MILFORD – In the moment between day and night, woodcock dart through the purple sky with a frantic rustling of wings. This brief, frenzied flight is probably the only time you’ll see these odd little residents of the Maine woods. Woodcock are essentially shorebirds that… Read More
PORTLAND – Sharp differences on foreign and domestic policy were highlighted Saturday when Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins and her Democratic challenger Chellie Pingree held their first face-off. The debate took place before a near-capacity crowd at Portland High School Auditorium and was televised live… Read More
ORONO – The fact there still are no takers for the $25 million bounty on Osama bin Laden more than a year after the terrorist attacks on this nation suggests that there could be an even larger incentive for not disclosing the whereabouts of the elusive al-Qaida leader,… Read More
A State page story published Saturday about a workers’ rights rally in Bangor incorrectly reported that protesters were criticizing U.S. Sen. Susan Collins for opposing worker-friendly amendments to the North American Free Trade Agreement. In fact, they were protesting her stance on “fast track” trade… Read More
WATERVILLE – Free-trade agreements and corporate greed were blamed for the closing of the C.F. Hathaway Co. shirt factory during a rally at the central Maine plant. The AFL-CIO organized Saturday’s rally as part of a tour of dying manufacturing sites in Maine. Production had… Read More
AUGUSTA – Maine’s unemployment rate rose by 0.1 of a percentage point in September, but still remained well below the comparable national rate for the month, the King administration said. Last month’s 4.1 percent jobless rate was 0.2 of a percentage point lower than Maine’s… Read More
It seems like a girl can’t even get respect from out-of-state lingerie shops anymore. A Bangor consumer, let’s call her “Ms. S,” wrote Forum complaining that “unmentionables” she had ordered from a California company had not yet arrived even though several months had passed since she placed the… Read More
The board of directors of The First Universalist Church in Rockland (Unitarian-Universalist) passed the following statement concerning the current debate about military intervention in Iraq at its meeting on Oct. 8: “We are opposed to any preemptive or unilateral military strike on Iraq. We support… Read More
Despite a shaky economy and a looming state-budget deficit, Bangor finds itself now with opportunities that took years to develop – new businesses such as the wood-composite facility announced last week, arts events and a new arts museum, steady progress on the waterfront. Bangor city councilors are considering… Read More
Lobster traps can catch yachts as well as lobsters. It can happen when the helmsman runs his boat over a potwarp, the line that runs from a plastic lobster buoy down to one or more traps on the ocean bottom. The worst case is when the line wraps… Read More
What is it that we have done wrong here at the Old Town mill to deserve such heartless treatment? We were asked to work more safely and with the help of the safety committees and each and every one of us watching for each other we are now… Read More
Two years ago I was escorting John Baldacci around the Piscataquis Valley Fairgrounds. As we moved through the cattle sheds, we came upon a woman and a young girl grooming a goat. He pulled up a box and sat down to have a chat. It appeared as if… Read More
I have watched so many of Kevin Raye’s attack ads that I wonder if after spending all that time in Washington, D.C., he even knows how to do an income tax form. Social Security benefits have been taxed for some time on the federal level… Read More
The high cost of prescription drugs has prompted retaliatory legislation spearheaded by U.S. senatorial candidate Chellie Pingree and endorsed by the U.S. 2nd District congressional candidate Mike Michaud. Their “prescription” doesn’t address the cause of high prices and has potentially grave consequences. Most would agree… Read More
Jonathan Carter’s new gubernatorial ad has caused quite a bit of controversy. He is being accused by many individuals and groups for ethnically slurring Italian-Americans because he ran an ad that parodies “The Sopranos.” I would be curious to know how many people who have voiced their discontent… Read More
In 1992, aides to presidential candidate Bill Clinton kept a note tacked to the wall that reminded them to stay close to the issue most on voters’ minds: “It’s the economy, stupid!” Although America’s attention in 2002 is also focused on threats to our security, there is once… Read More
I am writing in response to the story, “Legislators cool to UMS fund hike” (BDN, Oct. 10). I particularly would like to address the statement made by state Rep. Richard Nass, R-Action, who “… wondered why [Chancellor Joseph] Westphal hadn’t considered ‘more draconian’ measures to allay tuition hikes…,”… Read More
For the last decade, Mainers have suffered under some of the fastest- growing medical costs in the nation. Candidates for this fall’s races, therefore, are pushing reform plans of their own, and many are pushing single payer, or variations thereof, as the answer to our health care prayers. Read More
LEE – Jeff Wright, Lee Academy’s admissions director, is on his third trip to Asia, looking for potential students. For the next two weeks, Wright will meet with students, their parents and education consultants in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore. Most of… Read More
HOULTON – The Border Patrol arrested a Virginia man sought in two fatal New York shootings after a 22-mile chase that ended Sunday morning on Interstate 95. Roberto Carlos Mayen, 35, of Woodbridge, Va., was taken into custody at 7:30 a.m. Sunday after the Border… Read More
ORONO – Forestry is, at its core, a social concern, according to academics from New England and Atlantic Canada who led a conference on forestry in the Acadian region this weekend at the University of Maine. All five keynote speakers faced the reality that northern… Read More
BELFAST – The old salts of Belfast on Sunday salvaged the Willow Anne from a watery grave. The 47-foot-long ketch sank Saturday night after 4-foot swells caused it to rub against its float and wore a hole in the side of the wooden planking. Witnesses… Read More
ORONO – Whining chain saws, flying sawdust and the smell of freshly cut wood were the order of the day on Saturday when the University of Maine held the National Game of Logging chain saw skills competition. Now in its ninth year, the contest was… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – When Paul Bradeen opened his bill this spring for the echocardiogram he had in March, he thought Mayo Regional Hospital had made a mistake. The jaw-dropping bill for the exam – the same procedure he had in 1999 and 2000 at the hospital… Read More
PATTEN – The Katahdin Valley Health Center will sponsor the Patten-Island Falls area blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28, at the Methodist Church, Route 159. There will be random drawings for prizes. Read More
FORT KENT – The Fort Kent Recreational and Parks Department will hold a Halloween crafts workshop from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the Fort Kent Municipal Building, West Main Street. The event is geared for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. The… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Police suspect two juveniles are behind a rash of thefts from unlocked motor vehicles that occurred between 2 and 4 a.m. Saturday in the Micmac housing complex. Compact discs and compact disc players were reported missing from some of the 12 vehicles… Read More
DETROIT – The committee for the town’s 175th birthday will meet at 7 p.m. today at the Detroit Town Hall. Read More
Ellsworth District Court Cases July 15-Sept. 15, 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
ELLSWORTH – A Maine Driving Dynamics course will be offered from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18, and Wednesday, Nov. 20, at Ellsworth High School. The course covers crash avoidance techniques in everyday driving situations shown through films, classroom discussion and lectures. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
BLUE HILL – The Bay School Parents Association will hold its 19th annual Winter Fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, in the gym at George Stevens Academy. The fair will feature merchandise… Read More
BAR HARBOR – The Abbe Museum will hold a series of informal conversations with Wabanaki leaders, beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, when Chief Barry Dana of the Penobscot Nation discusses why American Indian tribes are advocating for casinos in Maine. The series is… Read More
BLUE HILL – The Blue Hill Historical Society will hold its annual meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29, at the Blue Hill Public Library. A talk titled “Long Before Columbus! Archeology of Coastal Maine,” will be given by guest speaker Dr. Rick Will. The… Read More
ELLSWORTH – The Union River Watershed Coalition will be host for a Watershed Festival and mercury thermometer exchange from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Ellsworth Middle School. The festival will feature presentations about low-impact household and lawn care, responsible recreation, invasive… Read More
ELLSWORTH – Health-Link, the Wellness Center of Maine Coast Memorial Hospital, has scheduled flu shots at several locations for residents of Ellsworth and surrounding communities. The flu shots cost $5 and can be billed directly to Medicare and Medicaid. The shots will be offered at… Read More
BAR HARBOR – A study committee has recommended that the town raise money through parking and service fees to stabilize revenue and slow the growth of the property tax. “It’s not like this community is spending a ton of money,” Town Councilor Robin Weir said… Read More
A Mount Desert Island man was charged after a brief chase involving Bangor and Brewer police and a car reported stolen in Bar Harbor. The gray 1994 Honda Accord driven by Michael Acosta, 20, of Otter Creek on MDI wound up in a wreck Saturday… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – A newly formed group called Citizens for a Free and Democratic Dover-Foxcroft has adopted a plan that includes a major public relations effort. Eighteen residents attended a meeting on Thursday to discuss ways to create a more efficient and effective town government, to… Read More
GUILFORD – The authors of two books on canoe making will make guest appearances at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 14, at the Guilford Memorial Library. Joe Seliga of Minnesota, author of “The Art of the Canoe,” and Jerry Stelmok of Atkinson, author of “Building the Maine… Read More
GREENVILLE – Selectmen were disappointed to learn last week that the Piscataquis County commissioners will not contribute to the town’s sand-salt pad construction costs. From discussions last year with commissioners, town officials were under the assumption that county officials had committed to one-third of the… Read More
BELFAST – The third annual Violence Prevention and Children Conference will be held Friday, Oct. 25, at the University of Maine Hutchinson Center. The conference will consist of a series of workshops on preventing violence as well as a keynote address by Timothy Wilson, director… Read More
Rockland District Court Cases Sept. 30-Oct. 11, 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
BELFAST – Tears mingled with beer on Friday as friends and family packed Rollie’s Cafe to share memories of former owner Reggie Jenness, who died in his sleep last week. The 74-year-old Jenness was a legend at Belfast’s famous watering hole. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
CARMEL – The Carmel Historical Society will be open by appointment until further notice. For more information, call 848-7468 or 848-3331. Read More
LINCOLN – Lincoln is experiencing an economic boost stemming from seven new and expanding businesses and record sales of residential shorefront property, according to town officials. This small community of 5,200 residents has seen more commercial development this summer than it has in the last… Read More
HAMPDEN – A spaghetti supper and auction will be held to benefit Kristin Ready Lessard from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at the VFW Hall, 41 Canoe Club Road. Donations are $5 for adults and $3 for children. The auction will immediately follow… Read More
BANGOR – Though the weather Saturday wasn’t what organizers had hoped for, downtown’s fourth annual Octoberfest did not disappoint the hundreds who stopped by to hear music, sample beer and bratwurst or take a turn in the bounce house. “It’s really been excellent – we’re… Read More
LEWISTON – Police in Lewiston and Auburn have taken creative approaches to preventing domestic violence, and in Auburn, their efforts have drastically reduced the number of incidents. Steps taken by the two cities have earned plaudits from the Abused Women’s Advocacy Project, which counsels battered… Read More
WELLS – A single-vehicle rollover crash Saturday left one person dead and another injured, police said. Police said both victims were women, but did not release any names. The injured woman was taken to Southern Maine Medical Center in Biddeford, then transferred to Maine Medical… Read More
Members of the First United Methodist Church of Brewer first participated in Operation Christmas Child last year, filling approximately 125 shoe boxes with school items and toys to be sent all over the world. That program is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian relief… Read More
AUGUSTA – The Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices has refused to reverse its decision denying a South Portland legislative candidate Clean Elections matching funds. Democrat William Collins, who is challenging the incumbent, Republican Rep. Kevin Glynn, based his matching funds request on… Read More
Activists and civil libertarians say snapping cameras and whirring camcorders at demonstrations intimidate people who disagree with the government, and should be regulated by the state. Activists also say collecting information on tape or film reminds them of government excesses during the 1960s, when demonstrators… Read More
GARDINER – A local couple in their 80s died after an accident on Route 201 during the weekend. Police said Calvin Alexander, 83, his 84-year-old wife, Civilla, both died at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston several hours after the accident Saturday morning. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
BANGOR – President Bush is scheduled to appear at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Hangar 12 at the Bangor International Airport. Bush will be rallying support for Republican candidates, including Sen. Susan Collins, gubernatorial candidate Peter Cianchette and House candidates Kevin Raye, running in… Read More
MILLINOCKET – A New Hampshire pilot forced to make a crash landing early Saturday at Millinocket Municipal Airport escaped unharmed and without spilling a drop of fuel. Federal Aviation Administration officials are investigating the accident, according to authorities. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
PORTLAND – Long-distance running helped Bernd Heinrich develop and refine his theories about evolutionary traits that make it possible for some humans to essentially run faster prey such as antelopes into the ground. The 62-year-old University of Vermont biology professor was not, of course, chasing… Read More
GRAY – A motorcyclist was killed Sunday when his bike went off the road in front of his house and hit a tree, state police said. William Anketell, 66, was dead at the scene of the 11:10 a.m. accident. Anketell was riding too fast around… Read More
WATERVILLE – Waterville was getting the best of Bangor during Saturday’s Pine Tree Conference football showdown at Drummond Field. Bangor quickly blew away that edge. The Rams scored nine points in a span of two minutes in the third quarter, snatching the momentum on their… Read More
BANGOR – For the two large school champions at Saturday’s soggy Penobscot Valley Conference cross country championship meet, the importance of coming away with victories could not be overstated. The Hampden Academy girls, who had all their runners healthy for the first time in weeks,… Read More
ORONO – Twelve years of frustration ended for University of Maine field hockey coach Terry Kix Sunday. Senior forward Tara Bedard of Skowhegan converted a pass from Winslow sophomore left midfielder Amie Dubois with 4:34 left in the first overtime as the Bears stunned nationally… Read More
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Maine senior captain Chris Heisten is more familiar than any Black Bear with the travel grind associated with getting to Alaska. After scoring with 1:25 left in the game to ice fifth-ranked Maine’s 4-2 win over host Alaska Anchorage in the finale… Read More
VASSALBORO – Just as soon he was handed the trophy for winning the Class C state golf individual championship Saturday, Jonathon Smith bolted through the jam-packed clubhouse at Natanis Golf Club and out the door. The Calais junior, it seems, was in a state of… Read More
BRUNSWICK – Brewer High School senior Ian Robinson won the USTA New England adult open tennis tournament at Maine Pines in Brunswick Sunday. The 17-year-old never lost a set as he won his semifinal match 6-1, 6-2 over Boonthai Singcharen of Lewiston and his finals match 6-2, 6-3… Read More
KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii – Tim DeBoom of Lyons, Colo., became the first man to repeat as Ironman Triathlon World Champion since 1993 with an overall time of eight hours, 29 minutes, 56 seconds after completing the swimming, cycling, and running portions of the competition. DeBoom came from behind to… Read More
David Herr of Canaan, Vt., and Kim Pursley-Goff of Gilford, N.H. captured titles at the first Mount Desert Island Marathon on Sunday. Herr covered the 26 miles, 385-yard course in two hours, 34 minutes and 31 seconds. That was 10:23 faster than runner-up Henri Bouchard of Bar Harbor. Read More
COLLEGE At Husson, Saturday 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 Boulier 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 Bangor 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
HIGH SCHOOL State Individual Championships 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
WATERVILLE – Juan Murphy scored off a direct kick and Evan Watson added an unassisted goal to lead the UMaine-Fort Kent Bengals to a 2-0 men’s soccer win over the Thomas College Terriers Saturday. Chad Bouchard stopped both shots he faced for 13-1 UMFK. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
ORONO – Senior Clayton Brown scored 15 points to lead the University of Maine men’s Blue team to a 55-42 win over the White squad in the annual intrasquad game Sunday afternoon at Alfond Arena. The game was split into four quarters with the Blue… Read More
Pat Conley passed for two touchdowns for Colby and ran for a third as the White Mules trounced Hamilton 29-7 in college football action Saturday. In other games involving schools, Trinity beat Bowdoin 35-14 at Brunswick; Middlebury downed visiting Bates 28-7; and Fitchburg State defeated… Read More
DEXTER – Aaron Vafiades had 30 carries for 134 yards and one touchdown to lead the Dexter Tigers to a 21-7 high school football victory over the Orono Red Riots Saturdayl. Vafiades also had nine tackles, two sacks, and one fumble recovery to lead the… Read More
WINTERPORT – David Kecki of Lincoln finished the final day of racing at Winterport Dragway with a victory Sunday in the Super Pro/Pro division. Marc Davenport of Bucksport finished second. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
MIAMI – The University of Maine had some fun in the hot Florida sun Saturday afternoon. The eighth-ranked Black Bears closed out the non-conference portion of their schedule by posting a convincing 33-7 victory over Florida International at FIU Community Stadium. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
ALDOUS HUXLEY, A BIOGRAPHY, by Dana Sawyer, Crossroad Publishing Co. New York, 208 pages, $19.95 paperback. “That we are being propelled in the direction of ‘Brave New World’ is obvious. But no less obvious is the fact that we can, if we so desire, refuse… Read More
If you think of Marvin Hamlisch as a composer only, then you don’t know Hamlisch. He not only is one of America’s leading film score, pop tune and musical composers, all of which is very impressive on its own – go ahead and count the Grammy, Emmy, Oscar,… Read More
MAINE LAKES, photographs by Christopher Barnes, text by Sarah Stiles Bright, Tilbury House, Gardiner, 2002, 108 pages, hardcover, $40. Founded in 1999, the Maine Lakes Conservancy Institute, or MLCI, has developed rapidly into a major advocate for the stewardship of the more than 6,000 lakes… Read More
In theaters THE KID STAYS IN THE PICTURE, directed by Brett Morgen and Nanette Burstein, written by Morgen, 93 minutes, rated R. Now showing, Movie City 8. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false;… Read More
Michelle Thomas is a busy woman – you could look it up. Between her family, including five children, and her many activities at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bangor, I figure she doesn’t have much extra time for genealogical pursuits. But… Read More