A story published Monday about the economics of Fort Kent’s Can-Am Crown Sled Dog Race stated that no tax money was involved in the race. The town of Fort Kent donated $2,500 to the race. It was a reporting error. — googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    AUGUSTA – The latest yearly report from the Maine Economic Growth Council highlights a few areas of progress but records a bigger catalog of shortcomings in the drive to bolster’s the state’s economy, environment and community at large. The council’s ninth annual report, Measures of… Read More
    AUGUSTA – A coalition of groups unhappy with the Baldacci administration’s “no new taxes” policy recommended a series of tax proposals Thursday designed to raise about $700 million over the state’s two-year budget cycle. Representing organizations such as the Maine Women’s Lobby, the Maine People’s… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Before hearing 31/2 hours of testimony in support of a $5.5 million aid package for Maine’s dairy farmers Wednesday afternoon, members of the Legislature’s Agriculture Committee acted swiftly to pass two temporary aid bills submitted by Gov. John E. Baldacci. The committee also… Read More
    In reference to Misty Edgecomb’s article (BDN, Feb. 26) and the coyote snaring hearing held in Augusta on Feb. 25, I was saddened by some of the testimony given by my fellow sportsmen. I’ve been a deer hunter for more than 50 years and my… Read More
    While the rest of the country worries about war with Iraq, terrorism, a slumping economy, state and national deficits, and the pros and cons of a massive tax cut, life on the little offshore island of Islesford goes on. The islanders were mostly asleep last… Read More
    If, as one staffer suggested, the fight this week over the Legislature’s own budget was a dress rehearsal for the larger debate over the state budget, the possibility of a stinker of a show this spring – The Capeman comes to Maine – is a real possibility. Or… Read More
    The article titled, “Union membership falls to new low,” on Feb. 26 may be true in the manufacturing industry or to service- sector employees nationwide, but far from the truth in the Northeast, particularly New England. The Maine State Building and Construction Trades Council, consisting… Read More
    The government is incredibly wasteful with my tax dollars. However, if my tax dollars can be spent saving innocent people from a murdering dictator, ensuring the future liberation of Muslim women, and freeing a society that fears their dictator’s wrath, a dictator who supports terrorism,… Read More
    It is time to bring the facts to the front in the debate over connecting Interstate 395 to Route 9. As the future host of this highway, Holden has worked hard for 21/2 years to help find the most effective, least damaging route for all towns involved. This… Read More
    In nearly every major newspaper and on both network and cable television, the news is blared of soaring prices for home heating oil, gasoline and natural gas. Some senators are requesting investigations by their states’ attorney general as to whether there is gouging in the market. Read More
    High marks to Maine Attorney General G. Steven Rowe for telling Monsanto to go pick on someone their own size. In Maine’s struggling milk industry, the last thing milk producers need is for some corporate bully to tell them their honest practices are dishonest. Monsanto… Read More
    Layoffs are everywhere and almost everyday we hear of another workplace shutting down. There’s no escaping that it just might happen to you. Since April 1998, the United States has lost 2.4 million manufacturing jobs while at the same time Maine has lost 12,300 manufacturing jobs. (AFL-CIO, Revitalizing… Read More
    BANGOR – Armed with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that posting information about sex offenders on the Internet does not violate the Constitution, some Maine police departments are going to the Web to list names and addresses of registered offenders. State police could have sex… Read More
    ALEXANDER – Pupils got two days off from school this week, but it wasn’t much fun. Union 106 Superintendent May Bouchard said the Alexander Elementary School was closed Thursday and today because 52 of 79 pupils had come down with the flu. And of the… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Former kindergarten teacher Susan Ann Gendron of Raymond won a legislative committee’s united support Thursday to become Maine’s top education official. The Education and Cultural Affairs Committee voted 10-0, with three absent, to recommend Gov. John Baldacci’s nominee for Senate confirmation. The committee… Read More
    CALAIS – Two decades after the launch of an intertribal prevention and care program in Maine, a nutritionist warned this week that diabetes remains at epidemic proportions among Maine’s Indian population. Nationwide, American Indians and Alaska Natives are 2.6 times more likely to have diabetes… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – Mayo Regional Hospital officials said Thursday that a company claiming to be from Bangor is using the hospital’s name to solicit advertisers for a publication called “Maine Hospital Guide.” The company, which calls itself Medical Publications of Bangor, has been making solicitation calls… Read More
    BAR HARBOR – The Island Explorer bus system plans to increase service to Southwest Harbor this year, adding a third bus to provide hourly runs to 14 destinations around Mount Desert Island, officials said Thursday. Year-round Southwest Harbor residents rely on the Island Explorer bus… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – Several organizations will band together this spring to raise conservation awareness. The Piscataquis Observer will sponsor an “Earth Day Ideas” contest from March 12 through April 3. Earth Day is March 20. The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District will display the… Read More
    Calais District Court Cases Jan. 31-Feb. 6, 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… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – The Piscataquis County Economic Development Council has been awarded a $15,000 state grant to attract businesses to the region from out of state. Mark Scarano, the council’s executive director, said Thursday that the Department of Economic and Community Development funds will allow council… Read More
    WASHINGTON – Felicia Knight, who was a noted television news anchorwoman in Maine before coming to Washington in 1998 to serve as press secretary to Sen. Susan Collins, has been named director of communications for the National Endowment for the Arts. Steve Abbott, chief of… Read More
    Allagash Town officials hope that the 2003 budgets to operate town government and fund education and county taxes won’t rise above the current tax rate of $14.40 per $1,000 in property valuation. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – Twenty strategic objectives were adopted recently by the Foxcroft Academy board of directors. The objectives are organized under four basic themes: reaffirming the tradition of excellence; expanding the horizons; communicating FA’s story; and building the financial foundation. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
    BREWER – Performing an annual task, the Brewer City Council Tuesday night passed an order allowing the animal control officer to issue warrants to owners of unlicensed dogs. The warrants give the city the right to take dog owners to court where they may be… Read More
    BANGOR – Community leaders in Bangor are hosting a Cover the Uninsured Health Fair, 3-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, at the Bangor Mall center court. The fair is one of many events taking place nationwide in recognition of Cover the Uninsured Week, March 10-16. The… Read More
    FORT KENT – Teacher Liza Pelletier’s third-grade pupils from Dr. Levesque Elementary School in Frenchville recently visited with the Northern Maine Medical Center education and radiology departments to learn about digestion. The children learned about the digestive process, practiced the Heimlich maneuver, toured the radiology… Read More
    HOULTON – A health and nutrition fair will be held 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at Southside School. Booths will display aspects of health care and nutrition and have food for tasting. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
    HOULTON – A science fair will be held 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, in the large gym at Houlton High School. Projects by students in ninth through 12th grades will be displayed. The public is invited. For more information, call Shellie Gross at 532-6551. Read More
    PATTEN – The Katahdin Valley Health Center will hold its monthly brunch 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, at the Conference Room at Katahdin Valley Health Center in Patten. The public is welcome to come and express concerns, needs, ideas and suggestions that would improve… Read More
    AUGUSTA – The monthly meeting of the Maine State Retirement System will be at 9 a.m. Thursday, March 13, at the MSRS office, Two Central Plaza, second-floor conference room. For more information call 512-3190. Read More
    AUBURN – The 10th annual Maine Garden Day will be held on Saturday, March 29, at the Central Maine Technical College. Speakers will include professor Ann Clark of the University of Guelph, Ontario, discussing “Educating for a New Agriculture,” and Andy Wasowski, garden author, presenting “The Landscaping Revolution.”… Read More
    ST. ALBANS – The Friends and Flowers Garden Club will present Pam Doble at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, at the St. Albans Town Hall. Doble will demonstrate techniques for using pressed, dried flowers to make items, including botanical plates, bowls, candles, coasters and picture frames. There will… Read More
    NEWBURGH – Results of the municipal election held Tuesday, March 4, are as follows: Leona Smith was elected third selectman with a total of 59 votes. Stanley Smith II had 38 votes. Read More
    Narraguagus High School, Harrington Second quarter honor roll 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
    BROOKSVILLE – Voters at the annual town meeting on Tuesday approved municipal and school articles totaling $1.9 million. The $1,970,619 budget reflects an increase of about $249,000 from last year. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – An application for a proposed 16,000-square-foot medical building was tabled Wednesday night by the local planning board after members of the board discussed concerns they have about the amount of traffic the development could generate. The building would be built on Resort Way… Read More
    FRANKLIN – A fire that damaged the second floor of an apartment at the corner of Routes 182 and 200 is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office, according to a local official. The cause and origin of the fire has not been determined,… Read More
    BANGOR – Careless smoking caused a fire that claimed the life of a 54-year-old Bangor man Wednesday night, according to the Bangor Fire Department. Charles Marston died of smoke inhalation after fire gutted his Pine Street apartment Wednesday afternoon. Though it took only seven minutes… Read More
    HUDSON – Hudson selectmen are trying to purchase a town utility truck for just $1. Government Acquisition Inc., from North Carolina, is a company in the business of supplying vehicles for municipalities in exchange for advertisements displayed on the vehicles. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
    WINTERPORT – The word was “singleton” and when Thomas “T.L.” Tutor got it correct Thursday, the Islesboro Central School eighth-grader was crowned champion of the Waldo County spelling bee. Tutor emerged from a field of five of the county’s top spellers after 14 rounds of… Read More
    EAST MACHIAS – It took 36 rounds, but Molly Nichols, last year’s state champion, won the Washington County Spelling Bee on Thursday. Nichols, an eighth-grader at the Elm Street School in East Machias, won after Emily Wilkinson, an eighth-grader at Robbinston Grade School, stumbled on… Read More
    ROCKLAND – An 8-year-old boy suffered first-degree burns to his hands Thursday while playing with a cigarette lighter, which started a fire in a bedroom at 45 Warren St., fire officials said. Two families were left homeless. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
    PENOBSCOT – With few questions and fewer changes, residents Tuesday approved the first half of the town meeting warrant. An article asking if the town would provide funding for the Peninsula Ambulance Corps was amended, increasing the amount allocated for the Blue Hill-based ambulance service… Read More
    CALAIS – Students got to step out of the classroom for a time Wednesday when a fire in the automotive shop forced a schoolwide evacuation. Around 12:15 p.m. the Calais Fire Department, responding to an alarm at the St. Croix Regional Technical Center, which is… Read More
    PORTLAND – A woman was ordered to pay $300 in fines after pleading guilty to charges she fabricated a story about a police officer raping her. Sianne Bermudez, 23, of Portland said after her arrest on Feb. 21, 2002, that she was raped in the… Read More
    BANGOR – Some of the details surrounding a proposed $30 million gaming and entertainment complex at Bass Park were outlined Thursday during a business breakfast at Husson College’s Dickerman Dining Commons. Headlined “The Racino. Gambling on Bangor. Is This Right for Bass Park?” the program… Read More
    CAPE ELIZABETH – A town councilor is proposing charging admission to Fort Williams Park, the site of Portland Head Light. Town officials have debated charging admission to the park before and rejected the idea each time. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
    PORTLAND – Yoko Ono has agreed to be the commencement speaker at the Maine College of Art’s graduation ceremony in May, the college announced Thursday. College president Christine Vincent said graduating seniors selected Ono as the commencement speaker because “she embodies their ideals both as… Read More
    AUBURN – Regular mail deliveries resumed Thursday after a scare at a post office a day earlier when a mysterious powder was discovered in a letter tray. The state laboratory determined hours after Wednesday’s discovery that the powder was not anthrax and contained no bacterial agents… Read More
    Three northern Penobscot County hospitals will sign up area residents for free or low-cost health insurance available through the state as part of a nationwide project called “Cover the Uninsured Week.” Millinocket Regional Hospital, Penobscot Valley Hospital in Lincoln and the Katahdin Valley Health Center… Read More
    Applications are now being accepted for the Kennebec Valley Community Action Program, Camp Sebasticook, a volunteer home repair work camp, which will be conducted next July in Greater Newport. Old friend Chuck Roundy of Augusta wrote me with all the details about Camp Sebasticook. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    Harrington The annual town meeting date published in the town report brought that session to order a week earlier than usual. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – Pittsfield police are investigating a break-in at Pittsfield Redemption Center that occurred early Thursday morning. Pittsfield police Officer Rodney Minoty said someone kicked in a board covering an unused window located behind outside soda machines. More than $1,000 in items were taken, including… Read More
    ROCKLAND – A Biddeford-area man who allegedly stole thousands of dollars’ worth of jewelry, cash and a 2002 pickup truck last month from an Owls Head home was among multiple indictments handed up Thursday by a Knox County grand jury. Chad Salvas, 24, arrested last… Read More
    WASHINGTON – Labor Secretary Elaine Chao and Small Business Administrator Hector Barreto on Thursday endorsed a plan crafted by Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, to expand the health care options available to small businesses and those who are self-employed. The endorsement by the Bush administration comes… Read More
    Usually, this time of the year means a lot of things to the members of Maine Public Television’s basketball broadcasting crew. None of those things usually involve broadcasting basketball games. This year is different. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
    There is a current crisis in college sports that rears its head at different times in different forms. Almost inadvertently and without a specific focus, college sports are bubbling with controversies that challenge longstanding norms. The St. Bonaventure men’s basketball team ended its season two… Read More
    ORONO – It has been a year in which streaks have fallen by the wayside and, Thursday night, the longest streak of them all came to an end. The University of Maine’s Black Bears had never lost a Hockey East playoff game at Alfond Arena… Read More
    BREWER – With two starters injured and a school winter sports history heavily weighted toward basketball, top-seeded Hampden Academy’s shot at its first Eastern Maine Class B hockey title was anything but a slam dunk. But thanks to a group of guys who play like… Read More
    ORONO – There are 1,000 tickets available for Friday’s 7 p.m. Hockey East quarterfinal series game between the University of Maine and the University of Massachusetts at Alfond Arena. They can be obtained from the athletic ticket office during normal business hours. UMass won Thursday’s… Read More
    ORONO – Children ages 16 and younger will receive a free ticket with the purchase of a full-priced reserved adult ticket when the Bears women’s basketball team takes on Boston University at Alfond Arena at noon on Saturday. The offer is part of NCAA Basketball’s… Read More
    MILO – The Penboscot Valley Conference’s Senior All-Star C-D games are scheduled Tuesday at Penquis High School. The girls game is at 5:30 p.m. and the boys at 7 p.m. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children. Read More
    HOLE-IN-ONE James Andrews 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 Penobscot Valley Conference Class C and D All-Star teams 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
    LAKE WALES, Fla. – Tony Kreek had a single, double, and drove in a run to spark the Husson College to a 5-1 victory over Walsh College in the first day of the Warner Southern Tournament. Billy Kane notched a pair of singles and an… Read More
    The busy age-group swimming championship season continues this weekend with the 2003 YMCA State meet at the University of Maine’s Wallace Pool in Orono. More than 15 YMCA-affiliated teams will be in Orono for the meet, which starts Saturday morning and wraps up Sunday evening. Read More
    In an attempt to reward teams for nonconference wins over quality opponents, the NCAA Ice Hockey Committee will be adding percentage points to the Ratings Percentage Index of teams for those victories beginning this season. These “good wins,” according to committee chairman Ian McCaw, are… Read More
    In theaters OLD SCHOOL, directed by Todd Phillips, written by Phillips and Scot Armstrong, 91 minutes, rated R. 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++)… Read More