BANGOR – Massachusetts-based Paper Acquisition Corp. still may not follow through with its plans to purchase Eastern Pulp and Paper Corp. even though it filed an agreement to buy the company for $8.5 million Friday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Portland. The asset purchase agreement… Read More
    A story published in some editions of the State section Thursday listing those indicted by the Penobscot County grand jury on Monday stated that Brian McBrearity, 36, of Bangor was indicted for elevated aggravated assault and aggravated assault. He was not. Brian McBrearity, 36, of Woodland was indicted… Read More
    As state planning officials prepare to manage what could be the first state-owned landfill in the United States, they enter largely uncharted territory. The agreement governing Casella Waste Systems Inc.’s operation of the West Old Town facility follows typical landfill rules and terms in most respects. There is… Read More
    For years, people in Biddeford have complained that they grow nauseous during backyard barbecues because of chemicals falling from the incinerator smokestacks that rival the town’s church steeples in height. In Hampden, concerned residents wonder whether the odor coming off the mountainous landfill is a… Read More
    FORT KENT – A Fort Kent woman now living in New York paid a record price Friday for a pair of gold Rossignol racing skis which were auctioned off during the Biathlon World Cup to raise money for youth development programs. Phyllis Jalbert purchased the… Read More
    The numbers are not new, nor are many of the solutions, but a just released legislative report on the exodus of young people from Maine once again highlights a pressing problem. Based on a vague definition of a complex economic and demographic issue – “Maine’s youth are leaving… Read More
    Five years and $2 million after the Legislature revived thoughts about trains running to Eastport, the first phase of a study is ready for its public unveiling. Expect to hear a lot about buses. Advocates of the original plan saw a 10-year, $73 million project… Read More
    We find John F. Dionne’s “Disturbing highway news from Houlton” to be disturbing (BDN op-ed, March 1). His cliched and sweeping generalities reflect neither sound logic nor the majority opinion of those living north of Houlton. Dionne’s name-calling and mud-slinging fail to persuade us the [north-south] highway is… Read More
    The Rite-Aid advertising blitz to put the onus on the government “cuts” in MaineCare would be a hoot if it weren’t so serious. Rite-Aid’s public relations writers are right when they state, “as pharmacists, we’ve always been there for you when you needed us and… Read More
    How does the Bush administration propose to deal with soaring federal budget deficits, a looming health care crisis, the deepening quagmire in Iraq, our insatiable appetite for foreign oil, global environmental degradation, corporate crime and unemployment? By advocating a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. Read More
    Patricia Claus (“Warming to winter,” BDN op-ed, Feb. 26) needs to calm down, take off her rose-tinted ski goggles, and smell the snow-blower exhaust. As a longtime, year-round Maine resident who experiences seasonal affective disorder, I welcomed Tom Weber’s honest “No cure for a winter… Read More
    As a conservative Christian, I consider it my responsibility to voice my concerns on an issue that the American people need to hear. That issue is homosexual marriages. Let me say this with as much compassion as I can find. The Bible clearly states that… Read More
    First, Gov. Baldacci opposed the people’s will in trying to overturn a popular vote for a racino in Bangor, now comes Judge Andrew Meade and gives parties, which had no real interest, intervenor status in the Harness Racing Commission’s business. The tribes and CasinosNo! were… Read More
    While presiding over a 1917 United States Senate debate on the country’s needs, Woodrow Wilson’s vice president, Thomas Riley Marshall, coined a witticism that captured the fancy of the American public in the days before smoking became a capital offense. “What this country needs is… Read More
    George W. Bush supports a constitutional amendment to “protect” heterosexual marriage by prohibiting homosexuals from marrying. His willingness to embrace this divisive issue at this point in the election year is no surprise. The radical right-wing faction of the Republican Party wants to make sure Bush is aware… Read More
    One percent is an elegant thought. Anyone can figure out 1 percent of something and all of us assume we can afford 1 percent of all kinds of things. Its symmetrical smallness confers acceptance. When a citizen’s initiative asks whether you’d like to limit property taxes to 1… Read More
    AUBURN – Lowe’s, the world’s second-largest home improvement retailer behind The Home Depot, plans to open its first Maine store in Auburn before the end of the year. The North Carolina-based company said the 150,000-square-foot facility will be located on Mount Auburn Avenue, next to… Read More
    AUGUSTA – A string of overdoses has authorities worried that Maine’s drug users could be buying drugs that are stronger than they think. Augusta police Detective Christopher Massey said that more than one overdose within hours is a signal to police that a purer, more… Read More
    GREENVILLE – Thousands of snowmobilers visit the Moosehead Lake region each winter, where most safely enjoy the well-groomed and marked trails. But nearly every year a handful of snowmobilers find themselves in the lake’s frigid, dark waters. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
    If you’ve ever wondered whether driving through Bangor actually was an exercise in willful lawlessness, or if it just seemed that way when you were caught up in the daily rush-hour rodeo, a recent downtown traffic safety check should remove all doubt. Our streets abound… Read More
    BANGOR – The mother of Heather Fliegelman Sargent stood in a fine sleet Friday afternoon outside the Penobscot County Courthouse at the conclusion of her son-in-law’s murder trial holding a photograph of a dead baby. Cynthia Warner of Minnesota identified the boy as the child… Read More
    BREWER – Even though Eastern Pulp and Paper Corp. may be auctioned off later this month to a Massachusetts investment group or other bidders, the company’s displaced workers in Brewer still face a long road ahead. “Under the best case scenario, it will be two… Read More
    BANGOR – Representatives of the Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau met with city officials this week to discuss the organization’s efforts to retool. During a presentation before the City Council’s finance committee, CVB Executive Director Donna Fichtner said the group is gearing up to… Read More
    Three cars were burglarized in Bangor between Thursday night and Friday morning. A pickup truck parked in a parking garage on Central Street was reportedly burglarized between 7 p.m. Thursday and 5:40 a.m. Friday, according to Bangor police Officer Randall Parsons. The driver’s side window… Read More
    BANGOR – The 66th National Folk Festival is now accepting volunteer registrations. More than 900 volunteers are needed to provide services at the festival this year, which will be held Aug. 27-29. Volunteers will receive a free T-shirt and an invitation to the Saturday night… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – Amelia McDermott, an eighth-grade pupil at SeDoMoCha Middle School, correctly spelled “mystify” and “scalpel” on Wednesday to become the champion of the Piscataquis County spelling bee held at SeDoMoCha Middle School. Nicholas Larrabee, a sixth-grade pupil at the same school, was the second-place… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – A mobile home owned by Herman Michaud on Fern Road was destroyed by fire Friday afternoon. Although the fire was not suspicious in origin, the State Fire Marshal’s Office was called to determine the cause because of the extent of damage, said Mike… Read More
    FORT KENT – Albert Deveau was back at his work of art Friday morning, the third day in his endeavor to chip away at a 12- by-12-foot block of artificial snow and create a sculpture for the Biathlon World Cup. Deveau, 59, of Edmundston, New… Read More
    Christopher, 7, is an energetic and outgoing boy who is inquisitive and friendly. He loves Matchbox cars and watching “Bob the Builder,” playing basketball and working around the house with adults or cooking in the kitchen. Christopher was born with cystic fibrosis and never resided… Read More
    FORT KENT – Philip Jandreau of St. Francis had one of the best seats in the house Friday morning for the pursuit race of the Biathlon World Cup at the 10th Mountain Division Lodge. Jandreau, 44, a paraplegic, couldn’t see the action from the spectators… Read More
    CARIBOU – A $330,000 outpatient clinic expansion is providing veterans with something they consider priceless – less waiting time for health care. The community-based veterans outpatient clinic, which is connected to the Cary Medical Center, was dedicated Friday during a special ceremony. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    HOULTON – The alleged misuse of the SAD 29 district credit card by former Superintendent Susan Johnson was discovered in May 2003, school staff said Thursday. The school board accepted Johnson’s resignation on Monday evening, effective immediately after her address. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
    CARIBOU – The Caribou school department will hold preschool and kindergarten registration May 3-6 at the Caribou school nurse’s office at 308 Sweden St. Children who will be 5 by Oct. 15 are eligible to register. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
    Carrabec High School, North Anson Second quarter honor roll 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
    BREWER – The $30,000 to $35,000 price tag for the annual spring cleanup in Brewer, as well as concerns over the city landfill’s capacity, has city councilors thinking about alternatives. Mayor Michael Celli suggested Brewer follow Caribou’s lead and create a citywide yard sale. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    PORTLAND -The following people will be honored at the Jefferson Awards presentation from noon-2 p.m. Friday, April 2, at the Portland Regency Hotel, for their outstanding community and public service: . Charlene Turgeon of Scarborough in the category of Cultural Diversity. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    BANGOR – The Bangor Public Library will host a “Starting Seedlings Successfully” lecture by Gleason Gray, Penobscot County Extension educator, at noon Wednesday, March 17, at 145 Harlow St. For information, contact Diane at 947-8336. Read More
    FARMINGTON – The town of Farmington and the Western Mountains Alliance will host a public forum exploring the land use challenges facing rural Maine at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 18, at the University of Maine at Farmington, Roberts Learning Center, Room 23. Featured speakers will… Read More
    BANGOR – The Penquis Community Action Program Resource Development Center will offer a “Preschool Development for Center-based Care” course from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays, March 20, 27, April 24, May 1 and 8, at the University of Maine’s Katherine Miles Durst Child Development Learning Center, 113… Read More
    WATERVILLE – Thomas College and the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce will co-host a business breakfast titled “How Community Outreach Benefits Small Business” 8-9 a.m. Thursday, March 11, in the Atrium of the Thomas College Student Center at 180 West River Road. The breakfast will feature… Read More
    FAIRFIELD – The following courses and workshops will be offered at Kennebec Valley Community College: . Parent Involvement and Community Support, 6-8 p.m. Monday, March 15. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for… Read More
    BANGOR – Grace United Methodist Church will host a community candlelight vigil in remembrance of victims of domestic violence and affirm the goal of peace in all homes at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, at 193 Union St. The Clothesline Project, a display of T-shirts… Read More
    BREWER – A blood drive will be held to raise money for displaced Eastern Fine Paper Co. millworkers from 1-6 p.m. Monday, March 15, at the Brewer Auditorium. For each pint collected, Hemacare-Coral Blood Services will donate $2 to the Eastern Employee Assistance Fund. All… Read More
    PATTEN – The Katahdin Valley Health Center will hold its monthly brunch from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, at the center’s conference room. For information or to register, contact Kathy at 528-2285, Ext. 302. Read More
    OLD TOWN – Penobscot County Commissioner Richard Blanchard has announced he will seek the Democratic nomination for the District 14 legislative seat, which will be vacated by Matt Dunlap. Blanchard has served as county commissioner since 1986 and is the county chairperson. He is the… Read More
    ORONO – The annual municipal election will be held 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, at the municipal building council chamber. Voters will elect two members to the school committee and two members to the Town Council. Absentee ballots are available by calling the Town… Read More
    HERMON – The Maine Department of Transportation has awarded a contract for improvements to Maine Earth Inc. of Hermon. Maine Earth Inc. will work on the Pollack Brook Bridge in Lincoln. The project is expected to be complete and open to traffic by Oct. 31,… Read More
    ROCKLAND – It took more than 10 rounds, but John Bartlett “instantaneously” won the annual Knox County Spelling Bee on Wednesday. Bartlett, 11, a sixth-grader at the Friendship Village School, is the son of Pike and Elizabeth Ann Bartlett. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
    FORT KENT – Two young people from Fort Kent were injured Thursday in separate ski accidents at Lonesome Pine Trails, according to the head of the ski patrol there. A boy around 8 years old received a mild concussion in one incident and, less than… Read More
    MORRILL – A fire that started on a kitchen stove destroyed a rented house on Poors Mills Road on Friday. Fire Chief Jethro Pease said the Alan Harless family was at home at the time of the blaze but escaped unharmed. Harless was cooking at… Read More
    CARIBOU – The Aroostook County grand jury, which adjourned Thursday, handed up 26 indictments against 25 people. They included: Ryan C. Young, 23, Limestone, burglary, assault, criminal threatening and violation of conditions of bail. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
    CAMDEN – Police on Friday were hoping to speak with anyone who saw a red car traveling on Route 1 north of town shortly before a serious accident. Police Lt. Randy Gagne said a red sedan was seen heading south, passing several vehicles, just before… Read More
    Madawaska High School Second quarter honor roll 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
    SHERMAN STATION – For the second time in a week, a bomb threat late Thursday afternoon forced evacuation of students at Katahdin High School. The report came into the Maine State Police barracks in Houlton at 11 a.m., Trooper Darrin Crane said Friday. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    HARRINGTON – Voters at the annual town meeting will be asked to approve a budget that approaches $1 million, Town Clerk Peter Wass says. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, March 8, at the Narraguagus High School gymnasium. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    JONESPORT – Residents will decide whether to support expansion of the Peabody Memorial Library by donating “an adequate section of land from the Ball Diamond” that would allow for a proposed addition, handicapped-accessible ramp and parking lot for the library. The article is among 44… Read More
    STONINGTON – Two drivers were hospitalized after a head-on collision on Route 15 Friday afternoon. Maine State Trooper Cliff Peterson said that a car driven by Jonathan Mitchell, 28, of Stonington crossed the centerline on a wet section of Route 15 in Stonington, and collided… Read More
    MACHIAS – School Union 102 will offer kindergarten registration and screenings at the following locations and dates: . Rose M. Gaffney School, 99 Court St., Machias, April 12 and 13. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
    MACHIAS – A Milbridge man was arraigned this week in 4th District Court on one charge of gross sexual assault for an incident that allegedly took place in Steuben on Jan. 22. David Beal, 46, was arrested Jan. 22 by Deputy Frank Gardner of the… Read More
    BAR HARBOR – The Abbe Museum will present a two-part teacher workshop titled “Native America Today,” from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, May 13, and Friday, May 14, at 26 Mount Desert St. Arlene Hirshfelder, author, educator and consultant, will teach the workshop for… Read More
    ROCKLAND – The Bicycle Coalition of Maine will offer a Ready to Ride bicycling workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 29, at Rockland District High School. Participants will learn how to be more comfortable, efficient and powerful while riding a bike. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    People visiting Bangor from Sunday, March 7, through Sunday, March 21, should be sure to stroll through the Bangor Mall and see what’s on display there. “Our Art Students Exhibit” features artworkby young people in kindergarten through grade 12 and selected by their teachers. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    BANGOR – After a public hearing in Augusta about highway weight limits Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins reasserted her efforts to increase the truck weight limit on all interstate highways in Maine in order to direct more heavy tractor-trailer traffic off smaller, local roads. Raising… Read More
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe has been presented with the Senate Congressional Advocacy Award from the National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems. Snowe, who accepted the award at her Capitol Hill office this week, is a longtime advocate of expanding affordable access to… Read More
    FORT KENT – The numbers of spectators attending the Biathlon World Cup at Fort Kent grow each day. Organizers said Friday noon that between 4,500 and 5,000 spectators attended Friday morning’s competitions. Announcers at the competition had different numbers, with some of their estimates running… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Eight people have been summoned for violating state laws regarding the taking and selling of smelts. After receiving several complaints from the public regarding the illegal taking of smelts on Wassookeag Lake in Dexter, the Maine Warden Service apprehended the following people who… Read More
    PORTLAND – The possible four-day shutdown of Boston’s North Station during this summer’s Democratic National Convention has raised questions about the impact on rail passengers from Maine. Police and transportation officials are leaning toward the shutdown as a security measure, but no decisions have been… Read More
    PORTLAND – One of the major donors behind an emergency shelter for teens has put up funds to keep it open for six more weeks. The Salvation Army had announced the Lighthouse Shelter in Portland would close this month because of low demand. But the… Read More
    FORT KENT – The only certainty leading up to the 2004 Biathlon World Cup in Fort Kent this week was the uncertainty of what to expect. After hearing for months that the international event could draw spectators numbering in the tens of thousands, downtown businesses… Read More
    Everywhere I go, people ask me, “What do you think about Mel Gibson’s new movie?” It seems appropriate for me to share a few thoughts. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var… Read More
    I saw “The Passion of the Christ” last week. I’ll admit that it was more than I could take, and I was too wrung out from literally hanging on for dear life for two hours to weigh controversies. I never could understand how someone who… Read More
    Editor’s Note: Voices is a weekly commentary by a panel of Maine columnists who explore issues affecting spirituality and religious life. I do not believe in the separation of church and state. “Church” and state are inexorably linked in our country. As they should be. Read More
    ORONO – University of Maine sophomore goalie Jimmy Howard is on a roll, but he is quick to point out that he has received plenty of help. Howard made 21 saves Friday night to register his fifth shutout of the season and fourth in his… Read More
    BIG EAST CONFERENCE CLASS 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
    The National Soccer Coaches Association of America has announced that the 2002 Hampden Academy girls soccer team has been recognized as a recipient of the 2002 Team Academic Award. The team grade point average for the 2002-2003 academic year was 3.79, the 13th-highest of the high schools on… Read More
    BOSTON – University of Maine men’s basketball players Eric Dobson, Mark Flavin, and Kevin Reed were all named to the America East second team announced Friday at the championship banquet. The Black Bears face Binghamton in the America East quarterfinals today at noon at Boston… Read More
    ORONO – The Hockey East women’s tournament won’t be held until March 20-21 at Northeastern University’s Matthew Arena. But for either the University of Maine Black Bears or the Connecticut Huskies, it will be wait until next year. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
    AMERICA EAST MEN’S TOURNAMENT Men’s Basketball 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
    Last Friday seemed like a great day to take a walk. The sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky, and the thermometer was in the low 30s. The northwest wind whistling by around 20 mph provided enough evaporative energy to keep me from overheating. It was… Read More
    Baiting best method First of all, to Richard Smith of Brunswick of last week’s article, you didn’t really help your article (BDN, Feb. 28-29) when you stated you “might take a pot shot at a bear if I was in the woods at the right… Read More
    NEW WAYS TO APPLIQUE, edited by Jeanne Stauffer and Sandra L. Hatch, House of White Birches, 2003, hardcover, $24.95, 176 pages. From the very first page, which features a photograph of Sue Harvey’s Lollipop Flowers quilt, “New Ways to Applique” draws the erstwhile seeker of… Read More