Only one of five insurance companies that expressed an interest in submitting bids to provide coverage through Maine’s Dirigo Health Program has filed an “intent to bid” notice with the state. And that firm – Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine – isn’t… Read More
A Monday State page story on the Maine Democratic State Convention incorrectly spelled the name of a spokesman for presidential hopeful John Kerry. His name is Jesse Derris. Read More
PORTLAND – Some of Maine’s traditional natural resources-based industries have stepped up their exports, making up for the falling fortunes of the state’s semiconductor industry. The shift has helped propel Maine’s international trade to a strong performance, with the state’s exports growing 10.9 percent last… Read More
BANGOR – Small businesses and their promoters were honored Tuesday by the Maine Small Business Administration for their willingness to take risks. Sen. Olympia Snowe, speaking at an afternoon gathering, told honorees that the common thread among them is their passion to create a product… Read More
WATERVILLE – The 80 applications to Maine’s 3-month-old tax incentive program to promote business development in economically lagging parts of the state are more than double what organizers said they expected. “It’s been very encouraging,” said Jack Cashman, commissioner of economic and community development. “The… Read More
PORTLAND – The prosecutor in Maine’s most populous county has announced a new program to help businesses combat losses from customers who pass worthless checks. Cumberland County District Attorney Stephanie Anderson said the Check Enforcement Program’s goal is to assure full restitution, including any bank… Read More
A recent report by the States News Service mentioned, among other things, Gov. Baldacci’s intention to bring back the legislators in late summer for the purpose of getting a complete bond package on the November ballot. It touched off a recollection of a bond package presented to the… Read More
Maine prides itself when it is at the top of national rankings and typically frets and forms task forces when it is at the bottom. Here’s a ranking that deserves more than a little fretting and a lot of action: Maine is third worst in the nation when… Read More
The general knock against President Bush’s speech Monday was that it lacked specifics and restated the obvious. In his defense, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John W. Warner said the president was “at his best tonight in laying a foundation, upon which he has to build every week… Read More
If you live in Greater Bangor, you might know that Galen Cole has banded together Maine World War II veterans each year on Memorial Day. What he’s done to memorialize the World War II veterans and Purple Heart recipients is impressive. At 1:30 p.m. Monday,… Read More
The word “disgusted” has been used a lot lately to describe the recent actions by U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq. I am disgusted with each report of another life lost in a needless war. The Bush administration should be expressing more disgust about the humiliation of the four… Read More
As a retired soldier and a reserve soldier, I hope to see some senior noncommissioned officers as well as some captains, majors and colonels being court-martialed for the reported abuses of detainees in Iraq. Lowly enlisted personnel do not take this kind of personal initiative without the leadership… Read More
For a year now, we’ve been exposed to the relentless front-page articles and editorials from The Associated Press containing the anti-Bush administration mantras of: “Where are the weapons of mass destruction?” and “Bush lied.” Now that a WMD has been used against coalition troops in… Read More
Maine has enough tax problems already with a Democratic governor and House of Representatives; we don’t need a president who doesn’t support the U.S. troops or working Americans. People need to remember, to a liberal, anyone with a job is rich. Sen. John Kerry will… Read More
Let’s face it, we all throw stuff away. The good news is that we throw less away than we used to, because recycling is more convenient. And as recycling becomes a habit, and our commitment to waste reduction increases, we will do an even better job in the… Read More
On June 8, Maine voters will be asked to vote again on a question 62 percent of us rejected last November. Question 1 asks, “Do you want the State to pay 55% of the cost of public education, which includes all special education costs, for the purpose of… Read More
AUGUSTA – Efforts to make state government more environmentally friendly have paid big dividends since Gov. John Baldacci proposed several energy-savings measures shortly after taking office in January 2003. “We were seeking to be more green, and now we are saving green as a result,”… Read More
BANGOR – Aroostook County’s four hospitals have a mutual-aid agreement for streamlined support in extreme situations such as disasters, but one hospital official wondered Tuesday how quickly help from outside The County would come in drastic situations. With Bangor the closest designated site for receiving,… Read More
HAMPDEN – As a former kindergarten teacher, Maine’s first lady used to keep a sharp eye on the snacks her pupils brought to school. “Nothing would give me a worse day than seeing chips and soda at 10 a.m. for a 5-year-old,” said Karen Baldacci. Read More
BANGOR – A federal jury on Tuesday found a Canadian bolt company not liable for the injuries that paralyzed a young boy 10 years ago in an automobile accident. After hearing testimony for three weeks, the jury of four men and five women deliberated only… Read More
BANGOR – Work is beginning to wind down on the Beth Pancoe Municipal Aquatic Center in Hayford Park, set to open next month. The $1,785,000 project is funded largely through a $1.4 million gift from authors Stephen and Tabitha King. The city covered the $385,000… Read More
PORTLAND – A gun found in the house of one of the women held as a material witness in the fatal shooting of a New Hampshire man matches a shell casing found at the murder scene, according to an affidavit released Tuesday. Penny Black, 28,… Read More
TOWNSHIP 1 RANGE 8 WELS – A jubilant reunion of high school friends from New Jersey turned tragic Tuesday evening when a canoe tipped over on chilly Millinocket Lake. Michael Schafer, 19, of Atco, N.J., was presumed to have drowned when the canoe in which… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – The Aroostook County Action Program is poised to administer another year of Head Start for area preschoolers with a federal grant. The $836,142 grant from the Department of Health and Human Services was one of two issued for Head Start programs in… Read More
BANGOR – City councilors on Monday unanimously confirmed the appointment of an interim supervisor for the city’s health and welfare department. Patricia Hamilton was named the department’s acting director in the wake of the unexpected death earlier this month of Mary-Anne Chalila, whose career with… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – If the declining enrollment trend in SAD 68 continues, Foxcroft Academy may need to step up its boarding program to replace the loss of public tuition funds, municipal officials were told Monday. Foxcroft Academy, an independent school that educates the district’s high school… Read More
NEWPORT – There was common ground Tuesday night at a public hearing on the proposed 2004-05 school budget – the first time voters in SAD 48, who have been divided over budget issues for nearly a year, appeared to have a common goal. After an… Read More
MACHIAS – The state plans a public meeting about management of some public lands in coastal Washington and Hancock counties early next month. The meeting, open to the public, will be 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, June 8, at 102 Science Building on the University of Maine… Read More
BELFAST – The building housing Bob’s Discount is on the market. One year after opening the discount department store in the former Ames Department Store building near U.S. Route 1A, owner Bob Dinan confirmed Tuesday that he has listed the property. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
TRENTON – Six men were arrested and 9 grams of heroin were seized Monday night after a search warrant was executed at a man’s home in Trenton. Officers with the Hancock County Drug Task Force, assisted by Ellsworth police and sheriff’s deputies, raided Clery Galarza’s… Read More
Belfast District Court Cases April 12-16, 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… Read More
MILBRIDGE – Selectmen thought they had stumbled upon a good deal in the opportunity to purchase a house on a corner lot in town for $50,000, but town residents didn’t buy into the idea Monday evening. Residents voted down 54-47 a warrant item at the… Read More
ELLSWORTH – The county’s new drug enforcement task force has already made a dent in drug trafficking, but officials remain unsure about future funding for the effort. Less than six months after its launching, the three-man Hancock County team has made 11 drug-related arrests, according… Read More
CALAIS – Officials for a Providence, R.I., company have selected a site on Beech Street between the Subway sandwich shop and the Job Center to open a methadone clinic. The proposed site is near the Police Department. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Rep. Jeremy R. Fischer, D-Presque Isle, has announced that he is seeking re-election to his District 5 seat in the Legislature. Fischer works full time at Hayden/Perry Insurance Agency in Presque Isle and is a director of the Presque Isle Area Chamber… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – The Sleep Disorders Center at The Aroostook Medical Center has been granted accreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Accreditation by the academy is recognized nationally by patients and physicians. The process includes a lengthy application, interviews and a site visit by academy representatives. Read More
FORT KENT – The Fort Kent recreation and parks department will hold 2004 swimming lesson registration 10-11:30 a.m. for residents and 11:30 a.m.-noon for nonresidents June 5 at the Municipal Building. Registration is $10 for residents and $20 for nonresidents. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – The University of Maine at Presque Isle has received a $12,000 donation from First Citizens Bank toward its centennial campaign to build a new health and physical education complex. The donation was given to UMPI by First Citizens Bank President David I. Dorsey in early… Read More
WASHBURN – Town officials are on the fast track to get rid of a drinking water warning posted weeks ago by the state, the town manager said Tuesday. The town is searching out funding for a water filtration system while simultaneously starting the project to… Read More
Following are divorces granted in 1st District Court in Madawaska during April on grounds of irreconcilable differences: Lewis L. Plourde and Mary Ann Plourde, both of St. Agatha, married June 13, 1986, at St. Agatha; custody of two children is shared. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
HOULTON – Town Councilor Gerald Adams took time out during Monday’s council meeting to criticize the town manager’s handling of an anonymous letter sent to the town office that he said was a “direct threat” to him. The issue took some 30 minutes of the… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Caroline Gentile is living proof that what goes around, comes around. Gentile, 80, who has devoted her life and half a million dollars to the University of Maine at Presque Isle, received surprise news Tuesday that the university’s health and physical education… Read More
Washburn District 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 – Town councilors have served notice they want to buy a cluster of vacant industrial buildings at the Houlton International Industrial Park. The Town Council voted Monday night to send a letter to the financing arm of the Northern Maine Development Commission requesting $200,000… Read More
Following are divorces granted in 5th District Court in Belfast in April on grounds of irreconcilable differences: Claude H. White, Searsport, and Danielle White, Belfast, married at Northport on Nov. 13, 2000; shared custody of one child. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Local schoolchildren may be crawling through smoke-filled rooms next year as part of their hands-on fire safety education. But parents should not be alarmed – the “smoke” will be nontoxic and the “rooms” will be a small-scale kitchen, living room and bedroom… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Local selectmen on Monday endorsed a 2004-05 municipal budget that will require $1,780,073 to be raised through property taxes. The amount represents an increase of $168,484 over this year. About half of that increase is reflected in the capital budget. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
HOLDEN – The community should create a $100,000 reserve fund that can be used to deal with technical issues for the planned Interstate 395-Route 9 connector project, town councilors have decided. The request for the funds will be presented to residents at the annual town… Read More
Bangor police were called Tuesday afternoon to the Broadway Shopping Center parking lot, where a child was found left in a running, unlocked vehicle. A passer-by noticed a boy crying and screaming in the back seat of a white Cadillac Escalade. The passer-by saw no… Read More
WASHINGTON – Two Maine Head Start programs will get $2.27 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The department has awarded $1,436,734 to Penquis Community Action Program Inc. in Bangor, and $836,142 to the Aroostook County Action Program Inc. in Presque Isle. Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Jonathan Seavey, 31, has been selected as Piscataquis County’s part-time emergency management agency director. Seavey, one of four people who applied for the position and one of three interviewed, will begin his duties on June 1. His job entails a 20-hour work week. Read More
WATERVILLE – Republican Bruce Stafford has announced that he is seeking a seat in the state Senate. He is running in District 25, which comprises Albion, Benton, Clinton, Unity Township, Waterville, Winslow, Detroit and Pittsfield. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
SULLIVAN – The assistant principal at Sumner Memorial High School was chosen Tuesday night by school officials to take over the school’s top job. Michael Eastman, 34, of Trenton will become the high school’s principal when Sally Leighton leaves the post at the end of… Read More
Rockland District Court Cases May 10-14, 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… Read More
ROCKLAND – A day sail to benefit Friends of Rockland Public Library will leave at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 29, from North End Shipyard and return at 2 p.m. The sail will take place aboard the schooner Isaac H. Evans under the command of Capt. Read More
KNOX – A Freedom woman suffered minor injuries after being ejected from her vehicle when it collided with another and then traveled into the side of a house. Tina Spaulding, 21, was headed west Monday afternoon on Route 137 at Knox Ridge in a 1994… Read More
UNION – Applications are being accepted for the 2004 Maine Wild Blueberry Queen. Applicants must be single Maine residents, 17 to 22 years old and high school graduates. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner =… Read More
BELFAST – The Frank D. Hazeltine American Legion Post 43 is inviting all World War II veterans to a special luncheon to celebrate the dedication of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Memorial Day. The luncheon will follow the 10 a.m. Monday,… Read More
INDIAN TOWNSHIP – American Indian songs, language and government were all part of a virtual field trip presented to middle school pupils in Andover, Mass., by the Indian Township earlier this month. Pupils heard stories of the Passamaquoddy people, looked at historical maps and photographs… Read More
BROOKSVILLE – The Spanish teacher and volunteers at Brooksville Elementary School have organized a Mexican market day. The event will be 12:30-2:30 p.m. Thursday, May 27, at the school. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
BELFAST – A local pub has filed a court challenge against provisions in the city’s Special Amusement Ordinance restricting amplified music to indoors. Marlarae and Kristian Boehmer, owners of the Lookout Pub on Front Street, contend in their suit that the city “irreparably injured” their… Read More
BELFAST – A car stolen from a Vermont man while he was having a cup of coffee at McDonald’s on Monday night was recovered one town over by state police less than an hour later. Police Chief Allen Weaver said that Oliver Williamson, 76, of… Read More
Luthera Dawson has been awarded a certificate of appreciation by the Thomaston Public Library board of trustees. Dawson recently retired from the board and as vice president after 23 years of service. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
ST. AGATHA – A hundred years after the Daughters of Wisdom came to town, the community’s Summerfest will take time to celebrate and honor them. Rome-based Sister Lise Therrien, archivist of the Congregation of the Daughters of Wisdom, will attend the events being held in… Read More
For 35 years, some very caring people have helped keep Houlton Children’s Theatre alive. The theater was founded by Bob Johnson at Ricker College, where many of the cast and crew were located, explained troupe member Julie Chapla. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grants of more than $600,000 have been awarded for two projects in Maine, according to Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins. Awarded were: googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
BAKER LAKE, New Brunswick – A Maine native living in Baker Lake died from injuries suffered in a Saturday afternoon boating accident, Royal Canadian Mounted Police said Tuesday. Reno Nadeau, 57, apparently fell from his fishing boat about 4:30 p.m. Saturday and his clothing got… Read More
GRAY – Former Maine Gov. Angus King says that when he asks people whether they intend to donate blood, the reply is often “nobody asked.” “We want all the people of Maine to consider themselves having been asked to donate blood,” King said Monday as… Read More
BANGOR – City councilors signed off Monday night on a property exchange with the University of Maine System that will provide an improved work environment for system employees and a home for the city’s new police station. The councilors’ vote authorizing an agreement with the… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Pittsfield police received confirmation this week that a Plymouth woman died last month from a morphine overdose. Colleen Marie King, 20, was found dead in bed April 17 at a High Street residence owned by David Ring. Three to four other adults were… Read More
BANGOR – Cindy Michaels has found her “mighty, mighty good man,” and his name is Adam Bonnell. Michaels, the program director and midday show host at WWBX (97.1 FM), became “Bangor’s Bachelorette” on Feb. 20. Inspired by ABC’s popular reality shows “The Bachelor” and “The… Read More
BANGOR – Organizers on Tuesday announced the second round of performers for the 66th National Folk Festival, which will take place Aug. 27-29. The group of nine acts includes: Solas, Jerry Douglas, Bobby McMillon, Los Fantasmas del Valle, Kotchegna Dance Company, Dexter Ardoin and his… Read More
Editor’s note: Kristen Andresen will be on vacation from May 31 to June 7. There will be no Tidbits that week. ‘Shroom to grow googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i =… Read More
NEW YORK – Phish, the Burlington, Vt.-based jam band whose legions of dedicated fans made them one of the nation’s top touring acts, announced Tuesday that they were breaking up. The surprise announcement came as the band prepared to release a new album, “Undermind,” on… Read More
BANGOR – It’s a whole new ballgame for the Bangor Lumberjacks in 2004. The Northeast League affiliate’s second season of independent ball in the Pine Tree State features a roster which has been almost completely revamped, a different home city, and a new ballpark. There’s… Read More
ORONO – Greg Creek has learned to be flexible during his first three years on the University of Maine baseball team. The former standout at Maranacook High in Readfield started out at third base, but spent the better part of his first two seasons primarily… Read More
PORTLAND – The rainy weather was the only thing that could keep Laura Stein from earning her fourth straight trip to the State Singles Championship girls semifinals, and the Camden Hills senior was able to outlast that. Stein was efficient, methodical and downright machine-like as… Read More
The Maine Lumberjacks will open their second season Thursday on the road against New Jersey. They will play their home opener against New Jersey on June 3. It will mark the first time a minor league baseball team will call Bangor its home. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
PORTLAND – Eastern Maine’s top two players will square off against the top two seeds from perennial tennis power Cape Elizabeth when the state schoolboy singles championships are held Thursday at the Waynflete School in Portland. No. 2 seed Eliot Potvin of Hampden Academy and… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL Maine Singles Championships 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
Scott Robinson and Matt McGraw of the University of Maine have been named to the Canadian Student National Baseball Team that will compete at the World University Baseball Championship scheduled July 23-Aug. 1 in Chinese Taipei. Robinson, a sophomore right-handed pitcher, is 3-0 with six… Read More
Greg Creek of the University of Maine is among 23 players who have been selected to play in the 30th New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association All-Star Game scheduled for Sunday at Fenway Park in Boston. Creek, a junior third baseman from Chelsea, was named to… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL Maine Singles Championships 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
HIGH SCHOOL Official standings for baseball and softball and boys and girls tennis as reported by the Maine Principals’ Association for games and matches played through May 22. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner =… Read More
BANGOR – The Bangor Lumberjacks have signed pitchers Lance Calmus and Ernie Miller along with outfielder Jake Whitesides and infielder Shin Uchino to complete their opening-day roster. Calmus, a 6-foot-5 righthander, pitched for the Atlantic City Surf of the Atlantic League last year, going 2-1… Read More
Brad Paradis knew he wanted to be a schoolboy basketball coach even while he was still a high school player. By age 19, he was the boys freshman coach at his alma mater, Old Town High School. Now, after seven years in that capacity, Paradis… Read More
ROCKLAND – Dianne Grade singled, stole second and rode home on Nicole Clark’s double, all with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning Tuesday, as Rockland pulled out a 5-4 high school softball victory over Mount View. Stacia Matthews hit an RBI single… Read More
MILLINOCKET – Adam Qualey allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out seven to help lead Stearns to a 4-1 schoolboy baseball victory over previously unbeaten Mattanawcook Academy Tuesday. Matt Barnett hit a double and two singles for the Minutemen. Steve… Read More
STACYVILLE – Patrick Willett’s double scored Cameron Cunningham, who had singled and stolen second, with the eventual winning run in the bottom of the fifth inning Tuesday as Kathadin eked out a 3-2 high school baseball victory over Ashland. Jordan Qualey chipped in with two… Read More