About 6,000 participants in Maine’s prescription discount program, Drugs for the Elderly and Disabled, known as DEL, should put off signing up for any of the new federal Medicare drug cards when private companies start making their cards available in the coming week. The state… Read More
    PORTLAND – A federal bankruptcy judge took a rarely traveled judicial path Friday, overturning his March order to abandon Eastern Pulp and Paper Corp., clearing the way for a $23.725 million sale to Connecticut-based First Paper Holding Corp. LLC. Officials of First Paper Holding said… Read More
    WASHINGTON – Sponsors of Medicare discount drug cards complained Friday that a government Web site lists some prices wrong. But the top Medicare official defended the accuracy of the site’s price comparisons. “We stand by those prices,” said Mark McClellan, administrator of the federal Centers… Read More
    A story in the State section of some editions Wednesday about cruise ships visiting Rockland reported that American Cruise Lines has two vessels making stops in Rockland. Only its 49-passenger ship American Glory will make port calls. — googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
    BREWER – Officials learned Friday there is a good chance the city may obtain the abandoned Eastern Fine Paper Co. property as part of the sale of its parent company – bankrupt Eastern Pulp and Paper Corp. of Amherst, Mass. Despite the presence of hazardous… Read More
    The Bangor Daily News’ April 30 article, “UM Faculty Senate voices support for UMS strategic plan,” surprised me, for the “Motion for Increased Participation in Improving Higher Education in Maine,” passed by the Senate on Wednesday, centered on calling for “increased participation for the faculty” in the entire… Read More
    With a complicated tax-relief plan of his own and a lack of organization within his Democratic Party to pass an alternative, Gov. John Baldacci bade farewell to the Legislature yesterday without enacting new property tax relief, leaving the possibility stronger that one or both of two poorly made… Read More
    Perhaps the most remarkable thing about the recent report by the Bush-appointed U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy is that environmental groups around the country have rallied around it. Since it is rare for such groups to support anything that comes from the Bush administration, this good will should… Read More
    The Statue of Liberty should be replaced. It’s outdated and does not truthfully represent this country. Then, of course, it was a gift from the French. What would they know or care about liberty? It seems that now our “tired, poor, huddled masses yearning to… Read More
    Recently, two opposing articles on the front page of the Bangor Daily News said it all. One was about the highest tax burden in the country and the other was about raising sales tax again. Later, on the county page, again two articles about Maine taxes hurting business… Read More
    The article, “Elephant handler disputes claims of abuse” (BDN, April 26), failed to mention that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has cited Bill Morris’ Elephant Encounters for failure to provide elephants with a nutritional diet, shelter from the elements and proper ventilation and adequate veterinary care. Morris has… Read More
    Recently, I’ve been hearing from soldiers returning from Iraq that a lot of good is being done there, but the media are not printing the other side of the story and are only too quick to print the horrors of war each day. A recent… Read More
    After having read the Bangor Daily News’ several editorials regarding climate change, one primary fact continues to be ignored. We’re experiencing solar warming, not simply global warming. The melting ice caps on Mars – reported (along with photographic evidence) not too long ago in the BDN – are… Read More
    As a conservative Republican voter, in the June primary I’m looking for a candidate who has the same principles on jobs, taxes, spending and family values. My candidate for the state Senate seat 33 in Penobscot County is Ken Fredette. Fredette offers a fresh, positive… Read More
    Were you shocked and furious that the CEO of Tyco spent millions of company dollars on his wife’s birthday party? Do you worry that the United States isn’t doing enough to slow global warming? Are you worried that what happened to the Enron retirees could happen to you?… Read More
    Joseph Westphal wanted to lead a more unified University of Maine System and now, with near unanimity on the need for reform and broad agreement that his strategic reform plan is not nearly finished, the chancellor has one. In Fort Kent, he heard the plan… Read More
    An Associated Press news story that ran a while back reported that Maine’s crime rate is down 19 percent, while the jail population is up. This, according to the reporter quoting state officials concerned with the development, appeared to be a paradox, which is to say a development… Read More
    It’s time to stop, look and listen! As plans are hurriedly being made to rip up the state-owned Calais Branch railroad line from Brewer to Calais, I propose we should stop for a moment, look at and listen to what is actually taking place. I… Read More
    Becoming a logger isn’t just heading into the woods with a chain saw or ax. Here are some barriers, financial and otherwise, between workers and the woods: . Mechanized logging: Machines have been used for years to make logging more efficient. But modern heavy machinery… Read More
    SALISBURY COVE – Though Maine’s lobster industry is thriving, populations south of the state are struggling to survive a decline that researchers suspect may be linked to climate change, water pollution and a mysterious disease that attacks the crustacean’s shell. Perhaps someday, the lobster’s genetic… Read More
    HANCOCK – Four people were injured Friday afternoon, one of them critically, in a fiery, head-on collision on Route 1 after a Jonesport woman fell asleep at the wheel of her minivan, according to police. Motorists who came upon the accident stopped and helped remove… Read More
    AUGUSTA – The company that had its eyes on Harpswell as a port for a liquefied natural gas terminal is focusing on southern Maine, the state’s economic development chief says. Officials of TransCanada Power, the company that partnered with ConocoPhillips to propose an LNG terminal… Read More
    BANGOR – Representatives of law enforcement agencies and hospitals and mental health advocates said Friday that they intend to press the Legislature to ease the burden faced by jails with the growing numbers of mentally ill inmates and provide more services for the mentally ill. Read More
    LINCOLN, Neb. – University of Maine President Peter Hoff is among four finalists named Friday for the position of president at the University of Nebraska. Also named finalists by the school’s selection committee were Kim Robak, a former Nebraska lieutenant governor; Adm. Jim Ellis, the… Read More
    GUILFORD – A $6 million proposed budget for 2004-05 that seeks more from property taxes will be presented to SAD 4 directors for adoption at their May 11 meeting. The proposed $6,089,571 spending plan, which reflects an increase of 4.18 percent over the current year,… Read More
    HARRINGTON – A family lost their home and some pets when fire destroyed their trailer, the fire chief said. One cat and an unidentified number of caged birds were killed in the fire that broke out Wednesday at the home of Delbert and Kathy Caler… Read More
    Fourteen-year-old Matthew is a handsome young man with a friendly smile. He came into care in 1993 and has had several foster care placements. Matthew is friendly, fun and artistic. He has a great sense of humor and always is willing to try new things. Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – The Penquis region now has a team of people trained to help defuse a potentially violent situation involving someone with a mental illness. In the past, law enforcement and emergency personnel responding to such an incident had to wait until a trained crisis… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – Mayo Regional Hospital will have a new physician, endocrinologist Mark Henderson, providing services at its endocrinology outpatient clinic. Dr. Henderson will see patients in Dover-Foxcroft one day each month, usually on the first or second Tuesday, as part of the outpatient specialty clinics… Read More
    BANGOR – The Maine Educational Opportunity Center will hold an “Essentials of College Planning” workshop at the following locations: . Noon-3 p.m. Monday, May 3, Dexter Training and Development, 311 Corinna Road. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
    HOULTON – Potential entrepreneurs looking to open a business within a newly revised zone face different rules on where they can sell products as a result of a recent Town Council decision. Councilors narrowly passed an ordinance change revising the zoning along Military Street between… Read More
    Foxcroft Academy Third 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
    UNITY – SAD 3 has the green light to pursue building a kindergarten through 12th-grade school with state money, but final state approval is not assured. Last week, state Department of Education officials told SAD 3 it should begin planning for the project. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    MACHIAS – A free concert featuring the newly refurbished historic organ will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 2, at the Centre Street Congregational Church. The concert involves three organists playing the 1867 George Stevens tracker action pipe organ. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
    BUCKSPORT – Major power outages were reported in Bucksport, Orland, Penobscot and Castine on Friday night, according to a spokesman for Central Maine Power. A downed power line on River Road in Bucksport was the cause of the outage. The outages were reported at about… Read More
    BANGOR – The Area Memorial Day Parade Committee will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 6, at the Bangor American Legion Hall in the Parks and Recreation Building, 647 Main St. The meeting is open to representatives of all veterans organizations and those interested in… Read More
    BANGOR – The Pine Tree Chapter of the American Red Cross has responded to a record 88 fires since July 2003 in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Aroostook, Washington and Waldo counties. Since April 21, the Pine Tree Chapter has responded to six separate fires in Bangor, Hampden,… Read More
    BANGOR – The next meeting of the Mesa Hispanica will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 6, at Borders bookstore in Bangor. The Hermon High School Spanish Club organizes Mesa Hispanica, an event for hispanophiles to meet and converse in Spanish. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    FAIRFIELD – The Tech Prep Program at Kennebec Valley Community College will sponsor a free two-day workshop on Applied Math II and Geometry to area high school math and geometry teachers in May. The workshop, taught by Patricia Bassett, will use contextual learning to give… Read More
    BANGOR – A Bangor woman was injured Friday afternoon in a three-car accident in which one car was forced into a tree. Eileen Carroll, 40, was taken to Eastern Maine Medical Center after she allegedly ran a stop sign. She was treated and then released,… Read More
    HAMPDEN – The attorney for the Maine Sports Complex is appealing a more than $50,000 judgment issued against the Hampden facility last month in Penobscot County Superior Court. Attorney Richard Silver of Bangor filed the notice of appeal on April 21 on behalf of Pete… Read More
    PORTLAND – The Gulf of Maine Research Institute has hired an internationally known fisheries expert to lead its waterfront research center under construction in southern Maine. John H. Annala, the chief scientist of the New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries, is expected to be the institute’s… Read More
    Friends of Mark and Pat Leavitt of Newburgh are hosting a benefit spaghetti supper for the couple, who are dealing with Mark’s recovery from an aneurysm that was followed by a stroke and subsequent surgeries. The 53-year-old Newburgh plumber and highly respected member of that… Read More
    PORTLAND – Three Lewiston High School students discussed their efforts to fight racism amid an influx of Somali students at a ceremony Friday marking the upcoming 50th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that declared racially segregated schools unconstitutional. The students, part of more… Read More
    BANGOR – Ryan Dobson believes in being intolerant. The 33-year-old son of Dr. James Dobson, the Christian psychologist, author and radio personality, will be the keynote speaker at next weekend’s Maine Christian Teen Convention at the Bangor Auditorium. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
    A certain young couple began attending services at a large suburban church. The minister was a gifted speaker. He preached many powerful sermons. One Sunday the couple responded to his invitation to get right with God and join the church. The minister asked, “Which of… Read More
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe of Maine will be inducted into the National Breast Cancer Coalition’s “Hall of Fame” on May 4. At a ceremony to be held on Capitol Hill, Snowe will be honored for her leadership in the fight against breast cancer. Read More
    AUGUSTA – Police are investigating an incident of vandalism at the headquarters of the Christian Civic League of Maine. Someone painted the numbers 666 and an upside-down cross on the sign outside the building, said Executive Director Michael Heath. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
    AUGUSTA – The League of Women Voters of Maine will hold its annual meeting 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 15, at the Senator Inn and Spa in Augusta. The daylong meeting, “Celebrating Civic Engagement,” is open to the public and will feature presentations and workshops on… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District will sponsor a Front Runner workshop from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 20, at the district office in Pine Crest Business Park in Dover-Foxcroft. A Front Runner grade/rake is an attachment that fits onto… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – Heartwise will hold a first aid course at 6 p.m. May 3 and a cardiopulmonary resuscitation course at 6 p.m. May 5 at the Heartwise suite in the medical office building at Mayo Regional Hospital. The cost for both courses is $50. Individually,… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – The Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. May 12 at Thayer Parkway for a program on the Civil War. Wayne Bennett, a Civil War re-enactor, will tell about the daily life of a Union soldier. Joining him will be Eric Boothroyd,… Read More
    DEXTER – North Country Riding Club and Ron Miles of Foxcroft Veterinary Service will hold a rabies “shot clinic” for horses of NCRC members 7:30 a.m.-noon May 8 at NCRC show grounds at the Dexter Recreation Complex. If time permits, the horses of nonmembers also… Read More
    Our dog Pudge is (or so we claim) the smartest dog in the world. Of course, when all of your previous dogs were either a) friendly, drooling, slobbering (but certainly loved) pooches; b) short-lived, loud-barking, car-chasers (nearly all of these end up being short-lived, it seems), or c)… Read More
    Derek Damon’s disallowed goal in the NCAA Div. I men’s hockey championship game, waved off because teammate Mike Hamilton had his skate in the crease, would be allowed next season if the NCAA’s Ice Hockey Rules Committee approves a change requested by the coaches at their annual meeting… Read More
    CHERRYFIELD – A limited fly fishing season on the Narraguagus River will open Saturday, May 1, and continue through June 10. Earlier this year, the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Atlantic Salmon Commission agreed to close to fishing the portion of… Read More
    Farmington native Kevin Eastler and fellow American racewalker Tim Seaman both broke the American record for 10 kilometers during a recent meet at Bergen, Norway. Seaman finished the race in 39 minutes, 23 seconds, besting his 39:59 clocking last September at Hildeshiem, Germany, that had… Read More
    HIGH SCHOOL At Bangor High School googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i < slot_sizes.length; i++) { if (isMobileDevice()) { if (slot_sizes[i][0] googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
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    The University of Maine football team will wrap up its spring workouts today with the annual Blue-White scrimmage. The action begins at 4 p.m. on Morse Field at Alfond Stadium in Orono. Registration for several youth activities, including an 11:30 a.m. clinic with the Black Bears, begins at… Read More
    HARRINGTON – Sarah Beal drove in the game-winning run on a single in the seventh inning as Jonesport-Beals tipped Narraguagus 5-4 in high school softball play Friday afternoon. Beal also hit a double and two singles with three RBIs. Tina Beal singled twice and drove… Read More
    WATERVILLE – The third-seeded Thomas College Terriers moved into the winners’ bracket by beating the second-seeded Castleton State Spartans 11-2 in North Atlantic Conference tournament baseball action Friday. Thomas meets UMF today at noon. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
    Softball MAINE vs. VERMONT 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
    I was under the impression March came in like a lion. Maybe that’s for southern climates? Last Saturday, the final one for April, turned out to be a day to take a short journey northward to Cold Stream Pond in Enfield with paddling buddy Dr. Read More
    Those interesting in shooting sports may want to head to Blue Hill on Sunday for the Blue Hill Rife and Pistol Club’s trap-shooting event. Shooting starts at 10 a.m. and continues until 2 p.m., May through November. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
    I am an accidental chicken owner. Or I should say friend – “free range” and “own” just don’t mesh. A Rhode Island Red pecking about my yard was not something of which my dreams were made. Fresh eggs were not, in my mind, a culinary must-have. I can… Read More
    Editor’s Note: In Sound Advice, the first Saturday of every month, veteran NEWS entertainment writer Dale McGarrigle, former British music-press writer Adam Corrigan and a revolving stable of NEWS writers review new albums from across the musical spectrum. “Honkin’ on Bobo” (Columbia) – Aerosmith googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    On the road again. I just couldn’t wait to get on the road again. 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()) {… Read More
    Nothing – and I mean nothing – smells better to this gardener than that first oh-so-distinctive fragrance of tomato foliage wafting into the nostrils from the tiniest tomato seedlings. Before they barely bear their first set of true leaves, the darling little gems conjure up their trademark aroma,… Read More
    You remember the song. It would cause you to reach across your car’s front seat to slam the radio onto another station. It would force you off the couch, screaming, to run across the living room to turn off the stereo or find another song, any song. Read More
    BANGOR – The National Endowment for the Arts has awarded $10,000 to the Bangor Symphony Orchestra to tour a new orchestral work that celebrates the cultural heritage of the Penobscot River. The symphonic piece has as its theme, “Back to the River: Discovering Bangor’s Roots.” The tour will… Read More