No one knows exactly what will happen to Maine’s black bear population if a November referendum to ban bear baiting is approved by voters, but taxidermists say that in every scenario, they lose. The Maine Association of Taxidermists estimates that its members could lose a… Read More
    MACHIAS – A political advertisement in one of Washington County’s weekly newspapers for Diana Boone, a candidate in Tuesday’s primary election for a Washington County commissioner’s position, cites qualifications belonging to her husband, not her. “Re-elect Boone County Commissioner” reads the ad, indicating: “Chairman of… Read More
    A story published Thursday in the State section reported that 77 people have been killed on Maine highways this year compared to only 78 for all of last year. Actually, 207 fatalities were reported last year. Seventy-eight of the 207 occurred before Memorial Day last year, according to… Read More
    Fund raising for the bear referendum campaign has topped a million dollars. Reports filed with the Maine State Ethics Commission on Thursday show that Maine Citizens for Fair Bear Hunting, the group advocating for a ban on bear trapping, shooting over bait and hunting with… Read More
    OAKLAND – Officials at the business park where L.L. Bean plans to build a new call center hope the presence of the nationally recognized retailer will attract other tenants. Chief Operations Officer Leonard Dow said L.L. Bean’s plan to build a 50,000-square-foot call center is… Read More
    BANGOR – Among the 1,325 exhibitors at what’s considered the most prominent international biotechnology conference starting Sunday in San Francisco will be a Maine trade group sharing a booth with its New Hampshire counterpart. The state’s biotechnology sector does not dismiss the importance of the… Read More
    YARMOUTH, Nova Scotia – A scientific study will be conducted this summer on lobster stocks in southwestern Nova Scotia. Many fishermen in the area have reported spring catches of several soft-shelled lobster containing little meat. It has resulted in a poor product being shipped to… Read More
    President Bush has taken decisive action to protect our security since Sept. 11, 2001. The creation of the Homeland Security Department and passage of the Patriot Act are both testaments to the president as a leader and our nation’s ability to implement the changes necessary to adjust to… Read More
    George Tenet’s announced departure yesterday as director of the Central Intelligence Agency was the first major change since members of Congress and the public began wondering aloud why no top officials were being held accountable for intelligence failures before and since Sept. 11. But his reason for leaving,… Read More
    Despite patriotic rhetoric from Washington, it is hard to imagine it treating service personnel much worse. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers were sent to Iraq without receiving the equipment and training necessary to deal with a populace that has greeted them with rocket propelled grenades and roadside bombs,… Read More
    It has been an honor for me to serve the people of District 7 in the Maine Senate for the past 71/2 years, and I regret that my work in the Senate will come to an end this November because of term limits. Over the… Read More
    George W. Bush wears cowboy boots and passes himself off as a regular guy. Then he cuts taxes to the wealthy. Would a regular guy do that? How gullible are we? googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
    I read with interest and a great deal of dismay the article, “Soldier gets year in jail for desertion” (BDN, May 22-23). It appears from this that the United States has more and more serious problems than we are aware of; here is a young… Read More
    I find it amazing that the majority of news agencies and the political left continue to keep the story of the “abused” prisoners on the front page. What I don’t understand is the same press and outrage over the brutal murder of Nick Berg. The… Read More
    TOWNSHIP 15 RANGE 15 – After more than a year of living under strict border crossing rules, residents of this tiny western Aroostook County township believe they finally are getting somewhere with the federal government. At the same time, residents say they would like to see the government… Read More
    BANGOR – A Houlton woman is seeking more than $1.5 million from a Millinocket trucking firm in a wrongful-death lawsuit filed in Penobscot County Superior Court. Tina M. Jay has sued Emery Lee and Sons Inc. and its employee, Cleveland A. Richardson Jr., 48, of… Read More
    BLUE HILL – The trustees of George Stevens Academy are looking for someone to design the high school they need for the future. The board has begun advertising for an architect-planner to develop a comprehensive campus plan for the 200-year-old, independent high school. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    GREENVILLE – A local businessman who was unable to expand his business without the purchase of additional land now can do so thanks to support from the town. Selectmen on Wednesday approved the sale of a small parcel of land at the southern end of… Read More
    HAMPDEN – SAD 22 residents on Thursday wasted no time approving a proposed $18.8 million budget during a district meeting that will be followed next week by a referendum to confirm their initial decision. The referendum will be held Tuesday, June 8 as part of… Read More
    HOLDEN – The $8 million SAD 63 budget was resoundingly approved at Thursday’s annual budget meeting. Approximately 57 residents of Clifton, Eddington and Holden voted to support the 11 budget articles. The proposed 2004-05 budget is $8,015,930, an increase of $249,979, or 3.22 percent, over… Read More
    BANGOR – Three students have been summoned in connection with vandalism that occurred at Bangor High School early Wednesday morning, according to police. Bangor police said more charges could follow. Daniel Day, 18, of Bangor has been charged with burglary and criminal mischief. Shane Sickles,… Read More
    HOULTON – People often say that when something wears out, the best idea is to replace it with a newer model. That isn’t so easy in some sections of Houlton. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
    WINTER HARBOR – A new farmers market with six vendors from the Schoodic area is gearing up to open for business later this month, according to organizers. Market members are expecting to sell their goods from 9 a.m. to noon every Tuesday in the parking… Read More
    DEER ISLE – Voters from Deer Isle and Stonington turned out in force Thursday to adopt a $5.7 million school budget for the Community School District. More than 200 residents attended the annual budget meeting – 158 from Deer Isle and 51 from Stonington –… Read More
    ROCKLAND – Two Democrats will face off in Tuesday’s primary election for the right to be on the ballot in November for a seat on the Knox County board of commissioners. Walter Breen, 70, of Thomaston and Ann Matlack, 48, of St. George both have… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – A summer luncheon to celebrate Womencare’s 25th anniversary will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 1p.m. Saturday, June 26, on the Foxcroft Academy lawn. Gov. John Baldacci, state Rep. Jim Annis, R-Dover-Foxcroft, and Senate Minority Leader Paul Davis, R-Sangerville, will join the festivities. Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – A free lecture discussing proper nutrition for seniors will be held 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, June 16, at the University of Maine Extension office. The Dexter Federal Credit Union is sponsoring the lecture. Space is limited, so preregistration is required. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    HAMPDEN – A benefit spaghetti supper for the Thurlow family will be held 5-7 p.m. Saturday, June 5, at the Hampden Kiwanis Club. Entertainment will be provided by Spontaneous Jazz Ensemble. Donations will be accepted at the door. To make advance donations, call Mary at… Read More
    BANGOR – Eastern Maine Community College’s summer term and the Summer Academy for Educators are open for registration. Depending on the course, the B Term begins June 14 or 15 and runs through Aug. 3 or 4. The Summer Academy for Educators will be held… Read More
    BANGOR – Jonette Christian of Mainers for a Sensible Immigration Policy will give a presentation titled “Mass Immigration and Cheap Labor” from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 17, at the Bangor Public Library. The lecture will address U.S. immigration policy and its impact on… Read More
    WESLEY – Perhaps the biggest item on the agenda at the Monday, June 7, annual town meeting will be whether Richard Carlow gets re-elected to his selectmen’s position. Nominations will be taken from the floor at the 7 p.m. gathering at Wesley Elementary School. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – Two young women were taken to The Aroostook Medical Center from a Main Street accident at about 1 p.m. Thursday. Jill Wardwell, 23, of Mapleton and Ashley Caron, 20, of Presque Isle were still being treated in the emergency room at TAMC… Read More
    HOULTON – Members of the zoning board of appeals said Wednesday evening that they will consider additional ways to notify residents about their meetings and also completed a mechanism for preserving audiotape recordings of their proceedings. Board member Nancy Bell brought up the communication issue… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – Beginning on Monday, June 21, the SAD 1 food service department will offer its Summer Food Service Program. All children 18 and under are eligible. No preregistration or proof of income is required. Meals will be served Monday through Friday. Sites are as follows:… Read More
    LIMESTONE – Residents will elect four municipal officials Tuesday, June 8, and act on school and municipal requests for money at the annual budget meeting Wednesday, June 9. Elections, held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., will be at the municipal building. Voters will elect… Read More
    CARIBOU – The Caribou School Department is proposing a $12,369,883 budget for 2004-2005, an increase of $411,253 more than this year’s budget. For the city, it means an increase of $205,518. Overall, the city will pay $2,978,199 of the budget. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
    Presque Isle District Court Cases April 1-30, 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]… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – At its annual meeting, Downeast Audubon will hold a presentation on “The Challenges of Recovering Endangered Species in Maine,” by Dr. Mark McCullough of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The meeting will be 7 p.m. Thursday, June 17, at the Unitarian Universalist… Read More
    CASTINE – The Castine Woman’s Club will hold its annual yard sale from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 26, at Emerson Hall on Court Street. All proceeds will go to the two scholarships the club offers each spring for high school graduates. Applicants must… Read More
    ST. AGATHA – It took 17 residents from St. Agatha and Frenchville less than 10 minutes Wednesday night to approve a $3.375 million budget to operate SAD 33 schools for 2004-2005. Mary Michaud moderated the session where not one question was asked about the budget,… Read More
    A Bangor man was summoned for animal cruelty after his dog was found entangled in its chain early Thursday morning. Officer Mike Jewett reported that at about 1 a.m., he and Sgt. Ed Potter went to a Third Street address for an animal noise complaint. Read More
    Belfast District Court Cases May 24-28, 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
    OLD TOWN – A public hearing on the potential reuse of the Herbert Sargent School to house the city’s administrative offices will be held at the 7 p.m. Monday, June 7, council meeting at the Old Town Public Library. The hearing comes after public request… Read More
    SANGERVILLE – Police have charged a Sangerville man in connection with the theft of a motor vehicle. Jay B. Johnson, 37, was charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants on May 29. He… Read More
    NEWPORT – One person was injured Thursday morning when a truck passing a line of cars triggered a four-vehicle crash on Route 7. Angela Carsley, 44, of Newport was taken to Sebasticook Valley Hospital with head injuries. She was wearing a seat belt at the… Read More
    BANGOR – Penquis Community Action Program will offer “Business Ownership 101” 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 16, at its office on 50 North St. in Dover-Foxcroft, and again 10-11 a.m. Thursday, June 17, at 262 Harlow St. in Bangor. The class will provide an overview of microenterprise operation, business… Read More
    ROCKLAND – The following divorces were granted in 6th District Court in Rockland on the grounds of irreconcilable differences: Royce Butler and Susan Butler, both of Rockport, married July 21, 1984, at Rockland. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
    The Land for Maine’s Future program will be forced to go on hiatus for at least a few months if legislators don’t meet this summer to vote on a proposed $60 million bond issue for next November’s ballot. When the legislative session ended just over… Read More
    ROCKLAND – A U.S. Coast Guard crew made an emergency boat run Thursday morning to take a 76-year-old Matinicus man from the island to the mainland. A 47-foot patrol boat was sent with a four-person crew after a 3:46 a.m. rescue call. A Rockland emergency… Read More
    FRANKFORT – Cirque Du Poulet will be the host for its third biannual arts festival from noon to midnight Saturday, June 19. The festival will feature a diverse set of bands, as well as an open mike from 7 to 8 p.m. Three Maine independent films will be… Read More
    BAR HARBOR – John Linnehan, candidate for the Maine Senate, will hold a series of meet and greets throughout Hancock County on Friday, June 4. He will be at Bar Harbor, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Bar Harbor Inn on Newport Drive; Ellsworth,… Read More
    MACHIASPORT – The district budget meeting for SAD 77, at which residents of Machiasport, East Machias, Cutler and Whiting will vote on the annual school budget, has been rescheduled for Monday, June 14. The meeting had been announced for June 8 but has been switched… Read More
    STEUBEN – Selectmen are scheduling interviews for the town’s first-ever manager position with three finalists for next Wednesday. There were five applicants after the town advertised for the new position, which was approved at the annual town meeting in March and supposed to begin July… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – Jeanette Bouma literally has brought the world to the mentally handicapped adults at the Senior Enrichment Program in central Maine. Bouma is an exchange professional from the Netherlands, working for a year in the program as a social worker. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    PORTLAND – Mounted police patrols in the state’s largest city this summer will be on mountain bikes instead of horses. For the first time in at least 16 years, the Portland Police Department won’t have a mounted patrol this summer. Chief Michael Chitwood said he… Read More
    Some people wear two hats well, and Carol Smith of Brewer is one of them. She is not only co-president of the Brewer Garden & Bird Club, she also is chairwoman of this year’s Garden Club Federation of Maine State Convention. She wrote recently with… Read More
    Shannon Greaney of Milo, teaching specialist with Jobs for Maine’s Graduates at Brewer Middle School, was named Teacher of the Year by Wal-Mart’s Brewer store. The award is given annually by the department store chain to a local teacher. Greaney received the award from Brewer… Read More
    FREDERICTON, New Brunswick – Wild Atlantic salmon populations in eastern Canada and the United States have dropped to historic lows, according to an Atlantic Salmon Federation report released Thursday. Bill Taylor, president of the New Brunswick-based federation, said that in the absence of strong domestic… Read More
    ANDOVER, Mass. – A funding shortfall has forced Andover school officials to scrap an ambitious program to provide laptops for every fifth-grade pupil in the public school system, ending an experiment that began three years ago. The school needed another $1 million for a more… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Six months into a ban on smoking at Maine bars, the president of the Maine Restaurant Association says business at some establishments is down by 30 percent, especially at bars near the New Hampshire border. “Business is off big time,” Dick Grotton said. Read More
    WINTERPORT – A local man is recovering in a Lewiston hospital after an accident early Sunday that left him with facial and bodily injuries after he was thrown from the car he was driving and pinned beneath it. Authorities are investigating whether the car was stolen. Read More
    BATH – The leader of a November ballot initiative to cap property taxes says she’ll vote for the school-funding referendum proposal on next Tuesday’s ballot. Carol Palesky of Topsham, leader of the Maine Taxpayer Action Network, said during a forum on tax reform Wednesday that… Read More
    WATERVILLE – The fifth annual Voices of the Kennebec Festival will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 5, at the Head of Falls on Water Street. Admission is free. For information, call 877-7507. Read More
    AUGUSTA – Mainers who plan to vote on Tuesday, June 8, but have questions about what district they live in can find information on newly apportioned congressional and legislative districts online or by contacting the Secretary of State’s elections division. Written boundary descriptions of Maine’s… Read More
    BREWER – A “no-cost, no-worries” community barbecue on Saturday seeks to accomplish two goals: bring displaced Eastern Fine Paper Co. millworkers together and thank everyone who helped the workers since they lost their jobs in January, said Brewer transitional team members. Millworkers and helpers can… Read More
    PORTLAND – A church initiative to conserve electricity and combat global warming has begun to take hold in Maine. Congregations interested in preserving the environment – not because it is politically correct, but because they believe their faith calls them to do so – have… Read More
    PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – Police have charged three people with criminal mischief accusing them of vandalizing a statue of the Virgin Mary at St. Catherine’s Church. Police said the statue was removed from the church garden and hung from a light fixture with a garden hose… Read More
    BANGOR – The Maine Supreme Judicial Court on Thursday vacated the $72,000 in damages awarded last year to a Bangor businessman by a Penobscot County jury. The case was sent back to Penobscot County Superior Court for a new trial on the damage award. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    AUGUSTA – A pilot project offering rail service between Portland and Rockland for special events this summer is not quite up to speed. “It’s really in the very early planning stages,” Nate Moulton, a rail planning analyst for the state Department of Transportation, said Thursday. Read More
    BANGOR – At 5:29 p.m., the sun came out. Two hours later, the Bangor Lumberjacks were raining hits down on the visiting New Jersey Jackals. The first professional run at Husson College’s Winkin Complex was scored at 6:55 p.m. by Jose Garcia. The first home… Read More
    Strong’s Tracy Gordon left behind a successful Busch North career last season. He had a four-race American Speed Association deal; ran six Pro All-Stars Series races and drove in three Busch North events. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
    BREWER – He stranded six in the first three innings. And then it was lights out. 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… Read More
    At the start of the Major League Baseball season, this column noted that how the Red Sox started would have a lot to do with how they finished. Not a bad start. The concern with the beginning of the season came because of injuries to… Read More
    ORONO – Kris Younan of Leyden High School in Franklin Park near Chicago has signed a national letter of intent to attend the University of Maine and participate in the women’s basketball program in the 2004-05 season. The 5-foot-8 guard set Leyden High records with 1,127 points and… Read More
    HIGH SCHOOL Penobscot Valley Conference 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
    HIGH SCHOOL At Hampden 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
    ORONO – The University of Maine Sports Hall of Fame is accepting nominations for the fall 2004 induction process. Nomination forms may be downloaded from goblackbears.com or obtained by contacting the Black Bear Club at 581-1130. The deadline for nominations is June 16. In order… Read More
    BOSTON – Boston University announced the founding of a women’s varsity ice hockey program that will play its inaugural season in the 2005-06 season. Brian Durocher will vacate his current position as associate head coach of the men’s team to accept the head coaching position for the women’s… Read More
    HIGH SCHOOL At Bar Harbor 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
    DYER BROOK – Sophomore righthander Adam Anderson pitched a one-hitter as the second-ranked Southern Aroostook Warriors defeated the No. 10 Bangor Christian Patriots 6-1 in Class D quarterfinal baseball action Thursday. The Warriors earned a trip to Saturday’s Eastern D semifinals. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    HERMON – Phil Cayford scored the game-winning run on a Brett Danforth double to lead No. 2 Hermon past No. 10 Erskine Academy of South China 11-10 in an Eastern Maine Class B baseball quarterfinal Thursday. Danforth had two doubles and a single with an… Read More
    HOULTON – Natasha Ritchie pitched a three-hitter with 12 strikeouts and added a two-run triple to lead the No. 2 Houlton softball team to a 6-0 victory over No. 7 Stearns of Millinocket Thursday in an Eastern Maine Class C quarterfinal game. Claire Thompson singled… Read More
    BANGOR – Stephanie Whittier allowed only three hits while striking out seven and walking one to lead the No. 5 Belfast Lions by the No. 4 John Bapst Crusaders 9-0 in an Eastern Maine Class B softball quarterfinal Thursday at Husson College. Lauren Overlock and… Read More
    In theaters RAISING HELEN, directed by Garry Marshall, written by Jack Amiel and Michael Begler, 119 minutes, rated PG-13. 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