With local school districts absorbing for the first time some of the consequences of the federal No Child Left Behind Act just as state education budgets are being cut back for lack of revenue, it is safe to assume that the centerpiece of the president’s domestic policy is… Read More
    A statewide test of how well local government agencies comply with Maine’s Freedom of Access Law – scores of neatly dressed volunteers fanned out across all 16 counties, politely asking to see documents that should be available for public inspection – found that police departments and school district… Read More
    There was an article last week in the Bangor Daily News on the Dec. 23 accident and chase by state troopers in Ellsworth at the intersection of Water and Main streets. I was rear-ended by this high-speed cruiser, as was a car in front of me, until it… Read More
    I write in response to a letter in the Dec. 12 Bangor Daily News written by Francis Sweeney, program administrator of Maine Child and Family Services. Sweeney states that Maine is doing better by its children, but his own numbers indicate otherwise. A 300 percent… Read More
    I write in agreement with the conclusions of The Florida Times-Union in the “Other Voices” editorial reprinted in the Bangor Daily News Jan. 1. I do so as a non-Christian agnostic who firmly believes that attempting to eradicate all public reference to the religious nature of Christmas is… Read More
    The president has stated that, “An attack on this country by Iraq or its allies would cripple our economy.” That said, it is not a good idea to discuss our vulnerability with our enemies. Our economy isn’t exactly sprinting ahead in leaps and bounds. I think the administration… Read More
    If you’re a veteran, you now have to wait eight months to a year to see a doctor. You may die before you can even get an appointment. It’s OK for our country to send people off to get killed in the name of freedom, but get sick… Read More
    After 40 years living in an area served by The Washington Post without ever writing to its editor, we find ourselves living in Maine and writing to the Bangor Daily News. On Christmas Day, Meg Haskell wrote a remarkable article raising the question, but not… Read More
    To many readers, the findings of a Nov.19 audit of public agencies by a consortium of media outlets and public advocacy groups seeking to determine how Maine’s Right to Know law is working were probably about as surprising as the outcome of one of those inane government studies… Read More
    On every New Year’s Day since 1976, Lake Superior State University has published a list of popular words and phrases so overused, devoid of meaning or just plain misleading that they should be expelled from the language. Some universities serve the public by providing opportunity to steroid-jacked football… Read More
    In this era of challenged national security and looming international conflict, there is something significantly missing from the newly elected 108th Congress of the United States: military veterans. Fewer than 30 percent of legislators in the new Congress have served in the military, down from 50 percent in… Read More
    Remember those television commercials in the early ’90s that showed an egg frying in a pan as the announcer warned, “This is your brain on drugs”? The message was simple enough, yet it was a powerful reminder. Now imagine your national park, Acadia, without… Read More
    Residence: Mount Desert Family: Louise Bramhall King, 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
    SHERMAN STATION – Almost four years after its hardwood mill shut down, Sherman Lumber Co. has ended its 108-year history in this small northern Penobscot County town as the result of a foreclosure by Katahdin Trust Co. “We’re got a mess here,” Leon Robinson, 63,… Read More
    BAR HARBOR – First National Bank Bankshares, parent company of the First National Bank of Bar Harbor, has declared a 65 cent per share dividend to common stockholders of record as of Monday, Dec. 16. This represents a normal semi-annual dividend of 55 cents per share, plus a… Read More
    After serving as a state legislator for the last six years, Lois Snowe-Mello knows that any attempts to change the driving laws for Maine teenagers can be unpopular. Two years ago, the grandmother of eight from Poland co-sponsored the bill that prohibited teen drivers from… Read More
    SANFORD – A state legislator intends to submit legislation that would require snowmobilers to wear helmets and receive mandatory safety training. Sen. David Carpenter, a Sanford Republican, said an accident this week that seriously injured a 9-year-old boy who was not wearing a helmet is… Read More
    BROOKSVILLE – A recent federal study has identified exposure to heavy metals as the key health risk to people from the Callahan mine. The public health assessment by the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry, however, notes that exposures to heavy metals from the… Read More
    The number of disciplinary actions taken against medical doctors and physician assistants nearly doubled in 2002, according to an official at the Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine. There were 146 complaints filed, which resulted in 22 disciplinary actions. Ordinarily, about 153 complaints are investigated,… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – A Bass Harbor man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty last month to drug charges. Christopher Richardson, 27, was arrested last July for trafficking in heroin after Maine Drug Enforcement agents raided his Lighthouse Road home and found… Read More
    HUDSON – Two men were injured in a two-vehicle accident Friday morning on Route 43. Ronald Heath, 68, of Bradford was admitted to St. Joseph Hospital in Bangor and was listed in good condition Friday afternoon, according to a hospital spokeswoman. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    BANGOR – The Bangor Ski Rack, which was closed Friday to mourn the death of owner Jeffery Peet, will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today. Peet died Thursday after he slipped on an ice-covered trail in Gulf Hagas. He fell about 100… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Because of the storm forecast, the Maine State Police has canceled the school employee fingerprinting sessions scheduled for today at the United Technology Center in Bangor and the Monticello School in Lewiston. Affected registrants can reregister online for a future date. Read More
    ORONO – The Esther Eyres Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will meet for a brown bag lunch at noon Monday, Jan. 6, at the home of Mrs. Joseph Antonitis, 45 Peters St. For information, call Helen at 866-3309. Read More
    CARMEL – Town selectmen extended the contract of the town manager this week and approved the nomination of a fire chief. In a unanimous vote, the selectmen continued for another year the contract of Thomas Richmond, who has been the Carmel town manager since 1999. Read More
    Free developmental screening for area 3- and 4-year-olds, as well as 5-year-olds not yet eligible for kindergarten, will be held for SAD 63 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, at Holden Elementary School, Holden, and for Union 90 from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Jan. 30,… Read More
    BREWER – Brewer Parks and Recreation Department will offer “New Year’s Resolution, First-Time Free Programs” from Monday, Jan. 6, to Friday, Jan. 10. Fees for first-time department program participants will be waived for the week. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
    BANGOR – The Bangor Public Works Department requests all city residents disposing of natural Christmas trees either to deposit the trees upright in a snowbank curbside in front of their homes or to take the trees to the public works yard between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – Downeast Sexual Assault Services will offer self-help support groups for women who are sexual assault-incest survivors, men survivors, and survivors’ significant others. Each group will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. in Ellsworth, and begin when enough members have registered. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    BLUE HILL – A book talk and lecture, “Conservation and Campesinos: How Community-Based Ecotourism is Fighting Poverty and Saving Forests in Rural Costa Rica,” will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at the Blue Hill Public Library. Costa Rica travel guide author Beatrice… Read More
    BLUE HILL – The Maine Educational Research Institute has received a $15,000 grant from the Marpat Foundation. The money will support MERI’s education programs, which serve midcoast Maine residents.Some of the funded programs include Island Explorer trips for children, ecocruises for families, internships, MERI “Ocean… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – Maine farmers can sign up for drought relief from the Hancock County Farm Service Agency. The Emergency Conservation Program will reimburse livestock producers 50 percent to 64 percent for water-related costs. Orchard, vineyard and blueberry producers are eligible if they had an adequate… Read More
    PLYMOUTH – Lawrence Coughlin, 59, of Troy was taken to Eastern Maine Medical Center after his 1996 Mercury Sable struck a telephone pole and narrowly avoided going into Plymouth Pond on Friday afternoon. Coughlin had been driving toward Dixmont on Route 7 at about 3… Read More
    VAN BUREN – SAD 24 had to do a lot of scrambling in the closing days of 2002, but it paid off in the end with the district receiving $2 million in interest-free funds. The money will be used for several construction projects at the… Read More
    FRENCHVILLE – The Public Works Department expects a new front-end loader will be received by the town before the end of January. Voters approved the purchase at a special Dec. 26 town meeting, Town Manager Philip Levesque said Friday. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
    Will, 8, is an active, delightful young boy with sparkling blue eyes and brown hair. Engaging and humorous, Will makes people smile within moments of meeting him. Intelligent and fun-loving, Will has a bright smile and a hearty laugh. Described as resilient and smart, Will… Read More
    BANGOR – Ed Pickett is back. And so is his “We hear that” column full of local business anecdotes and other “truthful rumors.” Pickett, the former editor of the Bangor Business Monthly, premiered an almost identical publication on New Year’s Day. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    CALAIS – A Calais man remains in jail in Machias after he was arrested last week on a charge of criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon in front of the Wal-Mart store. The incident took place at 5:10 p.m. Dec. 28, when Adam Farley, 23,… Read More
    CALAIS – The Calais City Council has agreed to declare part of its downtown heritage district a “slum and blight” area. The move is necessary to enable the city to apply for a $400,000 grant to help in its waterfront development plan. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    WARREN – Knox-Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service Field Office, 191 Camden Road (Route 90). The meeting is open to the public. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – The Here & Now Forum will present “Young Adults, Drugs and Jail: How Can We Help?” 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, Bucksport Road. Guest speakers will be Judy Garvey of Volunteers for Hancock Jail Residents and Assistant District… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – The Ellsworth Comprehensive Plan Committee will hold a program titled “Beginning with Habitat” 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, at the City Hall Auditorium. The session will provide information regarding local fish, wildlife and plant habitat and other important natural resources to support land… Read More
    BELFAST – Helping the Audubon Expedition Institute find a suitable location for an expanded facility should be one of the goals of the City Council in the new year, the city manager said. AEI has outgrown its headquarters in the old Waldo County General Hospital… Read More
    LINCOLN – Two Lincoln children, ages 9 and 10, have been charged with two counts each of Class A arson in connection with fires that damaged the town library and demolished a school bus earlier this week. Both children have been released into the custody… Read More
    The Board of Environmental Protection will be going on the road to learn how Maine people feel about fish farm regulation. The citizen group that acts as the enforcement arm of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection was charged with designing criteria for a permit… Read More
    CASTINE – A connection between Castine and New York City established days after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks may continue next summer with the development of a camp for youngsters affected by the terrorist attacks. The connection first was made when two local restaurant owners… Read More
    LEWISTON – Migration from other states accounted for most of Maine’s population growth between July 2001 and July 2002, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. The Census Bureau estimates the state’s population during that stretch grew 0.8 percent, from 1,284,470 to 1,294,464. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    DOVER, N.H. – A young mother was sentenced Friday to the maximum two-year jail term for failing to protect her toddler from the abuse that killed her. Amanda Bortner, 20, was convicted of two counts of child endangerment in November, two years after her 21-month-old… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Central Maine Power is prepared for the possibility of weather-related power outages this weekend, according to CMP spokesman David Allen. With the possibility of more than a foot of snow in some areas, accompanied by north-northeasterly winds of up to 25 mph and… Read More
    PORTLAND – The University of Southern Maine already has cut its budget twice, while the University of Maine System faces a new shortfall pegged at $450,000. USM President Richard Pattenaude planned to meet with senior staff members Friday to discuss belt-tightening options. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    DEER ISLE – A woman hit by a car Friday morning on Route 15 suffered cuts to her face but is expected to recover, according to police. Brenda Cambron, 37, of Jonesport was working as a flagger while Bangor Hydro-Electric Co. crews worked along Route… Read More
    BUCKSPORT – Port visits up the Penobscot River are planned this summer for two U.S. Navy vessels for the town’s Bay Festival – but only if they both can fit under the Waldo-Hancock Bridge and alongside the Sprague Dock. While the details have not been… Read More
    Just a few years late, Baxter State Park has entered the 21st century. This week, camping reservations were made by computer for the first time, easing the complicated process of scheduling about 1,000 summer trips during the first week of January. Park staff kept the… Read More
    BANGOR – Old Town swimmer Kiva Hermansen didn’t win the 500-yard freestyle during Friday night’s meet against Brewer. Hermansen did win the 200 individual medley, but her second-place finish in the distance event was more satisfying. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
    PROVIDENCE, R.I. – University of Maine senior center Chris Heisten called it a “good run.” But he also acknowledged that it had to end sometime. And Friday night was the night Maine’s 16-game unbeaten streak came to an end. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
    HIGH SCHOOL Phi Mu Delta Black Bear Relays 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
    In an effort to encourage residents to discover the benefits of recreation, the Brewer Parks and Recreation Department is waiving all fees for a week for first-time participants of programs such as senior exercise, adult volleyball, adult open gym volleyball and basketball, and other programs. The rec department… Read More
    HIGH SCHOOL At Husson, 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… Read More
    SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The American Hockey League announced the 21 Canadian-born players for the 2003 Dodge AHL All-Star Classic in Portland on Feb. 3. Starters are goalie Mathieu Garon of Hamilton; defensemen Ray Giroux of Albany and John Slaney of Philadelphia; and forwards Benoit Gratton and Jason Ward… Read More
    COLRAINE, Minn. – Fort Kent senior Kelsey Bouchard and Walt Shepard of Yarmouth finished first and second, respectively, in the relay format races in the USBA World Team Trials Thursday to earn spots on the U.S. Biathlon World Junior Championship Team. Bouchard finished sixth in… Read More
    Orono – University of Maine senior Naomi Welsh was named to the New England Women’s Intercollegiate Soccer Association’s Senior Bowl Team on Friday. Welsh holds the UMaine record with 18 career shutouts. In 2002, she had seven shutouts in 16 games. Welsh finished 7-8-1 with… Read More
    Jon Jankus, who played in nine games for the University of Maine’s hockey team a year ago before leaving after the first semester, will return to Maine for the second semester and could become eligible next fall. He will practice with the team and will… Read More
    WOMEN’S BASKETBALL MAINE vs. BUFFALO 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… Read More
    BUCKSPORT – Senior guard Danny White scored 15 points on 5-for-6 shooting from 3-point range and helped the Foxcroft Academy remain undefeated with a convincing 76-39 schoolboy basketball victory over Bucksport here Friday night. Junior center Brandon Hall scored 12 points on 4-for-6 shooting from… Read More
    DANFORTH – Shelby Pickering scored 19 points with 13 rebounds to pace Lee Academy to a 66-48 schoolgirl basketball victory over host East Grand. Kristen Hersom netted 20 points for the Pandas, and Ashley Gifford added 12. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
    STANDISH – Norwich and St. Joseph’s College each earned women’s basketball wins in the Monk Classic Friday night. In the first game of the Monk Classic, Lisa Belmonte scored 15 points to help lead Norwich University past the University of Maine at Fort Kent 70-43. Read More
    WOODLAND – Kaitlyn Leeman sank a 3-point shot at the buzzer in overtime to give the Woodland Dragons a 68-65 win over the Narraguagus Knights in schoolgirl basketball action Friday night. Leeman netted 16 points for the Dragons. Katie Smith scored 11 points and 11… Read More
    The way I see it, making New Year’s resolutions is like fishing with frayed leader: both will be broken in short order. But in keeping with the spirit of starting a new calendar, and especially because the 2002 waterfowl season was very gratifying for me – not in… Read More
    It’s the same every New Year’s Day, but different. As the day approaches, I start planning for my New Year’s resolution. It’s always the same, simple strategy, really. I load up the pack, dress warmly, and leave early in the wee hours between 3 a.m. Read More
    The snow forecast for Maine on Saturday may be a welcome addition for the Sixth Annual Ricky Craven Snowmobile Ride for Charity which is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 25 in Greenville. Craven, a NASCAR Winston Cup driver from Newburgh, heads up the fund-raiser each year. Read More
    The Maine Campground Owners Association has announced the availability of a $500 scholarship for a Maine resident studying for a career in outdoor recreation. This year marks the ninth year of the MECOA scholarship. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
    We’ve had our first real snow this season. Those of us who feed birds have stocked feeders, put out suet, and waited for the birds to arrive. However, in this some of us were disappointed. Comments posted on birder e-mail lists, as well as those… 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. “A Wonderful World” (Sony) – Tony Bennett… Read More
    Soon, we won’t need our legs at all. Have you heard about VOD? That is video on demand and just happens to be the latest, greatest thing in the television market to take even more of our money and compel us to spend even more time on the… Read More
    As a batch of cornbread cooked on a nearby wood stove, Christina Holloway and her young son, Zackary, huddled on the floor of their shingle Cape working their fingers over dried corncobs to remove the hard kernels. Dressed frontier-style, in a long skirt and warm… Read More
    Q: I’m fairly new to perennial gardening, but in five or six years I’ve managed to create a few small garden beds with lots of different types of plants. I still don’t seem to have the lush effect you see in photos in magazines. What is the secret… Read More
    BANGOR – With the closing of the production season, Penobscot Theatre Company-Maine Shakespeare Festival has set new records in attendance at its home, the Bangor Opera House in downtown Bangor. “A Christmas Carol,” the theater’s annual holiday production, has set an all time high for… Read More