A story published on Page B2 in the final edition of Friday’s newspaper should have referred to the building Merrill Bank is planning to buy from the Penobscot Theater Company as a parish hall rather than a rectory, as it was referred to in city documents. Read More
    Following is a list of underperforming schools in Maine according to the No Child Left Behind law. They are listed first by district, followed by individual school: Union 30, Philip W. Sugg Middle School. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Despite demands by Question 1A proponents, Maine Secretary of State Dan Gwadosky refused late Friday afternoon to correct alleged “serious misstatements and inaccuracies” in his agency’s voting guide after objections were lodged by proponents of the Maine Municipal Association’s property tax relief proposal. Read More
    PORTLAND – The $650 million casino proposed by the Passamaquoddy and Penobscot tribes would be a safe bet for investors in a region that can support several more casinos, the nation’s leading casino lender said Friday. Banc of America Securities estimates New England’s casino market… Read More
    AUGUSTA – An estimated 140 Maine communities would receive less school funding under the Legislature’s Question 1 proposal, according to an analysis by the Department of Education. Meanwhile, although all towns look like winners under a separate proposal drafted by the Maine Municipal Association, it… Read More
    Vote one way on Question 1 and a television ad says it “could” reduce property taxes “up to” 15 percent. “Could” reduce taxes? That doesn’t sound like much of a guarantee to me. A different ad says vote another way for real property tax relief… Read More
    1A Citizen Initiative: Do you want the state to pay 55 percent of the cost of public education, which includes all special education costs, for the purpose of shifting costs from the property tax to state resources? 1B Competing Measure: Do you want to lower… Read More
    The Senate’s vote this week to join the House in ending the decades-old travel ban to Cuba was a nod to the reality that the prohibition did nothing to unseat Fidel Castro and instead allowed him to describe the United States as his country’s oppressor. Though the White… Read More
    John Diamond’s contribution to the flood of Red Sox outpourings of abject self-pity made me laugh (BDN op-ed, Oct. 21). Baseball, Mr. Diamond, is about hitting, pitching, fielding and running bases. If you do all of that well enough you win more games than the next guy does. Read More
    A Casinos No! person stated on television that Maine will get some money from the slots, but will get nothing from the dice games, blackjack and roulette, which will send millions of dollars to Las Vegas. If you want to be sure Maine will get… Read More
    Carlton Willey watching the World Series is a wonderful feature story (BDN, Oct. 23), but it isn’t front page news. When the vice president’s former firm, Halliburton, is unilaterally selected, with no other company allowed to bid, to “restore” Iraq’s oil industry and charges the U.S. government almost… Read More
    Gambling is not a solution to economic woes. It creates many more problems than it solves. It is a moral problem that leads to heartache, broken people, ruined lives. Please vote no to casinos and racinos in Maine. Kathy and Gene Hollis googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    The last time we heard the name Corrao in Maine it was in a report on the trial of mobster John Gotti in the Brooklyn District Court in New York 1992. Among those indicted were Vincent Corrao’s son, Joe “Butch” Corrao, then Godfather Gotti’s No. 4 Capo in… Read More
    The proponents of Question 1A and 1B claim these options will lower property taxes. They seem to be missing one important reality: Government never gets smaller. Both 1A and 1B are intended to make the state pay a greater share of education, thereby reducing property… Read More
    Twenty-three years ago, Joseph Francis, a member of the Penobscot Nation, spoke before the U.S. Senate’s Indian Affairs Committee, sounding resigned about the deal his nation and the Passamaquoddy Tribe had chosen to accept to settle their land claim against Maine. “I have found many… Read More
    This November, Maine citizens will vote on a tax reform proposal sponsored by the Citizens to Reduce Local Property Taxes Statewide. The proposal – Question 1A – struck a chord with the voters of Maine as more than 100,000 people statewide – the largest number in the history… Read More
    The first paragraph of an Associated Press story in Thursday’s newspaper reported that a young race car driver had been killed in a wreck at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway while driving his car at 220 mph. The second paragraph reported that the accident had “ended… Read More
    For several years now I have been a well-paid consultant to Maine activists hoping to gain their particular political and economic goals through petitions and referendums. My professional firm, SynTactics, specializes in the writing of referendum questions so cunning in their wording that Maine voters end up doing… Read More
    BANGOR – Five years ago, businessman Christopher Hutchins thought it was important to save two struggling Maine traditions – garden tool and ax maker Snow and Nealley and the Maine Times newspaper. Now, after being shut down and started up again, this time as a… Read More
    For Jack Cashman, the state’s point man on economic development, a recently released report on Maine’s dismal small-business climate elicits a “tell-me-something-I-don’t-already-know” response. Maine is used to being near the bottom of national rankings on everything from per capita income to small-business environment, Cashman said,… Read More
    The top and bottom 10 states in which to do business. Top 10 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… Read More
    SAINT JOHN, New Brunswick – The hyped launch is over. The new logo and slogan released. Now, the real challenge begins. That challenge is to stay focused on the seven priorities identified in the region’s much-anticipated Growth Strategy and to work together to make them… Read More
    Two business events next week put the spotlight on manufacturing and its future in central and northern Maine. The Maine State Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual meeting beginning at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, at the Bangor Civic Center. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    CORINTH – In a Vietnamese province where land mines still blow off human limbs and take lives almost weekly, Roger Marshall’s dream is finally starting to take shape. Marshall has been raising money for several years for a much-needed orthotic-prosthetic rehabilitation center in Quang Ngai,… Read More
    In the midst of the U.S.-led war against terrorism, the media have been too complacent as the Bush administration curtails access to public information, according to a noted media expert. “One of the questions we have to ask is why the news media are pulling… Read More
    ASHLAND – A proposal to increase the size of the moose hunt by 550 permits in northeastern Maine drew criticism from members of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Advisory Council at their Friday morning meeting. Several commissioners worried that the increase may be… Read More
    As Terri Schiavo’s end-of-life drama continues to unfold in Florida, igniting a contentious national debate among scholars over the right to die and the ethics of medical advancements capable of forestalling death almost indefinitely, many of us are being forced to confront the toughest questions we might have… Read More
    HOULTON – Two classes offered by the Houlton Higher Education Center will begin in November. An introduction to computers workshop will be held 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Hodgdon High School. The free workshop is designed to introduce inexperienced computer users to the… Read More
    PENOBSCOT – Maine State Police have identified Christina M. Roulin-Miller, 51, of Castine as the woman who died Thursday in a single-car crash on Route 199. Roulin-Miller died instantly after she lost control of her vehicle, which went off the road and struck a tree… Read More
    BLUE HILL – Students at George Stevens Academy will perform the musical “Big,” based on the movie starring Tom Hanks. The show will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 13, 14, 15 and 17 in the school gymnasium. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – Health-Link, the Wellness Center of Maine Coast Memorial Hospital, will begin flu clinics for residents of Ellsworth and surrounding communities beginning Tuesday. The flu shots will cost $12 and can be billed directly to Medicare and Medicaid. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
    ROCKLAND – A Rockland District Middle School eighth-grader with leukemia and his family might be in a new home by the holidays if community members are successful in raising money for the home. One of the fund-raisers planned by the Rockland Junior Kiwanis is a… Read More
    BLUE HILL – The state fire tower atop Blue Hill Mountain has become a hot topic of conversation among townspeople since they learned the Maine Forest Service plans to remove it. The 52-year-old tower has not been in use for a number of years, but… Read More
    BELFAST – A Thomaston woman charged with setting her own house on fire and causing the death of seven pets made an initial appearance Friday in 5th District Court on one count of felony arson. Tim York, an investigator for the state Fire Marshal’s Office,… Read More
    LEVANT – State environmental officials will take more water samples next week in a handful of local wells as they continue to monitor the presence of MTBE, a gas additive. First detected last year after a February gasoline spill at Piper’s Country Store on Route… Read More
    SANGERVILLE – Selectmen agreed this week to hire an attorney to force a property owner to comply with state building ordinances. Town officials say a building owned by Raymond Coffin on Main Street in the village is a danger because of its neglected condition. The… Read More
    KENDUSKEAG – The remains of Clarence Fessenden’s son are missing. The urn that encased Raymond Fessenden’s ashes was buried in the Kenduskeag Cemetery in September 2002 and is now nowhere to be found. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
    MILLINOCKET – A 14-year-old Schenck High School student charged with aggravated assault will make her initial appearance Nov. 19 in Millinocket District Court for allegedly cutting the neck of an older student last month. Police have accused Melissa White of East Millinocket of using a knife to cause… Read More
    MATTAWAMKEAG – The search for a new fire chief got a little more complicated this week when Assistant Chief Hans Miller and Rescue Chief John Heald both resigned Monday from the town’s volunteer fire and rescue crew. The resignations came only two weeks after Frank… Read More
    AUBURN – A Washington County woman accused of murdering her boyfriend in January 2001 is getting a second chance to convince a jury that she is not guilty. Jury selection in the retrial of Katrina Bridges, 22, will begin Monday in Androscoggin County Superior Court. Read More
    PORTLAND – Maine’s highest court on Friday threw out a Hiram man’s conviction for taking part in a series of burglaries at summer homes in Hancock County. The Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled the trial judge erred in ruling that evidence of Kevin Braley’s prior… Read More
    OWLS HEAD – A Halloween Fun Day at Ash Point Farm next week is planned to offer children an alternative to trick-or-treating and at the same time raise money for the Knox County Humane Society. The activities will begin at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31,… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – Parents Are Teachers, Too, a Downeast Health Services program, will hold a series of workshops on infant massage for parents and their children ages 1 month to pre-crawling. The workshops will be held 10-11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31, and Nov. 7 and 14,… Read More
    MACHIAS – A Texas law enforcement specialist with Washington County roots has been selected as the town’s next chief of police. Grady Dwelley, 55, of Waco, Texas, starts Nov. 12 as head of the town’s four-officer department. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
    STEUBEN – Selectmen have asked the selectmen in next-door Milbridge if they would consider renting one of their police officers to provide either 40- or 20-hour patrol in Steuben. Steuben residents are tired of relying on coverage only from the overstretched Maine State Police or… Read More
    ROCKLAND – Knox County commissioners have voted to increase the proposed 2004 budget beyond the expenditures requested by county department heads. Department head requests totaled $6,629,078, but commissioners voted Wednesday to forward a budget proposal of $6,667,127 to the budget committee. The spending plan will… Read More
    ROCKPORT – Selectmen, in their roles as the town’s assessors, have accepted a plan to adjust property values and to set a mill rate of $13.19 per $1,000 in valuation. The vote Thursday night might finally mean the end – for a while, anyway –… Read More
    BANGOR – The Bangor Fire Department suggests that homeowners change the batteries in their smoke detectors when they turn their clocks back one hour on Sunday, Oct. 26. According to the department, functional smoke detectors placed in hallways, bedrooms and on every level in a… Read More
    MATTAWAMKEAG – Two public fund-raising events will be held at the municipal hall today. The public library will hold a food and book sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Christmas Spirit baked-bean dinner will be held 4-6 p.m. Donations made at the event… Read More
    NEWPORT – On the heels of national recognition of the town’s commitment to the environment and conservation in creating a fishway at Sebasticook Lake and returning the Sebasticook River channel to its original location, Town Manager James Ricker is looking forward to even more far-reaching accomplishments. Read More
    PITTSFIELD – A turn-of-the-century house is being offered free by the town of Pittsfield. The catch: The new owner must move it from its current location. The two-story, 14-room home was built in 1900 overlooking Main Street and Hathorn Park. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
    PLYMOUTH, N.H. – A sport utility vehicle carrying 10 Plymouth State University students taking part in a possible sorority hazing may have been intentionally jerked or swayed just before it crashed this week, killing one of the women, police said. Ten young women, including two… Read More
    BREWER – Two months into his initial foray into organized football, Andy Frost admits he doesn’t have the sport mastered yet. But the Brewer High School senior is displaying an accelerated learning curve, as the rest of the Pine Tree Conference Class B ranks is… Read More
    When Dylan Hopkins was younger, his father had a pet phrase that aptly described the sharp-shooting youth. “Since he was 7, I’ve called him ‘The Hunting Boy From Troy,'” Carl Hopkins said the other day, as he sat at the dining room table of his… Read More
    HOLE IN ONE Paul MacKinnon 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
    OAKLAND – Senior running backs Mike Prentiss and Tyler Heber combined for five touchdowns to lead Bangor to a 33-7 high school football victory over Messalonskee on Friday night. The victory in the regular-season finale propels the Rams into next week’s PTC quarterfinal round. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    Maine vs. Colgate Time, site: Saturday, 7 p.m., Sunday, 3 p.m., Alfond Arena, Orono 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()) {… Read More
    SEARSPORT – Sarah Colbath and Ashley Dawson each scored unassisted goals as the No. 8 Penobscot Valley Howlers upset the No. 1 Searsport Vikings 2-1 in an Eastern Maine Class C quarterfinal Friday. The Vikings were the defending state champions. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
    BANGOR – The Husson Braves scored twice in the second half to nip Bay Path 3-2 in women’s soccer action Friday afternoon. Kristin Pelletier scored the game-winner on a penalty kick and Janie Michaud had an unassisted goal earlier in the half for 9-4-2 Husson. Read More
    The University of Maine will attempt to keep its playoff hopes alive, Husson College and Maine Maritime Academy continue searching for their first victory of the season, and Colby College hosts the opener of the Colby-Bates-Bowdoin series, highlighting a busy weekend of Maine college football action. Read More
    An Old Town High School boys soccer player became ineligible after dropping a couple of courses after mid-term exams, so a win over Nokomis of Newport became a forfeit and four playoff quarterfinal games have been altered. “I just found out [Thursday] night,” said Old… Read More
    What’s with these rainy and snowy days anyway? It’s not just me, I’m sure. Tuesday’s dreary deluge turned out the parent brigade shuttling off their young ones to the school around the corner. That always makes for a traffic jam as buses, minivans, and SUVs scramble for their… Read More
    Normally I would not be willing to make a round trip journey to southern Maine on a Friday night after work, but this trip was special. Hopefully, we would get up close and personal with saw-whet owls. A small group of us from the Bangor… Read More
    I thought the pain was over. Yes, the Red Sox have lost once again to the despised Yankees and the realization that we will never see them “win it all” has sunk into the bones. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
    While yanking worn-out squash plants from their summer bed last weekend, I mourned. These plants – the whole garden, really – had fed me and mine spectacularly for months, and here was the end of another harvest. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
    They scratch. They gnaw. They sniff. They furiously dig with their little paws. My cats. 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())… Read More