BAR HARBOR – Visitors to Dennis Sokol’s office needn’t look beyond the two clocks on the wall to know what makes him tick. One clock marks the time in Bar Harbor, the other in Moscow. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
    Maine voters have always been smarter than average. They know that when an out-of-state organization spends a lot of money and hides behind a native organization to convince people to vote its way it’s because there’s something in it for the organization but not especially for us. Read More
    B on Question 1 While options A and B on this question seem much the same, they are not. Both seek to offer property tax relief to Maine citizens while increasing state funding for education to 55 percent, but they would do this in very… Read More
    We recently returned from a trip of 3,000 miles, covering 10 states without repeat travel on any route. We drove on every type of road from multilane interstates and bypasses, to city roads and country lanes. The first leg of the trip was U.S. Route… Read More
    After talking with various professionals, retired or otherwise, 90 percent of the people I asked said they did not support a casino in Maine, citing addiction histories or negative experiences in areas that already support legalized gambling (Las Vegas, Atlantic City). Most people asked: “Is… Read More
    Next Tuesday Bangor voters will be asked to consider imposing term limits on school committee members. The question must be asked: For what purpose? How we elect our leaders and design our governance structures should only be altered or modified if there is a compelling… Read More
    The Maine Service Centers Coalition continues to favor passage of Question 1A. There is an urgent need for property tax relief. Maine’s tax mix should become more balanced and 1A would achieve that goal. Maine’s overall tax burden should be reduced and this goal can… Read More
    Last month the U.S. Senate voted 64-34 in support of the partial birth abortion ban of 2003. The bill will now go to President Bush, who has announced that he will sign it into law. Once signed, three national pro-choice organizations are poised to file… Read More
    Nearly three decades ago, political reporters rooting around in the far reaches of this great state during the final days of a gubernatorial election campaign sensed a last-minute groundswell for the candidacy of independent candidate Jim Longley. It was something one couldn’t quite put a… Read More
    Mr. Dineen had an unusual way of making sure no one felt picked on in his seventh-grade science class: blanket humiliation, enacted through a gaggle of rules that guaranteed everyone would eventually screw up. My own turn came when I didn’t turn in my homework (folded lengthwise, the… Read More
    The average consumer plans to spend $671.89 this holiday season, up from $648.85 last year. Gifts for family $393.69 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
    BANGOR – A former Calais High School basketball star has pleaded guilty to a federal drug charge in a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Morgan Drew, 19, of Calais was arrested April 8 in a restaurant parking lot in Bangor in an undercover… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – The condition of a local boy who was badly burned on Thursday when another student set fire to his Halloween costume at an Ellsworth High School assembly has been upgraded from critical to serious. Donald Awalt, 14, was flown on Thursday by LifeFlight… Read More
    BANGOR – Two war protesters found guilty of criminal trespass by a Penobscot County jury earlier this month each were sentenced Friday to 20 hours of community service at a Bangor food pantry. Nancy Galland and Richard Stander, both of Stockton Springs, were two of… Read More
    Until recently, Donna Chellis of Orrington had never been motivated enough to express publicly her opinion about a campaign issue by planting political signs on her front lawn. But the contentious casino referendum question that voters will consider on Tuesday was different. Chellis and her… Read More
    PALMYRA – Palmyra Fire Chief Don Chute has requested the assistance of the State Fire Marshal’s Office in determining who set off a homemade incendiary device late Wednesday at the Douglas Pond Game Preserve on Madawaska Road in Palmyra. “It was either a homemade bomb… Read More
    SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Fifteen 4-H youth and their project cattle represented the state of Maine last month, competing in a variety of dairy events at the Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, Mass. One of the Maine highlights was in the Fitting and Showmanship competition, where… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – Town Manager Kathryn Ruth said it cost her a few sleepless nights and hours of overtime, but the proposed 2004 budget she sent off to councilors Thursday night reflected no increase in local taxes. Keeping the tax rate stable was her goal throughout… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – The SAD 53 board of directors will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, in the Warsaw Middle School library to hear a presentation by administrators of the Maine Educational Assessment results for grades four and eight. The board will see a draft… Read More
    BANGOR – The 2nd Battalion of the 304th Regiment of the United States Army Reserve is seeking drill sergeant candidates. Today, Alpha and Delta Companies, which are designated as Basic Combat Training units, will conduct a 10K-road march along Route 2 to the intersection of… Read More
    BANGOR – In conjunction with Penobscot Theatre’s production of “The Miracle Worker,” the Maine Discovery Museum will recognize November as Deaf-Blind Awareness Month with activities throughout the month. Patty Sarchi will visit the museum at 2 p.m. today with her guide dog, Brandy, to discuss… Read More
    BAR HARBOR – Mount Desert Island Hospital’s Behavioral Health Center is offering its fourth annual Family Life education series. This free series will be held at MDI High School 6-7:30 p.m. starting Nov. 17. The series, facilitated by therapist Laurie LaViolette, will address a variety… Read More
    SAD 40 residents will take a mid-November straw vote on the future site of a $9 million regional middle school that would serve all 347 seventh- and eighth-graders in the district. The recommended location for the new school is next to Medomak Valley High School… Read More
    ROCKPORT – A small rest area off U.S. Route 1 built by the state in the 1950s will be taken over by the town if voters approve. The question is one of five articles on Tuesday’s warrant. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
    BAR HARBOR – Voters will be asked Tuesday to endorse a dozen changes to the town’s Land Use Ordinance aimed at streamlining the application process and amending the rules for downtown development. The Town Council, Planning Board and Warrant Committee have endorsed the changes after… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – Local voters will fill several municipal and school board seats, as well as decide a local referendum question during the Nov. 4 election. Polls in Presque Isle will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the William V. Haskell Community… Read More
    FORT KENT – Rhea Cote Robbins, a Franco-American and native Mainer who wrote the book “Wednesday’s Child,” will lead a writing workshop from 5-9 p.m, Wednesday, Nov. 19, at the University of Maine at Fort Kent in the Nadeau Hall teleconference room. The session, which… Read More
    The Governor’s Aquaculture Task Force will hold its fifth meeting all day Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Atrium hotel in Brunswick. Task force members will focus on the relationship between aquaculture and tourism, with presentations from the Maine Tourism Association, the Maine Office of Tourism… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud will celebrate The Next Step’s 10th anniversary of working to end domestic violence with staff, board members and the community at noon, Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Ellsworth City Hall. An art exhibit featuring paintings, textiles, mixed media and… Read More
    ROCKLAND – A male juvenile was arrested Wednesday evening in connection with a motor vehicle burglary at Bartlett Woods retirement community off Talbot Avenue. A resident called police at 7:17 p.m. to report suspicious activity, Sgt. Lloyd Daniels said Thursday, and Lt. William Donnelly and… Read More
    WARREN – The Warren Day Committee will soon begin its planning for the 2004 event. Anyone interested in participating in organizing the community celebration may attend the meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the Warren Public Library. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
    ROCKLAND – Five boats at Journey’s End Marina were entered sometime during the night Wednesday and damaged to varying degrees, Deputy Police Chief Wallace Tower said Friday. The vessels Vanscap, Volare, Aquarius, Panacea II and Commedia Dell Arte were damaged, Tower said. Detectives are investigating. Read More
    FORT KENT – An open house will be held at the Center and Home-based Instructional Program for Parents and Youth (CHIPPY) facility from 3:30-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, on the campus of Community High School. Tours of the center, brief presentations about the CHIPPY… Read More
    VAN BUREN – An open house for grades seven through 12 will be held 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, at Van Buren High School. Parents may visit with teachers and pick up their child’s rank cards in the main office. For information,… Read More
    Voters in Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties each face a $12.3 million question Tuesday: Will they fund a $24.6 million jail to be shared by 29 towns? To their north, Knox and Waldo counties are feeling the same pressures – too many jail inmates – so… Read More
    Bangor police summoned a woman Thursday after she allegedly stole an elderly woman’s credit cards. Officer Kerry Libby reported that at about 2 p.m. Tuesday, a worker at the Best Buy electronics store on Bangor Mall Boulevard told her that a man and a woman,… Read More
    HERMON – Assessor Beth Bowdoin wasn’t exactly looking forward to Friday, but was prepared for it, fielding phone calls and visits from concerned and sometimes angry residents. Earlier in the week, roughly one-third of the town’s property owners – about 900 people – got letters… Read More
    SEBOEIS PLANTATION — Residents are awaiting a meeting with state and local education officials before moving ahead with their efforts to withdraw from SAD 31. Twenty-six of the plantation’s 39 residents attended a special town meeting on Oct. 3 and voted to withdraw from the… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – A director of emergency medical services, a controller and a business owner are vying for two positions on the Dover-Foxcroft Board of Selectmen. Brian Mullis, director of emergency services at Mayo Regional Hospital, said that through teamwork and collaboration, the community can prevent… Read More
    Two years ago in May, Lisa Matarazzo-Champney of Hermon sent balloons aloft in memory not only of her son, Ryan Matarazzo, who committed suicide a year earlier, but also as a way to celebrate the lives of suicide survivors. The event marked the beginning of… Read More
    ETNA – After three years of commuting 100 miles round trip, Etna Town Manager James Hancock resigned this week, saying he wants to look for work closer to home. Hancock said he is leaving on good terms with the town and is willing to remain… Read More
    Under the No Child Left Behind Act, the state is recognizing high-performing schools where, during the last three years, 70 percent of students have met or exceeded the standards in reading and 50 percent have met or exceeded the standards in math on the Maine Educational Assessment. Read More
    Under the No Child Left Behind Act, the state is recognizing improving schools which have, in four of the last five years, increased the number of students who have met the standards on the Maine Educational Assessment. In addition, these schools have achieved a gain of at least… Read More
    BANGOR – Myong Suk Chellew of New Sweden and her sister Pokcha Reopell of Shirley, Mass., already had a lot in common. Both left their native South Korea to marry American men and both settled in New England. On Friday morning, however, Chellew became a… Read More
    PORTLAND – A woman accused in the slaying of a Canadian tourist in Old Orchard Beach is expected to plead guilty Monday. Angela Humphrey is scheduled to appear in Cumberland County Superior Court to admit her role in the death of Derek Rogers, who was… Read More
    BAR HARBOR – Acadia National Park will hold its first Acadia Science Day for the public from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, in the auditorium of The Jackson Laboratory on Route 3. The program, which is free and open to the public,… Read More
    ACADIA NATIONAL PARK – Harold MacQuinn Inc. of Ellsworth will start waterproofing 15 masonry arch bridges on the carriage road system of the national park Nov. 3. The work at each bridge involves excavation of the carriage road above the arch and installation of a… Read More
    BREWER – After Bangor and Capital Seven LLC agreed to terms for the location of a racino in Bangor, there was nothing left for Brewer to do but to abandon the idea. Consequently, on Friday the Brewer City Council unanimously removed the racino question from the city’s ballot… Read More
    BANGOR – Dorothy Hill, chief executive officer and chief nursing officer at Acadia Hospital, has been named Nurse of the Year by the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. The award was made at the association’s annual meeting, held at the beginning of October in Atlanta. The… Read More
    BANGOR – The pastor of one of eastern Maine’s largest churches announced Sunday that he is taking a three-month sabbatical to seek treatment for “a chronic alcohol dependency.” The Rev. Ron Durham, 57, founder of Abundant Life Church on Outer Broadway, said that he would… Read More
    BANGOR – More than $1,000 in tanning products and about $200 in cash was taken from Choices Tanning Salon Thursday night after an unknown person broke into the building. Employees at the salon, which is located at 453 Hammond St., discovered the damage at 9… Read More
    LEE – There was one overriding sentiment as fans of the Lee girls soccer team flooded the field at the end of Friday afternoon’s Eastern Maine Class D championship game. Thanks for the near heart attack, Shelby. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
    With its playoff hopes riding on the outcome, the University of Maine football team travels to Newark, Del., today for a game against second-ranked and undefeated Delaware. Maine Maritime Academy of Castine is still looking for its first win of the season and Colby College… Read More
    UNITY – Jeremy Kervin scored 20 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and had three assists to lead the Unity College men’s basketball team by the Eastern Maine Community College Eagles 75-67 in the Unity Tipoff Tourney Friday night. Matt Kent chipped in with 18 points and… Read More
    MAINE vs. BOSTON UNIVERSITY Time, site: Saturday, 7 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()) { if (slot_sizes[i][0]… Read More
    Parents looking to provide an interesting and educational opportunity for their children may want to head to Orland on Sunday for the Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery’s annual Spawning Spectacular. The hatchery, which produces Atlantic salmon, will stage the event from noon until 3 p.m. Read More
    Frequently a fun place to visit sits right under your nose and gets overlooked in favor of more distant and exotic destinations. (Of course, this perspective depends on your home port – mine’s Bangor.) Or maybe you just haven’t had the chance in your busy… Read More
    Most of the numbers are in, and it looks like 2003 was a typical Maine moose hunt. Of the 2,585 moose hunters, 2,075 killed one of the animals during the two-week split season. This translates to about an 80 percent success rate. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    Last week’s column about the saw-whet owl banding demo generated several comments from co-workers. They were all surprised at how small this owl is. Weighing as much as an American robin and measuring a trifle less in length, the saw-whet is not the smallest North… Read More
    Editor’s Note: In Sound Advice, the first Saturday of every month, veteran NEWS entertainment writer Dale McGarrigle, former British music-press writer Adam Corrigan and a revolving stable of NEWS writers review new albums from across the musical spectrum. “Comfort Woman” (Maverick) – Meshell Ndegeocello googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    Budget is such an ugly word. Unlike “bargain,” which is a beautiful word, “budget” carries baggage. It means control. It means restraint. It means mortgage comes before more stuff. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
    Cobb Manor has become a beehive, apparently. A large family of yellow jackets has decided to spend the winter with me, apparently. The yellow jacket family announced its intentions one night last week at about 2:30 a.m., when I woke up after rolling over onto… Read More
    ROCKPORT – The Center for Maine Contemporary Arts has announced its “Plugged In Fest II.” The weekend of New Media projects, featuring digitally produced still images and time-based work, will run from Friday, March 12, through Monday, March 15, 2004. Proposals for solo or group… Read More
    ORONO – The Maine Folklife Center at the University of Maine has recently published a new volume of tales and legends based on Penobscot traditions written by the late Mary Alice Nelson and titled “Katahdin: Wigwam’s Tales of the Abnaki Tribe.” Born on Indian Island… Read More