The feature on the drummer for the band Boston in Tuesday’s Style section had an incorrect date. The Boston concert in Augusta is at 8 p.m. tonight. — googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner =… Read More
    BLANCHARD- The Hobart family’s home on the range in the remote unorganized territory of Blanchard is a unique farm where the deer and buffalo roam. To keep it going, Diana and Stephen Hobart have undertaken a number of agritourism ventures to diversify their farm and… Read More
    This year’s yield of wild blueberries could be the worst in 13 years, falling about one-third below average crops because of poor weather conditions this spring and summer, an industry forecaster predicted Tuesday. David Yarborough, a specialist at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension in… Read More
    CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Duke Energy Corp. will take a $104.9 million second-quarter charge to help foot a $207.5 million settlement of claims it overcharged for wholesale electricity during the California energy crisis, the company said Tuesday. The Charlotte-based energy company said the pretax charge will… Read More
    BELFAST – MBNA America has named Shelley Waite to oversee its northern region operations, which includes Maine. Waite began at MBNA in 1991 in the company’s customer assistance department. She later joined its management development program. She has held management positions in several business areas. Read More
    Enough time has passed for me to realize that Sen. John Kerry will get another pass from the media on two incredibly important issues. First, Kerry recently said he believes that life begins at conception and personally opposes abortion. To the rational person, this would… Read More
    When summer comes, many Maine residents head out of state for a retreat. But, Maine is not called Vacationland for nothing and many of the state’s parks, public reserved land and historic sites offer great getaways close to home. Want to camp next to the… Read More
    Even without the many blacked-out sections of the Senate Intelligence Committee’s assessment of prewar intelligence, following any definite conclusion about Iraq’s capabilities is nearly impossible. The trail of seemingly conflicting evidence suggests that key elements of the 2002 National Intelligence Estimate were not supported by the facts, that… Read More
    In regard to the Associated Press article, “Truck traffic has Texas town in a tizzy”(BDN, July 10-11). The Bangor Daily News doesn’t have to go to Alpine, Texas, to get a story of “speeding trucks, 18-wheelers spewing pollution, drowning out conversation, and clogging the streets,… Read More
    In regard to the letter, “Capping property taxes” (BDN, June 25) supporting the Palesky tax cap. Robert R. Kester states that the cap worked well in California. Perhaps he didn’t notice that they just changed governors in midstream and the first thing Gov. Schwarzenegger did… Read More
    At the bottom of the column by Linda Chavez (BDN, July 7) it was stated that she has been a civil rights commissioner during the Reagan administration during the 1980s. As I read through Chavez’s column, which accuses unions of corrupting politics and politicians, she… Read More
    On June 28, the Bangor Daily News published a lengthy Associated Press article about the inadequate performance and outdated status of this nation’s warning and alert systems. The article stated, among other things, that the Partnership for Public Warning (PPW) was concerned about the “tortoiselike movement” of the… Read More
    Recently, a district court judge in San Francisco announced that a sex discrimination case against Wal-Mart will be heard as a class action lawsuit – paving the way for the largest civil rights class action suits in history and rocketing the issue of unequal pay for women into… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Democratic, Republican and Green party leaders are hustling to find replacements for 40 legislative candidates who have dropped out of the running this year, mostly because of competing personal commitments. The major parties have until July 26 to fill the vacancies, which were… Read More
    TOPSHAM – Firefighters from 17 departments responded Tuesday to a three-alarm fire at a metal recycling yard that has burned four times in the last nine years. The fire at Grimmel Industries, in the former Pejepscot paper mill, began around 3 a.m. Tuesday and was… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – A Caribou man who may have struck a bear Monday night while riding his motorcycle was in serious condition Tuesday at a Bangor hospital. A motorist traveling on Route 1 just south of the city near Perry’s Minimart reported a body in… Read More
    HERMON – Hermon High School seniors will continue to graduate at Bangor Auditorium, the school committee decided at Monday’s meeting. “There was some discussion as to whether or not graduation should be at our school,” Superintendent Patricia Duran said Tuesday. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
    HOLDEN – SAD 63 hired two new principals – one from the district and one new hire – on Monday during its regular school board meeting. Don Spencer, Holbrook School’s fifth-grade teacher, was hired as the new prin- googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
    HOLDEN – The property tax rate for town residents will remain the same for another year after Town Council members at their regular meeting Monday set the amount. “They kept it the same as last year at $21.56 [per $1,000 of assessed property value],” Town… Read More
    ORRINGTON – The ongoing discussion about creating a combined municipal fire and ambulance service department was continued again Monday. “There was just a brief conversation and the selectmen decided we are going to have a longer meeting at the next meeting to talk about that… Read More
    ORONO – The Town Council on Monday approved the creation of a permanent university-town relations committee, first formed after a resident was attacked while trying to quiet a 3 a.m. party. After Pond Street resident Michael Curtis was attacked across the street from his home… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – With nearly as many patrons as there are Dover-Foxcroft residents, the Thompson Free Library is feeling a space crunch. The crunch is so severe that library trustees have embarked on a campaign to raise $800,000 for a new addition that would provide more… Read More
    EAST MACHIAS – About 25 residents attended a public hearing Monday evening to consider the course that selectmen are recommending: a breakaway from SAD 77 that ultimately would require approval by the state education commissioner. The presentation came from Richard Larson, a Machias resident and… Read More
    ORLAND – Engineers are reviewing the three options for a new town office building. Town officials began looking for a potential site in October, and at the annual town meeting voters transferred $50,000 to the town office building account to be used for the engineering… Read More
    BANGOR – Citing overcrowded county jails, Penobscot County commissioners expressed interest Tuesday in developing a task force to find alternatives to jail sentencing. The commissioners noted that the creation of a new jail, or even adding on to current facilities, would not stop the overcrowding… Read More
    MADAWASKA – The state Department of Transportation has announced three reconstruction projects in Aroostook County that will total more than $2.65 million. Two of the projects are on Route 11 – at Masardis and Nashville Plantation – and one is in New Canada Plantation. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    CALAIS – The city will make major upgrades to its wastewater system, thanks to a $750,000 federal grant and loan package, the city manager announced Tuesday. The funding package, involving $450,000 in loans and a $300,000 grant, will be used to replace three pump stations… Read More
    ROCKLAND – The Rockland-Thomaston Area Chamber of Commerce has launched its summer music series, Sounds of Downtown. The weekly concert takes place on Wednesdays this summer, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., through the end of August. The new location of the weekly concerts will be… Read More
    MONHEGAN PLANTATION – Coastal Mountains Land Trust has announced an all-day exploration of conservation lands of Monhegan Island on July 21. Board president John Doncaster and board member Dave Getchell Jr. will lead a group of people on a walking tour of some of the… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – Many students at the local high school go on to take college courses in the pursuit of higher degrees, but local high school seniors could get the chance to earn college credits before they graduate. Administrators told Ellsworth School Committee members at the… Read More
    ST. AGATHA – This year’s Long Lake Summerfest will include arts and crafts, boat rides, a parade and the bishop of Portland. The July 30-Aug. 1 celebration marks the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the Daughters of Wisdom in North America at St. Agatha. Read More
    HOULTON – After decades of offering the best possible accommodations to handicapped patrons at the Cary Library, the facility will undergo critical improvements with funding from a grant application, a wealth of faith and some Town Council funds. Councilors unanimously on Monday approved a motion… Read More
    BREWER – After successfully helping prosecute two Penobscot County Superior Court cases, the Brewer Police Department became eligible to receive $1,551 in forfeited funds. The City Council approved accepting the funds at Tuesday’s council meeting and placed the funds into a newly created asset forfeiture-seizure… Read More
    Someone broke into an office early Tuesday morning at True Farms Inc. in Charleston, stealing three firearms and a safe containing a diamond bracelet and about $2,000 in cash. Penobscot County Deputy Josh Tibbetts said the theft happened at approximately 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. Neighbors of… Read More
    HERMON – Investigators are working to determine the cause of a Monday fire that gutted a Fuller Road mobile home, Sgt. Stu Jacobs of the State Fire Marshal’s Office reported Tuesday. “It’s under investigation,” he said. “We still have work that we’re doing on it.”… Read More
    WINTERPORT – The replacement of a deteriorated culvert at the intersection of Cove Road and U.S. Route 1 will close Cove Road to through traffic on Thursday, July 15, according to the Maine Department of Transportation. The road will remain open to local traffic from… Read More
    MONSON – The Monson Summer Festival is set for July 16-17, and local individuals, organizations and businesses have planned many activities. The “Anything Floats” race will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 17, on Lake Hebron, with registration starting at 8:15 a.m. Cash prizes will… Read More
    BELFAST – The City Council will meet in executive session tonight to discuss City Manager Terry St. Peter’s annual performance evaluation. St. Peter’s contract with the city runs through July 1, 2005. Although the manager usually schedules his evaluation at this time of year, on… Read More
    NORTHPORT – The Waldo County Sheriff’s Department is looking for a flower-fancying thief who made off with some planters. The planter thefts occurred Monday afternoon at the Blue Goose and a vegetable stand at the Bayside Store. Both businesses are within a mile of each… Read More
    BELFAST – Sheriff’s deputies say they recovered a 1997 Chevrolet Camaro from a ditch less than an hour after it was reported stolen from Brooks on Sunday morning. The keys had been left inside the vehicle, owned by Sonya Merrifield, of School Street, and it… Read More
    PALERMO – The Palermo Community Library will host a garden walk on Saturday. The walk will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 17, rain or shine and will feature 10 local gardens. Participants are invited to bring along a picnic lunch… Read More
    HOULTON – Town Manager Peggy Daigle handed town councilors a summary of the state’s Freedom of Access law at a Monday evening meeting and said that the town is looking to “assess fees for the labor involved” in gathering requested documents. Councilors took no action,… Read More
    FORT FAIRFIELD – The 57th annual Maine Potato Blossom Festival is in full swing with the big weekend coming this week. The annual industry dinner at Shaw’s Potato House, which honors the Farm Family of the Year, will be held Friday night. The Maine Potato… Read More
    Folks from near and far are enjoying Canoe Hullabaloo this week in Greater Old Town, celebrating the lives of residents of six area communities along the Penobscot River. Many believe that one of the most exciting events for canoe and kayak enthusiasts is the opportunity… Read More
    The majority leader of the state Senate soon will become executive director of a national organization of legislators fighting high prices for prescription drugs. Sen. Sharon Treat, D-Farmingdale, will become leader of the National Legislative Association on Prescription Drug Pricing in September. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    Two veteran administrators have been recognized by the Maine School Superintendents Association for their leadership, service and strong educational programs. Superintendent Rick Lyons of SAD 22 (Hampden area) and Superintendent Jeannette Condon of SAD 20 (Fort Fairfield) received the Outstanding Educational Leadership Award last month… Read More
    BANGOR – An Old Town man was sentenced Tuesday to 18 months in prison on federal drug charges after the judge agreed to reduce his possible sentence by more than a year. Travis Philbrook, 27, was a “gopher” for a drug distribution ring that allegedly… Read More
    WISCASSET – A Waldoboro woman accused in the stabbing death of her husband is scheduled for arraignment Monday in Lincoln County Superior Court. Amy Dugas, 35, was indicted on Friday by a special grand jury on charges of murder, assault on an officer and violation… Read More
    OXFORD – Maine State Police are investigating an accident that killed two teenagers when their car possibly flipped and struck a tree. The accident happened shortly before 8 p.m. Monday when Vanessa Jordan, 19, of Gray lost control of her vehicle while driving on King… Read More
    TURNER – A water problem at the former DeCoster Egg Farm appears to have been caused by a faulty pump, not sabotage as a company official previously thought. An egg farm manager said water lines in a chicken barn had been damaged intentionally during the… Read More
    DEXTER – A house fire last Sunday that resulted in the brief hospitalization of a 9-month-old baby and an unidentified man was started by a 5-year-old boy who had been playing with a cigarette lighter, according to a state fire official. The fire started when… Read More
    PORTLAND – Aviation officials on Tuesday planned to introduce new flight patterns and procedures at the Portland International Jetport intended to reduce the roar of planes over many residential neighborhoods. Proposals include routing more planes over Portland Harbor, working with Federal Express to change the… Read More
    He’s back. That is the most celebratory part of last weekend’s opening performances of “The Taming of the Shrew” staged by Ten Bucks Theatre Company at Indian Trail Park in Brewer. Shakespeare, homegrown and more or less on the river again, is back in our midst. We had… Read More
    Lighten cup Some of summer’s sweet pleasures aren’t conducive to summer fashions – ice cream and short shorts don’t mix, unless you have a superfast metabolism. And those frosty coffee beverages? Not great with a bikini. But Starbucks has come to the rescue with a… Read More
    It may be a once-in-a-lifetime situation. Oxford Plains Speedway owner Bill Ryan is probably pinching himself every day. In landing Nextel Cup stars Matt Kenseth and Kurt Busch to race in the Oxford Banknorth 250 on Sunday, he has given race fans in Maine a… Read More
    WATERVILLE – Tires, Batteries and Accessories (TBA) of Bangor defeated McKenney Plumbing and Heating of Westbrook 10-7 Sunday to win the 2004 Maine ASA Class C state softball championship. TBA went unbeaten through the 28-team tournament. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
    Husson College freshman Carolyn McAvoy of Brewer, the North Atlantic Conference’s Rookie of the Year, has been invited to play on the USA Athletes softball team that will travel to Italy to participate in the Trieste International Tournament during the first week of August. McAvoy… Read More
    BANGOR – Bangor and Brockton traded three-run innings, but it was what Bangor did in the sixth and seventh innings that made the difference as the Lumberjacks beat Brockton for the second straight night Tuesday at Winkin Complex. Bangor built a 5-1 lead but this… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – Chris Rabideau singled twice and drove in a run and Josh Pelletier had a run-scoring double to help guide Penquis past Presque Isle 7-2 in a Zone 1 American Legion game Tuesday night. Eric Day also doubled for the winners. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    The Maine coast has always been alluring. Jim Dyer will be heading to the Maine coast to work as the athletic director at Castine’s Maine Maritime Academy on Aug. 2. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More