A Brewer High School librarian has helped overhaul a national test that’s gained new prominence under the federal education reform law, No Child Left Behind. Marilyn Joyce was part of a 21-member team which recently finished redesigning the reading portion of the National Assessment of… Read More
    BANGOR – A California creditor that lent former Great Northern Paper Inc. more than $60 million filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday accusing the paper company’s nine owners and directors of fraud. BCC Equipment Leasing Corp. of Long Beach, Calif., claims the owners and directors painted… Read More
    A State section story on Page B2 in some editions Wednesday about a proposed library in Pembroke gave the wrong dollar figure for a contribution by the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation. The foundation gave $90,000. In a quotation by Pembroke resident Sid Bahrt, “They’ve been at this… Read More
    BOSTON – The scallop population from Virginia to the Canadian border is twice what the government estimated, according to a new survey which, if accepted by regulators, could expand fishing for the lucrative shellfish. Researchers found an estimated 550 million pounds of scallops after a… Read More
    BANGOR – Saint John, New Brunswick, wants its sister city Bangor to know that much can happen in 18 months time to change the economic fortunes of a town and surrounding areas. It happened in Saint John, according to Bob McVicar, president of the Saint… Read More
    AUGUSTA – The Department of Environmental Protection has given its environmentally friendly stamp of approval to more than a dozen gas stations in the state. The DEP earlier this month listed 13 Dead River gas stations and a privately owned station as “Environmental Leaders.” The… Read More
    The New England Fishery Management Council has taken a lot of well-deserved heat lately. Just last week, there was outrage from all sides about the council’s proposed rules for reducing overfishing. Such criticism is frequently directed at the eight such councils nationwide. Fishermen complain that the commission’s rules… Read More
    No Child Left Behind has created in the last six months more anxiety than a decade’s worth of senior proms. Some of the anxiety over the federal education policy act is justified as the new standards and accountability measures have proved cumbersome or in some way unrealistic. Other… Read More
    I was surprised to wake up in Bangor on Election Day morning and learn that I was the lead news story statewide in the article, “Hunter: Ethics twist bear-bait debate” (BDN, Nov. 4). I was surprised to read about my “controversial views” and “sweeping claims.” One sweeping claim… Read More
    I guess the CasinosNo! people got their way to keep Maine people poor and underpaid. Maine needs tax breaks and jobs to keep our children here instead of funneling the money to other states. Crime is everywhere and the benefits outweighed the risks of higher… Read More
    I have just one short comment to make on President Bush’s war on terrorism. It is sad that the president decided to conquer Iraq and then dump the entire botched mess off on the United Nations when the actual result fell short of the desired result. Read More
    Erik Steele’s reflection, “Limbaugh and America – watch for stumbling giants” (BDN column, Nov. 11), offers a contemporary spin on ancient thought or wisdom handed down throughout the centuries by philosophers and major religious traditions, with the Good Book summing it up nicely in demonstrating how “the last… Read More
    I am writing this letter as one of the volunteers who went to help clean up Birch Stream last Friday. What I saw there would make anyone sick to their stomach. There were paint cans, oil cans, shopping carts, sofas, tires and many other things. I realize the… Read More
    The full name of the author of the letter to the editor, “A hunter knows ethics,” printed in the Nov. 8-9 edition of the BDN, is Lloyd Raymond Bryant of Monroe, not to be confused with another Monroe resident of a similar name… Read More
    First of two parts In 1989, I left the small central Maine town where I grew up, as an impatient, precocious college freshman with every intent of shaking the dust off my feet, exploring the cosmopolitan life of metro Boston, and becoming a globe-trotting diplomat. Read More
    The condition of Birch Stream near the Bangor International Airport has been the focus of media coverage since last spring when residents of Griffin Park complained about odors and human health concerns. Solving problems requires defining the problem, collecting data and testing the data to evaluate conclusions. The… Read More
    PORTLAND – A federal judge has ruled that a man arrested on a firearms charge outside the Bush family estate last year cannot be forced to take medication to make him mentally competent to stand trial. U.S. District Court Judge Gene Carter ruled that Theodore… Read More
    LIMESTONE – More infrastructure development money is needed for the continued redevelopment of the Loring Commerce Centre, it was learned Wednesday at a meeting of the Loring Development Authority of Maine. While millions have been spent in the redevelopment effort of the former Loring Air… Read More
    BANGOR – They consider themselves ordinary people but what they’ve done is extraordinary, based on letters from grateful troops and their loved ones that have poured in from all over the country. Often mobilized with just a few hours’ notice, the troop greeters at Bangor… Read More
    PALMYRA – Palmyra Selectman Priscilla Jones asked fellow selectmen during Wednesday night’s board meeting why the town was hiring an independent assessor at $365 a day to do the work that at least two selectmen are certified to complete. Jones said that real estate transfers… Read More
    DEXTER – The Dexter Regional High School Key Club has been working to raise awareness of the benefits of recycling. In doing so, the members hope to win a state cash award that they would donate to charity. The State Planning office will give three… Read More
    BREWER – Brewer Youth Theatre will present Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning musical “Into The Woods,” 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Nov. 13-14, and 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at Brewer Middle School, 5 Somerset St. The show, which won the 1987 Tony for best book… Read More
    BANGOR – Dr. Mark Sargent, provost of Gordon College, will present a lecture on the history of Thanksgiving at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, at the Bangor Museum and Center for History, 6 State St. Gordon will describe the creation of the holiday and the… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – Hancock County took one step closer Wednesday to becoming the first county in the state to fund a law enforcement team dedicated solely to fighting drug abuse. By a one-vote margin, Hancock County’s nine-member budget advisory committee voted in support of allocating $200,000… Read More
    BAR HARBOR – The cost of replacing the heating and ventilating system at Conners-Emerson Elementary School now stands at $2.3 million, town councilors were told informally after a special Town Council meeting on Wednesday. The Bar Harbor School Committee will meet with the council next… Read More
    ROCKLAND – A tax battle pitting the local American Legion against the city is moving toward a truce. The City Council approved a resolve Monday by a 3-2 vote that would settle the nearly yearlong property tax dispute – if a court also blesses the… Read More
    BAILEYVILLE – A draft environmental assessment for construction of a Border Patrol station is ready and may be seen at the Woodland Public Library, as well as in the Calais Free Library. Federal agencies prepared the draft, which is required by law. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    BAILEYVILLE – The State Fire Marshal’s Office has been called in to investigate a Tuesday night fire that damaged a vacant house on the Houlton Road. Around 5:30 p.m. a passer-by reported flames at the single-family home, which belongs to the Roland Call estate. The… Read More
    Divorces Following are divorces granted in 5th District Court in Belfast during October on grounds of irreconcilable marital differences: 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
    BREWER – The Brewer City Council signed a lease Monday to maintain access to one of the city’s water supplies and approved the Public Works union contract. The city agreed to pay The Mountainy Pond Club, a Maine corporation established in the 1920s that owns… Read More
    Brewer police summoned a Dedham man after he allegedly picked up somebody else’s prescription drugs. Officer Jeff Gotreau said that on Nov. 7, a local pharmacy called police saying a woman had come in to pick up her prescription. The pharmacy said a man had… Read More
    WARREN – For the third year in a row, voters decided Wednesday the town should not foreclose on R.D. Outfitters rifle range on Route 90 so the town won’t get stuck holding the bag for cleanup costs. By a majority vote, residents at the special… Read More
    BAR HARBOR – The Town Council voted unanimously Wednesday to pay $10,000 for a one-month option on the Log Cabin restaurant property on Route 3. The option payment will be refunded if special town meeting voters reject the proposed purchase on Dec. 8, according to… Read More
    CUSHING – A Cushing Community Center is on the horizon now that voters have approved spending $15,000 to convert an old school into a municipal office building. About 50 residents showed up on Veterans Day for a special town meeting to decide on the future… Read More
    ORONO – A gold mine of information about Maine culture and natural history will be made available electronically to classrooms throughout the state as a result of a federal grant to Fogler Library at the University of Maine, the Maine State Museum, and the Maine Public Broadcasting Corp. Read More
    ELLSWORTH – A Wednesday morning fire destroyed a house and claimed the lives of several pets that were in the home, according to the local fire chief. No people were injured, but two cats, a dog and a hamster all died in the Hancock Street… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – Julie Gallagher remembers searching through a filthy mobile home last winter for four kittens a homeowner could no longer care for – and finding them beneath a bed nestled next to the remains of an adult cat. “I reached in and scooped up… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – An education seminar for student teachers will be held Friday, Nov. 21, at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. “Sharing Instructional Strategies: Bridging the Theory-to-Practice Gap,” a program organized by the UMPI education faculty, is open to teachers, parents and the… Read More
    ASHLAND – The Ashland Area Fund, established in 1999 at the Maine Community Foundation in Ellsworth, makes grants to nonprofit programs, organizations, schools, government agencies or municipalities. Eligible communities are part of SAD 32, including Portage, Oxbow, Masardis, Garfield, Nashville and Ashland. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    BANGOR – The Penquis Community Action Program Development Center will offer Foundations of Center-based Care training sessions from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 1 and 8, at 262 Harlow St. The workshops will provide a basic overview of working in center-based early childhood programs. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    DIXMONT – The Dixmont Gold Crest Riders Snowmobile Club will hold its 29th annual Christmas fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, at the clubhouse on Cates Road. Items will include Christmas decorations,… Read More
    Because the subject is shoe boxes, I guess it’s safe to say that, following on the heels of its extraordinary success last year, members of First United Methodist Church of Brewer are eagerly looking forward to collecting more shoe boxes stuffed with gifts for needy children this year. Read More
    FALMOUTH – A group that wants to make it illegal to hunt bears with bait, traps or dogs announced Wednesday that it has enough petition signatures to put its proposal on next year’s ballot. Maine Citizens for Fair Bear Hunting said its preliminary numbers show… Read More
    BIDDEFORD – An armed militia is offering its assistance to Biddeford resident Dorothy Lafortune in her fight to keep her house. A leader of an Alabama-based group called the Mutual Defense Pact Militia urged members this week to be ready to come to Maine with… Read More
    ARLINGTON, Va. – A former aide to Sen. Susan Collins has been appointed executive director of President Bush’s re-election campaign in Maine. Randall Bumps, a native of China, Maine, officially began his duties Nov. 3. Bumps previously managed Sen. Collins’ six field offices in Maine… Read More
    BIDDEFORD – A short section of the Maine Turnpike will get new lanes this week as the highway’s widening project progresses. The Maine Turnpike Authority on Friday plans to open a third lane both northbound and southbound on a 1.7-mile stretch of turnpike in Biddeford. Read More
    OLD ORCHARD BEACH – Maine’s best-known beach should be wheelchair-accessible by Memorial Day, bringing the town of Old Orchard Beach into compliance with state and federal laws. A plan is in the works to perform $10,000 worth of drainage work to Staples Street, where people… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – As Brenda Davis strode through the fog on Sebasticook Street Wednesday morning, she walked alone. Yet she represented thousands of Maine people who live in poverty and are hungry. “Hunger is a hidden disease,” she said. “How many people choose between a meal… Read More
    WASHINGTON – Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine announced Wednesday that the U.S. Senate has given final approval to their request for $14.9 million in funding for Bangor’s Army National Guard facility. The money is included in the Fiscal Year 2004 Military Construction… Read More
    WINTRHOP – The State YMCA of Maine’s Youth in Government program, a model legislature program that strives to get students involved in state politics and procedures, is accepting applications from all Maine high school students. Students in the program will spend April 30 and May… Read More
    MILLINOCKET – Given his preference, Derek DiFrederico might not be the quarterback of the Stearns High School football team. “I’d probably rather play tailback than quarterback,” said DiFrederico, a senior who will lead the 9-1 Minutemen into Saturday’s LTC Class C championship game at 10-0… Read More
    After spending the better part of 10 days sitting (impatiently), stalking (noisily) and hunting (ineffectively), I decided there was only one thing left to do. I had to visit the guru. That would solve everything. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
    It’s the end of an era for Colby College football as the dean of the New England Small College Athletic Conference head coaching fraternity has decided to put away his whistle and clipboard. Tom Austin, who just completed his 18th season as the White Mules’… Read More
    BOYS Big School (Classes A-B) 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
    COLLEGE Matt Belonick 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 Little East All-Conference Team 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
    The Maine association of USA Track and Field will hold its state cross country meet on Saturday at the UMaine-Augusta course. This serves as the Region 1 qualifier for those 18-under and the championship for masters. Registration kicks off at 8:30 a.m. with the Open/Masters races starting at… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – The University of Maine-Presque Isle has taken another step to solidify its partnership with the Maine Winter Sports Center by recently hiring a ski coach/ski instructor to deliver the school’s newly developed concentration in cross country ski coaching. Amy Mark, who is… Read More
    Youngsters will be able to meet University of Maine athletes and enjoy several activities as part of “Youth Central” prior to the 3 p.m. football game against Villanova at Alfond Stadium in Orono. Youth Central begins at 1 p.m. in the north end zone on… Read More
    CAPE ELIZABETH – The Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K, one of New England’s top road races, has moved its seventh race to Sunday, Aug. 1, breaking from its tradition of being on the first Saturday of August. Race officials decided to make the change to… Read More
    MAINE vs. NATIONAL WOMEN’S BASKETBALL LEAGUE Time, site: Thursday, 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()) {… Read More
    She plays with the enthusiasm and energy of a freshman. University of Maine-Farmington striker Heidi Parker sprints up and down the field making life miserable for opposing defenders. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner =… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – Aaron Thibeault tossed in 21 points to lead Eastern Maine Community College to a 109-51 men’s basketball victory over Northern Maine Community College Wednesday night. Larry Plummer pumped in 20 points for the Eagles of Bangor. Kyle Arbuckle and Daryl Watson chipped… Read More
    HALIFAX, Nova Scotia -The second day of competition wrapped up at the Team Candlepin Bowling Championship Wednesday with O’Brien’s Shooter Pub of Moncton, New Brunswick, and Line-M-Up from Hanover, Mass., sitting atop the Pelham Electric division. The Maine Heat, which won the tourney two years… Read More
    BANGOR – Quixotic Quilts, an exhibit at Boyd Place, 21 Boyd St., has generated more buzz in the community than any other exhibit the senior care housing facility has organized, said Administrator Karen Higgins. “The response [to the idea of the quilt show] has been… Read More
    BANGOR – Kristie Miner, director of the Reflections Program at Bangor’s Westgate Manor, has been chosen one of the Maine Alzheimer’s Association Volunteers of the Year. She will receive the award at the association’s annual meeting Nov. 19 at the Sheraton Tara in Portland. “Kristie’s… Read More
    BANGOR – November is filled with activities at Bangor Public Library, 145 Harlow St. Children’s Book Week is Nov. 17-23. The theme is “Free to Read” and highlights the right to read. During the week, children may test their knowledge of the library’s Children’s Room and its contents… Read More
    What’s the first chore you do to get ready for winter? “Clean the yard.” 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
    BANGOR – Fruit Street School’s Taylor Simpson, a second-grade pupil, and Joseph Tuck, a first-grade pupil, were selected for inclusion in the Crayola Dream-makers Exhibit. They were awarded plaques for their artwork. Taylor is the daughter of Charles and Jennifer Simpson of Bangor and Joseph is the son… Read More
    Want to share something through School News? E-mail it to weekly@bangordailynews.net, or mail it to The Weekly, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402; or drop it off at the front desk of the Buck Street entrance at the Bangor Daily News, 491 Main St., Bangor. Schools… Read More
    Over the last 19 years of following sports in the eastern Maine region, one of the more interesting people I’ve met doesn’t bounce, hit or kick a ball. He throws a small bowling ball at candlepins – and most of the time knocks all of those pins down. Read More
    BANGOR – With Maine already experiencing wintry conditions, the Coats for Kids campaign is well under way. Coats for Kids is an annual holiday project collecting new and gently used children’s coats for families in need. Last year Mainers donated more than 47,000 coats. Collection boxes will be… Read More
    ORONO – In recent years, Orono has been host to two professional baseball teams, the Blue Ox and the Lumberjacks. But there was another Orono baseball team decades ago, which Orono resident Scott Peterson will talk about at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Orono Public Library. Read More
    ORONO – Ellsworth “Derry” Rundlett, a former Orono resident and captain of the Orono High School track and cross country teams in 1963 and 1964, won the silver medal in the 200-meter dash of the 17th Annual Huntsman World Senior Games in Utah recently. Rundlett… Read More
    BANGOR – Daniel McCleary, a senior at Bangor Christian Schools, and Anna Ouellette, a senior at Wisdom Middle High School, were named winners of the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award. They are two of 102 students who will move to the next round of national competition. The award… Read More
    New business? Expansion? Promotions? E-mail information to weekly@bangordailynews.net, or mail it to The Weekly, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402; or drop it off at the front desk of the Buck Street entrance of the Bangor Daily News, 491 Main St., Bangor. Bangor googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    10 years ago – Nov. 13, 1993 (As reported in the Bangor Daily News) 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
    Got something for Community News? E-mail it to weekly@bangordailynews.net, or mail it to The Weekly, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402; or drop it off at the front desk of Buck Street entrance of the Bangor Daily News, 491 Main St. Bangor. Bangor googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    Basic training PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. – Marine Corps Reserve Pvt. Sean Hadley, a 1996 graduate of Old Town High School, has completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot. Hadley ended the training phase with a ceremony in which the recruits were… Read More
    BANGOR – Scarecrows created in Keep Bangor Beautiful’s contest are on display at various locations in Bangor. The scarecrows, made of recycled materials and created by clubs, schools, Scout troops, organizations and individuals, are on display until Nov. 15 at the Maine Discovery Museum, City Hall, the Bangor… Read More
    BANGOR – The River City Cinema Society will introduce Cinema to Go at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at the Union Street Brick Church. The project, underwritten by a grant from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation, is a completely portable digital theater that can bring the “big… Read More
    BANGOR – A partnership between Maine PBS and the Maine State Museum has culminated into a new season of “HOME: The Story of Maine,” a television series that details the state’s history. It will be shown at 9 p.m. beginning Nov. 25. The series, which… Read More
    Bangor Family Education Workshop 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
    Support group listings are run as space permits. Items are due one week before publication. Mail The Weekly, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; or e-mail weekly@bangordailynews.net, or drop off notices at the front desk of the Buck Street entrance at the Bangor Daily News, 491 Main St., Bangor. Read More
    My grandfather was diabetic. I remember him needing insulin injections every day. Being a child and not fond of needles, I was quietly horrified at the very thought of this daily regimen. He managed well and endured the disease bravely, as he did everything else in his life. Read More
    Real estate transfers recorded with city of Old Town in 2002 and 2003: To Edward M. and Nancy J. Higgins, Old Town, from Edward M. Higgins, Old Town, Feb. 14, portion of parcel on Woodland Ave., transfer between spouses. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More