AUGUSTA – Legislation submitted by Gov. John Baldacci to ease the electric bills for businesses in Pine Tree Economic Development Zones would raise the bills of other businesses and homeowners, experts told the Legislature’s Utilities Committee on Monday. At issue is the way the Department… Read More
BANGOR – Sometime around noon today, bankrupt Eastern Pulp and Paper Corp.’s mills in Brewer and Lincoln may be permanently shut down. No more money is available to keep a skeleton crew on board to maintain the equipment and protect it from breaking down, an… Read More
As the Democratic presidential candidates head south and west to primary contests elsewhere, state party officials on Monday continued to plod through hundreds of tally sheets generated by a huge turnout at Sunday’s caucuses. With 84 percent of the results in – delayed, party officials… Read More
Representatives of three wild blueberry processors sought the firing of the longtime manager of the University of Maine’s research farm in Jonesboro because of his public comments, and they linked his ouster to a $100,000 construction donation to UMaine, people involved in the matter said Monday. Read More
AUGUSTA – A seven-year struggle by the Maine Taxpayers Action Network to place a statewide proposal on a property-tax cap before the voters ended successfully Monday when Secretary of State Dan A. Gwadosky ruled proponents had gathered enough valid signatures to put the proposal on the ballot. Read More
SOUTH LINCOLN – A majority of former Lincoln Pulp and Paper Co. employees voiced an interest Monday in pursuing a potential employee buyout of the bankrupt paper mill. During two separate informational meetings at the Knights of Columbus Hall held in the morning and afternoon,… Read More
ORONO – The public is invited to attend seminars on forest resources planned in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the University of Maine’s forestry programs. Beginning on Feb. 17, speakers from universities around the country will address issues ranging from tourism and timber supply to forest biology. Read More
FREDERICTON, New Brunswick – Pressure is growing on Canada’s federal Fisheries Department to take steps to preserve one of the great icons of maritime life and a cornerstone of the region’s economy – the lobster. Members of the Maritime Fishermen’s Union, which represents lobster fishermen… Read More
PORTLAND – A legislative committee will take up a proposal today to establish a voluntary statewide building code, a move that proponents say could lead to safer buildings. Maine is among only a handful of states without a building code. Previous proposals for a statewide… Read More
WASHINGTON – Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Susan Collins announced Monday that she is joining Sens. Peter Fitzgerald, R-Ill., and Carl Levin, D-Mich., in introducing legislation aimed at reforming the mutual fund industry. “The bill that we are introducing today will not only address abusive… Read More
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe announced today that the Small Business Administration will open two new offices, called Alternative Work Sites, in Maine to enhance efficiency of services offered to small-business owners while providing greater working flexibility for SBA employees. The new offices,… Read More
The new federal rules updating 60-year-old regulations governing the number of hours commercial drivers can operate their trucks each day will save hundreds of lives, safeguard billions of dollars in commerce and improve the safety of our highways for years to come. The new “hours… Read More
People asked why the states that do not allow the use of hounds or bait in the taking of bears are not overrun with bears. The answer is the states that have good bear populations and do not allow those methods have woodlands that are not as dense… Read More
I don’t understand that with all the hoopla about Janet Jackson at the Super Bowl halftime show, all of which I thought was awful, how come not one thing has been said about Beyonce’s beautiful rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner”? I was moved to tears. Read More
As an employee of Georgia-Pacific’s Old Town mill, I took offense to comments made by people in two articles about the West Old Town landfill in Saturday’s paper. In “The big issue for landfill neighbors is quality of life” article, Rosalita Feero said: “If [G-P]… Read More
Casella Waste Systems, Georgia-Pacific and the State Planning Office announced the transfer of property at the West Old Town Landfill before the Department of Environmental Protection approved the dump expansion. This was a tactic to make all of us think the fight was over and that there was… Read More
Doubters of the administration’s reasons for invading Iraq may have been disappointed by the commission President Bush assembled to look, in part, into the quality of intelligence provided by the CIA to the White House. That commission has a broader mandate, looking at intelligence gathering generally, than the… Read More
Very few people outside the process used by the Baldacci administration to lease Maine’s wholesale liquor business will know whether the process was fair and to what extent the state followed established standards for bidders. But enough serious questions have been raised about the selection and more than… Read More
Why should anyone have been so shocked by the sexually explicit content of the Super Bowl halftime show? Why especially should FCC Chairman Michael Powell be outraged? Powell celebrates the no-holds-barred competition of media giants. CBS-Viacom is a major media conglomerate whose only objective is to maximize its… Read More
BANGOR – Opening 212 additional prison beds may not seem like a logical first move for a 17-member commission charged with reducing the state’s prison population, but it actually was the first recommendation made by the panel to address overcrowding of prisons and jails. The… Read More
BANGOR – An amendment to the governor’s emergency racino bill crafted by – and apparently supported by – the various factions of Maine’s harness racing industry would reduce the earning potential for the operator of a proposed Bangor racetrack casino. At the same time, the… Read More
DANFORTH – What stands 3 feet tall with a sturdy body covered in iridescent green-black feathers; a mottled red and blue head, topped with a knobby, hairy horn; and a long, striped beard? The answer – a wild turkey – seems to have more in… Read More
Maine Audubon has announced that it will not take sides in the November referendum vote on whether to ban bear baiting, trapping and hunting with dogs. According to a press release issued Monday afternoon, Audubon biologists have reviewed scientific data about Maine’s bear hunt and… Read More
AUGUSTA – “Hot Lips Houlihan” is headed for Augusta. Hollywood actress Loretta Swit, an animal activist and star of television’s “M*A*S*H” series, will testify Wednesday before the Legislature’s Taxation Committee in favor of LD 1763. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
By the time a person reaches middle age, he has either made peace with winter in Maine or he has not and probably never will. The former is a blessed individual, indeed, a person who has found a way over the years to extract some… Read More
COLUMBUS, Ga. – Army Spec. Daniel Erickson has graduated from the U.S. Army Ranger School at Fort Benning, Columbus. Erickson is an infantryman assigned with the 1st Battalion, 75th Infantry, Hunter Army Airfield, Hinesville. A 2001 graduate of Presque Isle High School, he is the… Read More
BANGOR – Though the two Maine Indian tribes seeking a chance to operate what might be Maine’s only racino have approached the city with a strong hand, it remains to be seen whether they’ll be allowed to get into the game. Last week, representatives of… Read More
ORRINGTON – Town selectmen postponed classifying nine roads as discontinued during Monday’s regular board meeting and decided to give residents a couple of weeks to present any findings they may have on the matter. Town selectmen are working to establish the status of the roadways… Read More
HAMPDEN – Joe and Carolyn Lebrun realize that they likely can’t stop development in the southern section of town, but they may be able to reshape it so that they can retain at least a semblance of its rural nature. “Some development is going to… Read More
PITTSFIELD – After more than three years of work, the Pittsfield Historical Society is celebrating the attainment of tax-free status with a community party. The Depot House Museum doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, and music will begin at 7 p.m. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
LINCOLNVILLE – A house at Sewall Orchard on Masalin Road was destroyed by fire Monday afternoon, but fire officials do not know the cause. Forty firefighters from Lincolnville, Camden, Hope and Searsmont battled the fire at Robert Sewall’s hilltop home, which was leveled. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
BANGOR – After a routine first reading Monday night that generated almost no discussion, city councilors referred to one of their committees a proposed ordinance change which would allow an adult entertainment business to set up shop in the former Pilots Grill restaurant. The proposed… Read More
ORONO – Bangor Hydro Electric Co. has announced that the following locations will experience a power outage from noon-3p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11: . Old Kelly Road. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for… Read More
HOULTON – Ben Bell had never flown before, but he felt confident enough last week to give it a try. With an expansive runway looming ahead of him, Bell eyed the control tower in the distance as he taxied down the runway and up into… Read More
BLAINE – A man who eluded police for a week was found last Tuesday a short while after he returned to his Robinson Road residence. John Deveau Jr., 22, of Blaine was arrested last week without incident after the Maine State Police conducted a routine… Read More
CARIBOU – For the love of music, a group of local teens is trying to raise $1.2 million. The Caribou High School seniors and recent graduates say a new music facility needs to be built at the school and they plan to make it happen. Read More
FORT KENT – A lecture on protecting endangered species in Maine will be presented at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, in the Nadeau Hall teleconference room. The lecture is part of the monthlong art exhibit, “Threatened and Endangered” by Portland artist Rebecca Goodale at the University of Maine… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – The Battered Women’s Project will conduct a free, 30-hour, hot line training March 3-April 1. Training will be held from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday in Presque Isle. Continuing education units will be offered. For information or to sign up, call 764-2977… Read More
FORT KENT -The University of Maine at Fort Kent will launch a new theme for its academic year, “The American Democracy Project.” As part of the kickoff, “An Evening with the Honorable John Jenkins: Your Community, Your Democracy” will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday,… Read More
CARIBOU – During an awards ceremony Jan. 15 at the Caribou Recreation Department, Fran Gustin, president of the Pine and Spurs Riding Club, presented the winners of the season-long Aroostook County Cowboy and Cowgirl competition with their jackets. Rachel Williams of Hodgdon and Woody Drake… Read More
FORT KENT – U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, an Aroostook County native, will be the feature speaker at the University of Maine at Fort Kent Business Networking Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20, in Nowland Dining Hall. Tickets for the event, which include a full… Read More
ELLSWORTH – The Farm Service Agency will hold free training sessions for wild blueberry growers who were eligible for the TAA program. Growers are required to attend meetings at the Cooperative Extension offices for free technical assistance. The dates and places for different counties are:… Read More
KNOX – The Larrabees will serve as hosts of a sleigh rally on Feb. 15. The rally will feature several horse-drawn sleighs and their drivers dashing through the snow, competing in various categories, including the demanding obstacle course and scoot contest. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
HOPE – The school committees in Hope, Appleton and Lincolnville which make up School Union 69 each voted to adopt a resolution opposing any state law that would weaken school unions. The resolution, adopted separately by each board earlier this month, notes that Union 69… Read More
PORTLAND – Though it was 40 years ago Monday that the Beatles made their landmark appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” Mainers are recalling how the group first captured their fancy. On Feb. 9, 1964, about 73 million Americans sat down to watch the show… Read More
BLUE HILL – Blue Hill Memorial Hospital’s Community Health Education Services’ “Get Strong … Get Healthy” fitness program will be offered at the Brooksville Community Center. The series is a low-impact, strength-training program designed to fit any fitness ability. The first class is free. All… Read More
LINCOLN – Fire Chief William Lee on Monday night introduced an ambulance service proposal that could generate revenue for the town’s Fire Department and expand services in the community. The proposal focused on the town acquiring an ambulance and using existing staff to provide medical… Read More
HAMPDEN – Crestwood Mobile Home Park owner David Luce may have cleaned up the Route 1A park, but town officials say his own back yard still needs work. Luce had until last Saturday to comply with a Jan. 23 notice of violation and order of… Read More
BELFAST – The pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church has taken extended leave for health reasons, Bishop Joseph J. Gerry, announced. The Rev. Costanzo “Chris” Piselli, 66, apologized for his recent behavior in a church bulletin dated Dec. 22, according to Gerry’s… Read More
DEER ISLE – The Maine Department of Transportation will repeat deflection tests this week on the Deer Isle-Sedgwick Bridge. Crews plan to be on the bridge on Thursday and will disrupt traffic on the bridge throughout the day, according to DOT spokeswoman Carol Morris. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
PORTLAND – The Maine Supreme Judicial Court this week will hear the appeal of a Tremont man serving 18 years in prison for killing his neighbor. Edwin Graham, 27, was found guilty of manslaughter in November 2002 of causing Zachary Savoy’s death by stabbing, beating… Read More
CALAIS – A police call last week and an abrupt departure for vacation by the school superintendent prompted questions Monday by teachers and staffers. Superintendent Bob Coffill’s secretary, Faye Donovan, said Monday that Coffill informed her on Friday that he planned to take Monday off. Read More
ROCKLAND – Three male juveniles have been charged with burglary after a Saturday break-in at Rockland District High School, where a pay phone was damaged and $10 taken from it, according to Deputy Police Chief Wallace Tower. The burglary and vandalism were reported at 7:10… Read More
ROCKLAND – A schooner group’s plans for a wharf in Lermond Cove hit a minor snag Monday before city councilors voted to grant an easement and waive dredge material disposal fees so the project could move ahead. The Maritime Traditions Group – made up of… Read More
BUCKSPORT – A broken ceiling drain caused minor flooding last week at the former Gardner School. One of the internal roof drains in the vacant building split, allowing water to leak into a portion of the building, according to Superintendent of Schools Marc Curtis. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
ROCKPORT – Selectmen named Robert Peabody town manager Monday night, though the selection came in a split vote. The decision followed two meetings in recent weeks at which selectmen had hoped to come to resolution on the manager question, but failed. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
BANGOR – The American Red Cross Blood Services, New England presented the Bangor region with a blood donor coach to assist with blood drives. The vehicle, a self-contained unit, is available for smaller groups that want to hold a blood drive. Mayor Dan Tremble, Assistant… Read More
PITTSFIELD – The Pittsfield Water Works has lifted a boil water order issued last week after a water main break on Waverly Avenue. The area under the order was: North Main Street from Grove Hill to the town line; Deer Hill Apartments; Waverly Avenue from… Read More
At tonight’s meeting, the Brewer City Council will ponder whether to accept several land deeds for construction of the Parallel Road between Wilson Street and Parkway South. The city also will consider handing over two properties for the project, which the city hopes to start… Read More
The Disabled American Veterans group is inviting potential members to its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Brewer VFW hall. “If you are a DAV member, or would like to become a member, then you are invited to attend,” DAV member George Mathis… Read More
Chamber volunteerism_focus of meetings CAMDEN – The Camden-Rockport-Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce will be host of two meetings for prospective volunteers on Feb. 17 at the Anderson Inn at Quarry Hill, and on Feb. 24 at Windward Gardens. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
ELLSWORTH – The American Red Cross in Eastern Maine will offer eight courses starting Saturday, Feb. 21, to train new volunteers. The classes will teach people how to assist those who have been affected by disasters. The courses will be offered at the Ellsworth office… Read More
SOUTHWEST HARBOR – The Centennial 2005 Committee for Southwest Harbor is seeking volunteers to support the development of the 10-month birthday celebration. All the planning and design work must be completed by the end of June. For information or to get involved with the planning,… Read More
BELFAST – A special legislative committee formed to study the benefits of having schools, as well as municipal and county governments, share services through regionalization will hold its initial hearings later this week. The Joint Select Committee on Regionalization and Community Cooperation, which was created… Read More
ORONO – Richard D. Chapman, University of Maine’s vice president for student affairs since 1999, has announced his resignation effective this summer. Chapman, who has no particular plans, “will have been here five years and thinks he wants to do something else,” Joe Carr, UM… Read More
The public is invited to attend the 17th annual Great Chocolate Escape from noon to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at the American Legion Hall on Central Street in Millinocket. The event, which features a wide assortment of homemade sweets of the chocolate, nonchocolate and… Read More
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe announced that she offered an amendment Monday to the Transportation Enhancement Act for the 21st Century, otherwise known as the Highway Reauthorization Bill, that would allow the state of Maine to set its own truck weight limits on the state’s Interstate… Read More
Loves me – pluck! Loves me not – pluck! Loves me – pluck! All those little girls pulling petals off daisies may have been on to something. Is it possible to divine the future by picking apart a perfectly good bloom? Not exactly. But in… Read More
ORONO – A long time is a relative term when you’re 23, have been on the music scene for seven years and already have two albums under your belt. But for Jonny Lang, whose new CD is aptly titled “A Long Time Coming,” it has… Read More
OK, fellas, I know you read this column – and I know who you are. I have my sources out there. It’s Valentine’s week, love is the air and Cupid is on the move. Instead of buying your sweetie a valentine, why not build, fabricate or bake one?… Read More
At first light the other morning, I was awakened by a red fox lurking behind the spruce trees, then inching out into the clearing under a cedar canopy where it crouched. Actually, I was brought out of a dead sleep by a polka-dotted pointer that… Read More
Dear Jim: I have a room which is chilly. It faces south, but has only one small window for the sun to shine in. Is there any inexpensive simple-to-build solar heater design I can put in the window for more heat? – Sam W. Dear… Read More
ORONO – After every game during the Monday Night Football season, John Madden would bestow his infamous “Horse Trailer” award for his player of the game. On this night at the UMaine field house, when the Eastern Maine Indoor Track League was the only game… Read More
Paul Vom Eigen was among the last people to purchase a ticket for Sunday night’s Super Suppah at the University of Maine, where more than 100 supporters of Black Bear athletics gathered at the Wells Conference Center. Vom Eigen and wife Nikki Pratt of Hampden,… Read More
The workhorses for the University of Maine men’s hockey team won’t return to the practice ice until Wednesday as Maine coach Tim Whitehead feels they need some time off. Maine is coming off a surprisingly tough and physical nonleague series against College Hockey America’s Alabama-Huntsville… Read More
It’s not easy to be a swimmer from a school that doesn’t offer swimming. You have to find a school that does have the sport, and get its coach to agree to take you on for practices and meets. You’ve got to arrange to get… Read More
Ronald Morin enjoys everything about the Special Olympics Maine Winter Games. Staying in a condo? Loves it. Eating Pop Tarts late at night? Getting up early to chow down a couple chocolate doughnuts and a banana? Ditto. Competing … cheering for old friends … meeting new ones …… Read More
LOCAL Wild Katahdin Trust Snow Run 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 EMITL CHAMPIONSHIPS 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
LANSIEBOURG-SAVOIE, France – Two Aroostook County athletes turned in solid efforts while competing in the recent Youth and Junior Biathlon World Championships. Kelsy Bouchard of Fort Kent helped her relay team finish seventh in the 3×5-kilometer youth women’s event, the top U.S. result. In the… Read More
The Bangor Lumberjacks have acquired middle infielder Samuel Rosario, who batted .261 in 30 games for the Boise Hawks of the Northwest League last season. He was signed by the Chicago Cubs in 2002 and played in the Arizona Fall League, where he batted .303 with 14 RBIs… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL At Lonesome Pine Trails 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
COLLEGE Michel Leveille 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
ORONO – Three years ago, Tony Schwarze was one of seven freshmen on Brewer High School’s track and field team. It was the last Brewer boys team to win a regional indoor track title. Monday night, Schwarze was one of the key players for the… Read More
BRUNSWICK – Bowdoin College, the top-ranked Division III team in the country, extended the nation’s longest home winning streak to 37 games and set a school record with 56 first-half points Monday night while breezing to a 78-48 women’s basketball victory over the University of Maine-Farmington. Read More
EAST MACHIAS – Whitney Stevens scored nine of his 21 points in the forth quarter Monday night to help Washington Academy earn a 62-53 boys basketball victory over Jones-port-Beals in the Downeast Athletic Conference Championship game. James Ramsdell added 15 points and Jared Gray had… Read More
BANGOR – Tyler Tracewski notched 20 points as Old Town cruised past John Bapst 62-34 in a schoolboy basketball game Monday at the Auditorium. Matt Petrie followed with nine points for the Indians. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
Hunters need apology Whatever was John Holyoke thinking when he gave free press to an anti-hunter posing as a Maine guide (BDN, Feb. 7-8). Cecil Gray is not from Maine and neither is HSUS. HSUS has enough money to pay almost anyone to speak for… Read More
VOORHEES, N.J. – The St. Louis Blues acquired veteran defenseman Eric Weinrich from the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday in a move aimed at helping to fill the void caused by season-ending injuries to two key defensemen. In exchange, the Flyers will get a fifth-round pick… Read More