SACO – Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean threw down the gantlet to political rivals this weekend by becoming the first Democratic presidential candidate ever to reject federal campaign funding for primary expenses. Instead, the early front-runner in the race will launch a massive grass-roots fund-raising… Read More
SACO – With a collective shout they hoped could be heard all the way to the White House, Maine Democrats responded with an approving roar to campaign speeches offered Saturday night by two of the party’s leading presidential contenders. Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean and… Read More
LITCHFIELD – The father of an Army warrant officer who was killed in a Black Hawk helicopter crash in Iraq said Sunday he still can’t understand what his daughter was doing in the aircraft. “I just say to myself, why a 43-year-old woman with an… Read More
WASHINGTON – For half a century Americans could boast of the world’s safest, most tightly regulated system for distributing prescription drugs. But now that system is undercut by a growing illegal trade in pharmaceuticals, fed by criminal profiteers, unscrupulous wholesalers, rogue Internet sites and foreign pharmacies. Read More
ELLSWORTH – An Ellsworth boy who was badly burned the day before Halloween when another Ellsworth High School student allegedly set his costume on fire is recuperating but faces a long road to recovery, according to his grandfather. Donald Awalt, 14, is having difficulty healing… Read More
The faxes, e-mails and phone calls come in every morning to hospitals across the country, touting hard-to-find medications that small wholesalers have ready for sale – at dramatically marked-up prices. Medications in short supply from major wholesalers are pitched on those sales calls, confounding and… Read More
Several states have moved to drop their presidential primaries next year, worried about costs in still-tight financial times and wondering if the political exercise would serve any purpose. Some say they can’t afford the millions of dollars it costs to put on an election. Others… Read More
WASHINGTON – Urged on by the U.S. government, Canadian officials are cracking down on companies, pharmacists and physicians within their borders that help provide Americans – including thousands of Mainers – with cheaper prescription drugs. But complex jurisdictional issues guarantee the enforcement won’t be that… Read More
BANGOR – The formation of an international business corridor is being pushed as a “high priority” by New England states and Canadian Maritime provinces struggling to raise their political might in a global economy. Political and business leaders from New England and the Maritimes gathered… Read More
PORTLAND – Merrill Marine Terminal Services Inc. says it needs to open a second shipping warehouse. The state-funded 56,000-square-foot warehouse opened last November after a $1.7 million investment by the state through a 20-year, interest-free loan. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
MACHIAS – The local office of Superlative Technologies has expanded its call-center work force by a third since September, bringing its total number of employees to 32. Starting pay for each of the new full-time jobs is about $24,000, according to Ernest “Chet” Childs, director… Read More
The Federal Trade Commission has identified the 12 scams most likely to arrive by e-mail. Watch for them and delete them. 1. Business opportunities that make it sound easy to make money without much work or cash outlay and without selling, meetings, or personal contact. Read More
The secretary of defense is right, of course, that the Iraq occupation – actually a continuation of the war – will be a long slog. True enough. Never mind that his remark was in a private memo that somehow was leaked to the press. The leak may well… Read More
They turn to gold this time of year. The hackmatacks, also known as tamaracks and larch, are one of Maine’s minor forest species, but they are notable for several reasons. Hackmatacks are one of the few deciduous conifers, meaning they drop their needles, just as… Read More
November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetes is the most significant disease facing the people of the United States today. Diabetes is one medical condition that we are working on in our three states of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont – to educate consumers about this disease and… Read More
On Sept. 1, Medicare imposed a $1,590 cap on its coverage for outpatient physical therapy and speech therapy services in all outpatient settings except hospitals. If a patient recovering from stroke, for example, needs more than $1,590 in therapy services this policy means that he or she may… Read More
I would like to congratulate Gov. Baldacci for his efforts to develop trade with Ireland. Last year we visited our daughter while she spent a year in Ireland studying. One thing we learned is that the Irish really appreciate Maine maple syrup. Owners of maple… Read More
Recently Congress passed the $87 billion aid bill for Iraq and Afghanistan. The only item deleted was $1.3 billion for veterans’ health care. It’s outrageous. These are the same legislators who required wounded veterans to pay for their meals while convalescing at military hospitals. Who… Read More
How great it is to have someone like Susan Cockrell write a column, “Once again, SAM shows its heavy hand in Maine” (BDN, Oct. 27), who has the knowledge, experience and perseverance to hang in there on hot issues like coyote snaring and hunting bears over jelly doughnuts. Read More
It’s too bad the Legislature has become so hostile and distrustful of local government. That’s a real departure from being a local-state partnership not too many years ago. House Speaker Patrick Colwell has said the legislative leaders want to increase the homestead exemption in the property tax from… Read More
WATERVILLE – More than 100 people attended a memorial service for Dawn Rossignol, where she was remembered as a selfless and kind young woman who was loved deeply by those who knew her best. Friends, family members, Colby College students and faculty, and investigators from… Read More
BANGOR – Several hundred members of the Maine Army National Guard are on alert status and are preparing for possible deployment to the Middle East. “We currently have about 400 soldiers who are deployed right now,” Maj. Peter Rogers, director of public affairs for Maine’s… Read More
AUGUSTA – During the recent campaign over the proposed resort casino in Sanford, Maine’s Commissioner of Economic and Community Development fumed every time he saw a television ad asking “what’s the plan?” for developing Maine’s economy and increasing job opportunities. “The implication was that there… Read More
BAR HARBOR – For gardeners on Mount Desert Island, one of the only benefits of this weekend’s seasonal weather is that the fire ants that patrolled their lawns all summer long have finally disappeared. An invasive species of European fire ant appeared in Maine decades… Read More
BANGOR – On Saturday night people all over the world looked to the night sky for a relatively rare glimpse of a total lunar eclipse. During a total lunar eclipse, the Earth blocks all direct sunlight from reflecting off the moon. However, the moon is… Read More
PORTLAND – Whether it’s forests, fish, game or the air we breathe, natural resources are controlled by everyone and no one. The quandary, described as “the tragedy of the commons” by environmentalist Garrett Hardin in 1968, describes how a public resource is abused |as each… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Leslie Lizotte, a community service consultant for the Eastern Agency on Aging, will offer outreach assistance to senior citizens at 11:30 a.m. at the following locations in November. Dexter: Thursday, Nov. 13, St. Ann’s Parish. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
ORONO – Students at the University of Maine are set to stage George F. Walker’s dark comedy “Escape from Happiness” in seven performances beginning Friday, Nov. 14, at UM’s Hauck Auditorium. UM professor Tom Mikotowicz directs the play, which is the first of Walker’s plays… Read More
BANGOR – The Bangor Public Library is exhibiting paintings by artist-illustrator Sandra Dunn throughout November at 145 Harlow St. The exhibit also features illustrations from author Carol Dean’s book, “The Henhouse: A True Story of Growing Up on a Maine Farm.” googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
BANGOR – The Bangor Public Library has several events planned for the month of November. Cast members from the Penobscot Theatre’s current production, “The Miracle Worker,” will perform at the library at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12. Afterwards, they will talk about preparing for their… Read More
BANGOR – Kristie Miner, director of the Reflections Program at Westgate Manor, has been named a volunteer of the year by the Maine Alzheimer’s Association. “It takes a special kind of person to demonstrate the kind of volunteer involvement that Kristie has,” said Executive Director… Read More
EAST ORLAND – Tim Caverly, director of Maine Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, will present a lecture titled “The Allagash: A Wilderness at Risk” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery Visitor’s Center. For information and directions, call Caverly… Read More
WATERVILLE – Colby College will hold its 34th annual Clara M. Southworth Lecture in environmental design at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at the F.W. Olin Science Center, Room 1. The featured presentation will be “Reflections on the Journey” by architect Will Bruder. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
BREWER – Brewer Rehab and Living Center will hold its annual craft and bake sale 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, featuring crafters from all over the state. For information, call Laurie Dumond, director of therapeutic recreation, at 989-7300, Ext. 134. Read More
BANGOR – The Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation has awarded Penquis Community Action Program a grant of $28,000 to support its Replacement Housing Program. The program helps low-income families replace pre-1976 mobile homes and deteriorating stick-built homes with new, low-maintenance and energy-efficient homes. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
WATERVILLE – Thomas College and the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a business breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at the Thomas College student center, 180 West River Road. Featured speaker will be Nancy Marshall, president, Nancy Marshall Communications. For more information call… Read More
ORONO – Best friends Tyneshia Wright and Shelby Visconti didn’t know where they’d end up when Wright’s mother told them they were going on a brief trip Saturday morning. The first clue they were given was the letter C, but having already taken a mystery… Read More
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud has joined the American Legion in showing support for the men and women serving overseas by offering an electronic greeting card program in honor of Veterans Day. The Veterans Day E-Cards can be sent through the American Legion Web… Read More
CASTINE – Scores of Maine teachers left Saturday’s 2003 Space Showcase at Maine Maritime Academy convinced that science education in the state is about to lift off into orbit. Sponsored by the Challenger Learning Center, the in-service training program and conference introduced educators to tools they can use… Read More
BANGOR – The trash and recycling pick-up schedule will be modified for the following holidays: . Veteran’s Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11: Trash and recyclables will be picked up on this day. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
BANGOR – As part of her 500-mile walking tour to end hunger, Brenda Davis of Cross Roads Ministries will walk through Bangor today. The second annual Maine Credit Union’s Ending Hunger Walking Tour kicked off on Monday, Nov. 3, at the Penobscot County Federal Credit… Read More
BIDDEFORD – A suspect in what police described as a drug-related shooting in Portland was arrested early Sunday, a day after the victim was found lying in the street. Pedro Santiago, 30, was arrested without incident at about 2 a.m. at an apartment in Biddeford,… Read More
FARMINGTON – The University of Maine at Farmington will hold a grand opening of its new observatory at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, on Mosher Hill, four miles east of the campus. The festivities will feature a short program by Chris Magri, associate professor of… Read More
Jason T. Kenyon, 22, and his girlfriend, Crystal Graham, 21, both of Bangor, were arrested by local police late Friday night in connection with an armed robbery in New Hampshire two weeks ago. The Bangor Police Department received warrants for Kenyon and Graham issued to… Read More
BRADFORD – A motorist driving past a Main Road home in north Bradford Sunday evening spotted flames inside the new house and stopped to put out the fire, likely saving the structure from extensive damage. Richard McGouldrick Sr. of Stetson normally takes Route 155 through… Read More
WATERVILLE – Senior Spectrum, central Maine’s agency on aging, will offer monthly education and support programs for family caregivers throughout the month. Programs are provided 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. the third Wednesday of every month at Senior Spectrum’s Muskie Community Center in Waterville, and 1-2 p.m. Read More
BANGOR – The Bangor Public Library will present a 60-minute film, “Touching Lives,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 145 Harlow St. The program is part of the activities surrounding “The Miracle Worker” featured at the Penobscot Theatre. The film portrays blind and hearing-impaired… Read More
BANGOR – The Penquis Community Action Program Resource Development Center is offering training in “Building a Peaceable Classroom.” The workshop is part of the Maine Roads to Quality training, and covers topics such as the impact of violent media and toys on young children and… Read More
EASTPORT – After spending four hours, three times a week sitting in a chair having his blood cleaned, Ken Hoban can go home, get into his canoe, and go fishing. Before Fresenius Medical Care of Westbrook renovated the former Gates Form Fibre skill center into… Read More
NEW SWEDEN – The identification of rare plants and the efforts of several conservation-minded individuals might cause Irving Woodlands to spare a stand of old-growth cedar in the New Sweden area. Early last year, the company was planning to harvest the area that one New… Read More
ROCKLAND – The Coast Guard has suspended its search for a mystery vessel that made a distress call from seas off Metinic Island on Saturday after finding no trace of the boat or its existence. “We got the one call that said he was disabled,… Read More
CALAIS – A downtown facelift could cost six employees their jobs if the city decides to bulldoze a commercial building on Main Street. And Fashion Bug manager Tanya Estey is worried because it’s her store that stands in the way of the bucket loader. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
BELFAST – The City Council has agreed to a plan that will create hiking trails looping to the summit of the former ski slope on City Point Road. In approving the plan, the council authorized the Camden-based land conservation group Coastal Mountains Land Trust to… Read More
CHATHAM, Mass. – The wreck of the largest wooden sailing vessel built to carry cargo has been found nearly 80 years after it went down in a storm off Cape Cod. The wreck of the Wyoming, a 3291/2-foot, six-masted cargo carrier launched in 1909, was… Read More
Editor’s Note: Student Union’s weekly columns are a joint effort of the region’s high schools, the Bangor Daily News and Acadia Hospital. This week’s column was written by Brewer High School students. Their adviser is Sherri Thomas. Citizens of South Brewer have opened Pandora’s box. Read More
MANCHESTER, N.H. – The task force charged with finding an appropriate way to honor the fallen Old Man of the Mountain will recommend against creating any kind of replica on the cliff face. Former Gov. Steve Merrill, who chaired the 12-member task force, told the… Read More
NORTHPORT – Austin Roberts and Chris Correll stepped forward together to claim the boys’ Class D soccer championship trophy for Machias Saturday, all smiles, their arms around each other in celebration of the four years they spent scoring goals for the Bulldogs. But there hadn’t… Read More
HAMPDEN – Through frigid temperatures and a fierce wind, Georges Valley controlled the play throughout Saturday’s Class C boys soccer state championship game. Even so, Dexter’s hustling defense and strong goalkeeping helped keep the game tied early in the second half. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
NORTHPORT – The matchup for this season’s Class D girls state championship game was the same as last year’s: Eastern Maine champion Lee was set to face Western Maine winner Waynflete Saturday afternoon. The Pandas had no idea what to expect from the Flyers of… Read More
BOSTON – University of Maine women’s soccer coach Scott Atherley couldn’t help but beam like a father at the birth of his first child. Although his team had just been beaten in sudden death penalty kicks by Boston University in the America East final, he… Read More
DURHAM, N.H. – University of New Hampshire senior goalie Mike Ayers overcame a shaky start to stop the final 34 shots he faced and his mates scored five unanswered goals, including four in a span of 7:41 late in the second period, as the Wildcats rallied for a… Read More
BALTIMORE – The University of Maine established several school records Saturday, including 685 yards of total offense, piling up 11 touchdowns on its way to a resounding 77-24 nonconference football victory over Morgan State at Hughes Stadium. Coach Jack Cosgrove’s Black Bears improved to 6-4,… Read More
COLLEGE Little East Conference semifinals 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
COLLEGE MARCUS WILLIAMS 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 At Manchester, N.H. 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 slot_sizes… Read More
WINSLOW – Senior fullack Derek Runnells accounted for just over half of top-seeded Winslow’s total yardage as he ran for 273 yards and scored four touchdowns to lead the Black Raiders to a 47-19 semifinal rout over No. 4 Oak Hill of Sabattus Saturday. The… Read More
WINDHAM – The Mount Ararat boys needed penalty kicks. The Mount Ararat girls had just one early goal. But it turned out to be enough for both teams as the Eagle soccer squads each posted 1-0 victories to claim the Class A state championships Saturday at the Windham… Read More
BATH – The tears the Belfast Lions shed after falling to Yarmouth 2-1 Saturday in a state Class B girls soccer final decided on the 10th round of penalty kicks represented the emotion of the moment, to be sure. Such is sudden death, where victory… Read More
HAMPDEN – After assailing Houlton’s net for the better part of 77 minutes with 26 shots, the North Yarmouth Academy girls were starting to wonder if anything was ever going to find its way into the Shiretowner goal. Just 30 seconds after a hard shot… Read More
BATH – Jimmy Velas knows no other way to conclude a high school soccer season. Four years as a starter at Falmouth High School has produced four straight state championships, the last coming Saturday as the undefeated Yachtsmen overwhelmed Winslow 6-1 in the Class B… Read More
BOSTON – Mari Creatini’s goal with two minutes and 32 seconds left in the first half proved to be the game-winner as the Northeastern field hockey team earned a 2-0 victory over the University of Maine in Sunday afternoon’s America East Championship. The No. 1… Read More
Ben True of Greely in Cumberland Center and Elise Moody Roberts of Cape Elizabeth sure sent a message to the rest of New England at Saturday’s New England Cross Country Championships: Maine is for real. True, a senior and Moody-Roberts, a freshman, proved just that… Read More
CASTINE – Don Thibodeau ran for 213 yards and a touchdown as Maine Maritime Academy rushed for 449 yards in a 48-0 college football victory Saturday over Framingham State. Maine Maritime (1-8) ran the ball 68 times in setting a school season rushing record of… Read More
FARMINGTON – Jodie Welch scored at 23:34 of the second half off a throw-in from Sam Goyette to give the University of Maine-Farmington Beavers a 1-0 victory over Husson College in the North Atlantic Conference field hockey title game Saturday. Patty Boutin had one save… Read More
Orchestra Verdi Europa, which has been critically acclaimed in Europe, is kicking off its first tour in America this month. One of its early stops was Friday at the Maine Center for the Arts in Orono, where the 50-member orchestra and 50-member chorus performed an all-Mozart program: the… Read More
If a two-hour classical concert is going to feature the works of a single composer, the orchestra has to behave with oceanic musicality. It has to play the drama, find the nuances and keep the audience feeling that there is a progression rather than an obsession being explored. Read More
You know John Chisholm is serious about libraries when he looks you straight in the eye and laments the loss of the one at Alexandria. In Egypt. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false;… Read More
Small places with short histories such as Maine can point to few enough epic military events, let’s say on the order of Hannibal crossing the Alps, but Benedict Arnold’s calamitous expedition to Quebec City in 1775 qualifies as one such colossus of enduring interest. Picked… Read More
Fifty-eight years after Bangor Public Library compiled its Book of Honor to remember Bangor residents who died in World War II, local history librarian Bill Cook still is adding pages. Over the past two years, ceremonies have been held to add photographs and brief biographies… Read More
In theaters THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS, written and directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski, 129 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