AUGUSTA – Gov. John Baldacci led a short ceremony that included a moment of silence outside the Blaine House on Friday to honor former President Ronald Reagan. Before an audience of about 100 people, Baldacci read a proclamation paying tribute to Reagan’s “strong leadership and… Read More
    WASHINGTON – There is a human urge to reach toward the flag-draped casket, but no clear protocol about how to do it. Nancy Reagan’s gentle touch eased the awkwardness, and Americans in T-shirts and dress uniforms drew close to salute and pray and mourn on a scale the… Read More
    There are good reasons there were no celebrations at the Maine Municipal Association offices this week after voters – or at least a small portion of voters – approved the group’s referendum question on school funding. Passage of Question 1, which requires the state to provide 55 percent… Read More
    The respected magazine National Journal a couple of weeks ago gave its readers an unusual perspective on President George Bush’s performance: a calm, reasoned analysis not from political spinners but toilers in the field of economics. The results should be remembered when the presidential race gets hotter this… Read More
    It is becoming evident that Mainers are bent on impaling themselves on the sword of a stifling tax burden. The passage of Question 1 cannot mean anything other than an eventual higher tax burden for working Maine families. By shifting the additional responsibility of funding… Read More
    Popular revisionist history being what it is, Ronald Reagan is being posthumously praised as “the great communicator,” “all-American,” the “winner of the Cold War.” With all due respect, does anyone recall his actual record? Reagan nearly bankrupt the country with his overzealous conservatism (voodoo economics)… Read More
    Finally, a president has been able to enact a Medicare prescription drug benefit despite the objections of the liberal Dem-ocrats who wanted credit for accomplishing this amazing benefit for our seniors. Can the Democrats really believe this is bad for our elders? Can the Democrats stand in front… Read More
    I commend Councilor Annie Allen for her efforts to revisit the decision regarding the proposed site of the police station and to briefly advocate for the council to carefully reconsider this most important issue. I have been a resident of Bangor’s east side for 10… Read More
    On behalf of the Northern Forest Alliance, a coalition of more than 40 organizations dedicated to the protection and stewardship of the region, I would like to thank Maine’s congressional delegation for their strong leadership on, and support for, federal land conservation funding. Sen. Olympia… Read More
    Last Monday, The Wall Street Journal reported that in late 2002 and early 2003 Bush administration lawyers rendered secret legal opinions that in waging the war on terror the administration could disregard U.S. law and treaties ratified by the United States prohibiting torture and cruel treatment. Apparently these… Read More
    In an article headlined “Prospectology 101: The History of the Phenom” on the Baseball Page Web site, writer Lance Linden analyzes America’s infatuation with raw young baseball prospects who seem destined for can’t-miss stardom in the major leagues – a curious species known in baseball terminology as “phenoms.”… Read More
    There it goes again. As I write, the LifeFlight helicopter flies over our house and neighborhood on its way, perhaps to Aroostook or Washington County, on a rescue mission. Five years after its inception and hundreds of trips later, many lives have been saved by this service which… Read More
    An e-mail I received earlier this week about Maine’s questionable commitment to its school laptop program and, therefore, its future was especially well timed. Later that day I stood at the interior balcony two floors above the main-floor exhibition hall at the Taipei World Trade Center and looked… Read More
    PORTLAND – A red tide has prompted the state to impose a ban on mussel harvesting along portions of the Maine coast and halt softshell clamming from Phippsburg to Prouts Neck in Scarborough. “Basically, for clams, Casco Bay is closed, and that probably has shut… Read More
    PORTLAND – With exports by Maine companies up more than 20 percent in six years, businesses are setting their sights on entering Eastern European countries joining the European Union this year. Getting products from pulp to food into emerging marketplaces was the focus of Maine… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – The first signs of the state’s Pine Tree Zone program rousing local economic development were showing Friday at Maine Mutual Group. Gov. John Baldacci was on hand in the afternoon to recognize the Presque Isle-based insurance firm as the first business in… Read More
    BANGOR – Paper Acquisition Corp., the Massachusetts-based company that earlier this year tried to buy bankrupt Eastern Pulp and Paper Corp., is in discussions with state officials regarding setting up operations at Eastern Pulp’s former mill in Brewer. The talks are in the preliminary stages… Read More
    MONTPELIER, Vt. – Vermont’s maple syrup producers say this year’s crop is one of the largest of the past decade. Vermont produced 500,000 gallons of syrup, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Production is up 19 percent compared to last season,… Read More
    BANGOR – The commander of Maine’s 80 Veterans of Foreign Wars posts thanked Gov. John Baldacci for attending and speaking Friday at the annual VFW convention in Bangor. But afterward she said that state leaders need to do more to help veterans. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    On its surface, the summer camp in the Maine woods will look pretty much like any other. Vehicles from around the state will arrive throughout the morning, disgorging a mountain of luggage and a slew of kids whose expressions will suggest a mixture of excitement… Read More
    Known as the boy with “100” faces, 10-year-old Travis is famous for his comical facial expressions. He is an engaging, funny and creative child whose creativity is easily recognized by his ability to build unique playthings out of many different objects. Travis loves the outdoors… Read More
    BANGOR – A change in banks resulted in bounced checks this week for Bangor Raceway, a track official confirmed Friday. Fred Nichols, manager of the city-owned harness racing track, said that because of the change to a new bank, some of the checks the raceway… Read More
    Dover-Foxcroft District Court Cases May 11-June 7, 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
    Waldo County Superior Court Cases June 7-10, 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
    GREENVILLE – “Moose Tales,” an educational event and MooseMainea’s final installment, will take place at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 19, at the Community House. “Moose Tales” is jointly sponsored by the Natural Resource Education Center and Moosehead Lake Region Chamber of Commerce. The event is… Read More
    BANGOR – A bike rodeo will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 19, at Wal-Mart. Kids of all ages are welcome, and riders must bring their own bikes. Riders completing the track will receive a certificate and a ribbon. The top four riders will… Read More
    Old Town police summoned a 12-year-old boy after a neighbor allegedly saw him break into a carwash Thursday evening. Officer Bobby Pelletier reported that at about 8 p.m., he and Officer Chris Foxworthy went to the Appearance Plus carwash on Stillwater Avenue and spoke with… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – Town councilors will vote Tuesday night on discharging the mortgage and promissory notes on an industrial park building to pave the way for SteriLogic to open its multimillion-dollar medical waste facility in Pittsfield. The building was constructed 14 years ago with funds from… Read More
    HAMPDEN – In an unusual move, the Hampden Planning Board next month will be asked to nullify an earlier decision it made granting permission to expand a lot in the Town Farms subdivision. Planning board Chairman Beric Deane said it was the first time in… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – Firefighters received two simultaneous fire calls Friday afternoon. Both turned out to be small fires that were extinguished quickly. The first fire, a small grass fire off the Webb Road, was sparked by a passing freight train, and engineers on the train called… Read More
    WINTER HARBOR – Voters are expected to approve a proposed budget of more than $1 million at their annual town meeting next week, according to a town official. They also will be asked if they want to borrow half a million dollars to spend on… Read More
    GOULDSBORO – A fire Thursday morning caused extensive damage to a home on West Bay Road but did not result in any injuries, according to a local fire official. No one was at the home of Mike and Brenda Darris at 8:45 a.m. Thursday when… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – A toddler escaped injury Friday afternoon when a truck rear-ended a car on Water Street, according to police. Janice Cross, 35, of Brooksville was driving a 1995 Saturn around 4:30 p.m. when she stopped to turn left onto Deane Street, Ellsworth police Officer… Read More
    GRAND ISLE – Fifty-three residents took nearly two hours Wednesday night at their annual town meeting to approve $438,515 in expenditures for 2004-2005. The amount includes $316,366 for municipal expenditures and $122,149 for the local share of the education budget. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
    The following divorce was granted in May in 1st District Court by Judge Ronald A. Daigle on grounds of irreconcilable differences: Toby B. Hafford, Allagash, and Kim M. Hafford, Fort Kent, married Feb. 8, 2002, at Allagash; custody of one child is shared. Read More
    CAMDEN – Maine artist Carlton Plummer will hold a book signing and painting demonstration from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 19, at Sherman’s Books and Stationery. Plummer is a member of the American Watercolor Society and holds a master’s degree in fine arts from Boston University. His… Read More
    CAMDEN – A two-day AARP driver safety program refresher course for drivers ages 50 and over will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Thursday and Friday, June 24 and 25, at the Anderson Inn. AARP driving instructor Don Lunt will help participants refine their existing skills and… Read More
    AUGUSTA – A candidate for state Senate District 23 is calling for a recount in Tuesday’s primary election. Peter Misluk Jr. of Searsmont defeated Wesley Rothermel of Belfast by 33 votes earlier this week. Rothermel contacted the Secretary of State’s Office in Augusta on Friday… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – Dr. Paul S. Strait voluntarily agreed to seek education on pain management and physician-patient communication skills in a consent agreement signed June 8, 2004, with the Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine. The board received a complaint about Strait in 2003 and… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – The American Red Cross will offer a class in pet first aid to treat cats and dogs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 26, at its Aroostook County branch, 141 State St. For information, call Judi at 762-5671 or e-mail arc.aroostook@ainop.com. Read More
    FORT KENT – A “Yoga for Kids” program for children ages 6 through 12 will be offered from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesdays at the municipal center on West Main Street. The course will last for eight weeks. Cost is $30 per student. The program… Read More
    VAN BUREN – The final numbers for the budget approved by residents at the annual town meeting Wednesday night had not been compiled Friday, but a tax increase seemed imminent. Town Manager Larry Cote said the numbers would be crunched on Monday. Election results were… Read More
    AUGUSTA – A Kennebec County jury has returned a guilty verdict in the manslaughter trial of a Randolph man charged in a crash that killed a teenage passenger from Hallowell. Denny Johnson, 28, was accused of acting recklessly in the July 2002 crash in which… Read More
    ORONO – Retired music educator Dale Huff of Abbot has been inducted into the Maine Music Educators Hall of Fame. Huff was presented the honor on May 21 at the Maine Music Educators Conference Banquet held at the University of Maine. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    TRENTON – The eighth annual James Russell Wiggins Down East Family YMCA Golf Tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 29, at the Bar Harbor Golf Course. Cost is $60 per person if preregistered, and $65 the day of the tournament. Cost includes… Read More
    SOUTHWEST HARBOR – The eighth annual Hospice Regatta of Maine will take place Saturday, July 17, at Dysart’s Great Harbor Marina. Racing events and competitions will take place on the water throughout the day. The junior regatta for young sailors will be held Friday, July 16, at the… Read More
    ORLAND – An open house for Home-workers Organized for More Employment craft shops will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, June 25, at the H.O.M.E. shops at the intersection of Schoolhouse Road and Route 1. Free snacks and a raffle will be offered. The event… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – The Ellsworth Fire Department will hold a presentation on fire prevention and safety at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 19, at the Children’s Department of the Ellsworth Public Library, in the Riverview Room. Tours will be given on a firetruck. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security is awarding a $45,504 federal grant to the Brooklin Fire Department through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins announced recently. The grant will assist in fire operations and firefighter safety training. Read More
    ELLSWORTH – The Union River Canoe Race will start at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 26, at the Graham Lake Dam. The race will end at the city dock on Water Street. Cost is $10 per person. The race is 5 miles long, with one portage around the dam. Read More
    PORTLAND – A group seeking to preserve the nation’s third-oldest African-American meetinghouse has applied to the city for landmark status amid financial problems and project delays. Seven years after the Committee to Restore the Abyssinian Church started its work, the four-story building at the edge… Read More
    PORTLAND – Indictments handed up in last month’s fatal shooting of a New Hampshire man at a tourist information center in Yarmouth pointed to robbery as the apparent motive. Ryan Hopkins, 22, of South Portland and his brother, Shawn Hopkins, 28, of Old Orchard Beach… Read More
    ORONO – Free courses for adults considering college are being offered by the Maine Educational Opportunity Center at the following locations and times: ? 9 a.m.-noon Tuesday, June 22, at the University College at Thomaston. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
    ROCKLAND – Advance tickets are on sale for the 57th annual Maine Lobster Festival. The festival runs from Wednesday, Aug. 4, to Sunday, Aug. 8. General admission tickets are $10 at the gate and $7 in advance. Admission for children 6 through 12 are $2 at all times. Read More
    On July 7, the Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor will join many individuals, churches and synagogues in Bangor and Brewer to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the death of Charles O. Howard. Twenty years ago, Charlie, an out, gay man, was taunted by three young… Read More
    PORTLAND – Apple Computer Inc. is seeking to determine the minimum level of participation needed to make it possible to rent laptops to school districts seeking to expand the program into high schools. Education Commissioner Susan Gendron said Friday that she hopes to gauge support… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – A Superior Court justice on Friday rejected a Bradley man’s no-contest plea in connection with a manslaughter charge during a sentence hearing in Piscataquis County Superior Court. Chief Justice Nancy Mills said she wanted more time to review the police reports regarding Konrad… Read More
    LUBEC – Ursula Danforth, Lubec’s oldest resident, died Wednesday at age 105, five weeks short of her 106th birthday. A native of Lubec, Danforth had been living at the Oceanview Nursing Home for about a year. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
    OLYMPIA, Wash. – The FBI has warned at least 10 police departments across the country, including the department in Portland, Maine, that radical environmentalists might be staging protests this weekend to show their support for a jailed arsonist. The FBI sent bulletins to police, saying… Read More
    BIDDEFORD – A dozen city and state police detectives continue to investigate the killing of a man whose body was found face-down on a road outside his home, but few details are being released. Rafael Rosado, 26, was shot early Wednesday. Police have not commented… Read More
    Following are divorces granted in 5th District Court in Ellsworth during March, April and May on grounds of irreconcilable marital differences: Karyn Kuchenbaur and Matthew Mattes, both of Sedgwick, married June 15, 1991, at Dighton, Mass., joint custody of two children. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    Every now and then, a book comes along that makes other writers pay attention … shake their heads … and say something that they (or we, as the case may be) don’t like to say. I wish I had written that book. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    ORONO – “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” That is the Special Olympics oath and it was on full display during the Maine Summer Special Olympics at the University of Maine track Friday. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    Andy Santerre of Cherryfield said he doesn’t think he has raced at Unity Raceway since 1994. Santerre, the defending two-time Busch North points champ, is among the 75-plus drivers who will look to pocket the $25,000 that will go to the winner of Sunday night’s… Read More
    Three Eastern Maine high school baseball teams will play for state championships Saturday. Two, reigning Class C state champion George Stevens Academy of Blue Hill and Eastern D winner Lee Academy, have recent experience in state title games – with GSA making its third straight… Read More
    Chad Hayes of Old Town will play tight end for defending NFL Europe champion Frankfurt against Berlin in World Bowl XII today in Gelsenkirchin, Germany. Hayes, who starred at the University of Maine from 1998-2001, caught 11 passes for 144 yards and three touchdowns for… Read More
    HIGH SCHOOL All-Star Baseball Game Roster 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
    Former University of Maine defenseman Dave Nonis became one of the National Hockey League’s youngest general managers last month when he was promoted by the Vancouver Canucks. Former GM Brian Burke didn’t have his contract renewed. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
    LYNN, Mass. – The North Shore Spirit extended their winning streak to three Friday with a 6-4 come-from-behind win over the Bangor Lumberjacks in Northeast League action at the New Fraser Field. The Spirit used a six-run eighth inning, highlighted by Yuri Sanchez two-run triple,… Read More
    Legislators from around the state won’t be casting votes this weekend; they’ll be casting fishing line to raise money for charity. The eighth annual Governor’s Cup Charity Bass tournament will take place on Lake Cobbossee in Litchfield and nearly 20 senators, representatives, legislative staffers and… Read More
    When most hikers trek Maine trails, it’s a good bet they’re not thinking of how the trail got there in the first place. If they wonder about it at all, they probably figure a local trail club designed and built that fantastic tour through the woods to the… Read More
    The limitations of Father’s Day gift-giving are many. For starters, how many ties does your dad need? Then there’s the whole what-if-he-doesn’t-like-it factor. But the worst is the week-before buy, in which Dad purchases the exact gift you had planned to give him a week before the big… Read More
    Some people have way too much time on their hands. Like the editors at Total Film Magazine. These blokes (English, according to their bizarre spelling) contacted film critics for their opinions on the “best movie death.” googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More