WASHINGTON – The new prescription drug benefit signed into law Monday by President Bush as part of major Medicare changes will confront seniors with numerous and sometimes difficult choices on their health care coverage. Bush said the new drug insurance “will save our seniors from… Read More
    PORTLAND – The lines are being drawn for what will be a short and lively campaign with plenty of advertising and rhetoric over the Dec. 30 racino referendums in Saco and Westbrook. On Monday, the anticasino group Casinos No! announced it would help two groups… Read More
    ROCKLAND – Attorneys for Maine’s wild blueberry growers, who won a class-action lawsuit involving price fixing by three Down East processors, want the companies’ accounts frozen to the tune of $61 million, which they say represents the processors’ real and personal property. William Robitzek, an… Read More
    The headline of a story on Page A11 of the Thursday, Dec. 4, edition incorrectly referred to Maine & Maritimes Corp. of Presque Isle as a Canadian-based company. — googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
    United Agri Products Northeast announced the hiring of Mapleton native Noah Winslow as technical representative for central and southern Aroostook County. Winslow received a bachelor’s degree in resource and agribusiness management from the University of Maine and is finishing his master’s degree in agricultural economics at Purdue University. Read More
    This letter is in response to the article, “Commission tackles prison overcrowding/Lighter sentences considered as solution” (BDN, Nov. 22). I found some of the solutions that were suggested to be very interesting, and the more of the article I read the worse it got. Ideas like more good… Read More
    I didn’t think anyone should bother replying to Cal Thomas’ attack on Hillary Clinton (BDN, Dec. 5). I was, however, struck by his statement that he found it “particularly disturbing that Sen. Clinton can’t seem to find a single good thing to say about the president.”… Read More
    Medicare-dependent citizens wanted three things. We wanted Medicare Plan B prescription drug coverage. We wanted checkout counter equity with prescription buyers in other nations. We wanted those things now and not when many of our cohorts will be gone. This response may be a naive “closing of the… Read More
    I am a small blueberry grower, and I take exception to the first paragraph of your editorial (BDN, Nov. 25) You state that “a large group of blueberry growers alleged price fixing” googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
    When my friends discuss the recent blueberry class action suit they question me as to what makes the Maine blueberry agriculture business different from other agriculture businesses. The most important difference is the wild blueberries themselves, vaccinium angustifolium. There is a certain mystique about helping… Read More
    Activists and homeowners along the Hudson River, near Albany, N.Y., have been fighting against the construction of a cement plant there for several years as their neighbors, eager for the jobs the plant offers, have rallied in favor. Outwardly, it has been a battle of yard signs (“Stop… Read More
    Doubters of the value of the Endangered Species Act need only drive across the Waldo-Hancock Bridge or, or in some cities, work in a downtown office building to see the dividends of the federal animal and plant protection law. Perched high on bridge spans, diving from cliffs at… Read More
    An old man told me last week I had killed him, and my guess is that he was right. He came in looking for help and he left with a sense of doom. I gave him that with some antibiotics for his pneumonia because I found out he… Read More
    The wall between objective journalism and partisan politicking at Fox News clearly and completely fell when it became apparent that Fox News staff contributed to the orchestration of the Republican-led 39-hour Senate talk-a-thon intended to counter a Democrat filibuster. A recently leaked memo appeared in… Read More
    It’s not as if we didn’t know long in advance that a big snowstorm was heading our way. After all, the weather people had been talking about it nonstop for a couple of days. The TV was filled with dramatic news footage of the season’s… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Surrounded by about 50 supporters, Maine state Rep. Edward Dugay concluded his “Walk for DHS Accountability” Monday with a rally at the State House Hall of Flags and a warm pledge of support from the governor. Dugay, a Cherryfield Democrat, started his 88-mile… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – Four SAD 1 social studies teachers said Monday that a claim by a fellow teacher that a “small group of fundamentalist Christian individuals” helped write the district’s social studies curriculum and created a program that requires him to teach only about Christian cultures was “ludicrous.”… Read More
    The weekend brought in many more generous donations to the Santa’s Helper Fund. Many thanks go out today to Anonymous, $25; Virginia Miner, Bangor, $25; Catherine, Walter and Paul Leavitt, in memory of Benjamin W. Barr Sr., Old Town, $30; Anonymous, Brownville Junction, $100; Anonymous,… Read More
    BUCKSPORT – The Bucksport Bay Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its quarterly meeting at 12:30 p.m. today at the Bucksport Senior Citizens Center, 125 Broadway. Featured speaker David Cole, the transportation commissioner, will discuss the Department of Transportation’s role in the economy, and the… Read More
    ROCKLAND – City councilors handled a mixed bag of business Monday, which included an agreement with the Georges River Land Trust for a hiking trail in the Oyster River Bog. The revocable license agreement approved by the council will allow the land trust to establish… Read More
    MOUNT DESERT – Residents remain divided over how to proceed with fixing the town’s sewer system, voting 53-52 in a special town meeting Monday to spend another $1.5 million to upgrade the Seal Harbor plant. The opposition wanted to debate again the hard-won decision in… Read More
    WARREN – A local man was injured Saturday morning in a three-vehicle accident on Route 131 that resulted in $12,000 in property damage. Ronald H. Linscott, 33, of Warren was driving a 2002 Chevrolet van, owned by Maritime Energy of Rockland, when the accident occurred. Read More
    DEXTER – An exploratory program for incoming freshmen in SADs 4, 41, 46, 48 and 68 will be offered at Tri-County Technical Center June 7-9. Nick Vafiades, director of the center that provides occupational preparation courses for juniors and seniors, said the exploratory program is… Read More
    BINGHAM-A group of local students hope to make visits to the Bingham Health Center a little easier for children. Ten Upper Kennebec Valley Memorial Junior and Senior High School students, under the direction of art teacher Mary Lightbody of Guilford, have been selected to paint… Read More
    CALAIS – The next president of Washington County Community College may be a new face, but he has a familiar name. The community college system announced Monday that William H. Cassidy, 54, has been tapped to succeed William Flahive, who retired in August. Flahive served… Read More
    BANGOR – A CPR training mannequin will be donated to the Greenbush Community Emergency Response Team at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at Quirk Chevrolet and Auto Park, 293 Hogan Road. The “Resusci Junior,” donated by the Maine Automobile Dealers Association, will be presented to… Read More
    HOWLAND – A Christian music concert that had been scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 13, at St. Leo’s Parish has been canceled. It will be rescheduled, and the new date will be announced. For information, call 732-6259 or 732-4636. Read More
    UNION – A St. George man suffered minor injuries Sunday when his Jeep Wrangler hit a tree on Route 131 near Middle Road. Frederic Roberts, 61, was treated at Penobscot Bay Medical Center in Rockport and was released, according to a hospital spokeswoman. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    ROCKLAND – A defective vehicle and excessive speed were factors in a two-vehicle accident Sunday that injured three people at the intersection of Summer and Union streets, police said. Michael Beardsley, 18, of Union, James Ellis, 13, and Jessica Staples, 20, both of Rockland, were… Read More
    BANGOR – Benjamin Bustard, a member of the Royal Rangers since 1993, has been awarded the Gold Medal of Achievement. Similar to achieving the rank of Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts, Bustard, 16, had to complete a community project, earn 16 merit badges and write… Read More
    BAR HARBOR – In a close vote Monday night, residents rejected a plan that would have turned the Log Cabin restaurant on Route 3 into a Chamber of Commerce visitor center and satellite parking area for the town. Residents voted 86-74 against the proposal that… Read More
    Brewer police arrested an Orrington man after his truck lodged in the snow Monday evening. Officer Jeff Gotreau said that at about 6 p.m., he saw a Dodge pickup truck stuck in the snowbank outside the Muddy Rudder restaurant parking lot on Main Street. Gotreau… Read More
    BANGOR – Three residents Monday night took city officials to task for their handling of recent racino-related rancor. During a City Council meeting, residents Charles Birkel and Ken Buckley, both of whom have followed local politics for several years, said recent actions regarding Capital Seven… Read More
    BANGOR – City and town officials from communities along a proposed solid waste transportation route between landfills in Hampden and west Old Town met with leaders from the Maine Department of Transportation, Maine Department of Environmental Protection and Casella Waste Systems on Monday. The meeting… Read More
    HAMPDEN – Town officials on Monday stopped short of endorsing a measure aimed at curbing truck traffic hauling waste bound for a landfill across some local roads, breaking rank with a few local communities. Hampden town councilors took no vote and therefore no action on… Read More
    BANGOR – Manna Ministries is collecting Christmas gifts for area families. Coats, pants, shoes and children’s toys may be dropped off at 180 Center St. Donors also may adopt an individual or family and provide for their specific needs. Needed items include large and extra-large… Read More
    Piscataquis Community High School, Guilford Preliminary report 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
    ELLSWORTH – Crab pickers and other home-based seafood processors in Hancock County will have another shot at funding to build new facilities now that the Hancock County Planning Commission has received a $300,000 state grant. The commission has received the grant through the state’s Community… Read More
    LINCOLN – A groundbreaking ceremony for the Lincoln Lakes Region Dialysis Center will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, on the Transalpine Road. Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor is developing a hemodialysis center to provide kidney dialysis for more than 20 patients… Read More
    BANGOR – The YWCA will be host to a Kids Only New Year’s Eve Bash 7 p.m.-8 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, to Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2004, at 17 Second St. Participants can swim, make party hats and noisemakers and participate in fun and games in… Read More
    BANGOR – The Penobscot County Extension office will offer master gardener training, with a concentration on food crops, beginning Feb. 3, 2004, at 307 Maine Ave. Instruction will cover basic soils, botany and pest management. Fee is $80. Deadline for applications is Jan. 16, 2004. Read More
    ORONO – Natalie Skall, daughter of Philip Drew of Orono, has been inducted into Pi Mu Epsilon, an honorary national mathematics society, at St. Michael’s College. A graduate of Orono High School, Skall is a senior mathematics and English double major at the liberal arts… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Appalachian Mountain Club will announce on Dec. 9 a major conservation initiative that integrates habitat protection, recreation, education and sustainable forestry in Maine. The club’s Maine Wood Initiative will be announced at 12:45 p.m. in the Hall of Flags at the Maine State… Read More
    DEXTER – “A Christmas Cantata: Holy Child by Marty Parks” will be performed by the Dexter Community Choir at 4 p.m. Dec. 21 at First Baptist Church. The church also will hold its Christmas Eve candlelight service at 7 p.m. For more information, call 924-7167. Read More
    Now in its third year, the popular Diamond Ring Raffle fund-raiser of the Health Services Foundation, which is affiliated with Houlton Regional Hospital, has added something that will appeal to NASCAR lovers. But, first, let’s focus on the Diamond Ring Raffle and buying those tickets… Read More
    MADAWASKA – Constituent services representative Barbara Hayslett will hold office hours on behalf of U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud on Thursday, Dec. 11: . 9-10 a.m., Madawaska Town Office. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner =… Read More
    The solitude and delicate beauty of Maine’s offshore islands attract 10,000 people every summer – a Catch-22 that the state Department of Conservation and the Maine Island Trail Association sought to remedy with Monday’s signing of a first-ever management plan for state-owned islands scattered from Portland Harbor to… Read More
    SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Air Force Airman Chelsea J. Hinton has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base. She is the daughter of William Hinton of Albuquerque, N.M., and Terry Hinton of Carmel. She is a 2003 graduate of La Cueva High School, Albuquerque. Read More
    PORTLAND – Enrollment in Maine’s public schools took a downward turn this year, and experts say the count could fall as much as 10 percent in the next eight years. Enrollment this year fell 1.1 percent, or 2,300 students. That is nearly double the rate… Read More
    BANGOR – The No. 1 reason people don’t donate blood is that no one asks them to, according to Harold Crabill, director of Maine operations for the American Red Cross Blood Service. But you can cross that excuse off your list – the organization is… Read More
    BANGOR – Author Stephen King remained in the hospital over the weekend while doctors continued to assess what should be done regarding the leg pain he has endured since a 1999 van accident that almost killed him. “It’s really still a day-to-day thing,” King’s Bangor… Read More
    There were more volunteers out and about this past week than shoppers at Renys or Marden’s. Volunteer firefighters took advantage of a day without stiff wind to string lights on the community’s Christmas tree, grammar school pupils served up dinner to townspeople, and more good… Read More
    Knitting as meditation really works. While I was making mittens for the little boys in my family, I got to thinking about the “creative economy.” It occurred to me that if artists and other creative people are the linchpins of the creative economy, then some of those people… Read More
    Last Friday, sportsmen and sportswomen from across the state converged on Augusta for the annual Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine Sportsman’s Congress. The Congress has evolved into quite an event, as information is shared and opinions offered on many of the issues outdoors enthusiasts hold dear. Read More
    COLLEGE Kevin Reed 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
    HIGH SCHOOL At Winslow 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
    BANGOR – Cyle Arbuckle scored 22 points and had 12 rebounds to help the Eastern Maine Community College men’s basketball team to an 85-68 victory over Washington County Community College Monday in college action. Daryl Watson had 18 points and eight assists for EMCC. Tony… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – Laura Archer poured in 17 points to propel the Ellsworth girls basketball team to a 40-28 victory over Orono Monday in high school action. Sara Briggs netted nine points for the Eagles in the mutual season-opener, which was postponed from Saturday because of… Read More
    HERMON – Natasha Deschene tossed in 14 points to help lead the Presque Isle girls basketball team to 57-45 win over Hermon Monday in high school action. Anna Delong netted 10 points for Presque Isle. Katie Delong, Melissa Demerchant, and Kylan Smith added nine points… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – Pam Bailey’s layup with less than five seconds left in the fourth quarter lifted the Piscataquis girls basketball team to a 45-44 victory over Foxcroft Monday in high school action. Bailey finished with a game-high 20 points for the Pirates of Guilford. Charley… Read More
    BOSTON – The city of Boston and the state of New Hampshire announced Tuesday they will begin buying prescription drugs from Canada, jumping to the forefront of the growing but illegal movement to take advantage of lower prices across the border. New Hampshire would become… Read More