AUGUSTA – Proponents of a California-style tax cap predicted Maine’s property tax rate would average about $17 per $1,000 of valuation if voters approve their proposal later this year. Carol Palesky and representatives of her political action committee, the Maine Taxpayers Action Network, said Monday… Read More
WASHINGTON – At times through tears, Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., testified last week at a hearing on youth suicide, a subject that resonates in Maine, where a worrisome number of young people have taken their own lives in recent years. Garrett Smith, the Oregon senator’s… Read More
AUGUSTA – Borrowing on an infamous maneuver adopted by the Legislature in 1993, Gov. John E. Baldacci wants the state to sell one of its bridges and a building to itself in order to make $11.4 million to help balance his $160 million supplemental budget request. Read More
BRADFORD – Biologist Megan Brown is lying on her belly in the snowbank, her feet flailing as she tugs at the furry feet of a 150-pound mother bear. Mama has spent the past few months wedged into a surprisingly small crevice amid the roots of a tamarack tree,… Read More
In a NEWS story that appeared in a “Notebook” column in Friday’s Sports section, the prices that were quoted for sculptures by artist Forest Hart were inaccurate. Larger pieces typically sell for significantly more than the quoted price, according to Hart, while smaller pieces cost less than the… Read More
BOSTON – A New Bedford-based fishing vessel illegally caught hundreds of lobsters, then removed the eggs from about half the females so they could be sold, the Coast Guard said Monday. Coast Guard officials said the seizure Sunday was among their most significant in recent… Read More
CONCORD, N.H. – State Labor Commissioner James Casey tried Monday to salvage a bill that would increase the state’s minimum wage to $6 an hour, saying an increase is “the right thing to do, the compassionate thing to do.” New Hampshire’s minimum is now $5.15… Read More
WASHINGTON – Bank of America and FleetBoston Financial Corp. won approval from the Federal Reserve on Monday for a merger creating the third-largest U.S. bank, a behemoth holding nearly $1 trillion in assets and stretching from California through the South and up to New England. Read More
Last week a NAFTA panel agreed with the U.S. Department of Commerce that there was significant dumping of Canadian softwood lumber in the United States. “This NAFTA decision is another important victory for U.S. sawmills, millworkers, and landowners,” said W.J. Wood, chairman of the coalition… Read More
Joseph Murphy, president and CEO of Bar Harbor Bankshares, has announced a restructuring of the company’s financial services subsidiary, BTI Financial Group, and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Bar Harbor Trust Services, Block Capital Management and Dirigo Investments. “One of the principal goals underlying the restructuring… Read More
Windsor Chairmaker Inc. in Ellsworth has added a new facet to its business by acquiring a line of handblown glass and pottery from Simon Pearce, owner Marc Blanchette announced recently. “My customers kept asking for a more formal but yet period interior accent piece to… Read More
John F. Dionne should be more careful what he wishes for regarding a new north-south highway (“Disturbing highway news from Houlton,” BDN op-ed March 1). One only needs to look at the communities along the Interstate 95 corridor from Old Town to Houlton to realize that something negative… Read More
On Feb. 2, the Bangor Daily News published an editorial on tax standings and on Feb. 23, in a BDN article by Mal Leary, heavy taxes on business were discussed by Christopher St. John, executive director of the Augusta-based Maine Center for Economic Policy, Dana Connors, president of… Read More
It is no secret that Maine is losing jobs. Of the latest, we lost Great Northern in the Millinockets, then a shoe company in Wilton, and then another manufacturing plant in Westbrook. Now we appear to have lost Lincoln Pulp and Paper and its sister company, Eastern Fine. Read More
One essential point has been missing so far from the discussion of Mel Gibson’s new film, “The Passion of the Christ” (BDN, Feb. 28-29) – its superfluousness. We already have a Passion for the ages in J.S. Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion” (1727), which pairs the… Read More
It was shocking to hear Gov. Baldacci’s cruel plan to eliminate a host of services, including Speech Therapy and Audiology, for adult Medicaid recipients. Clearly, little thought has been given to the consequences. An adult who may have a stroke or other disease may require… Read More
However transitional, temporary or interim, the Iraqi constitution signed yesterday was a triumph of the rule of law over tyranny. Many Americans will dislike the means used to arrive at this historic point, others will object to provisions within the constitution itself. But the expressed desire of a… Read More
Today’s headlines about wars and job losses got you riled up? Angry at the kids for leaving their toys scattered across the living room floor? Hopping mad because your favorite team lost again? Calm down and take it easy – it could save your life. Read More
This fall, I was fortunate to be a member of the Presiding Officers’ Task Force on Creating a Future for Maine’s Youth. As a group, we developed recommendations to make Maine more attractive to youth and provide them with incentives to make their choice to live and work… Read More
I have admired Ralph Nader for many years. I met him in 1976 while working as an assistant editor of The Progressive magazine. In the summer of 2000 my wife and I discussed his candidacy with him and subsequently contributed to his campaign. Mainstream Democrats… Read More
PORTLAND – The sale of bankrupt Eastern Pulp and Paper Corp. now hinges on a private meeting this morning between the state Department of Environmental Protection and the prospective buyer, Paper Acquisition Corp. of Topsfield, Mass. Paper Acquisition set a self-imposed deadline of today to… Read More
BELFAST – In a back corner of the Unitarian Universalist church, a small group of Waldo County Greens – three, to be exact – did its part to shape the party’s evolving election year strategy. Low turnout at the Saturday caucus was unseemly for the… Read More
By rethinking the very definition of trash, the Brewer City Council may have hit on something that not only is fiscally farsighted but ingenious as well. In case you didn’t catch the story in last weekend’s paper, Brewer is facing a dilemma that is common… Read More
BRUNSWICK – After 22 years, the face of The Nature Conservancy is leaving what he calls “the best job in Maine.” Next week, Kent Wommack will board a plane and travel 10,000 miles to a new job and a new home Down Under. Before the… Read More
HOPE – A writing assignment by an eighth-grade boy that included threats to kill his parents and police prompted Hope Elementary School to contact state police last week and resulted in the boy’s suspension, authorities said Monday. Maine State Police Lt. Jeffrey Trafton disclosed that… Read More
FORT KENT – The World Cup athletes left town on the weekend, but indications are that they will return to the venue where they had great competitions and a welcome that was second to none. Andy Shepard, CEO and president of the Maine Winter Sports… Read More
MILBRIDGE – Sonjia Stanley of Milbridge attended the National Young Leaders Conference Feb. 17-22 in Washington, D.C. This leadership development program invites high school students who have shown scholastic merit, community involvement and leadership to spend time with today’s leaders. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
RIPLEY – It took some convincing Saturday to get three residents to agree to serve on the Ripley Board of Selectmen. Several people, including the three former board members, were nominated for the position during the annual town meeting but declined the invitation, according to… Read More
LINCOLN – More than 50 local businesses will showcase their goods and services during a trade show and community fair from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 13, at Mattanawcook Academy. Sponsored by the Lincoln Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, the show will include… Read More
NEWPORT – Michael Burrell, who lost last Friday’s SAD 48 board of directors election by only three votes, decided Monday to call off his demand for a recount. Burrell said he was originally concerned by the large percentage of absentee ballots – 10 percent of… Read More
ROCKLAND – Domestic partners of city employees will get a second chance at participating in the city’s health benefits plan, now that councilors have again approved the measure in first reading. In January, city councilors gave an initial nod to offering medical coverage for domestic… Read More
ROCKPORT – Selectmen committed to a three-phase plan Monday night to bring property tax assessments in line with the escalating real estate sales seen in parts of town in recent years. Over the past year, the town has struggled to come up with an assessment… Read More
CALAIS – U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said Monday that she is trying to arrange for a U.S. Navy ship to visit the area in time for the 400th anniversary of the St. Croix Island settlement. Collins would like the ship to anchor near the island… Read More
Machias District Court Cases Nov. 1-30, 2003 googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i < slot_sizes.length; i++) { if (isMobileDevice()) { if (slot_sizes[i][0] googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
OWLS HEAD – A unit in a waterfront condominium was significantly damaged by fire Monday. The fire was blamed on an electric baseboard heater. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i… Read More
CARIBOU – Three $1,200 scholarships are available to Maine women through the BPW-Maine Futurama Foundation Scholarship Program. The Rachel E. Lemieux Youth Scholarship is awarded to a female high school senior or recent graduate who will attend college beginning in fall 2004. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Mountain climbing is the topic for the next Adventure Presentation at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. At the presentation, UMPI President Nancy Hensel and freelance journalist Julia Bayly of Fort Kent will show their photographs and talk about their climb… Read More
CAMDEN – The committee for the 10th annual Mid-Coast Maine Soap Box Derby on June 26 is accepting registrations. Participants must be between ages 8 and 17. The committee also is looking for businesses or individuals interested in getting involved. Jim Curtis of Mid-Coast Maine… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – A Presque Isle man remained hospitalized in good condition Monday at The Aroostook Medical Center after his vehicle rolled over him earlier in the day. Paul Larochelle, 59, of Presque Isle was trying to regain control of his vehicle in the KeyBank… Read More
The Maine Department of Transportation is holding a public meeting noon-2 p.m. today at the Brewer Auditorium to hear what the public thinks about four alternative transportation selections for travel between Brewer and Trenton. The purpose of the Bangor to Trenton Transportation Alternatives Study is… Read More
MILFORD – Anita Peavey-Haskell, R-Milford and Greenbush, is seeking the District 30 seat in the Maine State Senate. Haskell wants to change the state’s tax policies to try to keep businesses in Maine. She is a small-business owner and holds a master’s degree in education… Read More
BANGOR – Early detection on the part of a tenant and quick response by the Bangor Fire Department averted what could have been much worse damage after fire struck a 171-year-old structure Sunday morning in the heart of the city’s historic downtown. According to Paul… Read More
PITTSFIELD – An ambitious plan to develop a 30-acre parcel of wooded land off Route 100 on Grove Hill was prematurely presented to the Pittsfield Planning Board on Monday night, according to a town official. The developer, William Bradshaw of Pittsfield, had submitted a comprehensive… Read More
ABBOT – Municipal officials hope to convince SAD 4 directors tonight to embrace a fairer method of taxation for education. At a special meeting Monday, 29 of the 41 residents in attendance voted to support the creation of a new funding formula calculated on a… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – He told Piscataquis County commissioners that he would give them five years and his time is up. Robert Wilson tendered his resignation as Piscataquis County Emergency Management Agency director effective June 1. His wife, Donna, who serves as his administrative assistant, also will… Read More
NEWPORT – Nokomis Regional High School’s 177-member senior class got a living civics lesson Monday morning when they were able to ask the superintendent of schools questions about the current budget process. Voters in the six-town SAD 48 will decide a $16.8 million proposed budget… Read More
ORRINGTON – The town’s selectmen agreed Monday to increase the Public Works projects budget by $95,000 to a total of $250,000 during the second review of the community’s fiscal year 2004-05 proposed budget. The original proposal for the road construction portion of the Public Works… Read More
VEAZIE – Councilors voted unanimously Monday night to support revitalization efforts at Greystone Mobile Home Park. The park has been an “eyesore” to the town for many years, according to town manager Bill Reed, but is now under new management that desires to clean up… Read More
MILLINOCKET – The U.S. Air Force has selected Brims Ness Corp. for a $100,000 contract to develop a continuous monitor for arsenic concentrations in the municipal water system at Edwards Air Force Base near Fresno, Calif. The company, which has an office in Millinocket, develops… Read More
CAMBRIDGE – Residents on Saturday soundly defeated a move to return to the red telephone system for emergency calls. A resident concerned with the delivery of 911 services from Somerset County proposed the move. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
Hampden police summoned a Burnham woman and a juvenile from Bucksport on Sunday afternoon after they allegedly drove out of Dysart’s Travel Stop without paying for $18 worth of gas. Officer Ruth Duquette said that at about 5 p.m. a clerk at the truck stop… Read More
BUCKSPORT – As part of its economic development efforts, the town is planning to develop an open-air market just off Main Street this summer. Economic Development Director David Milan is preparing to send out invitations to potential vendors to attend a planning meeting at 7… Read More
THOMASTON – Injured Cianbro worker Nicholas Wark of Plymouth got good news from his doctors to help celebrate his 23rd birthday Monday. Wark fell 52 feet into a space between a cluster of silos Feb. 26 at Dragon Products’ cement plant on Route 1 while… Read More
TRENTON – After years of preliminary and costly research, numerous residents told state transportation officials Monday they don’t like the idea of a regional bus facility in their town. The proposed facility is being planned by the Maine Department of Transportation to reduce the thick… Read More
ROCKPORT – About 100 midcoast businesses will display their goods and services at the 11th annual Business Showcase from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 24, at the Samoset Resort. The event will offer the following showcases: googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
BANGOR – The Space Explorers Summer Camp to be held at the new Challenger Learning Center in Bangor still has slots available for June and July. Sessions are planned for 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 21-26 and July 12-16 for pupils going into grades four and… Read More
BLUE HILL – Blue Hill Memorial Hospital’s Community Health Education Services is providing a monthly CPR class for people requiring certification. The class will be held 5:30-9:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month, in the Inservice Room at the hospital. There is a $30 fee for… Read More
ELLSWORTH – The Next Step Domestic Violence Project of Hancock County will offer free volunteer advocate training to answer its hot line or serve as court advocates, at 63 Foster St. For information, call 667-0176 by April 2. Read More
CRANBERRY ISLES – Annual town meeting voters took a historic step Monday when they approved forming the town’s first municipal fire department. “They really bit the bullet,” First Selectman Richard Beal said after the vote. “This was a major decision.” googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
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SEDGWICK – By more than a 2-1 vote, residents on Saturday approved a six-month moratorium on subdivisions in town. The measure was proposed by the town’s planning board which, anticipating an increase in the number and size of proposed subdivisions, wanted time to review existing… Read More
Glenburn residents Chris and Karen Ellis are looking forward to a very special event that is being planned by his parents for this weekend in his hometown. Bruce and Claire Ellis of Jackman are hosting a benefit spaghetti dinner for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 5-7… Read More
PORTLAND – Officials say the $600,000 settlement of a lawsuit brought by a former resident of the Maine Youth Center likely will bring more changes to Maine’s juvenile corrections system. The case already has led to the removal of two high-ranking employees of the South… Read More
NEWRY – A Maine man wanted in connection with a New Hampshire bank robbery was arrested Monday at the Sunday River ski resort, officials said. Peter Lee Robbins, 26, of Kittery was taken into custody in the parking lot of the ski resort’s Grand Summit… Read More
HARPSWELL – A proposal to build a $350 million liquefied natural gas terminal, which has divided residents of this coastal town, faces a crucial referendum vote today. Voters in the town of 5,200 residents will decide whether to accept a lease agreement for the Fairwinds… Read More
Let’s be frank about why reality TV works for executives in that industry. No costs for talent or writers. Just rough out a scenario, and turn loose some money-grubbing real folk. It’s kinda like improv, only without the talent to pull it off successfully. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
Teddi-Jann Covell of Orono and her son Darren, a member of Boy Scout troop 478, are all tied up in knots – polar fleece knots, that is. Covell, an air traffic controller, crafted a scarf, blanket and pillow from the material. She helped her son’s Boy Scout troop… Read More
2,000; 760; 7; 4; 1; 1922; 150,000. Seemingly random, these numbers have become celebrated – if quietly – by the School of the Performing Arts at the University of Maine since the arrival late last year of a Steinway & Sons Model B grand piano… Read More
No way am I paying more for a vehicle than for our first house. Call it a matter of principle, but a roof over my head, Sheetrocked walls and formerly fashionable shag carpeting surely have more combined value than do V6 engines, trailer tows and seating – heated… Read More
SESTRIERE, Italy – Brandishing a go-for-broke style that sometimes gets him in trouble on the slopes, Bode Miller can become the first U.S. man since 1983 to win the overall World Cup title. Asked about it, he lifts his head, squints and offers a derisive… Read More
FORT KENT – What was supposed to be a relatively routine Saturday morning for the U.S. biathlon team turned rather hectic when the Americans found out that Rachel Steer was going to compete in the World Cup’s mass start, an event in which the top 30-ranked biathletes in… Read More
Maine’s first foray into the world of World Cup biathlon competition is over, and according to all accounts, the Fort Kent event was a tremendous success. Lost in the chaos of more than 100 competitors, more than 1,000 volunteers, and six races in four days… Read More
If you think this year’s Eastern Maine Class A girls basketball tournament featured stellar play, just wait until next year. All five members of the 2004 Eastern A NEWS All-Tournament team will be back next winter, led by 6-foot-2 junior center Katie Rollins of regional… Read More
Miss Maine Field Hockey, the starting point guard on the Class C state championship basketball team … but Brittany Veazie’s extracurricular activities aren’t only centered on sports. Dexter High senior Veazie recently gained the lead in the school’s production of the musical “Carousel.” She’ll play… Read More
Four skiers will represent the Maine Winter Sports Center and Aroostook County at the Junior Olympics for cross country skiing this week in Lake Placid, N.Y. Chelsae Jarvis, Heather Zimmerman and Annalise Cook will accompany Junior Olympic veteran Russell Currier at the event for high… Read More
SHERBROOKE, Quebec – Kate Dickinson, a University of Maine-Farmington freshman, led the Maine Racewalkers to victory over the Quebec, Canada Provincial walkers with her 3,000-meter winning time of 15 minutes, 16.84 seconds here on Saturday night. She was followed by Mt. Blue of Farmington junior Carly Lochala (15:28.08). Read More
COLLEGE Meghan Gillis googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i < slot_sizes.length; i++) { if (isMobileDevice()) { if (slot_sizes[i][0] googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
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Criticism of Calvary players if baffling I am a former coach at a private Catholic school in Waterville. Before every game my players and I prayed for good sportsmanship, no injuries, and that they would play to the best of their ability. At the end… Read More
FORT MYERS, Fla. – Kahler Dowling gave up five hits and one earned run while allowing no walks and striking out nine to lead St. Joseph’s College of Standish to a 2-1 softball win over Eastern Nazarene in its second game Monday. U.S. Merchant Marine defeated the Monks… Read More