near the… Read More
Kevin, 11, is a friendly, talkative boy who is trusting and open with people. Small for his age, Kevin has bright red hair and an infectious grin. A portrait of Kevin ran in the April 7, 2001, Maine-ly Children column but he is still seeking… Read More
BREWER – As part of its study of the reuse of the Calais Branch rail line, the Maine Department of Transportation this month is seeking comments from residents and business owners. Specifically, the DOT is completing the list of transit options to be studied during… Read More
BUCKSPORT – Town councilors have rejected a citizen-initiative proposal from the Maine Municipal Association that would provide $200 million in property tax relief. MMA has been seeking support from town officials around the state and urging them to provide volunteers to collect signatures on the… Read More
LAMOINE – A lobster pound owner appears to be sinking deeper into hot water over his wholesale operation in the shoreland zone on Seal Point Road. Selectmen decided Thursday to table action on a consent decree with Anthony and Josette Pettegrow, who also own the… Read More
BAR HARBOR – School officials expect a packed crowd of students and parents when they hold a public forum next Tuesday to discuss whether to prohibit underclassmen from driving cars to school. The forum begins at 7 p.m. in the Mount Desert Island High School… Read More
BELFAST – A Thorndike man was charged with aggravated assault after a Friday morning attack on a man he claimed assaulted his sister. Police Chief Allen Weaver said the assault took place at Duval Auto Service on Church Street at 8:30 a.m. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
OLD TOWN – Holy Family Catholic Church will hold a pancake breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 13. For information, call 827-2377. Read More
SHERMAN STATION – The SAD 25 board in its Wednesday meeting accepted a letter from Superintendent Charles Pease indicating that he will not seek a new contract when his current one expires in June 2003. Pease, who has been in the district since December 1999,… Read More
Madawaska District Court Cases Sept. 14-Oct. 10, 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… Read More
FORT KENT – The American Cancer Society’s Reach to Recovery program will offer women an opportunity for discussion by matching breast cancer survivors with women dealing with the disease. The program is meant to complement a woman’s relationship with her doctor by helping to point… Read More
GUILFORD – Weeks of undercover work by the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department paid off Friday with the apprehension of four adults and two juveniles who were allegedly involved in drugs. Josh Baird, 28, of Center Street was arrested for three counts of aggravated trafficking in… Read More
WINTERPORT – Extensive repairs will be made to Plummer Bridge, which carries Route 139 over Littlefield Brook just west of the Loggin Road intersection, over the next six months. The Maine Department of Transportation will be repairing the four wing walls on the sides of… Read More
BELFAST – Dr. Shelby L. Wilbourn, an obstetrician and gynecologist, has joined the medical staff of Waldo County General Hospital. He is board certified and specializes in complete obstetrical and gynecological care. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
WARREN – A driver was summoned for not wearing a seat belt after a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Route 90 and Beechwood Street. John C. Starrett, 21, of Washington was not wearing a seat belt when his 1990 GMC pickup was hit Monday… Read More
The Maine Federation of Republican Women will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the Bull and Claw, 2270 Post Road, Wells, for a luncheon. As a special feature, women from Portland and points north will be riding the 8:35 a.m. Amtrak train from Portland to… Read More
WHITING – Down East Hospice will conduct its sixth annual Celebration of Remembrance 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, at the Cobscook Quaker Meetinghouse. The event is designed to be a gathering of people whose lives have been touched by hospice, and an opportunity to pay… Read More
CALAIS – The Downeast Heritage Center is looking for a logo, according to its executive director, Marc Edwards. The center, which is being built on the banks of the St. Croix River, will house four major exhibit areas celebrating the Down East region’s natural and… Read More
AUGUSTA – Maine Initiatives, a grant-making foundation, is now seeking applications for grants in 2003. Maine Initiatives provides three-year grants of up to $40,000 for organizations cultivating economic, social and environmental justice at the grass-roots level in Maine communities. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
SEARSPORT – A new band will present a concert-dance for the public next week in a chem-free environment at the Lions Club Hall. The group, called Phatt Dog, announced plans for the concert, called “Bury the Bone,” last week. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
WARREN – The afternoon sun contributed to a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Western Road and Route 90. Richard J. Connolly, 53, of Waldoboro told Knox County sheriff’s Deputy James Monroe that the sun was a factor when he did not see the 1989… Read More
DEXTER – Officials from a Pennsylvania industrial business interested in operating in a Water Street facility that the town hopes to purchase made a return visit Wednesday. Town Manager Robert Simpson said the president and chief executive officer of the company, who asked not to… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Piscataquis County teachers are invited to attend a free workshop on forestry education at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District office. Participants will learn how forestry education fits into educational goals and receive a gift… Read More
BANGOR – A month into the new school year, the city’s teachers still don’t have a contract. The Bangor Education Association and the school committee have been unable to hammer out a new agreement, according to Cyndy Fish, chief negotiator for the approximately 375 teachers… Read More
MEDWAY – Town officials are seeking an extension on a $175,000 grant for a new town garage-fire station. Under the Public Facility Grant from the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development, the deadline for completing the project was Sept. 30. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
CAMDEN – The fate of the Apollo tannery property is likely to rest with the town early next week. But the owner of the dormant plant said Friday it could have been otherwise. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
WARREN – A male teenager was seriously injured Friday in a one-vehicle crash on Old Augusta Road, less than a mile from an accident where four youths were injured the day before. The 16-year-old male is not being identified at this time, Knox County Sheriff’s… Read More
BANGOR – Husson College will hold its annual homecoming activities on the Bangor Campus Saturday, Oct. 12. The schedule is as follows: . 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Campus Center – Craft Show. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
BANGOR – The Bangor Police Athletic League on Watchmaker Street will hold the following events during October: . 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16 – Backwards Olympics at the P.A.L. Center. Events, all of which must be performed backward, will include a timed obstacle course, long… Read More
MILFORD – Federal statute requires School Union 90 to locate, evaluate and identify all students with a disability ages 3-20 residing within its jurisdiction. Alton, Bradley, Greenbush and Milford residents who believe their child is in need of special education services, whether home-schooled, attending public… Read More
ROCKLAND – Rockland District Middle School is marking Month of the Young Adolescent to draw attention to the needs of 10- to 15-year-olds and the ways people can support them. Among activities at the school this month: googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
BIG MOOSE TOWNSHIP – The first hunting accident of the season in Piscataquis County occurred Friday when a local man was shot in the chin with a pellet from a 20-gauge shotgun. Alcide Daigle, 70, was taken by private vehicle to the Charles A. Dean… Read More
ROCKLAND – A District Court judge Thursday ordered a young husky be taken away from its owner, who was summoned by police last week for cruelty to animals. At the hearing, dog owner Sheila Rivera of Rockland gave up her right to own her pet,… Read More
Here is a very important request for volunteers that covers a very specific time frame and one, I hope, that some of our readers may be able to fulfill. Roberta Macko, director of volunteer services for Eastern Agency on Aging in Bangor, contacted me with… Read More
HERMON – Growing from 70 to 250 members in five years, the Hermon Baptist Church was feeling a little cramped inside. The 133-year-old congregation decided in June on a $500,000 expansion “because of the growing congregation, to provide [for the] recreational and social needs of… Read More
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has approved two separate National Emergency Grants totaling $608,972 to assist workers laid off by Great Northern Paper in Millinocket and East Millinocket and by Sanmina-SCI in Augusta. The $608,972 in funding, approved by the U.S. Department of… Read More
AUGUSTA – An open house will be held 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the Beals Hospitality House at Togus. The house, which is maintained by veterans organizations in Maine, is designed to provide temporary lodging for immediate family members of inpatients at the… Read More
LEWISTON – Somali leaders and Mayor Larry Raymond pledged Friday to work together to resolve friction after the mayor warned of a strain on resources if more Somalis moved to the city. They met behind closed doors, and Somali leaders said afterward they understand the… Read More
I have scraped, primed, painted, reshingled a roof, climbed tall ladders, nailed, torn down, built up, translated in a medical clinic, helped teach children, and mixed concrete by hand. I have been to upstate New York, Honduras and Eastport, to practice Christianity through service. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
SOUTHWEST HARBOR – Three fishermen were airlifted to safety Thursday evening by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew after abandoning their sinking vessel some 110 miles off the coast of Maine, a Coast Guard spokeswoman said Friday. A Coast Guard rescue swimmer was put in… Read More
ORONO – An impressive University of New Brunswick team almost crashed the University of Maine hockey team’s party. But 18-year-old freshman goalie Jimmy Howard won a terrific goaltending duel with UNB’s Gene Chiarello and Maine’s 29-goal scorer from last year, Colin Shields, scored the game-winner… Read More
Dr. Charles Kimball has been heading deep into the Maine woods to Caucomgomoc Lake since 1924. Or maybe it was ’25. He doesn’t remember exactly. He has spent plenty of time in the northwest corner of Piscataquis County, catching trout, hunting deer and birds, and… Read More
The football season is a long one, especially when a team plays five games in a six-game span on the road. The University of Maine, ranked No. 2 in the nation, takes to the road for the fourth time in five weeks today when it… Read More
BREWER – The Brewer Witches scored 35 points in the first half while the team’s “Black Hole” defense held the Mount Desert Island offense scoreless Friday night en route to a 35-6 victory at Doyle Field. “Winning homecoming and staying undefeated is one of the… Read More
BANGOR – This is the Bangor football team people expected to see this season. The defending Class A state champions won their fourth straight game, only this time they made it look easy as they totally dominated an undermanned Oxford Hills of South Paris squad… Read More
BUCKSPORT – One of his team’s finest traits, Foxcroft football coach Paul Withee believes, is its ability to keep an even keel no matter the opposition. But what if the team on the other sideline beat the Ponies by one point in last year’s Eastern… Read More
Greater Bangor ranks 52nd in the country and tops in Maine for good, affordable public golf, according to the November issue of Golf Digest magazine. The rankings of the 314 largest metropolitan areas were based on population, average cost, value, the magazine’s Places to Play… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL Pendale Invitational 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
COLLEGE At Farmington 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 East Machias 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 Jack Vose 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 – The University of Maine Black Bears let a 2-2 tie slip away as visiting Hartford scored two unanswered goals in the second half and pulled away for a 4-2 women’s soccer victory here Friday. Maine got off to an early lead as Kate… Read More
EASTPORT – Erika Brown scored two goals and Alicia Vose added a goal and two assists to carry the Woodland Dragons to a 4-2 schoolgirl soccer victory over the Shead Tigers Friday. Kaitlyn Leeman chipped in with a goal and an assist for the 9-3-1… Read More
HAMPDEN – Trainer Kapler and John Higgins each ran for a pair of touchdowns to lead the Hampden Academy Broncos to a 48-6 high school football win over the Old Town Indians Friday night. Broncos posted their first win. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Matt Barnett ran for two early touchdowns to help power the Stearns Minutemen to a 27-14 high school football victory over the Maine Central Institute Huskies Friday night. Quarterback Derek DiFrederico hit Anthony Arsenault with a 66-yard touchdown pass late to clinch the… Read More
The auto racing season is winding down but there will be two intriguing races this weekend. Pro stock drivers will try to add some bulk to their wallets at Unity Raceway on Sunday when the Long John 150 highlights a full card of racing. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
The Husson College women’s basketball team will take on a new look this season after nine of its 10 veteran players have opted not to return to the team. Second-year Braves coach Harold Williams confirmed that all but one of Husson’s veterans have left the… Read More
After the remains of Hurricane Lili blew through last Saturday and things settled down, Sunday turned out to be a blue ribbon day – one to get out and enjoy. The skies were clear, the air crisp and cool, the foliage turning but not peak. It seemed right… Read More
Ask nonresident sportsmen about hunting opportunities in the Pine Tree State and you’re sure to hear about the best moose herd in the contiguous United States. Big-bodied bucks with heavy racks and plenty of burly black bear are two more popular big-game drawing cards. Even our dependable grouse… Read More
Fall Canoe Trips Narraguagus River Trip, Oct. 12 (rain date Oct. 19), meet at Mooselook Guide Service in South Gouldsboro, 9 a.m. Cost is $40, participants bring their own lunches and should bring suitable clothing. Contact Jay Horschak at 963-7832 or 963-7544 or call Downeast… Read More
For the past seven years, interested sportsmen have spent a few valuable hours talking about issues of outdoors interest with some of the state’s outdoor leaders. That time is approaching again, as the eighth annual Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine Sportsman’s Congress is scheduled for Dec. Read More
The sighting of the American white pelican on the Penobscot River in September, which I wrote about in last week’s column, has captured a lot of attention. Since so many people have expressed interest in the bird, this week’s column will explore its life history in more detail. Read More
Editor’s Note: In Sound Advice, the first Saturday of every month, veteran NEWS entertainment writer Dale McGarrigle, former British music-press writer Adam Corrigan and a revolving stable of NEWS writers review new albums from across the musical spectrum. “Busted Stuff” (RCA) – Dave Matthews Band googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
There comes a day in every person’s life when the towel must be thrown in, officially. The weight has taken on frightening proportions. Breast reduction surgery is just too expensive. Dieting simply will not work. The situation has deteriorated too far for that. It is… Read More
When Gerry Williams studied home economics at the University of Maine, she was interested in fashion and clothing. She wanted to sew fancy dresses and stylish outfits. She took art appreciation courses and had an eye for design. The “home” part was the last thing on her mind. Read More
There’s a chill in the air, and if I want the birds to stop at my house on their way to Florida, the least I can do is provide a snack bar during their layover. Except there’s a problem, and his name is Murphy, aka… Read More
I send you this letter from my sojourn to the rolling wooded hills of western Pennsylvania. What a beautiful time of year to travel west on Route 2 to Vermont and along secondary state highways through New York and Pennsylvania. We drove along, not in a hurry, but… Read More