BANGOR – For fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, last Wednesday couldn’t have come soon enough. “I’ve been waiting three years for this,” noted Jason Patterson of Orrington while lined up with his wife, Carrie, for one of the Saturday matinee shows. Read More
AUGUSTA – Passing the word was the top priority Sunday at the Maine Emergency Management Agency after the federal Department of Homeland Security raised the national threat level from elevated to high, on the color scale from yellow to orange. Steve Burgess, deputy commissioner of… Read More
AUGUSTA – Maine’s unemployment rate fell in November, but two economic policy groups say the state has not gained the jobs that were anticipated with President Bush’s tax cuts. Last month’s 4.9 percent jobless rate was down from 5.1 percent in October, but is up… Read More
PORTAGE LAKE – Offers made by Irving Woodlands to its log-hauling truckers and woods workers Friday fell short of the demands made by these independently contracted workers. Mary Keith, spokeswoman for J.D. Irving Ltd. – northern Maine’s largest landowner – reported Saturday each trucker and… Read More
CHINA – Clark Granger stands in his snowy field looking proudly upon rows of Christmas trees that are two years away from standing in living rooms, decorated with tinsel and ornaments. These trees – 15,000 in all – may look like plain old balsam firs… Read More
PORTLAND – A decade ago, Banknorth Group Inc. was called Peoples Heritage Financial Group, was only the fourth-largest bank in Maine and operated almost entirely within the state. Banknorth now has operations in New York and five of the six New England states. With nearly… Read More
Our first snow of the season came and went at about the same speed. But though the drifts have mostly melted away, winter started Sunday and soon the sleds, snowboards, snow tubes and disks will be coming out of the garage or down the chimney in Santa’s bag. Read More
This is regarding the article, “Bedard testifies, defends $37,154 bill for services” (BDN, Dec. 13-14). Lambert Bedard said, and I quote, “[GNP] did need a captain of a ship.” He sure was some captain – steered it right on the rocks and sunk it. George… Read More
A decade ago Maine Yankee was operating at a nominal output of about 800 megawatts. Now, all of that capacity and energy has been replaced with natural gas. To produce 800 megawatts of electric power with natural gas requires the consumption of about 6 million cubic feet of… Read More
As stated by Gov. Baldacci and the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, the upcoming referendum on hunting and trapping black bears is not about “fair chase.” It’s a step by the national animal rights organizations toward ending all hunting, trapping and fishing. Period. These organizations are… Read More
David S. Nealley’s column, “Politics of gaming displayed in Bangor” (BDN, Dec. 16), begs for a response. It is true, as Nealley asserted, that the people of Maine did not receive Shawn Scott and family “with open minds and open hearts.” However, in view of ongoing revelations about… Read More
Cianbro Corp. has recently been highlighted with photos and stories in the Bangor Daily News as the partner of Capital Seven in its Bangor Raceway efforts. Some would say it is ironic that Cianbro CEO Peter Vigue was previously noted in the BDN as opposing the casino referendum,… Read More
Groups working to set aside land in Maine, along with Gov. John Baldacci, like to think of themselves as taking a bold approach to forest conservation. But bold may have taken on a new meaning this month when environmental groups, timber and gas companies and indigenous peoples in… Read More
President Bush is right that the world is better off now that Saddam Hussein has been captured and can, for certain, no longer threaten his enemies and kill and torture his own people. However, the president is not right that it does not matter if weapons of mass… Read More
The first flakes of the recent nor’easter were already falling as Ariel and I tiptoed across the frozen stream and walked up the hill into our fir stand. She had already scouted out a suitable tree to cut, if we could find that tree for the forest. We… Read More
In the closing days of the last Bangor City Council actions were taken involving approximately $36 million or about $1,000 for every citizen in Bangor. I am referring to the new Bangor police station awarded to WBRC Architects Engineers and the racino contract with Capital Seven. These contracts… Read More
STONINGTON – Christmas is a time of traditions, religious and secular, that often are at odds with each other. A small church in the village of Oceanville, however, has combined the two, and for more than a century has joined the village’s nautical history with… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Burglars made off with credit cards and an undisclosed amount of money from Foxcroft Academy over the weekend after tunneling through a brick wall to reach a safe. The exact amount of cash taken will not be known until bookkeepers check their records… Read More
AUGUSTA – The federal extended unemployment benefits program, which helped more than 12,000 out-of-work Mainers in the last year, has ended. That is bad news for an estimated 250 to 300 Mainers who exhaust their regular benefits every week. “These people need help,” Ed Gorham,… Read More
CANTON – It could be weeks – and, for some, months – before Mainers can return to their homes that were flooded last week by a double whammy of heavy snow followed by downpours. Representatives of several state agencies and the Red Cross were in… Read More
As we move into Christmas week, we’re happy to report that the Santa’s Helper Fund now stands at $43,406.15, or 87 percent of our goal. For those who have contributed, thank you very much. For those who might be thinking about a way that a gift could have… Read More
BAR HARBOR – The search for a new superintendent for School Union 98 has turned up only nine applicants in a nationwide search, a school official said Saturday. Glenon Friedmann of Bar Harbor, chairwoman of the search committee, said all but two of the applicants… Read More
GREENVILLE – The early snowfall in the Moosehead Lake region has provided more than enough base to allow an early start to snowmobile trail grooming. Grooming of the trails through Greenville, which connect with major routes to The Forks, Blanchard, Rockwood, Kokadjo and Brownville, began… Read More
BLUE HILL – The continuing effort to improve the playground at the Blue Hill Consolidated School got a boost recently with the receipt of a $28,500 grant. The grant came from a little-known fund that has existed since 1820, when Maine became a state. The… Read More
SEARSPORT – Forget the recall. An ordinance that would have allowed voters to remove selectmen from office was defeated at a special town meeting Saturday morning. The proposed ordinance went down in a 67-101, secret-ballot vote. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
BANGOR – Child care providers are eligible to sign up for a training class with the Penquis Community Action Program Resource Development Center. “Caring for infants, toddlers and their families” will be held 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays, Jan. 27-Feb. 17, at the Penquis CAP Old Town Head… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – The Penquis Community Action Program will offer two free Incubator Without Walls small-business courses for individuals interested in starting or expanding a small business. One class will meet 6-9 p.m. every other Wednesday, Feb. 4-May 12, at Penquis CAP, 50 North St., Dover-Foxcroft. Read More
BREWER – The University of Maine’s financial aid director, Peggy Crawford, will discuss the process of applying for financial aid for college at a meeting for high school students and their parents. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, at the… Read More
FAIRFIELD – Kennebec Valley Community College will offer the following courses in the new year: . CRMA Refresher-Bridge course, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9. Space is limited. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner =… Read More
MONSON – A local woman counted her blessings Saturday when someone returned her wallet with its meager contents intact. “I said my prayers this morning and they were answered,” the wallet’s owner, Mari-Ellen Hansen, said Saturday. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
ATKINSON – School choice now appears to be a major factor driving a second attempt to deorganize this small Piscataquis County town. A public hearing to discuss the deorganization plan will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, at the Atkinson Corner Municipal Building. Read More
SAN ANTONIO – Army Spc. Christopher Cole has graduated from basic military training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He is the son of William Cole of Springfield and a 2000 graduate of Lee Academy. Army National Guard Pvt. Andrew Davis has graduated from basic combat… Read More
BUCKSPORT – Town councilors have designated three industrial sites for inclusion as part of the Penobscot Valley Pine Tree Zone, one of four zones established by the state as part of a plan to spur economic growth in specific areas of Maine. In a decision… Read More
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND – It’s not easy being beautiful. Just ask the female lobster crawling around off the coast of Maine who has Barbie and a couple of fishermen to thank for her long and lucky life. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
Two men were arrested in separate incidents of drunken driving over the weekend at the intersection of Ohio Street and Griffin Road in Bangor. A store clerk reported at 10:30 p.m. Saturday that an intoxicated man recently had left the store and driven away, according… Read More
GREENVILLE – The regularly scheduled Greenville selectmen’s meeting on Dec. 17 was postponed because of inclement weather. The meeting will be held at 6:30 tonight in the municipal building. Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Minigrants totaling $15,982 were awarded recently to Foxcroft Academy by Oak Grove Foundation. The 12 minigrants were written by faculty members Doreen Emerson, Dawn MacPherson-Allen, James Brown, Jamie Gaudion, Derek Smith, Louise Clement, Dorothy Brennan, Brenda Brown, John Sylvester, Gary Worthing, George Rolleston… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – The Maine Highlands Guild received three grants totaling $213,000 to support and expand the guild’s programs over the next two years. The funds also will be used for an educational workshop series for artisan businesses and a program that helps businesses market products. Read More
DEXTER – The Dexter Regional High School Band and Chorus will travel to the Williamsburg, Va., area in the spring to attend a band and chorus competition. The local music boosters, who are raising money for the trip, plan a basket bingo at 1 p.m. Read More
Calais District Court Cases Nov. 3-20, 2003 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… Read More
BANGOR – Manna Ministries has more than 400 individuals who have asked for gifts this Christmas. Gifts of coats, socks, hats, shirts, snowsuits and shoes are needed. Those interested can: googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
SKOWHEGAN – Gardening enthusiasts can now sign up for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s 2004 master gardener course. The program will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Mondays, beginning Jan. 5, at the Somerset County Extension Office on Norridgewock Avenue. Participants will be… Read More
BANGOR – This year’s pick for the third annual Bangor Reads program is Yann Martel’s “Life of Pi.” The book is an adventure story about a young man’s quest for survival and inner peace. The Bangor Public Library has copies of the award-winning novel, as well as Bangor… Read More
BANGOR – The Bangor Public Library will be showing an exhibition of artwork from local and international artists throughout January. Many of the artists are members of “Art in the Heart of Maine,” an organization of regional art educators. Jennifer Anderson of Bangor will show… Read More
CARIBOU – A Caribou man, found guilty Friday of gross sexual assault and domestic assault charges stemming from incidents involving a former girlfriend, could face more than 40 years in prison. A jury sitting in Caribou Superior Court on Friday found Mark Crouch Jr., 28,… Read More
NORTH RUSTICO, Prince Edward Island – A Prince Edward Island man wants his fellow lobstermen to pay a small fee on their catches – say a penny per pound – to help fund research on declining stocks. Norman Peters said it’s time for fishermen to… Read More
SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Hope Lange, who starred opposite Hollywood’s top actors over a decades-long career and earned an Oscar nomination for her supporting role in the 1957 film “Peyton Place,” has died, her husband said Sunday. She was 70. Lange died Dec. 19 at… Read More
PORTLAND – The attorney for Oakhurst Dairy said Friday that “there’s nothing new to report” in settlement talks that began more than a week ago between the Portland-based independent dairy and chemical giant Monsanto of St. Louis. Monsanto maintains that Oakhurst’s label, which proclaims “Our… Read More
ORONO – The Rider University women’s basketball team raced around the court at Alfond Arena Sunday like a group of last-minute Christmas shoppers at the mall on Dec. 24. UMaine remained calm amidst the frantic pace, taking advantage of crisp passing and polished low-post play… Read More
BANGOR – Kim Stephenson had been in this position before, as an All-New England honoree for girls soccer. But this time, receiving an award from the Maine Soccer Coaches Association was a bit different for Hampden’s star center midfielder. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
PORTLAND – Saturday’s home-away-from-home basketball game for the University of Maine men was a difficult one to dissect. Offensive flow? There wasn’t much, if any. Style? This physical game had about as much of that as an episode of Fear Factor. Even the accompanying story… Read More
HAMPDEN – When Hampden Academy girls basketball coach Ben Greenlaw called for a timeout late in Saturday’s game against Bangor, the Broncos knew they were going to get instructions for the final moments. Greenlaw handled the on-court strategy in the 60-second break. Senior Cheryl Morris… Read More
ROCKLAND – The relentless nature of Camden Hills’ approach to basketball provides instant gratification for the Windjammers and a draining impact on most opponents. Instant gratification against Rockland on Saturday night came via 15 forced turnovers that staked coach Jeff Hart’s club to a nine-point… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL At UMaine Field House, 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
HIGH SCHOOL At Howland 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 Aloupis Pool, Bangor, Friday 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 Maine Soccer Coaches 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
ELLSWORTH – Michelle Post made five of her six 3-pointers in the second quarter on her way to a game-high 30 points as the Presque Isle High School Wildcats improved to 6-0 with a 58-40 schoolgirl basketball win Saturday. Presque Isle made 12 of 14… Read More
CARIBOU – Corey Dewitt scored 15 points and the Ellsworth High School Eagles received 13 more apiece from Joey Dewitt and Andy Tracy en route to a 75-52 schoolboy basketball victory on Saturday night. The undefeated Eagles jumped out to a 36-15 halftime lead en… Read More
NEWPORT – Tiffany Carter scored all five of her points in the fourth quarter as Nokomis pulled away for a 40-30 schoolgirl basketball win over Old Town on Saturday. Michelle Barden (5 steals) and Aimee Paradis had nine points apiece for the Warriors, and Alyssa… Read More
The Manhattan Transfer, that four-part harmony wonder group, gave a glittering concert to a sold-out crowd Saturday at the Maine Center for the Arts in Orono, launching the countdown to Christmas with music so merry and bright that audience members are likely still to be humming today. In… Read More
People today have three modern, conveniently located bridges to choose from when making the short trip from Bangor to Brewer. A century ago, however, they had only one, and they had to produce a dime every time they crossed what was known as the Bangor toll bridge, located… Read More
My Journey, by Rabbi Harry Sky With jolly bearded men perched on housetops, lights shimmering across the snow and advertisements promoting holiday shopping at every turn, this season can be a time of dilemma, if not downright confusion, for those who do not celebrate Christmas. Read More
In theaters LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING, directed by Peter Jackson, written by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Jackson, based on the book by J.R.R. Tolkien, 201 minutes, rated PG-13. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
Dear Santa, I’ve tried to be good this year, and I’m hoping you can fill my Christmas stocking with information on some of my beloved, but not-yet-identified, ancestors. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner =… Read More