LIMESTONE – The Defense Finance and Accounting Service at Loring Commerce Centre is one of two U.S. Department of Defense accounting sites in line for more work, according to Sen. Susan Collins’ office. The department’s DFAS sites are undertaking new work initiatives to increase the… Read More
    BANGOR – The Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau will hold the ninth annual Tourism Awards Dinner and Silent Auction during National Tourism Week at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, at Bangor Raceway. This year’s winner of the Eagle Award will be presented to the… Read More
    ORONO – A capacity crowd of 400 business leaders and technical experts has registered to attend the Homeland Security Conference on Thursday and Friday at the University of Maine. Presented by Gov. John E. Baldacci and Sen. Susan Collins, the conference will feature Asa Hutchinson,… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – Despite a devastating season last year, northern Maine potato growers Monday were going full tilt planting this year’s crop. Acreage is expected to be down by 3,000 acres in Aroostook County to 63,000 acres. Officials are expecting fewer growers as well, not… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – Barrett Paving Materials Inc. of Dover-Foxcroft and Bangor has been sold to Pike Industries, based in Belmont, N.H. About 50 of the former Barrett employees at the two plants have been retained by Pike, and more are expected to be hired as the… Read More
    For the 90 percent of the state that does not bask in the glow of Boston’s dynamic economy, the Blaine House Conference on Maine’s Creative Economy in Lewiston last week was inspirational and challenging. If Gov. John Baldacci is as serious about promoting Maine as part of this… Read More
    All the exciting ideas about a creative economy, aired at length last week in Lewiston at a Blaine House conference on the subject, eventually are reduced to practical tasks. The person at the conference who may know those tasks best was John Barrett III, the mayor of North… Read More
    It was with not sadness, but disgust, that I saw the story of seven killed on I-95 in Carmel Sunday. The driving habits of the average citizen these days have gotten so sloppy, so selfish, that tragic accidents like this are not only foreseeable, but almost mandatory. Read More
    When I first heard about the torture incidents in Abu Ghraib prison and the apparent reasons for them (softening up prisoners to secure information), I was shocked but not surprised. This is not just a matter of a few bad apples; the larger corrosive and insidious climate of… Read More
    I guess we shouldn’t be surprised at the mess that is following our actions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Some people did, after all, vote for a man who did not run on the basis of any specific agenda. Some voted for what appeared to be… Read More
    I saw the fancy plans for Bangor’s riverfront. I couldn’t help but wonder how it must have been before ships, steel and cement; before paper mills, oil spills and trash; before “professional landscaping.” I bet it was really beautiful. Linda Kizer googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    While I do not like to disagree with a fellow Christian, I’m inclined to point out a common error made by Peter Phillips in the letter, “No war in christening” (BDN, May 4). The word christen is not derived from the word Christ. It is derived from two… Read More
    The editorial “The Iraq-Israel Connection” (BDN, May 3) was exceptionally appropriate and right on target. If Mel Braverman (“Misguided innuendo,” BDN letter, May 6) wants to blame all the Palestinians for the misdeeds of the Palestinian terrorists, then I assume he is willing to blame all the Israelis… Read More
    As a board member of Eastern Agency on Aging, I was very interested to read the article, “New meal service targets elderly, disabled” (BDN, April 27). Please allow me to share a few facts about the Meals for Me program with your readers. Meals for… Read More
    This is the second in an occasional series about obesity and weight control. In my last column I introduced Dr. Steele’s Low Bull Diet, on which you can eat anything you want and still lose weight, as long as you eat fewer calories than you… Read More
    On April 9, Gov. John Baldacci signed an executive order, effective on that date and titled “An Order Concerning Access to State Services By All Entitled Maine Residents.” If “access” were the only concern, there were already plenty of laws, rules and regulations providing such access. Read More
    As a resident of Stockton Springs and an officer in the U.S. Merchant Marine, I am compelled to respond to Michael S. Ormsby’s May 5 BDN commentary regarding the prospect of liquefied natural gas coming to Searsport. The crux of this issue is benefit vs. risk. Read More
    BANGOR – The city of Bangor on Monday night became the first community in Penobscot County and the third in the state to adopt a resolve urging Congress to amend portions of the USA Patriot Act in order to preserve individual rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and… Read More
    AUGUSTA – National groups opposed to abortion are turning up the heat on pro-choice Roman Catholic politicians, but Gov. John E. Baldacci remains committed to taking Communion whenever he chooses. “There’s a separation of church and state, the country was founded on religious freedoms,” the… Read More
    It’s happening again. My new garage, which is less than a year old and still only half-painted, has already started to breed common household objects with alarming speed, just as the old one had done for so many years. One morning I walked inside to… Read More
    BREWER – After spending more than a year in the war zone near Iraq, barber Dale Jordan, a 22-year Army National Guard veteran, is back to doing what he loves, cutting hair. Jordan left Maine in February 2003 to serve with Bangor’s 1136th Transportation Company… Read More
    CALAIS – What began as an alleged “kitten-napping” from an animal shelter ended with a woman being charged several hours later with criminal trespass after she was found inside a Pembroke couple’s home. Susan Conboy, 61, of Lubec had gone there looking for her dog,… Read More
    BREWER – For years, Lt. Perry Antone of the Brewer Police Department has been thinking about the FBI National Academy and how being a graduate from the school would advance his career. Antone’s hope recently became a reality when he found out he was nominated… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – SAD 53 school board directors on Monday night approved the final 2004-2005 budget, which represents an overall 4.26 percent increase in local tax assessments. State funding came in higher than originally predicted, giving directors the ability to reinstate a math position for the… Read More
    GUILFORD – Starting June 7, residents must either contract with a local rubbish hauler for weekly pickup of trash or haul it themselves to the Mid-Maine Solid Waste facility in Corinna. Residents can familiarize themselves with the rules at the solid waste facility during a… Read More
    Stearns High School MILLINOCKET – Honor parts for the Class of 2004 have been announced by principal Paul MacDonald. 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;… Read More
    BREWER – Brewer School Department leaders have made adjustments to the revenue side of the 2004-2005 school budget to counterbalance a reduction in projected state subsidies. The district’s preliminary budget was built on Gov. John Baldacci’s projected figures released in March. However, when the Legislature… Read More
    A teenage girl facing active warrants and her adult companion eluded county law enforcement Monday afternoon in Bangor. Detective John Trask of the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department said he received information that the girl was staying at Motel 6 on Outer Hammond Street. Deputies had… Read More
    BANGOR – The Abbott Square parking lot on Harlow Street is closed this week while undergoing improvements. The city expects the lot will reopen May 17. Permit holders in Abbott Square are asked to park at the Pickering Square garage during construction. A shuttle bus is running between… Read More
    ORONO – The University of Maine Center on Aging has received a grant from the Maine Health Access Foundation of $200,000 to start the “Maine Partners for Elder Protection Program,” a screening program that will help detect and prevent elder abuse in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties. Read More
    BREWER – The Brewer Parks & Recreation Department will hold its Summer Program Registration Night at 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, at the Brewer Auditorium. Activities for this summer include recreation camps for children in grades one through six, teen programs, summer sport clinics, Friday… Read More
    Belfast District Court Cases March 29-April 9, 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
    Madawaska High School 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
    HOULTON – Police have few leads in their investigation of recent vandalism that caused approximately $11,500 in damage to various businesses and property in town. Police are still investigating a recent spray-paint vandalism spree and the partial destruction of a bronze moose statue that occurred… Read More
    WASHBURN – School officials are working to implement a plan to encourage the professional development of district teachers, Washburn Superintendent Brooke Clenchy said Monday The Professional Development Plan, which was discussed last week at the Washburn school board meeting, sets up the parameters for teachers… Read More
    STOCKHOLM – The Stockholm Elementary School, built in 1979, will close at the end of the school year, and prekindergarten to grade eight students will be sent to the school in New Sweden, about 10 miles away. The decision to close the elementary school will… Read More
    CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte Historical Society will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 19, at the town hall. Ed Southard of Charlotte will be the guest speaker. The historical society will hold its annual Memorial Day observances at 8:15 a.m. Monday, May… Read More
    PRINCETON – The Princeton Library has been selected by the Maine Humanities Council to offer “Let’s Talk About It,” a free reading and discussion group with copies of books available through the library. The program is provided by the Maine Humanities Council’s Maine Center for the Book in… Read More
    SOMESVILLE – Bangor Hydro-Electric Co. plans power service interruptions at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 12. Each interruption will last about 10 minutes and will affect only customers in Somesville in Hancock County. In case of bad weather, the interruptions will occur on… Read More
    Central High School CORINTH – Honor parts for the Class of 2004 have been announced by principal Garry Spencer. Commencement exercises will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 13, at the Central High School gymnasium. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
    BANGOR – The Bangor International Airport has received more than $1.6 million in federal funding as part of an annual airport improvement program funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. From the grant, $1,036,008 will be used for the construction of a runway safety area… Read More
    ETNA – The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the cause of an auto accident that occurred Monday evening on the West Enfield Road. Deputy William Sheehan said Heather Newcomb, 25, of Etna was driving a Subaru Legacy near the Interstate 95 overpass when the… Read More
    GREENVILLE – If Greenville residents support the proposed school and municipal budgets at the annual June 7 town meeting, a mill rate increase of 71 cents per $1,000 is anticipated. “We feel we have a very reasonable budget for voters to consider,” Town Manager John… Read More
    HOLDEN – Residents will have to choose between five candidates vying for two Town Council seats now held by Chairman Joel Dearborn and Mike Lagasse during local elections June 8, the date of state primaries and the SAD 63 budget referendum. Paul Amoroso, Robert Harvey,… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – Foxcroft Academy named its Rose Award recipients for the Class of 2004 on Tuesday, May 4. The award recognizes outstanding academic senior students who are in the top 15 percent of the class. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
    Belfast District Court Cases March 29-April 9, 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
    Rockland District Court Cases April 20-30, 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 () { // Define Slot… Read More
    HOULTON – Nothing looked atypical Monday on first glance at Houlton High School. Students outside during lunch break hovered in crowds around the entrance doors and performed skateboard tricks on the nearby pavement. Inside the building, however, things were much different. Much of the staff… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – Classroom training is going on the road at Northern Maine Community College, where a donated ambulance will provide valuable hands-on learning experiences for students in the emergency medical services program. Officials with The Aroostook Medical Center and Crown Ambulance recently donated an… Read More
    ROCKLAND – A city police sergeant with 22 years on the force has been demoted to patrol officer for violating department rules, City Manager Tom Hall said Monday. Sgt. Lloyd Daniels was placed on paid administrative leave Thursday afternoon, pending Monday’s hearing with city officials. Read More
    PORTLAND – The Maine Alzheimer’s Association has received a $75,000 one-year grant from the Maine Health Access Foundation to provide services to caregivers in Washington and Piscataquis counties. The association will join local organizations to build awareness about Alzheimer’s disease, enhance access to support services,… Read More
    MACHIAS – The Machias and East Machias Watershed Councils meet from 7 to 9 p.m. the third Tuesday of every month at the Machias Federal Building downstairs conference room. The meetings are open to the public. For information, call Bill Cherry at 255-5890. Read More
    CALAIS – La Famille Arsenault, a musical group from Dieppe, New Brunswick, will perform two concerts for the St. Croix 2004 Celebration, sponsored by the Calais PTA and the Maine Arts Commission. The concerts will be mostly in French and will take place 9-10 a.m. Read More
    BLUE HILL – A support group for people with Parkinson’s disease, their families, caregivers and those in related health fields, will be held 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, May 19, at Parker Ridge Retirement Community. Blaine Atwood, co-founder of the Bangor Parkinson’s Disease Support Group (the first… Read More
    SOUTHWEST HARBOR – The town of Southwest Harbor has joined the Acadia Disposal District, bringing the member towns to five. The other towns are Mount Desert, the Cranberry Isles, Trenton and Tremont. The Acadia Disposal District is a quasi-municipal, nonprofit and nontaxable corporation owned by… Read More
    WARREN – SAD 40 has made significant progress toward regaining its “approved” rating, state Department of Education Commissioner Susan Gendron reported Monday, but its current grade is incomplete. “You’ve made some great new steps,” Gendron said during her first visit to SAD 40 since September… Read More
    OLD TOWN – As the town looks into relocating its municipal offices, some residents are concerned that services may be moved to the outskirts of town and are calling for a public hearing on the matter. Council members made it clear at Monday night’s meeting that a new… Read More
    Air Force Senior Airman Joshua Gray has graduated from Airman Leadership School at Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster, Mo. A 2000 graduate of Bangor Christian Schools, he is the son of Christina and Maurice Gray of Medway. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
    Mainers are receiving greetings and a request for support from Sharlene Grant of Broomfield, Colo., a member of the Leukemia Society’s “Team in Training” for the Suzuki Rock and Roll Marathon on Sunday, June 6, in San Diego. She has pledged $3,800 to the Leukemia… Read More
    CASTINE – Maine Maritime Academy could face a budget deficit of $225,000 at the end of its fiscal year next month. The deficit is the result of a number of factors, most notably a $50,000 midyear cut in state subsidy, and a $175,000 cost overrun… Read More
    PORTLAND – American Eagle airline officials are not certain why an engine in a Bangor-bound jet failed Sunday night, but mechanics bringing a replacement engine to the Portland International Jetport hope to determine the cause. “This is not something that happens every day, nor do… Read More
    BRUNSWICK – Supporters of efforts to keep the Navy’s air station off the Pentagon’s base-closure list say they’re not reassured by the fact that the government has spent tens of millions of dollars upgrading the facility. “It sure won’t be a decisive factor,” said retired… Read More
    WATERVILLE – Actor Ed Harris, who has been nominated for four Academy Awards, will return to Maine this summer to collect the Maine International Film Festival’s Mid-Life Achievement Award. Harris spent most of last fall in Maine starring as Miles Roby in HBO’s adaptation of… Read More
    The first reunion of the USS Bradley (DE/FF-1041) will be held Oct. 7-10 in San Diego, Calif. Members of the association are looking for former crew members. For information, contact Bruce Gottsch by standard mail at 20 Crambrook Road, New City, N.Y., 10956-4702; by phone at (845) 634-3993;… Read More
    BANGOR – A diminutive Thai woman was dwarfed Monday by her surroundings in federal court when she pleaded guilty to marriage fraud. Flanked by her attorney and a local translator, Pornwilai Phutwetmongkhon, 52, of Auburn waived indictment and pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to… Read More
    MONTPELIER, Vt. – Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine have joined forces this spring to fight the spread of a destructive forest pest, the pine shoot beetle. The match-head-sized beetle, native to Europe and Asia, was accidentally introduced to North America in 1990, according to a… Read More
    ALTON – Residents will vote this month at a special town meeting on whether they are in favor of the West Old Town Landfill. We the People, a group of residents opposed to the landfill deal, recently circulated petitions in Alton and received enough signatures… Read More
    ORONO – Maine Attorney General Steven Rowe will be the keynote speaker at the 11th annual Student Journalism Conference on May 12 at the University of Maine. The conference will feature more than 150 high school journalists and teachers from 27 schools, as well as… Read More
    OAKLAND – A two-day conference for woodlot owners will be held Friday and Saturday June 25-26 at Messalonskee High School. The Forestry-Agroforestry Conference will feature workshops, trade show vendors, and entertainment. Baxter State Park Chief Ranger Chris Drew will be the keynote speaker Friday afternoon. Read More
    BANGOR – Maine state Sen. Ed Youngblood, R-Brewer, spoke at Beal College’s commencement ceremony Sunday, May 2, at Peaks Auditorium. At the ceremony, 127 graduates were awarded associate’s degrees and-or diplomas. Diplomas are awarded for completing one-year programs. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
    AUGUSTA – “On Your Own,” the 2004 edition of a 76-page booklet for graduating seniors, is being distributed to Maine schools. The free booklet, provided as a public service by the Maine Bar Association, is subtitled, “A short guide to your legal rights and responsibilities… Read More
    LINCOLN – The Maine Department of Transportation is urging drivers to use additional care on Route 6 in Lincoln and Springville from late May or early June until mid-August. Road work will occur for two different projects. In Lincoln, the project area will begin at… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – The Pittsfield Garden Club has planned a two-day trip to various gardens in Massachusetts for the public this summer. A Cyr Tour bus will leave at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, from Pittsfield. Cost, based on the number of people who sign up,… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Opponents of a possible liquefied natural gas terminal on Sears Island took their concerns Monday to the State House, where Gov. John Baldacci emphasized any decisions for a fuel storage plant would have to be made at the municipal level. At least two… Read More
    PORTLAND – The mother of a girl who was bitten by a Lisbon police dog says her daughter has been traumatized by the encounter and she has hired a lawyer to consider her legal options. “I just feel like the police aren’t doing enough,” said… Read More
    A Benedictine monastic order has acquired a former convent in Jay with plans to convert it into a refuge for people who have been expelled from their religious orders because of their sexual orientation. The Rev. Brother Stephen Bernard, who founded The Community of All… Read More
    BANGOR – The Indian Island man who allegedly kidnapped his 13-year-old daughter is scheduled to be arraigned today in Penobscot County Superior Court on charges of gross sexual assault. Bert Francis, 45, was moved Monday from the York County Jail in Portland to Penobscot County… Read More
    GUILFORD – An employee of Interface Fabrics Group, formerly Guilford Manufacturing, was injured Monday when his hand became stuck in a carding machine. A co-worker witnessed the accident and quickly summoned emergency responders, who administered first aid while an ambulance was en route, according to… Read More
    ST. ALBANS – When he decided to install energy-efficient fans in his barn in St. Albans, dairy farmer Burt Taylor not only reduced his electric bill, but he also qualified for a $12,500 rebate. The rebate is the largest check cut to a dairy farm… Read More
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins are asking the leaders of the Senate Appropriations Committee that oversees funding for veterans programs to allocate $29.8 billion for veterans health care, a $3.2 billion increase over the appropriated amount in last year’s budget and $2.9 billion more… Read More
    Sometimes when I sew I go at it with hammer and tongs. Literally. Recently, my sewing tools included a ball-peen hammer, wire snips, needle nose pliers, the shears I use for pruning roses and an awl. Plus a paper clip and a narrow strip of duct tape. The… Read More
    BANGOR – PBS’ Nick Woodward won a New England Emmy in outstanding achievement in program videography for his work in 2003 earlier this month at The 27th annual Boston/New England Emmy Awards ceremony in Boston. The camera work Woodward was cited for was seen in… Read More
    Bucksport freshman Terren Hall didn’t think she was going to be doing much pitching for the Golden Bucks. After all, Bucksport had senior Nikki Smith, a Penobscot Valley Conference Class B all-star last year. But when Smith suffered some injuries from a car accident recently,… Read More
    Many of us think of fishing as a tonic for the soul; it’s during those solitary times (or times spent with a couple of close friends) when we are able to unwind, appreciate the simple pleasures, and connect with nature. That’s what we tell ourselves,… Read More
    COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The National Strength and Conditioning Association recently awarded University of Maine student-athletes Katie Page and Michael Zyskowski its annual All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year awards, recognizing their dedication to strength training and conditioning. Page has been a two-year… Read More
    HIGH SCHOOL At Presque Isle 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
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