PRESQUE ISLE – The last thing Uschi Disl expected when she stepped off the plane at the Northern Maine Regional Airport was a welcome from a fan club. Fourth-grade pupils from Pine Street Elementary School in Presque Isle were among an estimated 300 people who… Read More
    NEWPORT – Out of more than 100 sled dog teams that ran this weekend in the fifth annual Sled Dog Races, Eddie Clifford and his team of 17 came in first in the open class, but Clifford points out that this fast-growing, cold-weather sport is not about competition. Read More
    LIMESTONE – The Pattison Sign Group Inc., a Canadian-based producer of customer electric signs, has begun operations at the manufacturing and assembly plant at the Loring Commerce Centre, creating 37 new jobs. Pattison has leased 40,000 square feet of manufacturing space from the Loring Development… Read More
    PORTLAND – Ski resorts long have tried to woo younger skiers to the slopes. Now they’re renewing their effort to attract tried-and-true baby boomers. The problem is, baby boomers aren’t getting any younger. With the huge demographic bubble of boomers moving toward 60, finding a… Read More
    Product safety concerns know no season, as evidenced by two recent recalls announced through the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Before you use your snowblower again or pack it away for the warmer seasons, check to see if you have an Ariens 13-Horsepower Sno-Throw, Model 924506. Read More
    “Number of women growing on farms” (BDN, Feb. 19). How interesting. Are there any plans to grow men? 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++)… Read More
    A group of prestigious scientists recently issued a report accusing the Bush administration of distorting scientific information for political gains. The administration immediately retorted that it was the Nobel laureates and heads of some of the country’s leading research universities who were politicizing science. Such bickering could be… Read More
    What child – or adult – has not delighted in the tongue-twisting rhymes and fanciful characters in Dr. Suess books? The Cat in the Hat, the Grinch and Sam, I am, are some of the most readily recognized characters in young children’s literature. Readers, young… Read More
    A friend of mine drives a truck near the waterfront in Providence, R.I., where there is a liquefied natural gas terminal. He told me everyone who goes anywhere near the waterfront has to have a special security pass. A terminal on Sears Island would lend… Read More
    I have been a Republican since 1948 and continue to support my party in general, but I must challenge my party on its obsession with winning at the expense of America’s character. When George W. Bush was elected governor of Texas I voted against him. Read More
    The concept of Dirigo Healthis a good one for Maine, and I applaud Gov. Baldacci for making it a priority of his administration. Small business owners should and do support the idea, but its actual premium cost to them will not be known until the Dirigo board has… Read More
    Secretary of Education Rod Paige should be removed from office for his outrageous and unprofessional behavior. Also, the Bush administration, for whom he works, needs to publicly disavow Paige’s inflammatory and inaccurate rhetoric. That the U.S. secretary of education, of all people, should label as… Read More
    I am deeply concerned about the article, “Sierra Club says Scalia shouldn’t hear case” (BDN, Feb. 24). I agree. Sounds like a conflict of interest to me, but what is even more disturbing is that Justice Antonin Scalia has said, “There was nothing improper about… Read More
    The article titled “Houlton lobbies County to oppose highway” (BDN, Feb. 20) is both insulting and unacceptable to the people of Aroostook County. The fact that so-called “Houlton leaders” are urging Aroostook commissioners to join them in lobbying the state against building a new north-south highway “at the… Read More
    Dear Urban Outfitters: “Voting is for Old People.” That’s the slogan on a shirt for sale on your catalog Web site. I looked at it yesterday and couldn’t believe my eyes. That’s what I call a “wardrobe malfunction!” googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
    BANGOR – The brother of a Somerville man shot to death in February 2002 by a Lincoln County sheriff’s deputy has filed a lawsuit in federal court claiming wrongful death and seeking in excess of $1 million from state and county officials. Daniel Buchanan of… Read More
    BREWER – The ice sculptures of a girl ice-skating, a fish jumping out of the water and a sailing vessel gleamed so brightly Saturday morning that people driving over the Joshua Chamberlain Bridge to Bangor turned around to see what was going on. “We were… Read More
    WASHINGTON – A recent court ruling against the Environmental Protection Agency probably will help Maine’s fight against childhood asthma but will not make a significant difference, according to several advocates for cleaner air. The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington ruled that the EPA’s standards… Read More
    BANGOR – The city’s waterfront redevelopment area now has an official name. After considering more than a dozen possible names, city staff and elected officials narrowed the list to one – Bangor Waterfront. The City Council made it official during their regular meeting last week. Read More
    ELLSWORTH – As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Downeast Sexual Assault Services and Sensei Brad Hamel of the Hamel Dojo will offer a self-defense class for women ages 13 and up. The class will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 17,… Read More
    BREWER – This spring 31 students from all over Maine will attend the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C., designed to instill congressional leadership skills in youth from across the country. One student is Brewer High School senior Mark Surette, who returned from a… Read More
    NEWPORT – Two of Newport’s legislative leaders, Sen. Paul Davis and Rep. Joshua Tardy, said Saturday they expect a ruling today from Maine Attorney General Stephen Rowe regarding the funding controversy in SAD 48. “We felt this was a serious enough matter to warrant an… Read More
    PALMYRA – The latest in a growing series of businesses to expand the Newport Triangle business district along Route 2 and Route 100 in Palmyra held its grand opening celebration this weekend. Millennium Wedding and Convention Center, a million-dollar facility at the intersection of Interstate… Read More
    A teenager from Unity was arrested on a charge of operating under the influence early Saturday morning after police found his car stopped on Interstate 95 south near the Kenduskeag Stream. Bangor police Officer Lewis Woolley called for backup to slow traffic before he approached… Read More
    Belfast District Court Cases Feb. 9-20, 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
    PITTSFIELD – The Pittsfield Town Council will likely take the first steps Tuesday night towards purchasing nearly $200,000 in snow removal equipment for the town’s municipal airport. The funding will come from a federal grant of $190,000, with a 2.5 percent local match. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – The SAD 53 board of directors will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7 tonight at Warsaw Middle School library. The agenda includes reports from the budget, building, negotiations and strategic planning committees. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – Conservation and economic development will be the topic of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council’s quarterly meeting March 8, at Monson Elementary School. Panelists for the meeting will be Commissioner Patrick McGowan of the Maine Department of Conservation, Andrew Falender, executive director of… Read More
    HOWLAND – Residents will be asked to choose people to fill vacancies on the Board of Selectmen and the SAD 31 board of directors when they vote on the proposed municipal budget during the referendum from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, March 8, at the town hall. Read More
    ST. STEPHEN, New Brunswick – Happy anniversary, Pierre and Samuel. That is the mantra expected to be heard this summer in these parts. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i =… Read More
    CALAIS – A Lubec medical center official scrambled Friday to correct an earlier statement mistakenly suggesting Calais officials had officially endorsed a proposal for a private methadone clinic in the Calais area. Carol Carew, chief executive officer of HealthWays/Regional Medical Center at Lubec Inc., issued… Read More
    Rockland District Court Cases Jan. 26-Feb. 20, 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 () { //… Read More
    DENNYSVILLE – The Dennys River Watershed Management Plan Workgroup will hold its next meeting at 6:30 p.m. today at the EDM Youth Center to talk about Project SHARE, a pollution control program. Ryan Annis from the state Department of Transportation will be at the meeting… Read More
    WARREN – The Knox-Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District is offering 52 items during this year’s Tree Sale fund-raiser. The sale offers trees, shrubs, plants and gardening materials. New items on the list this year are black walnut, red cedar, Scotch pine, blue spruce, burning… Read More
    MACHIAS – School Union 102 is holding kindergarten registration. Children in Machias, Jonesboro, Marshfield, Northfield, Roque Bluffs, Wesley and Whitneyville who will be 5 by Oct. 15 may sign up for school in the fall. For information, call 255-3411 (Machias), 434-2602 (Jonesboro) or 255-3263 (Wesley). Read More
    UNION – Come Spring School will hold an open house by appointment between 4 and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information or to schedule an appointment, call the school at 785-6577. Read More
    BELFAST – SAD 34 plans kindergarten registration starting March 12. Children must be 5 by Oct. 15 to register for school in the fall. The district comprises Belfast, Belmont, Morrill, Northport, Searsmont and Swanville googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
    WALDO – The Waldo County Soil and Water Conservation District and University of Maine Cooperative Extension soon will offer a course on managing small woodlots. The six-session class will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, beginning March 11, at the Waldo County Extension… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – The next meeting of Ellsworth Area Communities for Children will be at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, at the Downeast Family YMCA. Barbara Kates of Families and Children Together will speak on “kinship care.” The meeting will include updates on local initiatives. All… Read More
    BROOKSVILLE – The Green Independent Party caucus is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 18, at the Brooksville town office. A registrar will be available at 5 p.m. For information, contact Nancy Allen at 326-4576. Read More
    FORT KENT – The chief of medical operations for the Biathlon World Cup believes that his staff has anticipated most emergencies that could happen at the venue, and is prepared to deal with them. Alain Bois, a nurse at the Northern Maine Medical Center at… Read More
    LIMESTONE – The Telford Group Inc. has been contracted by Bombardier Capital Inc. to perform heavy aircraft maintenance on the company’s fleet of Shorts aircraft. The contract calls for an initial intensive inspection on a first aircraft and, based on aviation market conditions, could lead… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – The secretary-treasurer of the Maine AFL-CIO will speak next week at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Ned McCann will speak as part of the university’s Distinguished Lecturer Series. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
    FORT FAIRFIELD – The Fort Fairfield Rotary Club will honor Art Cyr, Dolly Reed and Robert “Bobby” George at its Paul Harris Recognition Dinner. The dinner will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 12, at the Fort Fairfield Middle-High School gymnasium. Cost to attend… Read More
    Women, Work and Community will hold three free workshops in Aroostook County. “New Ventures Entrepreneurship Training,” a course for people interested in starting a business, will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays, March 31 through June 16, at the Houlton Higher Education… Read More
    Rockland District Court Cases Jan. 26-Feb. 20, 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 () { //… Read More
    Knox County Superior Court Cases Feb. 19, 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
    ST. AGATHA – The town won a court decision last week allowing it to return tax-acquired property to its original owner, who agreed to pay $5,500 in back taxes and costs, rather than auction the 281 acres and buildings to another party who bid $47,671. Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – The Southern Piscataquis County Chamber of Commerce will introduce its first ever visitors guidebook to the general public at the Chamber’s annual meeting on May 19. The full-color, 48-page guidebook is devoted exclusively to the Southern Piscataquis County region, said Dennis Lyford, Chamber… Read More
    BANGOR – WVII-TV is back on the air after an electrical problem stopped programming for regular broadcast viewers. Channel 7 resumed programming early Sunday afternoon, hours before the Academy Awards were to be broadcast on ABC. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
    SANGERVILLE – The Sangerville Public Library will offer its after-school program in May. The Rose and Samuel Rudman Trust Fund granted $1,000 for the after-school program to bring live, educational entertainment to children. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – As part of the Maine Highlands Guild’s “Artists of the Maine Highlands Series,” the community is invited to an art reception from 6 to 8 p.m. March 3, at Abel Blood’s Pub and Restaurant, to view the work of local artist Alan Bray. Read More
    EAST SANGERVILLE – The Central Maine Chapter of the Small Woodlot Owners Association of Maine will hold its annual meeting and dinner at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 20, at the East Sangerville Grange Hall. Dr. Mark McCollough, biologist, will give a lecture titled “Lynx and… Read More
    GARLAND – The Central Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association will hold a meeting and luncheon starting at noon Sunday, March 7, at Garland Grange. At 1:30 p.m. Russ Libby, executive director of MOFGA, will address networking among farmers, their needs and assets that can… Read More
    Eastern Agency on Aging Service consultant Leslie Lizotte will offer outreach assistance to seniors at the following times and locations: . 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, March 9, VFW Hall, Millinocket. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
    NEWPORT – Newport police have launched an all-out investigation into who provided a 12-year-old girl with enough alcohol Saturday to leave her unconscious and alone behind a Route 2 gas station. Newport police Officer Tony Stewart found the child “unable to communicate,” and she was… Read More
    SANGERVILLE – In a surprise move Thursday evening, Martin Puckett resigned as town manager. The Sangerville Board of Selectmen accepted his resignation effective Feb. 26 after an executive session was held to discuss personnel matters. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
    HALIFAX, Nova Scotia – A U.S. Coast Guard warning about lifeboat equipment involved in a fatal accident has prompted a Canadian survivor to call for a redesign of the widely used system. Kevin Nicholson, 49, of Halifax was one of three Nova Scotians taking part… Read More
    SOUTH PORTLAND – The seven-screen Maine Mall Cinema was once one of the most popular theater complexes in the state. Pastors at the Eastpointe Christian Church hope the cinema, which shut down in 2002, will become one of the most popular churches in Maine. The… Read More
    PORTLAND – Charles Summers of Scarborough, a former Republican state senator who has since worked as a U.S. Senate aide, is planning to run for southern Maine’s congressional seat. Summers said he looks forward to campaigning in the 1st District, where Democratic U.S. Rep. Tom… Read More
    GORHAM – A volunteer at the Northern New England Science Bowl wants high school nerds to know it’s OK to be smart. “For kids to know math and science is cool,” said Danielle Perreault, 35. “They may be geeks as teenagers but they’re our future.”… Read More
    SOUTH PORTLAND – President Bush’s sister wants Maine Republicans to know that even though there’s no doubt whom they’ll nominate for president, it’s still important they campaign. “We need to knock on doors and make those phone calls,” Dorothy Bush Koch told party members from… Read More
    PORTLAND – Same-sex couples are getting married in defiance of state laws in New York and California. But activists are discouraging gay and lesbian couples from pursuing the same strategy in Maine. Lobbyists and advocates say forcing the marriage issue in Maine could distract from… Read More
    The number of snowmobile fatalities this season doubled with a deadly weekend on trails in Maine, officials said. The tally now stands at four after separate crashes in Readfield and Fryeburg. A 19-year-old man was killed in the snowmobile crash in Readfield. The victim, Luke… Read More
    PORTLAND – Portland’s emergency teen shelter will close next month. The Salvation Army said demand for services has declined at the Lighthouse Shelter, which has operated since 1988. “In the past several months, there have been several nights that no one has used shelter facilities,”… Read More
    AUGUSTA – When Kyle Bradford became one of Calvary Chapel Christian School’s first students in the fall of 2002, his basketball future was less than certain. “When the school opened two years ago, we didn’t even know if there would be a basketball team,” he… Read More
    AUGUSTA – During winter vacation the Dexter girls basketball team played in a Christmas tournament hosted by Cony High School. The Tigers had some success playing against the larger schools in that non-countable tourney. But more importantly, the team got a chance to play at… Read More
    AUGUSTA – The game, and the chance to win the gold basketball that had eluded the Houlton High boys basketball program for generations, was slipping away. But Mark Socoby refused to let go, sparking a game-changing run in the final 80 seconds of the third… Read More
    WALPOLE, Mass. – Figure skater Max Louscher of Bangor finished first in the boys preliminary B division at the Patriot Ice Club NEICC Interclub Competition Sunday. One of six competitors in the division, the 10-year-old was voted first on four of the five judges’ cards. Read More
    CARRABASSET VALLEY – Nils Koons of Sidney finished fourth in the 5-kilometer freestyle and fifth in the 5K classic race during Saturday’s Banknorth Eastern J2 cross-country ski championships. Koons has already qualified for the New England Junior Olympic team. Koons teamed with Mandy Ivey of… Read More
    Local 2004 Great Caribou Bog 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 – In a game of runs, the team that hits its free throws will win most games. In Saturday’s North Atlantic Conference championship at Newman Gym, that was exactly the case. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Members of the Houlton High boys basketball team were quite aware of their program?s frustrating heritage, and the fact it had not won a state championship until Saturday night’s 64-49 victory over Jay. For Shiretowners coach Sean Callahan, it was a topic to… Read More
    WINSLOW – John Tuell scored a goal in each period Saturday to lead the top-ranked Orono Red Riots to a 5-1 Class B semifinal hockey victory over the No. 5 Presque Isle Wildcats at Sukee Arena. Orono advanced to Wednesday’s 7 p.m. final against No. Read More
    Two years ago, Picton Press came out with “Vital Records of Bangor, Maine Volume 1: Birth Records,” compiled by Michelle Thomas. How fortunate we are that the Bangor genealogist stuck with the project and completed “Vital Records of Bangor, Maine Volume 2: Death Records,” also… Read More
    In a personification of the old cliche “The show must go on,” Mandy Patinkin gamely mined his repertoire Saturday night at the Maine Center for the Arts in Orono. The Broadway veteran was suffering from an unspecified respiratory ailment, something to which he readily admitted:… Read More
    Maine’s two most famous philanthropists today, it’s safe to say, are Stephen and Tabitha King of Bangor. Libraries have been one of the favorite targets of their wealth. A century ago a man equally as famous in his day was the state’s No. 1 library… Read More
    In theaters THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, directed by Mel Gibson, written by Benedict Fitzgerald and Gibson, in Aramaic and Latin with English subtitles, 130 minutes, rated R. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner =… Read More