BANGOR – Rather than being allowed to use consumers as guinea pigs, manufacturers should be made responsible for proving the environmental safety of the chemicals they use and produce, said a group of local environmental and health advocates Monday. The Bangor event was one of… Read More
    AUBURN – A gym teacher’s body fat tests of fourth- through sixth-graders at Webster Intermediate School have triggered complaints by parents who say some children were upset and embarrassed by the results. “It didn’t give any explanation,” said Jane Clavet of the slip of paper… Read More
    A story on Friday’s State page incorrectly stated that TDS Telecom in Hampden was out of service when the electric power was out due to last Wednesday’s windstorm. Chad T. Young, general manager, said Hampden telephone service was never down because the company has a backup battery system. Read More
    FORT KENT – The sprawling Kent Inc. facility, buildings, real estate and assorted personal property of the bankrupt company, were sold Monday morning at auction to the Northern Maine Finance Corp. for $460,000. Duane Walton, corporation vice president, was the only bidder at the auction… Read More
    BANGOR – A 16-member delegation from Penobscot and Hancock counties is departing this week for a 10-day visit to El Salvador, where members want to see for themselves the impact that free-trade policies have had on ordinary people in that country. Sponsored by Peace through… Read More
    WESTBROOK – Idexx Laboratories Inc., which makes testing kits and other products for veterinarians, reported its net income jumped 28 percent in the third quarter as revenue increased. The company also raised its full-year earnings view Monday. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
    With the article, “$6.9 million environment bond to fund statewide projects; air and water quality programs to benefit” (BDN, Oct. 13), the photo showed workers with New Hampshire-based APEX Construction Inc. assembling a metal dome at the Old Town treatment plant. Why not keep Maine… Read More
    Gov. Baldacci is in Ireland this week, on a mission to learn about that country’s economic successes. Ireland several years ago became famous for its roaring Celtic Tiger economy, but then discovered housing shortages in its major city and population loss and continued poverty in its rural areas. Read More
    President Bush has rightly chosen conciliation rather than bluster and coercion in dealing with the prickly issue of North Korea’s nuclear weapons plans. In a policy shift designed to restart the stalled six-nation talks, he said he was willing to commit the United States to a written guarantee… Read More
    I worked for a local bank for many years in a management position. During those years, I was strongly encouraged to donate to a political action committee, which was used to gather dollars to promote a negative position against credit unions. I never understood why… Read More
    By failing to obtain substantial United Nations involvement in Iraq we soon run the risk of finding ourselves stuck in a situation we cannot back out of nor bring to a successful conclusion. This would be a defeat of great magnitude for our country. If… Read More
    Philip Trostel and Catherine Reilly argue in their column, “Tax shifting in Maine is not tax relief” (BDN column, Oct. 9), that Question 1A results in a regressive burden on Maine’s poorer taxpayers. Their argument depends on two analytical errors. They argue that Maine’s poorest… Read More
    Rather than give a compelling reason why we attacked Iraq, the editorial regarding Colin Powell, “Best case scenario” (BDN, Oct. 14), only reinforced the fabrications of the Bush administration as to the need for our immediate attack. Powell’s commentary (Oct. 8) was full of words… Read More
    Seeing former Gov. Angus King in paid TV commercials by big business Casinos No! supporters saying, “Millions of dollars from the casino in Sanford will go out of state,” makes me wonder. Does our former governor know where the millions made by Wal-Mart go? How… Read More
    Misty Edgecomb’s article, “Aquaculture data paints rosy picture; industry surprised, others skeptical of contribution to state’s controversy” (BDN, Oct. 16), contains within itself a basis for questioning the validity of the rosy picture painted by the referenced report. From the article, it appears as if… Read More
    We would like to express our concern about the Sunday hunting bill coming out of the committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Let’s leave Sundays available for hiking and walking dogs without having to be concerned with guns in the woods. Hunters are concerned about… Read More
    On Nov. 4 we have an opportunity to improve the quality and reliability of the state’s drinking water systems. Referendum Question 4 includes a request for $1.2 million to construct drinking water system improvements that address public health threats and to provide the state match for $4 million… Read More
    Bangor voters have an important job to do Nov. 4. They will elect three new members to our City Council. Those chosen all will be new because three incumbents have served the two-term limit and cannot be re-elected. Because of this, we need people with experience, good judgment,… Read More
    Referendum Questions 1A and 1B are designed to fund education and take the heat off property taxes; but there is no guarantee how the funds will ultimately be used. Both will probably result in higher taxes. The Maine Legislature needs to reduce spending, downsize government and comprehensively restructure… Read More
    After attending the council meeting Oct. 16, I couldn’t believe it. You people who don’t come to the meetings are missing the best show in town. Apparently [Councilor Avern] Danforth wants “yes” people as he chastised Aaron Miller, Katahdin Times editor, about the articles he’s been putting in… Read More
    The front page of the current Bar Harbor Times has two intriguing stories. Mount Desert selectmen are debating the contribution of funds for an anti-drug task force for Hancock County. Advocates acknowledge that consumption of drugs can be reduced through treatment, but maintain that the focus at the… Read More
    I have read almost every article for and against the casino in Sanford. I believe voters want what’s good for Maine and the workers of Maine. We have been losing jobs at an alarming rate in this state. Taxes are too high and nobody seems to have an… Read More
    Oh God, I hurt. I hurt real bad. It’s been 63 hours since I watched my last baseball game of the season: Game 7 of the Red Sox-Yankees league championship series. Forgive me, but I don’t even want to think about baseball. No more ESPN… Read More
    In response to Richard Tozier’s suggestion to check it out (BDN op-ed, Oct. 15), I did. Here is what I’ve found. The Bangor racino proposal by Shawn Scott’s Capital Seven is about jobs. The group claims 314 jobs with a payroll of $5.3 million. That… Read More
    BANGOR – If you’ve run out of heating fuel after business hours or on a holiday, chances are good you’ve spoken with Arthur Lutton. The 74-year-old Bangor resident is one of the night dispatchers employed at Webber Energy Fuels’ corporate headquarters on Main Street. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    When our home computer went on the fritz a few months ago, sputtering and balking like a car ready for the junk heap, it seemed critically important that we do everything necessary to get the machine up and running again. Having had computers in the… Read More
    ST. AGATHA – Residents were told Monday night that a 10-year-old effort to create a north-south highway connecting Interstate 95 in Houlton with the St. John Valley is on track, and is supported by the administration of Gov. John Baldacci. The session, attended by nearly… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Activists and public officials said Monday that permanent repeal of the estate tax sought by the Bush administration will force more federal borrowing and drain away millions of dollars needed for state programs. Speakers at a State House news conference said the estate… Read More
    ROCKPORT – The board of assessors will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Rockport Opera House to reconsider the property value equalization plan adopted last week. The assessors, who are also the town’s selectmen, adopted a plan on Oct. 14 that increased… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – Pittsfield officials have scheduled a series of counseling sessions and workshops to help local business owners prosper and expand. The one-on-one counseling is “an invaluable, confidential service,” said Town Manager Kathryn Ruth, and is being provided free of charge. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    BELFAST – When the city begins work on rebuilding the footbridge over the Passagassawaukeag River next year, it hopes to have enough extra cash available to include a drawbridge in the project. City Manager Terry St. Peter has recommended that the city apply for a… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – A local man remained in jail Monday afternoon after he allegedly stole a shotgun from his father’s Eastbrook home and then threatened his father with the weapon outside a Route 1 business in Hancock, according to police. James Murphy 39, of Ellsworth was… Read More
    WASHINGTON – Rural schools and school districts in Maine will receive more than $3.6 million in additional funding under the Rural Education Achievement Program legislation written by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins. The $3.6 million of REAP funding awarded to Maine is distributed under two programs. Read More
    Ellsworth District Court Cases Sept. 23-Oct. 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
    CARIBOU – The October meeting of the Aroostook Democratic County Committee will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Caribou Recreational Center, 59 Bennett Drive. County Chairwoman Judy Paradis will conduct the meeting. Local legislators, county officials, various presidential campaign representatives and… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – A man believed to live on Mount Desert Island is being sought in connection with an alleged road rage incident last week in Trenton, according to police. Ross Moore, 55, is the registered owner of a truck that allegedly was involved in an… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – A Hancock woman was treated at a local hospital and released after she was involved in an accident Sunday on Route 1A, according to police. Zelma Watson, 24, was driving a 2000 Ford van north on the highway around 12:50 p.m. when a… Read More
    THORNDIKE – An organizational meeting to discuss the formation of a community action group to address the use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs by area youths will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, at Mount View High School library. The discussion will… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – The Union River Greens, Hancock County’s local of the Maine Green Independent Party, will meet at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at Ellsworth City Hall. The discussion will be on the 2004 elections. All are welcome. For more information, call Charlie Wiggins at… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – The reins for running City Hall were passed Monday night from the City Council chairman to the city’s finance director. Ellsworth’s acting city manager still has the last name of Beal, but now it is Michelle Beal instead of Lee Beal. The two… Read More
    Belfast District Court Cases Oct. 6-10, 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
    BREWER – City Council members adopted a revised adult entertainment ordinance at a special meeting Monday morning. City officials felt it was important to put the new ordinance in place now, rather than wait until all the wrinkles were ironed out, because there is no… Read More
    NEWPORT – In 1887, 65-year-old John Holbrook of Newport told the first Maine Commissioners of Fisheries that when he was a child, alewives, shad and salmon came up the Sebasticook River in great numbers. By the time he was 30, he said, they were entirely gone, blocked by… Read More
    ORONO – Dog owners in downtown Orono, and other public spots around town, will have to keep their canines on a leash now. The Orono Town Council decided Monday that dogs should be on an 8-foot leash while in the downtown Village Commercial District, around… Read More
    Gary A. Jordan of Bangor, an investment representative for the financial services firm Edward Jones and a reservist with the U.S. Air Force, recently returned from active military duty with the Marine Air National Guard. Jordan commanded the 101st Security Forces Squadron, which was mobilized… Read More
    MONSON – After having filled all the vacant storefronts in this small community as part of an economic revitalization effort, residents now must find ways to fill the local elementary school with children to keep it open. Declining enrollment has caused SAD 68 officials to… Read More
    SKOWHEGAN – Official notification that the Somerset County Jail was approved to house more than 45 inmates was received Monday, ending weeks of speculation that the county would be denied a variance and forced to house dozens of prisoners at other jails – a situation that would have… Read More
    PORTLAND – Negative opinions and misinformation about America are rampant throughout the Muslim world, creating a crisis in the nation’s foreign relations, says a Portland lawyer closely involved in the issue. Harold Pachios is a member and former chairman of the Advisory Group on Public… Read More
    PORTLAND – As thousands of Mainers turn to the Internet and mail order to buy cheaper prescription drugs from Canada, pharmacies around the state are feeling the impact of the lost sales. Community Pharmacy, a statewide drugstore chain, has lost substantial revenue, making it more… Read More
    PORTLAND – With the number of junior hunters in Maine apparently on the rise, youngsters can get a jump on deer season Saturday during the state’s second annual Youth Deer Day. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, which seeks to encourage young people to… Read More
    BANGOR – A Massachusetts man remained behind bars Monday, charged with robbing a transient man at knife point over the weekend. Matthew Williams, 20, of Lowell, Mass., who bears a tear-shaped tattoo on the left side of his face, was charged with the robbery Saturday. Read More
    BAILEYVILLE – J.K. Rowling’s latest novel, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” is a real page-turner, and that’s important locally because the paper on which the book is printed was made by paper experts who work for Domtar Inc. The Montreal-based pulp and… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – A local woman, who was a longtime proponent of the construction of the Piscataquis Regional YMCA and has held numerous offices in the organization over the years, was honored for her achievements Oct. 16. Donna Hathaway was recognized at the annual meeting of… Read More
    Bangor police arrested a local man Sunday night after his truck allegedly rear-ended another vehicle. Officer Steve Jordan reported that at about 8:30 p.m. he and Officer Mike Jewett went to the intersection of Union Street and Griffin Road for a traffic accident. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    GREENVILLE – A Greenville man was upset to learn this week that he’d been dismissed from the Piscataquis County Budget Advisory Committee for having failed to attend the first budget meeting on Oct. 6. Richard Gould said Monday that he received a letter on behalf… Read More
    HAMPDEN – At least one resident is worried that the town is letting development go unchecked. Kim Slininger made her concerns known during the public comment segment of Monday night’s Town Council meeting. Concerned that two housing developments are being suggested for the Main Road… Read More
    EAST MILLINOCKET – Project planners for the renovation of the 15,000-square-foot shell building hope to select an engineer by next week to design the future home of a local display case manufacturer. A public hearing on the progress of the project will be held at… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – The Pittsfield Town Council’s finance committee will meet from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. tonight in the council conference room of the municipal building on Park Street. The group will review the Cemetery Trust Funds investments with representatives of Banknorth Investment Management Group, discuss… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – Ordinance changes head the agenda for the Pittsfield Town Council’s regular meeting at 7:30 tonight at the municipal building on Park Street. Changes that have been reviewed by the planning board, code enforcement officer and the council’s ordinance committee include details regarding accessory… Read More
    BANGOR – A Bangor man with Parkinson’s disease will receive a Canine Assistants service dog to provide him with companionship and help with everyday tasks. Harold Spaulding, 77, will meet his new best friend at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 22 at the Hannaford store, located… Read More
    BANGOR – A Chelsea man pleaded guilty to drug and weapons charges Monday in federal court. Frank Arbour, 27, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiring to possess and distribute illegal drugs, being a felon in possession of firearms, and possessing stolen firearms, according to Assistant… Read More
    BANGOR – The Hammond Street Senior Center has invited candidates for Bangor City Council to its Harvest Happening celebration 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at Norumbega Hall on Harlow Street. The idea is to allow candidates the opportunity to meet members of the center who are benefiting… Read More
    WATERVILLE – Colby college alumnus Robert Diamond, chief executive of Barclays Capital and chairman of Barclays Global Investors, will speak at his alma mater on “Changing Capital Markets in Europe.” Diamond’s lecture will examine the changing role of investment banking in Europe, in light of… Read More
    MILLINOCKET – A public hearing to discuss proposed amendments to the town’s tax increment financing agreement with Katahdin Paper Co. has been postponed indefinitely. Originally scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 23, the public hearing was postponed at last week’s council meeting after an executive session to… Read More
    ORONO – A meeting for the Action Committee of 50 Inc. will feature Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives Patrick Colwell, who will present “Creating a Future for Youth in Maine,” a talk on his perspectives on the Maine economy and key issues now before the Legislature. Read More
    WATERVILLE – The Thomas College Office of Student Life will sponsor a 4-mile walk to benefit The Maine Children’s Home for Little Wanderers of Waterville at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Thomas College, 180 West River Rd. Refreshments will be served. Free t-shirts will… Read More
    MILLINOCKET – Roughly 100 students from Schenck and Stearns high schools will receive free winter sports physicals tonight at Northern Penobscot Orthopedics because of an $866,000 rural health grant received by Millinocket Regional Hospital. The physical examinations will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Read More
    GLENBURN – The Town of Glenburn will hold voter registration from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday Oct. 28 and 30, and from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Friday Oct. 29 and 31, at 144 Lakeview Road. Residents are asked to… Read More
    ROXBURY – A pickup truck crash on state Route 17 claimed the life of a 28-year-old woman Sunday afternoon, state police said. Kelly St. Cyr lost control of her 1996 Ford Ranger truck around 2 p.m. near a curve about two miles from the Mexico… Read More
    CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Questions about DNA evidence have delayed the trial of a 36-year-old Maryland man charged with the 1996 murders of two female hikers in Shenandoah National Park. Darrell David Rice is accused of torturing and slashing to death Lollie Winans, 26, of Unity,… Read More
    It would have seemed so unlikely just a month ago. But there we were last Thursday night at the Wachovia Arena in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., at the kickoff concert of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel’s Old Friends 2003 tour. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
    Most families would consider themselves lucky to have one talented musician among their ranks, but the Leahys are blessed many times over. The award-winning Canadian musical family gave its audience a phenomenal show Saturday at the Maine Center for the Arts with its perfectly blended… Read More
    Dusting the bookshelves reminded me of some rather fanciful intentions we have harbored over the years and of the many contemplated projects that remain, as yet, unaccomplished. Take a small paperback book titled, “The Training and Care of the Versatile Hunting Dog,” and we’ll show… Read More
    At last. Someone has found a way to combine writing and stitching. That someone is Susan Sherman of Appleton, who is the idea woman behind the Maine Authors Quilt project. “The hard part,” said Sherman, “was that there is no comprehensive list available of Maine… Read More
    ORONO – The University of Wisconsin Badgers showed Monday why they are currently ranked seventh in the U.S. College Hockey Online women’s hockey poll. The 4-0 Badgers scored four power-play goals in eight chances, including two by sophomore left wing Sharon Cole, and also added… Read More
    ORONO – The early part of the fall semester is a critical time for college basketball teams. The players spend the preseason conditioning, playing pickup games and bonding in preparation for the season. The University of Maine women’s squad didn’t wait until September to start… Read More
    The Josh Brinkley Scholarship Fund, which was established to honor the Bangor Lumberjacks’ hitting coach who was died after being hit by a car while jogging last week, has officially been set up. Anyone wishing to contribute to the fund can send checks to the Josh Brinkley Memorial… Read More
    The Maine Elks Association announced winners from its annual State Soccer Shoot competition in Augusta Sunday. The following age-group winners advance to regional competition in New Hampshire Oct. 31-Nov. 2: Katie Coulette of Rumford (under 8 girls), Kevin Kingsbury of Augusta (under 8 boys), Jennifer Denault of Rockland… Read More
    COLLEGE At Captains Golf Course, 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
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    You too, huh? Yes, you. You know who you are. I saw you. This morning, at the gas pumps. You drive a green Ford Ranger with a cap on the back. I’ve probably seen you there a hundred times before today, but today, I noticed… Read More
    BREWSTER, Mass. – Husson College of Bangor finished the first day of the New England Intercollegiate Golf Association Championship with an 18-over-par 306, putting the Braves in a third-place tie with Harvard in the overall scoring. Rhode Island shot a 10-over 298 at the Captains… Read More
    The University of Maine women’s soccer team had hoped to have a breakthrough season this fall. Making the America East playoffs for the first time ever was one of the goals after missing them a year ago when they went 3-4-1 in league play, 7-8-1… Read More
    Ticket idea poor In response to Jody Therberge’s letter to the editor [BDN Oct. 14], I too was in line for Maine hockey tickets on Oct. 6. I traveled from Calais (100 miles away) to Orono, like I have done for many years, only to… Read More
    HIGH SCHOOL Official final standings for boys and girls soccer and volleyball as reported by the Maine Principals’ Association. 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;… Read More