BANGOR – A national women and children’s advocacy group on Tuesday gave Maine a near-failing grade for its lack of effective policies on paid sick leave for public- and private-sector workers. But the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and the Maine chapter of the National… Read More
    LINCOLNVILLE – As if on cue, the rain began falling lightly Monday afternoon as Tom Sadowski undertook his sad chore. After learning of the latest U.S. military death in Iraq from a Web site, Sadowski, 53, walked to the edge of his yard on Main… Read More
    A State section story in some editions Tuesday incorrectly identified the attorney involved in a lawsuit by the McLaughlin family of Lincolnville against the Lincolnville School District. Attorney Melissa Hewey represented the district. Also, the plaintiff will receive payments of about $549 per month for 10 years, not… Read More
    Some of Maine’s growers of wild blueberries are starting to explore the formation of a grower-owned processing cooperative. The effort so far amounts to gauging interest among the state’s estimated 500 growers, most of whom are still immersed in the settlement of their class action… Read More
    TURNER – To meet the needs of women who are entering the field of farming at an unprecedented rate, the Maine Women’s Agricultural Network is providing a fall seminar geared specifically to women. In Maine, the number of women operating farms has increased by more… Read More
    HARPSWELL – Residents who support a liquefied natural gas terminal in Harpswell have submitted a petition in hopes of forcing the town to hold another vote on building a nearby storage terminal. “We heard from a lot of people who were afraid to sign our… Read More
    PORTLAND – New England’s largest grocer is preparing to expand into Maine, setting the stage for fresh competition for the state’s food dollar. Stop & Shop, a Quincy, Mass.-based unit of Ahold USA, has one store close to receiving town approval in Kennebunk and another… Read More
    Like all Americans, I am concerned about the very serious situation we find ourselves in Iraq. I am equally concerned about how we are reacting to the dilemma. Politicians are continually debating the pros and cons. One consideration is certain: Regardless of who our president is, the United… Read More
    A report on the performance of a little-known intelligence agency during the Vietnam War has finally been published after being kept secret for 35 years. The agency is the State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research, known to insiders as INR. Historians are finding the report a valuable… Read More
    A dormant law that is only now being enforced due to heightened security concerns is causing unnecessary anxiety for Canadian nurses and the hospitals along the U.S. border that employ them. A delay in implementing the law while better solutions are found could assure the security goals are… Read More
    Regarding the article, “SAD 63 residents OK budget, prepare for vote” (BDN, June 4). I have lived in Eddington for 17 years and have served on the SAD 63 board of directors and most recently as a member of the Community Development Committee. As such,… Read More
    Regarding the op-ed, “Watching our waste line” (BDN, May 26), Greg Lounder touted the Penobscot Energy Recovery Co. as Maine’s “unsung success story.” As most of us in Orrington remember, when PERC’s promoters came to town with a plan for building the plant here, they… Read More
    While contemplating the state of the state after voting on June 8, I had this thought. What if following the actions of Sept. 11, 2001, the United States had spent $20 million improving national security rather than rushing off half-cocked to hunt down Saddam Hussein?… Read More
    Maine residents seem to be in a pickle over how to fund education. Many people want the state to increase its share of the expense from 45 percent to 55 percent. The backers of this measure say that once the state government increases its funding, the cities and… Read More
    State environmental officials have approved a second herbicide application on a southern Maine pond in an attempt to control an invasive plant known as “the perfect weed.” In 2002, Department of Environmental Protection scientists verified that a hydrilla population had been established in Pickerel Pond… Read More
    BANGOR – Bangor High School freshmen who scored poorly on English-Language Arts and math assessments during the past year will have another opportunity this summer to demonstrate they’ve met the state’s academic standards. From July 6 to 23 at the high school, students will be… Read More
    ABBOT – A pair of pesky osprey whose nesting place has now become a gated community appear unwilling to give up their prime real estate. The nesting activity of the birds came to light after they caused three power outages in May and earlier this… Read More
    AUGUSTA – The State Planning Office, as the owner of the West Old Town Landfill, has challenged appeals made to the Board of Environmental Protection to reverse a previous order permitting the project. Because of the appeals, the state and Casella Waste Systems Inc., the… Read More
    Bangor police chased a juvenile through a back yard and over a fence early Tuesday morning after the young man wriggled free from an arresting officer. The teenager matched the description of one of two young men who allegedly burglarized an unlocked Honda Civic parked… Read More
    HOLDEN – Ralph McLeod was elected council chairman Monday during a regular council meeting, and Ellen Campbell was chosen as vice chairman. The five-member board also decided during the meeting to stick with Waste Management for the town’s solid waste pickup, according to Town Manager… Read More
    SKOWHEGAN – After obtaining an assessment of four potential building sites for a new county jail, members of the Somerset County budget committee agreed Tuesday night to pursue only the top two selections. This was considered a major move by a committee that has been working for more… Read More
    BREWER – After approving city and school budgets, and a reduced property tax rate, city councilors promised property owners an added reduction next month after final figures for fiscal year 2003-2004 are logged. “Next month we hope to do more and [offer] a much more… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – Town councilors Tuesday night approved 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 with funds from the Maine Department of… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – Police said Tuesday they are investigating the theft from a local doctor’s office of 18 different kinds of drugs worth between $500 and $1,000. The drugs were taken late June 9 or early June 10 from the Commerce Street offices of Dr. Stephen… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – A Belfast man is facing charges after defecating Monday on the floor of Ellsworth Public Library, according to police. John Hall, 68, was not intoxicated or angry when he allegedly relieved himself in a meeting room of the State Street library, Ellsworth police… Read More
    UNION – Residents approved all articles on Monday’s town meeting warrant, including a $1.4 million budget for the coming year. The $1,422,585 spending plan represents a 7.2 percent increase, compared with last year’s budget. As a result of the vote, the amount to be raised… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – Hancock County will not have to spend several hundred thousand dollars on fire and rescue capabilities just to keep its airport open, a county official said Tuesday. Bob Cossette, manager of the county’s airport in Trenton, had alerted Hancock County commissioners earlier this… Read More
    BELFAST – The City Council on Tuesday approved a 2004-2005 municipal budget calling for expenditures of $7.2 million. The $7,199,141 budget is $223,259 higher than last year’s gross budget of $6,975,882. It represents a 3.1 percent spending increase over the previous year. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    STONINGTON – Voters will decide next week whether to approve a contract with the Maine State Police to provide full-time patrol coverage for the town. Residents will vote on the contract at a special town meeting set for 6 p.m. Monday, June 21, at the… Read More
    CARIBOU – Michael D. MacDonald entered pleas Tuesday of not guilty and not criminally responsible by reason of insanity to charges he murdered his father two months ago. MacDonald, appearing before Justice E. Allen Hunter in Superior Court at Caribou, also entered a plea of… Read More
    HOULTON – Town councilors were stumped on Monday evening when a former councilor and local attorney questioned them about a recent decision that he said made “bad business sense.” Michael Carpenter, a Houlton resident, quizzed councilors about their knowledge of a $250,000 project that the… Read More
    HOULTON – Town councilors on Monday evening approved the appointment of a fellow councilor to a seat on the town’s planning board. Councilor Mike Blanchard was appointed to the board by a 4-2 vote after councilors debated the seemliness of him becoming the newest member… Read More
    Caribou District Court Cases May 1-31, 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
    ELLSWORTH – A Sullivan man who two years ago intentionally drove his car into other moving vehicles and fought with police after crashing his car into a house on Oak Street avoided a criminal trial Tuesday by pleading guilty in Hancock County Superior Court to multiple misdemeanor charges… Read More
    HOULTON – In a tense meeting Monday evening, town councilors debated whether to discipline Town Manager Peggy Daigle for her handling of an anonymous letter that one councilor said contained “defamatory” statements about him. Councilors voted 4-2 against the measure, with the majority of councilors… Read More
    BANGOR – A proposal to rezone 50 acres near the ecologically sensitive Penjajawoc Marsh narrowly made it through the planning board Tuesday night. After two failed attempts to delay action on the request, board members voted 3-2 to send the request on to the City… Read More
    CAMDEN – The SAD 28 board approved a $2.6 million bond last week from First National Bank of Damariscotta. The funds will cover the cost of purchasing and renovating the former Children’s House Montessori School on Route 90 in Rockport. The school will house students… Read More
    BANGOR – City councilors authorized on Monday night the installation of a plaque honoring the memory of Charlie Howard, the 23-year-old gay man whose death 20 years ago will be commemorated on July 7. The plaque will be placed along the Kenduskeag Stream near the… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – An Orneville man involved in a bizarre case of missing marijuana and a search to find it was sentenced Friday to 10 months in prison. Roy C. Richards, 37, who last month pleaded guilty in Piscataquis County Superior Court, was sentenced by Chief… Read More
    BANGOR – Supporters working to meet the needs of area soccer players and other field sports enthusiasts edged closer to their goal of a place to play on Monday night. City Council members during their meeting unanimously adopted a resolve in support of the Bangor… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – Mayo Regional Hospital has joined the growing number of hospitals seeking a “critical access” status to enable them to get higher Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements. “We will not change the way we care for patients, we will continue offering all of our existing… Read More
    CORINTH – The 70-year tradition of prohibiting the sale of alcohol within town lines will continue after a vote by Corinth residents Tuesday. Townspeople voted 402 to 334 to keep Corinth a dry town, the first vote on the issue since 1973. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    Rockland District Court Cases June 7-11, 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
    CHERRYFIELD – Relatives and friends of a Township 10 man who was shot to death nearly four years ago by his live-in girlfriend are actively opposing a three-day furlough that the Department of Corrections is considering for Malia Lowry, now imprisoned on manslaughter charges. No… Read More
    TREMONT – Selectmen declined Monday to accept the resignation of Selectman Steve Harper, approving instead a two-month leave of absence for the veteran town official. Harper had tendered his resignation earlier this month, saying he needed to spend more time on personal matters. When other… Read More
    ROCKLAND – The Atlantic Challenge will host an open house from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 19, in conjunction with its Nautical Flea Market at 643 Main St. The public is invited to visit the Atlantic Challenge’s traditional wooden boat-building school, The Apprenticeshop,… Read More
    SURRY – The annual meeting of the Surry Historical Society will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, June 21, at the old Town Hall. Robert Slaven Jr. will speak about the historic homes of Blue Hill. Read More
    BUCKSPORT – The Bucksport Bay Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its quarterly lunch from noon to 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, at The View Restaurant. Maureen Hedges, certified employee benefit manager, will be the guest speaker. Her address will explore new directions in health care financing. Read More
    CARIBOU – The Caribou City Council on Monday night approved the city school department’s education budget for 2004-2005 without amendment. During a public hearing at the outset of the city council meeting, the Caribou School Department presented a budget of $12,369,883, an increase of $411,253… Read More
    Aroostook County Superior Court, Cases Feb. 1-29, 2004 Rockne J. Albert, 42, Portland, driving while under influence of intoxicants, $600, license suspended 90 days. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i… Read More
    ROCKLAND – Former police Lt. William Donnelly has told the city he will take legal action and file another human rights complaint, alleging he was harassed after an earlier complaint of racism and sexism in the police department. In a June 7 letter to the… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – Edward Powell Buckley is seeking a seat in the Maine state Senate for District 34. This district includes Ashland, Presque Isle, Fort Fairfield, and southern Aroostook County. A Westfield and Bridgewater native, Buckley holds a master’s degree in teaching from Colby College… Read More
    BAILEYVILLE – Waterfront property owners who last year dangled their toes in the lake next to their camp, now find their feet mired in mud. And Tuesday they let Domtar pulp and paper mill officials know that they were not happy with the ebb and… Read More
    WASHINGTON – Native American housing projects throughout Maine will receive $2,519,749 in federal block grants, U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins announced in a joint statement Monday. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded the grants to three Maine tribes. The Penobscot… Read More
    Lots of excitement surrounds what is “an almost entirely new lineup” for this year’s free summer concerts on the Bangor Waterfront, according to Sally Bates of the sponsoring Bangor Center Corp. “Cool Sounds: Music on the Bangor Waterfront” is 7 p.m. Thursdays, beginning June 17… Read More
    PORTLAND – Two brothers indicted last week in the fatal shooting of a New Hampshire man at a tourist information center in Yarmouth pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of murder and robbery. Ryan Hopkins, 22, of South Portland, and his brother, Shawn Hopkins, 28,… Read More
    AUBURN – A convicted sex offender living in Maine has been charged with aggravated assault after allegedly attacking a Durham man with a steel rod. Ronald Leno, 56, was being held at the Androscoggin County Jail. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
    BANGOR – Maine high school students entering their senior year will have a chance to experience firsthand the process of local and state government at the 2004 Dirigo Boys and Girls State. More than 800 students have been chosen to participate in this year’s events,… Read More
    AUGUSTA – An Augusta man died from injuries he received when he was struck by a train while fishing from a trestle over a stream in Belgrade. Gerald Kinnie, 32, died after being removed from life support Monday. He was airlifted to Central Maine Medical… Read More
    KENNEBUNKPORT – New York’s Coney Island has its hot-dog-eating contest. New Orleans has an oyster-eating contest. Now Maine is getting into the act, with the state’s famous crustacean in the starring role. The Maine Lobster Promotion Council is holding five lobster-eating contests at summer festivals… Read More
    Tea for dues Now’s the time to become a member at Bar Harbor’s Abbe Museum – especially if you’re hungry. People who join the museum at the household level ($50) by June 30 will receive a coupon good for a serving of tea (or other… Read More
    It is a difficult situation. Youngsters today have a multitude of activities to choose from. As a result, you are constantly driving by well-manicured baseball fields that are empty. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
    CAPE ELIZABETH – Physicians, nurses, EMTs and non-medical volunteers are needed to help staff the medical tent at the upcoming Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race. Organizers want to make sure there will be enough medical personnel to adequately treat runners suffering from race-related… Read More
    HOLE-IN-ONE Dick Fournier 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 Maine Softball Coaches Assoc. 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
    HERMON – The Hermon Boosters Club is sponsoring an open house to honor and congratulate the Eastern Maine Class B Baseball Champions in the Hermon High School gym on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Fans, staff, parents, and family are invited to attend. Refreshments in the cafeteria afterwards. Call… Read More
    If the Milwaukee Brewers are right, Mark Rogers will be pitching in front of larger crowds some day – in the major leagues. But for Maine high school baseball, Monday night’s Class A state championship game between Mount Ararat of Topsham and Deering of Portland… Read More
    It wasn’t the daily trips from his home in Bangor to practice in Harrington that were tiring for Ron Brown. It was traveling to places like Eastport and Lubec after starting dialysis at 5:45 a.m. that was too much for the Narraguagus boys basketball coach. Read More
    BANGOR -Chris Carman and Ben Relyea each singled to drive in a pair of runs and lead Montville to A 9-2 Bay League baseball victory over Aerus Electrolux at the Winkin Complex on Tuesday. Pasco Grove tripled with a RBI for Montville and George Tripp… Read More
    WASHINGTON – The Senate voted 65-33 Tuesday to give gays and lesbians protection under the federal hate crime law, and officials said a debate was likely next month on a far more controversial measure to amend the Constitution with a ban on homosexual marriages. Taken… Read More