Telemarketer ICT Group Inc. will close its Calais call center at the end of March, leaving about 80 full- and part-time employees out of work. The 3-year-old Calais center is one of five ICT centers in Maine. The company offered no comment on whether the… Read More
BANGOR – An unidentified company is interested in buying bankrupt Great Northern Paper Inc., but is being held back from submitting an offer because some of the businesses owed money from the papermaker think the bid is too low. “[The] bidder has been making noises… Read More
Gov. John Baldacci has chosen the veteran administrator for Aroostook County to serve as his commissioner of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Described as a skillful communicator and personnel manager, Roland “Danny” Martin of Caribou is seen as an answer to recent criticisms… Read More
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK – The National Park Service has bought a 12-acre parcel of land on Bar Island for $1.4 million from a nationally known TV personality to complete its ownership of the island off Bar Harbor. The 68-acre island, which is part of Acadia… Read More
BANGOR – City councilors unanimously granted tentative developer status Monday night to a Las Vegas-based entrepreneur who hopes to develop a gaming and entertainment complex at Bass Park that could cost up to $30 million. Tentative developer designation allows the city to negotiate a development… Read More
MILLINOCKET – The first truckload of supplies to help people affected by the 33-day shutdown of Great Northern Paper Inc. arrived Monday at food pantries in East Millinocket and Millinocket. The donated food from the Good Shepherd Food Bank came just in time. Food pantries… Read More
After more than 30 years associated with the Bangor Publishing Co., during which he helped steer the organization through difficult times as well as through modernization and into new venues, John Bishop has retired as company vice president. Bishop, 62, will continue to have ties… Read More
AUGUSTA – A southern Maine legislator has submitted a bill to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry that would allow the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station to study the cultivation of industrial hemp. Rep. Thomas D. Bull, D-Freeport, said that even though hemp… Read More
The federal General Accounting Office may have set a milestone for optimism last week with a report called “Lessons Learned from Electricity Restructuring,” a sentiment that suggests a level of understanding that probably exists somewhere but certainly not with the general public and perhaps only tentatively with the… Read More
It is unfair that a new governor handed a billion-dollar shortfall – one that unsurprisingly turns out to be closer to $1.4 billion – also must confront an immensely popular referendum that would significantly shift school funding from local to state responsibility. But such a measure has attracted… Read More
Recently it has been reported that a family in Ohio convinced their daughter she was dying of leukemia. As if that wasn’t devastating enough for this little girl and her classmates, they took advantage of a caring, hard-working community and scammed them out of $10,000. Read More
This letter is addressed to the people of Millinocket. St. Martin of Tour’s Social, Justice and Peace Committee runs the food pantry at the church center located on Main Avenue next door to the manor, across the street from our church. We are open Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Read More
In the Jan. 13 story about the pro-diversity march in Lewiston, the Bangor Daily News quotes a young woman who says, “As a Mainer, I don’t want to see this epidemic [of hate] in my state.” What epidemic is she talking about? Only 32 people… Read More
Here is a thought for those of you who may be thinking of a weekend getaway. How about a trip to the Millinocket region for an overnight in one of the plentiful accommodations? While there, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, winter hiking… Read More
What percentage of the world’s known and reasonably recoverable oil is in the United States? Answer: 2 percent. What percentage of the world’s oil do we use? Answer: 25 percent. Can drilling in the Arctic or anywhere else increase American oil production more than twelvefold?… Read More
In 1952, as a civil engineering student at the University of Maine, I, along with others, was assigned the task of preparing a report on the Bangor Waterworks. My report stressed three features: the pump, Atlantic salmon and filter plant. The giant pump was run… Read More
The article, “Something old, something new,” by Ruth-Ellen Cohen about Jeff Wheeler (BDN, Jan. 21), should be mandatory reading for all school systems in Maine. [Wheeler is the Hermon school system technology coordinator who modifies out-of-date computers for use in the classroom.] It is enlightening to see someone… Read More
We respect every citizen’s right to express their opinion, such as the one expressed in the op-ed piece titled, “Brownville needs public dialogue,” in the Jan. 6 Bangor Daily News. However, we feel it is imperative to clarify facts related to the operation and administration of the Brownville… Read More
While the administration continues internal debates about whether to invade Iraq, it intensifies another war – the “war” on drugs. Fearing that the behavioral and cultural battle has been lost, the office of the drug czar’s has written a letter to prosecutors asking them to redouble their efforts… Read More
It’s a sign of age, I suppose, but I’ve come to a point in my life when technology doesn’t thrill me like it used to. This is a curious admission, and one that I never thought I’d make. Up until a few years ago, after… Read More
WISCASSET – Twenty years ago, Joel Fuller pointed a rifle at a Belfast man he had been hired to kill and shot him “much like hitting a deer during hunting season,” a prosecutor told a jury Monday. Fuller, now 47, is the third person to… Read More
HARMONY – A trooper who rescued four dogs from brutally cold outdoor conditions last Wednesday said Monday he had been assured last summer that the dogs’ owner would be investigated regarding the care the dogs were receiving at that time. Maine State Trooper James Medeiros… Read More
AUGUSTA – A Maine State Police trooper was legally justified last month when he shot and wounded an escaped prisoner during a standoff in downtown Ellsworth, Attorney General Steven Rowe said Monday. Rowe was required by law to investigate Trooper Clifford Peterson’s use of deadly… Read More
BANGOR – Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno on Monday urged ministers “to weave the fabric of community around people at risk” and to comfort those “touched by evil and bring them home to God” at the Bangor Theological Seminary Convocation. Reno, who was the… Read More
EASTPORT – The federal government has reversed itself and has given the Passamaquoddy Tribe the green light to lease the former Gates Fiber Extrusion office building on Route 190 to a Lexington, Mass., firm that wants to open the area’s only kidney dialysis center there. Read More
Belfast District Court Cases Jan. 20-24, 2003 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
A Bangor man was arrested for drunken driving early Saturday morning after he crashed his car into a utility pole on Valley Avenue and fled the scene on foot. Stephen Curtis Jr., 26, wasn’t injured in the accident. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
CORINNA – Even with an increase in the county tax and school-support payments, town officials in Corinna believe that an anticipated increase in valuation will balance the ledgers, providing for a stable tax rate this year. Town Manager Judy Doore said Monday that using an… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Selectmen agreed Monday to help a local business in a dispute with the Department of Transportation over curbing. The DOT plans to reconstruct West Main Street next fall and intends to install curbing in front of the businesses, including Mountain’s Market. Owners Janet… Read More
ORONO – Town officials will meet today to discuss with an attorney the potential sale of Ayers Island. University of Maine professor George Markowsky has a lease-purchase agreement with the town for the 62-acre island where he hopes to build a research and development park. Read More
AUGUSTA – Sen. Mary Cathcart gaveled her Appropriations Committee to order Monday as lawmakers prepared for a 14-day review of Gov. John E. Baldacci’s $44 million supplemental budget bill to balance the state’s finances through the end of this fiscal year, June 30, 2003. Cathcart,… Read More
NEWPORT – Just moments before his plane crashed while attempting an emergency landing in Newport on Sunday afternoon, pilot Jerry E. Carlyle of Winthrop radioed “mayday,” a distress call picked up by Ron Curtis, the airport manager at nearby Pittsfield Municipal Airport. “That’s only the… Read More
ELLSWORTH – Two Bar Harbor businessmen have filed suit against Portland developer Pam Gleichman, asking the court to declare that Gleichman has no legal right to their downtown property. Gleichman had hoped to build a four-story building, including 32 condominiums, on the property at the… Read More
MADAWASKA – HORIZONS Madawaska Regional Health Center, 188 Main St., will be open each Thursday evening, beginning Feb. 6. Debbra Babin, a family nurse practitioner who works full time at the center, will provide services until 8 p.m. each Thursday. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – The Presque Isle Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a business success seminar, “How to Fly Like a Butterfly Instead of Crawl Like a Caterpillar,” from 8 a.m. to noon Thursday, Feb. 13, at Northern Maine Technical College at Edmunds Conference Center. The… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – The Presque Isle Chamber of Commerce and Barresi Financial Inc. will sponsor an Eggs N’ Issues breakfast at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, at the Northeastland Hotel. Registration is at 7:30 a.m. The guest speaker will be Catherine Gavin, executive director of… Read More
HOULTON – The Houlton Regional Health Services Foundation has made a grant to the Patten Ambulance Service to assist with the purchase of a defibrillator unit. The grant for $7,982.50 covers half the cost of a Lifepak 12 defibrillator-monitor. The unit will provide ambulance personnel… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Nominations for the Presque Isle Citizen of the Year Award and the Presque Isle Lifetime Achievement Award are being considered for the 2002 award to be presented at a recognition dinner Thursday, Feb. 27. The awards will recognize two local individuals who… Read More
HOULTON – A growing awareness of youth substance abuse in the Houlton area has prompted several area agencies to join together to address the problem. The Think Tank is an outgrowth of separate efforts last summer by Houlton Regional Hospital’s Center for Community Education and… Read More
MILLINOCKET – Members of the Katahdin Area Retirees Association are taking steps to protect their members from losing their company-paid health insurance as the result of Great Northern Paper Inc.’s bankruptcy. The association will hold a meeting at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, at the… Read More
DEXTER – A winter carnival complete with fireworks will be held next month sponsored by the town of Dexter and Wassookeag Snowmobile Club. Weather permitting, the community will sponsor a snowmobile radar run on Lake Wassookeag, a snow-sculpture contest, sleigh rides, a public dance and… Read More
BROWNVILLE – Brownville Elementary School launched its Read with Me: The 2003 RIF Community Reading Challenge Friday, Jan. 24. The children’s literacy program activities will run for two weeks and involve both students and community members. The challenge awards points to students for meeting their… Read More
DEXTER – Municipal officials will act next month on a recommendation to borrow $500,000 from the Municipal Bond Bank for a major road-resurfacing program this summer. Although town officials have budgeted what they could for reserve for road improvements over the years, it has not… Read More
BANGOR – The Bangor YMCA is offering “Battling the Post-Holiday Blues,” a seminar presented by Stephen A. Andrew, Ph.D., L.C.P.C., at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, in the Bangor YMCA Viner Room. The seminar is free to the public. January is often a time when… Read More
STOCKTON SPRINGS – When they first set foot in the old Colcord House on Main Street, members of the local historical group knew they had a big job ahead. The Stockton Springs Historical Society had acquired the house in 1999 and had decided to renovate… Read More
BLUE HILL – A Franklin man faces charges after he allegedly ran a stop sign late Sunday night and struck a Hancock County Sheriff’s Department cruiser, injuring the deputy inside. Deputy Scott Kane received minor injuries in the accident. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
CALAIS – The director emeritus of the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco will speak next week at Washington County Technical College. Rand Castile, an author and lecturer, spent more than a decade living and working in Japan as a scholar. During his tenure at… Read More
SOUTHWEST HARBOR – The Association of Concerned Taxpayers will meet at 7 tonight at the American Legion Hall to discuss town issues, including the Feb. 10 special town meeting on the sewer bond and the Pemetic Elementary School budget for the 2003-04 school year. The… Read More
MACHIAS – A local store donated U.S. savings bonds to Machias Memorial High School on Monday. Shop ‘n Save manager Todd Christiansen said the Machias store earned the bonds based on the sale of Kraft macaroni and cheese products and was one of 18 winners… Read More
ELLSWORTH – The James Russell Wiggins Down East Family YMCA community ice skating rink is now open. A complete rink schedule, including times when the ice is available for open skate, family skate, and stick and puck skate, is available at the YMCA. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
HOULTON – Sewer rates for customers of the Houlton Water Co. are expected to go up about 25 percent as of March 1. In a letter mailed to customers this week, the company’s general manager, John Clark, said it has been proposed that rates increase… Read More
Before I left on vacation, I wrote I would have more information about a couple of coming events I am sure you are interested in, and here is that information. Anne Gabbianelli O’Reilly of Hampden reports people in her community are working to keep the… Read More
ORONO – The University of Maine’s Jordan Planetarium at Wingate Hall will offer two public star shows throughout February. . 7 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 7-28, “Sky Odyssey: New Views of the Universe” – A portrait of the universe as it appears through recent discoveries and… Read More
WOOLWICH – A group of Maine teenagers will fly to Nicaragua this week to give a helping hand to the “dump children” of Managua. Peter and Jean Willard, who operate the Chop Point School, a Christian school on the Kennebec River, will bring the group… Read More
BREWER – The Brewer Planning Board on Monday denied a proposed zone change that caused controversy in a long-established single-family neighborhood near the Pendleton Street School. The request, put forth by developer Richard Coffin, was to change zoning on a 3.25-acre parcel of land between developed lots in… Read More
The American Cancer Society will sell fresh daffodils for $6 per bouquet at all Shop ‘n Save stores March 27-29. Funds raised will support the society’s local service programs for cancer patients and their families. Orders can be made in advance of Daffodil Days by calling the American… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Piscataquis County gardeners are invited to participate in the 2003 Extension Master Gardener Training in Dover-Foxcroft. The sessions will be from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every other Saturday, starting Feb. 22 and ending May 17. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
BIDDEFORD – When she wants to look back on her second pregnancy, Katrina Carus won’t be limited to memories about the pangs of labor or the trouble she had getting up off the sofa under her own power. Instead, the 32-year-old Springvale woman can simply… Read More
AUGUSTA – A former sergeant at the Kennebec County jail pleaded guilty Monday to having sex with a female inmate while he was on duty. Roger Lee Bellavance, 36, of Rome was sentenced to 364 days in jail, with all but 20 days suspended, and… Read More
BANGOR – Several months into his inaugural season as music director and conductor of the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, Xiao-Lu Li has accepted a prestigious appointment as chief conductor of the China National Symphony Orchestra. In his new position, he will be required to spend six weeks every summer… Read More
You see them everywhere – scarves knit of the latest generation of novelty yarns: eyelash yarns, furry yarns, yarns with names such as Salsa, Plume, Zap, Lazer Sequin and Flirt, yarns with metallic threads, yarns that look like ribbons. Yarns that knit up to look like bad hair… Read More
Passages from two totally disparate books kept me awake this week. My anxious thoughts couldn’t help but focus on the president’s State of the Union address tonight, in which he is expected to further set the stage for war with Iraq, and on Monday’s reports to the U.N. Read More
At first glance, the photograph at Rockport’s Center for Maine Contemporary Art seems cute. Dozens of babies stare at the camera, some in highchairs, some crawling on the ground. It looks like they’re at day care, corralled in a play area. Then you see the… Read More
Dear Jim: The air in my house gets very dry during the winter even with a furnace-mounted humidifier. I get static shocks from whatever I touch. Will also using some smaller humidifiers help, and which types are best? – Sue W. Dear Sue: Using a… Read More
In Aroostook County, it’s no secret that the Maine Winter Sports Center has devoted a lot of time and energy to getting kids on skis. What most people don’t know, however, is that the opportunities for adults, both novice and expert, are also plentiful. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
If you didn’t know him – or weren’t looking for him – you would have missed Ricky Craven on Saturday, as he milled around in the Greenville High School cafeteria. There was no entourage for Maine’s only NASCAR Winston Cup driver. There was no mad… Read More
It’s no surprise that the Dexter girls basketball team is 15-0 with only three regular-season games left on the Tigers’ Class C schedule. After all, Dexter has what is one of the most experienced and well-rounded squads in Eastern Maine and those two 6-footers –… Read More
ORONO – When the University of Maine men’s hockey team takes the ice this afternoon, it will begin retooling its special teams as both the power play and penalty-killing units are in mini-slumps. The power play has clicked on just two of its last 21… Read More
WOODLAND – For some reason this season, the Woodland girls basketball team has started some of its games slowly, taking time to warm up. Despite having a relatively long layoff because of midterm exams, the Dragons got off to a fast start Monday night in… Read More
COLLEGE Holly Gracie 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 = [[300,250]];… Read More
DEXTER – Keriann Patterson scored 15 points Monday night as the Dexter girls basketball team remained unbeaten with a 62-33 win over Penobscot Valley. Sabrina Cote contributed with 14 points while Brittany Veazie scored six points and made eight steals. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
LUBEC – Abraham Beal scored eight of his 21 points in the fourth quarter Monday night as the Jonesport-Beals boys basketball team pulled off a fourth quarter rally to beat Lubec 67-66. Derrick Beal scored a game-high 24 points and Jeremy Chandler added nine for… Read More
LIMESTONE – Senior point guard Ashley Brooker nailed her 1,000th career point Monday night to become the first girl to reach that milestone as Limestone/MSSN rolled past Madawaska 69-32. Brooker finished with 17 points. Nikki Michaud chipped in with 14 points for the winners and… Read More
BANGOR – Jesse Haskell poured in 32 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead Eastern Maine Technical College to an 80-75 men’s basketball victory over Central Maine Tech Monday night. Kris Douglas scored 23 points and had 12 rebounds for the Golden Eagles, while Daryl… Read More
Congratulations to Bangor cheerleaders It was with much dismay that my family and I read your article “Bangor captures regional crown (BDN, Jan. 25),” the Class A Eastern Maine cheerleading championship. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More