In response to surging Franco-phobia, French’s Mustard has issued a press release informing the public that, despite the name, it is an all-American product, created in New York City by R.T. French and first introduced to the hot dog at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Other food-industry… Read More
    By making vagueness its primary virtue, the Supreme Court’s decision in University of California Regents v. Bakke 25 years ago guaranteed, in one form or another, the oral arguments that are scheduled to be heard today in a suit against the admissions process at the University of Michigan. Read More
    “Dear Mr. Andropov,” begins the letter of a 10-year-old ambassador from Manchester to the Soviet premier. This letter changed the course of history. Samantha Smith submitted her thoughts and questions to Yuri Andropov 20 years ago, explaining that she didn’t feel secure in this tension-filled world, and won… Read More
    I read with interest Ronald Beaulieu’s March 20 letter to the editor titled, “Gas pricing.” He shouldn’t get his hopes up in anticipation of Attorney General Steven Rowe and his department interceding on the matter of gas pricing. Based on my one-time experience involving club… Read More
    How insensitive of the Bangor Daily News to feature a large color photo of an Iraqi father with his son on the front page while an American mother who lost her Marine son to fighting against the Iraqis has had her smaller photo relegated to page 10 (BDN,… Read More
    The students at Schenck High School in East Millinocket have been amazed at the extent of help and assistance extended to us during these difficult financial and emotional times. We recently completed our annual winter carnival. Our formal event of the year, this carnival involves… Read More
    I was very upset with the front-page picture of Capt. Eric Puls (BDN, March 28). Too bad he couldn’t grieve in private. The picture of him kissing his 2-year-old daughter on page A4 would have been a better choice for the front page and would still relay his… Read More
    A friend sent me a March 21 letter printed in The New York Times. It was written by a woman who, with her 6-year old son, was looking at newspaper pictures of Marines leaving for Iraq. The child asked his mother, “But Mommy, why are they all kids?”… Read More
    Ever notice the directions listed on Step 1 on the State of Maine income tax form? It’s a warning not to use red ink when filling out the form. Wouldn’t that be the preferred color when filing your state taxes? Gary Parent googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    We gave them an opportunity to enter the 21st century and they opted for the power of the status quo.” Such was one citizen’s summation of the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Joint Legislative Committee’s recent work session, during which members killed one anti-snaring bill and subverted a second,… Read More
    Once Gov. John Baldacci and the Maine Legislature erase a billion-dollar deficit, balance a new budget, bring one-of-a-kind universal health care to the state, and slay a few pesky dragons along the way, they plan to take on something that has eluded Maine lawmakers for decades – tax… Read More
    If the war in Iraq and Tiger Woods’ recent flameout at the Players Championship haven’t left you needing to lighten up today, read something else. For years I have tried to convince my daughters that what a woman needs to feel good in life is… Read More
    PORTLAND – The state’s first smallpox vaccinations for hospital workers, which had been scheduled for Monday, were canceled because of concerns about possible fatal side effects of the immunization. Dr. Dora Anne Mills, director of the state Bureau of Health, said she suspended the vaccination… Read More
    I wasn’t surprised to read in the morning paper that most Maine people seem to be doing a good job of keeping their war concerns in healthy perspective. Round-the-clock news of the fighting in Iraq and fears about the possibility of terrorist threats to our… Read More
    CALAIS – The tiny public library in this small border community is making a big statement about the right of every individual to read a book without the federal government looking over his shoulder. Taking its name seriously, the Calais Free Library is asking patrons… Read More
    Arsenic is a carcinogenic poison, yet the substance commonly is found leaching from pressure-treated lumber used for household decks and children’s playground equipment. A bill being considered today by the Legislature’s Natural Resources Committee would further restrict the sale and disposal of arsenic-treated lumber in… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – Three people were killed on Sunday and another three were injured when the cars they were in collided nearly head-on on U.S. Route 1. Pronounced dead at the scene were Barbara Harmon, 78, and her husband, Philip Harmon, 81, both of Stockholm. Read More
    Ellsworth District Court Cases Dec. 15, 2002-March 3, 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 () { //… Read More
    ROCKLAND – Two more of the six secret indictments issued in March by the Knox County Superior Court grand jury have been unsealed. Francis G. Scott, 59, of Rockland was indicted for receiving stolen property, which included tools and an outboard motor, with an aggregate… Read More
    CAMDEN – A Lincolnville man was taken Friday night by ambulance to a local hospital after another man struck him in the face with brass knuckles. Camden Police Chief Phil Roberts said the incident occurred at 11:15 p.m. at Gilbert’s Publick House. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    CAMDEN – A man was arrested Sunday night on a relatively new charge relating to domestic conflict, Camden Police Chief Phil Roberts said Monday. Kyle Upton, 20, of Camden was charged with obstructing the report of a crime. Police believe Upton cut the telephone wire… Read More
    THOMASTON – Police are investigating a string of motor vehicle burglaries that occurred Friday night on Amelia Drive, Sgt. Michael Janczura of the Thomaston Police Department said Monday. There are no suspects, Janczura said, noting there were six vehicles in the neighborhood, located off Pleasant… Read More
    MACHIAS – The University of Maine at Machias is helping the town with its trash disposal costs by having campus waste taken to the Machias Transfer Station. A change in UMM’s trash pickup service last month is adding to tonnage needs that give the town… Read More
    BROOKSVILLE – A community update regarding activities at the Callahan mine Superfund site will be held at 7 tonight at the Brooksville Community Center on Confield Road. Representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and the Maine… Read More
    BUCKSPORT – The Blue Hill Memorial Hospital Health Education Center, in cooperation with International Paper, is sponsoring diabetes education classes for five weeks. Classes run from 4 to 6 p.m. starting Tuesday, April 8, at the IP health service building on Route 15. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    BUCKSPORT – The Bucksport High School Student Council will hold its sixth annual lip-sync competition at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 10, in the high school gymnasium. Admission is $3 for students and $4 for adults. Prizes of $200, $150 and $100 will be awarded to… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – The Ellsworth School Department will hold kindergarten registration and screening Thursday, April 10, and Friday, April 11, at the Dr. Charles C. Knowlton School. Any child who will be 5 years old by Oct. 15 is eligible to register for school. Registration-screening is… Read More
    Smyrna and Merrill Three more residents signed up at each of the annual town meetings last week in Smyrna and Merrill to participate in a citizens advisory committee for community development. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
    THOMASTON – Dragon Products Co. met its deadline Friday for seeking a building permit related to its $50 million expansion project, but its application was rejected by the town, according to Code Enforcement Officer Peter Surek. Last week, Surek gave Dragon until Friday to apply… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – Lawmakers have voted to recommend a proposed bill that calls for the construction a public boat ramp on the eastern shore of Branch Lake. The original wording of the bill, LD 824, would have transferred control of state property on the lake from… Read More
    Carrabec High School, North Anson 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
    HOULTON – A boil-water order for residents of the Houlton Mobile Home Park was lifted Monday after tests taken last week came back negative for E. coli. Larry Girvan, northern Maine field services engineer at the state’s drinking water program office in Presque Isle, said… Read More
    CARIBOU – The 50-piece U.S. Air Force Band of Liberty will perform in concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, at the Caribou Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available free of charge at the Pieces of Eight in Caribou, Presque Isle Food Trends, Essie’s Market,… Read More
    FORT KENT – The Fort Kent Recreation and Parks Department will hold two Easter crafts workshops. One for children in kindergarten through grade four will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 9. The second, for children ages 2 to 5 along with… Read More
    Two men reportedly stole more than $250 in cash from an Orono convenience store Sunday night. About 11 p.m. Officer Scott Lajoie went to the Big Apple store on Main Street in response to a theft complaint. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
    EXETER- Residents breezed through a 38-article warrant Monday during the annual town meeting. Other than reducing funding for general government by $1,000 at the request of town officials and paring the requests of social service agencies, residents approved the recommendations of the budget committee. Amounts… Read More
    BANGOR – The 2003 Down East Tattoo Show will be held from 1 p.m. to midnight Friday, April 4; from 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday, April 5; and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 6, at the Bangor Elks Club, 108 Odlin Road. Read More
    ORONO – State Rep. Chris Greeley will speak at the Orono adult education class at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, at Orono High School. Greeley’s topic is current goings-on in Augusta. Read More
    BANGOR – Eastern Maine Medical Center’s Community Wellness Service will hold a CPR update class from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at Eastern Maine Medical Center, conference room 2D. To register or for more information, call 973-7088. Read More
    BREWER – The Forest Resources Association, in cooperation with the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine, will hold the final event of FRA’s Industrial Forestry Forum from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at Jeff’s Catering. The event is open to all logging contractors, owner-operators and equipment… Read More
    EAST MILLINOCKET – The United Way of Eastern Maine, the Katahdin Central Labor Council and the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, April 7, at Schenck High School’s gymnasium. The event is sponsored by the Schenck… Read More
    Union 113 announces child screening date EAST MILLINOCKET – A free developmental screening for 3- and 4-year-olds, as well as all 5-year-olds not yet eligible for kindergarten, will be held for Union 113 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 9, at the Opal Myrick… Read More
    BANGOR – A free women’s health screening day will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, at the Penobscot Community Health Center, Union Street, and at the St. Joseph Hospital Regional Breast Care Center, Broadway. Women between the ages of 40… Read More
    Rockland District High School Six-week 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
    WASHINGTON – Only one incumbent lost election at the polls Friday. Road Commissioner Alfred Leigh lost his position to Frank Jones Jr. by a 51-vote margin. Jones garnered 282 votes to Leigh’s 231. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
    Calais District Court Cases March 7-13, 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
    PITTSFIELD – Pittsfield councilors will hear a presentation tonight from representatives of the Maine Department of Marine Resources regarding fish restoration in the Sebasticook River. The ordinance committee will meet at 6:30 p.m., followed by the regular council meeting at 7:30. Both meetings will be… Read More
    BANGOR – An ambitious plan to turn the city’s historic but neglected waterworks into low-income housing is among the matters planning board members will address tonight when they meet at City Hall. During the meeting, set for 7 p.m., the planning board will consider approving… Read More
    ORONO – Police charged three people with various offenses and seized drugs and stereo equipment early Sunday morning after breaking up a rave in an abandoned textile mill on Shore Drive. A rave is an all-night party. Orono police received a call just after 3… Read More
    SANGERVILLE – Although it was suggested that town employees could provide better winter road maintenance, residents voted Saturday at the annual town meeting to continue contracting out services for a portion of the roads. That approval was for a one-year contract that will allow residents… Read More
    ORONO – The Old Town City Council and the Orono Town Council will open up a dialogue Thursday night to discuss possible cooperation in municipal services. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the council chambers of the Orono Town Office. The two… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – A local man who allegedly assaulted his ex-wife late Friday night and then threatened to harm himself with a meat cleaver and knife held police at bay for more than two hours before he was arrested by force. Roy Gray, 38, who had… Read More
    SEBEC – Several hundred dollars’ worth of items were taken during a recent break-in at a Sebec Lake camp on Fire Lane 8. Burglars pried open a door to a shed and to the camp owned by a Falmouth-area family, according to Investigator Jamie Kane… Read More
    LINCOLN – SAD 67 will hold free developmental screening for area 3- and 4-year-olds, as well as 5-year-olds not yet eligible for kindergarten, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 2, at the Ella P. Burr Elementary School. To schedule an appointment, call 794-3014. Read More
    ELLSWORTH – Workers in Hancock and Washington counties soon will be able to catch a ride with other commuters under a new program financed by a federal transit grant. The Washington Hancock Community Agency will launch its new “JobsLinks” program within the next month. The… Read More
    Two years ago, local residents formed the Cove Brook Watershed Council as a nonprofit organization to help conserve the Winterport brook that is one of the eight Maine waterways designated as having a wild Atlantic salmon population. On behalf of the CBWC, President Donna Gilbert… Read More
    EASTPORT – A U.S. destroyer is scheduled to steam into port to help celebrate the Fourth of July, but because of the Iraqi war, the U.S. Navy will not release any information about the visit until later. Adm. Robert J. Natter, commander in chief of… Read More
    BRUNSWICK – A lawsuit filed on behalf of military personnel forced to return enlistment bonuses after they were discharged for being overweight was appealed Monday to the U.S. Supreme Court. Michael Feldman, who filed the lawsuit, contends the Defense Department illegally took bonuses given to… Read More
    ORONO – The 32nd annual Maine Scholastic K-12 Individual Chess Championships were held Saturday at the University of Maine. Hosted by the university, the tournament returned to its roots and the very rooms at the Memorial Union where the late George Cunningham originally held these events. Read More
    PORTLAND – Two Pakistanis apprehended on South Main Street in Brewer on March 18 after a statewide manhunt each have been released on $2,500 bond, according to an immigration official. “It’s still an ongoing investigation,” Dawn Alley, spokesman for the Bureau of Immigration and Customs… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – State standards used to regulate shorefront development – the constitutionality of which are being contested in two cases scheduled to be argued before the state Supreme Judicial Court – are being reviewed and could be changed to help clarify how those standards are applied, according to… Read More
    DEER ISLE – After two years of planning, fish farmer Jorn Vad has withdrawn his application to locate salmon pens off Little Deer Isle. In an e-mail last week, Vad told officials at the state’s Department of Marine Resources that he wanted more time to… Read More
    WINTHROP – The YMCA Camp of Maine is accepting applications for its overnight and day camp programs this summer on Lake Cobbosseecontee. The camp’s 88th season will run from June 29 to Aug. 23 with one- and two-week overnight sessions available for boys and girls… Read More
    In an effort to provide support during the war to U.S. troops and their families, both in Maine and across the country, Maine’s credit unions have established “Operation Phone Home.” During the two-week program, which will end April 10, participating credit unions across Maine will… Read More
    DENTON, N.C. – Residents of the Denton area held a memorial service Sunday for the crew of an Air Force B-52 bomber from Dow Air Force Base in Bangor, Maine, that crashed near the community March 30, 1961. Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Glen Farnham,… Read More
    FREEPORT – Two women known locally for their public displays of patriotism are organizing the first Freeport Freedom Festival, a Sept. 12-13 event that will celebrate liberty in America. Elaine Greene and her friend Jo Ann Miller came up with the idea for the grass-roots… Read More
    PORTLAND – J. Donald MacWilliams, a longtime television sports reporter and anchorman, died March 31. He was 86. MacWilliams, former sports director at WCSH-TV, Portland, served as the station’s sports anchorman from 1953 until his retirement in 1977. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
    ACADIA NATIONAL PARK – The national park has closed the entire carriage road system. Spring thawing causes the carriage roads to become soft. Walking or bicycling on them under these conditions can cause significant damage that is costly to repair. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
    MOUNT DESERT – The Maine Coast Learning Expedition, a program of the Mount Desert Island Water Quality Coalition, is accepting applications for the fall 2003 semester. The MCLE is an interdisciplinary program offering opportunities for secondary school students to participate with instructors, community members and… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Three pupils have won the recent statewide 6th Grade Student Essay Contest sponsored by the Maine Space Grant Consortium (NASA in Maine). Courtney Gosnell of the Perry Elementary School won with an essay titled “Jupiter.” She is the daughter of Emily and Phillip… Read More
    Belfast District Court Cases March 10-21, 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
    LUBEC – At one point during “The Long Voyage Home,” a seedy recruiter known as Nick peers out of a London bar to check the progress of some drunken sailors who are making their way from the docks. The scene, in the Eugene O’Neill play… Read More
    That’s the answer: Set aside 15 minutes a day to worry so you don’t do it in the middle of the night. Such a routine, according to a Wall Street Journal columnist, would help those of us who are not getting a good night’s sleep… Read More
    I’m a little afraid that my knitting is going to land me in big trouble. I’m concerned because I just bought a copy of Anna Zilboorg’s “Knitting for Anarchists” at a downtown bookstore – you, know, guilt by association, the Patriot Act and all that. No, no, Zilboorg… Read More
    Dear Jim: I love the appearance of a stained real wood door, but I hate the maintenance. My old door front door is warped and weathered. What options do I have to get the same real wood look without maintenance? – Cari W. Dear Cari:… Read More
    This morning, come snow, rain, sleet … or, if we’re fortunate, sun … anglers all over the state will gather up their gear, hop in their trucks, and head for a favorite stream. It’s opening day of open-water fishing season, after all. And though the… Read More
    The Maine Winter Sports Center started a new event last weekend that was tailor-made for people who eat, sleep and breathe Nordic skiing. The first annual “Arooski,” billed as a “24-hour ski adventure,” was held at cross country ski areas throughout Aroostook County. The event… Read More
    “Sweet” Lou Dunbar isn’t sure how many miles he has traveled or how many times he’s shared a smile with fans in a crowded gymnasium. Some days he wakes up and has to remind himself where he is. Wherever he is, Dunbar and the Harlem… Read More
    Major Soccer League will decide by the end of the season where to place two expansion teams, with possibilities ranging from Houston and Philadelphia to smaller markets like Tulsa, Okla., and Rochester, N.Y. The expansion teams would command a $10 million price tag. The money-losing… Read More