AUGUSTA – Deep divisions among lawmakers over the prospect of slot machines at Scarborough Downs prompted an abrupt end to a Wednesday session of the Legislature’s Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee. “There are philosophical differences,” said committee member Rep. Randy Hotham, R-Dixfield, shortly after the… Read More
    John Kerry’s chief rivals all but ceded three weekend elections to the high-striding presidential front-runner on Wednesday, covering their retreat with fresh claims that he is a flip-flopping Washington insider who would lead the party to defeat this fall. Southern natives John Edwards and Wesley… Read More
    The University of Maine is more than the state’s leading research university and flagship campus. It’s also a vital part of the economy, generating about $578 million in 2002 alone, according to a new report. With more than 5,000 workers and a payroll of almost… Read More
    PORTLAND – Bankrupt Eastern Pulp and Paper Corp.’s hopes of resuming operations were dashed in a matter of minutes Wednesday when the company told a federal bankruptcy judge that a $3.8 million emergency loan had fallen through. Immediately U.S. Bankruptcy Chief Judge James B. Haines… Read More
    A photo caption accompanying an article published Wednesday on the State page about testing and cleanup efforts at the defunct New Franklin Laundry in Bangor was inaccurate. Officials with the federal Environmental Protection Agency have found no evidence of any recent hazardous chemical spills at the site. Rather,… Read More
    AUGUSTA – The need to consider the protocols for the line of succession to the governor’s office was never demonstrated Wednesday – but that didn’t stop reporters from asking. “At times, a few were a little insensitive,” said Lee Umphrey, the governor’s communications director. “You’d… Read More
    BAR HARBOR – The Jackson Laboratory has hired an accomplished fund-raiser to help the genetics research lab reach its $85 million capital campaign goal. James Osterholt of Pacific Palisades, Calif., also will lead the lab’s efforts to find partners interested in working with the lab,… Read More
    Maine-based Community Pharmacies has announced the opening of its newest location at Tradewinds Market at 689 Main St. in Corinth. The pharmacy will offer both generic and brand name pharmaceuticals and will have a licensed pharmacist and assistant on duty during its hours of operation. Read More
    The Finance Authority of Maine, known as FAME, an independent state agency that develops and administers programs for higher education and business finance, has been nominated for one of the New England Board of Higher Education 2004 Higher Education Excellence Awards. Read More
    The Internal Revenue Service announced improvements to its Web site, www.irs.gov, just in time for tax season. 1040 Central at the IRS Web site directs taxpayers to information regarding lower tax rates, larger child tax credits and the elimination of the “marriage penalty,” among other… Read More
    Twenty-three Maine entrepreneurs received Seed Grants recently from the Maine Technology Institute to support product development, commercialization or business planning and development. Twelve of the companies are first-time recipients of the grant, which offers up to $10,000 per project. Read More
    First-time homebuyers will be able to set their sights higher after the Maine State Housing Authority announced it increased the price of homes eligible for financing under the popular first-time homebuyer program. Read More
    BANGOR – A newly established woman-owned mapping firm, KAPPA Mapping, Inc., has opened its headquarters recently at 6 State St. Claire Kiedrowski and Lori Phillips founded the company, which will specialize in photogrammetric mapping services throughout the country. Both are graduates of the University of… Read More
    With only a quick reading of its recommendations, a task force on aquaculture could be faulted for passing the buck on bay management, the concept that bays along Maine’s coast should be managed as a whole, not from fish farm lease to fish farm lease. Rather than deal… Read More
    Naturally, the boss gets higher pay than the underlings. But 531 times as much? That’s the average multiple for the chief executive officers of American corporations, according to a survey by the research firm Towers Perrin. It was only about 40 in 1980. In Britain, the multiple is… Read More
    It is time for reasonable people to speak out. The state has finally started to address the issue of health care needs for all Maine people by implementing the Dirigo Health Plan. Now the hospitals are complaining they do not get a high enough reimbursement from MaineCare patients. Read More
    The quotation under the title of the Bangor Daily News says, “It’s what you need. To know.” I would like to know what I need to know from the editorial cartoon from Jan. 27 on the sanctity of marriage. I bristled when I read it. Read More
    So far the consensus among Democrats and Independents who rightly sense the peril to this nation of four more years of disastrous foreign “policy” is “anybody but President Bush.” Yet can “anybody” defeat Bush? Consider the odds: a $300 million campaign coffer that need not… Read More
    Howard Dean opposed the Iraq war before it began. He openly criticized the Bush administration for its unilateral policies of pre-emptive strikes. He warned that Bush was quickly losing all credibility in the world community for ignoring the work of the United Nations. His campaign has exposed these… Read More
    Although Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore has been removed from the bench, whether a judge can abide by the dictates of his conscience and the Christian-based Constitution of his state is still a pivotal issue and defining moment for America, which has already lost much of God’s blessings. Read More
    Based on the last census, 22 percent of Maine’s youth between 20 and 34 years old left Maine for opportunity elsewhere while the national average loss is only 5 percent. Why? A national organization that advocates for small businesses has rated Maine at the bottom of their list… Read More
    PORTLAND – As a student at Kennebunk High School, one of Chris Lehane’s favorite sayings was, “In your face!” These days, as a political consultant, his ferocity strikes fear into opponents’ campaigns. A spokesman and strategist for Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark, Lehane has developed… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – A disruptive computer scam originating in West Africa is spreading nationwide, including into parts of Maine, and stands to cost merchants and shipping and credit card companies millions of dollars in unpaid shipping expenses and merchandise, law enforcement officials said Wednesday. The scam… Read More
    MEDWAY – Despite concerns last year that Baxter State Park might be experiencing an increase in commercial users, only 2 percent of the park’s estimated 100,000 annual visitors have come for commercial purposes, according to a recent study by park officials. The findings came from… Read More
    Now that Janet Jackson’s Super Bowl antics have given a whole new meaning to the term “boob tube,” I find myself able to sit back and smile at the outrage the ridiculous incident has generated. Parents across the country were so distressed by the choreographed… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Maine’s effort to be among the national leaders in requiring energy efficient appliances was postponed Wednesday, after a fiery debate among members of the Legislature’s Utilities and Energy Committee. The bill under consideration, LD 1261, would have created a system for setting energy… Read More
    ABBOT – The military seldom holds pleasant surprises for its soldiers, but two local cousins got just that when they learned both would be home from Iraq at the same time for visits with family members. “It was a fluke,” Army SSG Charles Titcomb, 27,… Read More
    BAR HARBOR – The Hancock County Center for Women, Work and Community will hold a free six-week assertiveness training workshop for women beginning Feb. 23. “Personal Power Through Skilled Communication” will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays at the YWCA of Mount Desert… Read More
    BLUE HILL – The Blue Hill Peninsula Parkinson’s Support Group will hold its monthly meeting from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, at Parker Ridge Retirement Community’s assisted living dining room, 63 Parker Ridge Lane. Featured speaker Gordon Bond will give information on certified… Read More
    BELFAST – A local man was arrested on a domestic assault warrant from Camden. Scott Mosher, 35, was picked up by city and Camden police officers at his Patterson Hill Road home Monday. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – At a brief council meeting Tuesday night, David Quint, a former mayor, councilor and planning board member, was appointed to fill the unexpired term of former Mayor Charles Cianchette. Cianchette has moved to Hartland. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
    Dover-Foxcroft District Court Cases Jan. 8-26, 2004 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 – The Penobscot Community Health Center, Maine Dental Association and the University of Maine at Augusta Dental Health Program are teaming up to sponsor “Give Kids a Smile Day,” as part of the National Children’s Dental Access Day on Friday, Feb. 6. Children up… Read More
    BANGOR – The Penobscot County municipalities of Bangor, Brewer, Carmel, Chester, Clifton, Eddington, Etna, Exeter, Hermon, Holden, Old Town, Orono and Orrington will hold their Republican caucuses at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Richard Dyke Business Center on the Husson College campus. U.S. Read More
    BAILEYVILLE – In the face of tragedy, the support of friends is a treasure to cherish. In this community there is a cornucopia of support for nine Woodland Elementary School pupils who saw tragedy up close. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
    BAR HARBOR – Robert Liebow, Mount Desert Island Regional High School principal, has been offered the job as Union 98 superintendent following a final interview Tuesday with the school board, according to sources. Liebow is expected to be formally appointed during a special school board… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – A Trenton man charged with attempted murder in connection with a midday shootout with police in December 2002 on Main Street was reindicted Wednesday by the Hancock County grand jury as an “administerial thing,” according to a local prosecutor. Rodney Williams, 28, is… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – The contractor hired by the city to dredge out the city’s harbor in the Union River has been fired, according to city officials. Northeast Marine Towing & Construction of Penobscot was notified of the termination of its contract with Ellsworth in a letter… Read More
    BANGOR – St. Joseph Healthcare’s monthly diabetes support group will meet at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, in the Diabetes and Nutrition Center, Building 1, St. Joseph Healthcare. Loretha Huff, a patient mentor of Aventis Pharmaceuticals, will be at the event to present “Living a… Read More
    JACKMAN – The Jackman Republican Committee will hold a caucus at 2 p.m. today at the Jackman Town Hall Conference Room. For information, contact chairman of the Jackman Republican Committee, Marc Pembroke, at 668-4160. Read More
    BANGOR – The Altrusa International Inc. of Bangor will hold its semimonthly meeting at 6 p.m. today, at Husson College’s faculty dining room. Meetings are held on the first and third Thursday of the month. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
    FARMINGTON – The Western Maine Legislative Caucus will hold a public meeting at 7 a.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at the University of Maine at Farmington. Kit St. John of the Maine Center for Economic Policy and Rep. Peter Mills, R-Cornville, will speak. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    BANGOR – Eastern Maine Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit will host its 24th annual reunion for all former patients of the NICU and their families, 2-4 p.m. Sunday, May 2, in EMMC’s Mason Auditorium. There will be activities for children and refreshments for all. Read More
    ORONO – Boy Scout Troop 478 will hold a bottle drive 8 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Feb. 7, in Orono. It will also hold a food drive 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, to benefit local food kitchens. The troop will be collecting nonperishable items. For those who won’t be home… Read More
    MACHIAS – Following is a list of all Washington County municipalities that will hold a Democratic Party caucus on Sunday: Addison: 2 p.m., Merritt Elementary School. For information, call Homere Dansereau at 483-2290. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
    CASTINE – Maine Maritime Academy is seeking nominations from the public for awards recognizing students who have shown outstanding service and leadership within the Greater Castine community. The awards will be presented at the third annual Participation and Leadership Awards banquet on Monday, April 5. Read More
    BELFAST – Friends of Sears Island, a group opposing a proposed liquefied natural gas terminal on the state-owned island in Searsport, plans a public meeting at 6 tonight at the Troy Howard Middle School on Route 52. The meeting will focus on the so-called creative… Read More
    BAR HARBOR – Connors Elementary School will hold kindergarten registration for the 2004-2005 school year from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, and Thursday, March 11, at 11 Eagle Road. Pupils must be at least 5 years… Read More
    SKOWHEGAN – No charges will be brought against three men involved 10 months ago in a midday melee in the parking lot of Somerset Plaza in Pittsfield. The brawl, part of a summer-long feud between those involved, resulted in head injuries to one person and… Read More
    Brewer police summoned a Glenburn man Tuesday evening after he allegedly assaulted a co-worker. Officer Nelson Feero said that at about 6 p.m., he went to a Pierce Road business and spoke with an employee who said Scott Ashe, 34, of Glenburn, had called him… Read More
    HAMPDEN – Starting in September, health and physical education classes in SAD 22 will include more emphasis on nutrition as well as on tobacco and substance abuse prevention, the board of directors said Wednesday. The concept, approved unanimously, is part of the district’s five-year curriculum… Read More
    HERMON – Aging school and municipal buildings with increased demands being placed upon them have prompted town officials to consider renovation projects, from new classrooms to the possibility of a new public safety building. Hermon councilors Wednesday authorized a building committee composed of school, town… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – The Pittsfield Water Works issued a boil water order Wednesday, due to a water main break on Waverly Avenue. The affected area is: North Main Street from Grove Hill to the town line; Deer Hill Apartments; Waverly Avenue from North Main Street to… Read More
    BREWER – The Bangor Nature Club will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, at First Congregational Church in Brewer. Mark McCullough, state wildlife specialist, will speak on the Canadian lynx. All are welcome. For information, call Jane at 862-4028. Read More
    BEALS – The superintendent and school board for Beals Elementary School, who have been looking in the last year at problems presented by a falling enrollment, welcomed the questions and concerns voiced Wednesday evening by a pair of parents who turned up at the board’s monthly meeting. Read More
    SOUTHWEST HARBOR – Selectmen agreed Wednesday that they need to hold town employees more accountable and make changes in the town’s operation to ensure that their policy decisions are being carried out by Town Manager Kenneth Minier. Selectmen agreed that some town employees “do whatever… Read More
    CARIBOU – The following divorces were granted in December in 1st District Court by Judge Ronald A. Daigle on grounds of irreconcilable differences: Paul J. Hanson Jr., Bath, and Laura A. Hanson, Caribou, married May 11, 1996, at Caribou. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
    MADAWASKA – Tim Doak, Madawaska school superintendent for the last two years, could be leaving July 1 to accept a principal’s position in neighboring SAD 27. Doak has been offered the principal’s job at Community High School in Fort Kent by SAD 27 Superintendent Sandra… Read More
    Caribou District Court Cases Jan. 1-31, 2004 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… Read More
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    EASTON – Easton Democrats will caucus at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, at the Easton Elementary School. Participants will vote their presidential preference, choose delegates for the state convention, and elect local party officials. All registered Democrats are invited to attend the caucus. Those who… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – Spring enrollment at the University of Maine at Presque Isle is up 17 percent from last year at this time, according to university officials. The increase comes despite the budget warnings released from Gov. John Baldacci’s office a month ago calling for… Read More
    CARIBOU – A constituent services representative for U.S. Rep. Michael H. Michaud will be available today in two locations. Barbara Hayslett will be available at: googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var… Read More
    After reading about all the fun that many brave individuals had jumping into the frigid waters of Passamaquoddy Bay recently to help Washington County Community College raise nearly $35,000 for Ronald McDonald House of Bangor, perhaps you’d like to try something similar for another worthy cause. Read More
    AUGUSTA – Candidate petition forms are available through the state Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions for individuals interested in seeking elected office in Maine this year, according to Secretary of State Dan A. Gwadosky. Candidates running for a seat in the U.S. House of… Read More
    FREDERICTON, New Brunswick – The Royal Canadian Mint has released a silver coin designed to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the first French settlement in North America, being celebrated this year. The coin, designed by Canadian artist Robert-Ralph Carmichael, was introduced Tuesday in Fredericton as… Read More
    SANGERVILLE – A registered nurse who works in the intensive care unit at a local hospital and is a nurse practitioner was arrested Tuesday after police found a marijuana-growing operation in her East Sangerville farmhouse. Joanne Hegarty, 54, charged with marijuana cultivation, will make her… Read More
    AUGUSTA – State transportation officials will recommend issuing a federally supported bond to cover most of the cost of building a new bridge across the Penobscot River between Prospect and Verona. Maine Department of Transportation staff are developing information for the governor to submit enabling… Read More
    AUGUSTA – A bill that would allow collective bargaining between landowners and loggers and truckers hauling wood is being tweaked by lawmakers easing it through the Legislature, Rep. Troy Jackson said Tuesday. Jackson, D-Fort Kent, had hoped to bring the bill to the Legislature for… Read More
    ORONO – Maine families are being sought to host Japanese students from mid-July to mid-August as part of a two-way exchange program sponsored by 4-H. The program is open to families in Maine with children close in age to the Japanese participants, who are 12… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Legislative budget writers heard pleas Wednesday for a renewal of funding to the Baxter Compensation Authority, saying payments to victims of abuse at Maine’s school for the deaf had exhausted an initial allocation. To date, compensation has been awarded to about one-third of… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Lawmakers took another step Wednesday toward having a portrait of former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell hang in the state House among those of other giants of Maine politics, including Sens. Margaret Chase Smith and Edmund Muskie. The House of Representatives voted 79-60 to… Read More
    Nine Rite Aid pharmacies in Maine will reduce their hours of operation in reaction to recent state cuts in Medicaid funding, the company announced Wednesday. The Pennsylvania-based company has 80 stores in the state. Starting this weekend, pharmacies located in Rite Aid stores in Van… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Supporters of a bill to give 17-year-olds the right to vote in Maine primary elections fought off an effort Wednesday to derail the measure as the House gave it all-but-final approval. Supporters described the bill as a modest step to increase voter participation… Read More
    CASTINE – The master and crew of Maine Maritime Academy’s tugboat Pentagoet were honored recently for outstanding service to fellow mariners in peril in a letter of appreciation from U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Harry E. Haynes, commander, Group Southwest Harbor. The letter recognized Capt. Tim… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Most taxpayers in Maine should have received their 2003 Maine individual income tax booklets by the end of this week, according to Jerome Gerard, acting executive director of Maine Revenue Services. Distribution of the booklets began last week. Maine income tax forms also… Read More
    The results are in, and Sports Illustrated has put our state in the spotlight with their in-a-nutshell glimpse at sports in Maine. Other than the fact that a map apparently shows that Newburgh’s own Ricky Craven grew up in the shadow of Katahdin, they did… Read More
    Soccer is never far from Kim Stephenson’s mind, even in the middle of winter as her Hampden Academy basketball team is nearing the end of its regular season. Stephenson, a Hampden junior, recently took a short break from playing basketball with the Broncos for a… Read More
    BANGOR – There was plenty of frustration to go around Wednesday night at Bangor High School’s Red Barry Gym. For the Hampden Academy girls, it was a frustrating start to the game after they played a near-perfect first quarter and still only led by three… 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
    University of Maine hockey goaltender Frank Doyle and field hockey player Rebecca Ouellet have received the University of Maine M Club’s Dean Smith Awards for 2004. The honor, named after former UMaine scholar-athlete Dean Smith (Class of 1993), is bestowed on the male and female… Read More
    BANGOR – The Maine Sports Legends is looking for nominations for inductees into the Sports Legends Hall of Fame in October. The deadline is Feb. 20 and nominations should be sent to Kissy Walker, Husson College, One College Circle, Bangor, ME 04401, or e-mail walkerk@husson.edu. Read More
    PORTLAND – Boston Red Sox outfielder Gabe Kapler will make an appearance in Portland Saturday as part of the Red Sox Winter Caravan Tour, the team announced Wednesday. Kapler will be at the Portland Public Market from 3-4 p.m. Read More
    BREWER – The Penbay Mariners will take on the Continental Hockey League’s Massachusetts Maple Leafs Sunday at the T.J. Ryan Center at 3 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, contact Louis Janicki at 989-7183. The Mariners are 18-8-2 and have been led in scoring… Read More
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    BREWER – Amy Freeman connected on six of eight free throws in the fourth quarter to help lift the Brewer Witches to a 45-38 schoolgirl basketball victory over the Old Town Indians Wednesday night. Liz Cote also hit four of five free throws in the… Read More
    Mandi Allen left Maine three years ago looking for a new start. She appears to have found what she was looking for at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
    WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Maine men shot an eye-popping 51.7 percent from the floor in the first half and built a lead as large as 26 points before beating back a late Hartford run and posting a 75-64 conference victory Wednesday night. Read More
    MACHIAS – The Shead Tigerettes outscored Machias 21-7 in the third quarter en route to a 50-35 schoolgirl basketball victory Wednesday night. Samantha Davis led the visitors from Eastport with 17 points while Taunya Cook chipped in with nine, all in the third quarter. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More