AUGUSTA – Maine appears headed toward a system of regionalized hospital care, despite challenges posed by state and federal antitrust laws, the specter of creating an additional layer of state bureaucracy and the likelihood of community hospital foot-dragging. Members of the Commission to Study Maine… Read More
FALMOUTH – A “hang tough” strategy devised by minority Republicans in the Maine Legislature to reduce the size of the governor’s proposed $55 million bond package appeared to be paying off Monday after proponents indicated they could live with a smaller borrowing proposal. If Gov. Read More
WASHINGTON – Republican divisions in the Senate could complicate efforts to extend three of President Bush’s most popular tax cuts this week. If the cuts are allowed to expire, Americans could pay $50 more in taxes – and lose up to $300 in tax benefits… Read More
A nursing shortage in parts of Maine was avoided Monday when foreign health care workers including nurses were given a one-year extension to meet new regulations to keep working in the United States. Maine hospitals near the Canadian border had feared they would lack sufficient… Read More
A story on Saturday’s Business page about a code enforcement issue at the Holiday Inn-Bar Harbor Regency Hotel wrongly stated that the location of Friends of Acadia’s annual meeting last Friday afternoon, July 16, was in facilities that the town alleges are being used improperly for commercial activity. Read More
PORTLAND – Banknorth Group on Monday reported a second quarter net income of $95.8 million, a 10 percent increase over a year ago. Banknorth, the parent company of Peoples Heritage Bank in Maine and other banks in the Northeast, said total loans and leases increased… Read More
ELLSWORTH – A local boat company that has grown from a one-man operation a decade ago to a team of 16 employees is planning to move from its location on Water Street to a new building in Bucksport’s industrial park. The Union River Boat Co. Read More
As Perley J. Thibodeau so succinctly put it years ago in a letter to the editor: “Who in the hell wants to be tolerated anyway?” William R. Bishop googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner =… Read More
Members of the International Whaling Commission are gathered in Italy this week for the group’s annual meeting. As they have for years, commission members will have heated debates over a long-standing, but often disregarded, moratorium on whale hunting. Although it will likely not end the yearly squabbling, IWC… Read More
The message to the Environmental Protection Agency, coming from states, members of Congress and the public, is clear: Rules proposed by the Bush administration to reduce mercury pollution fall short of what is necessary to protect human health and the environment. Instead, the agency should move forward with… Read More
Widespread social breakdown due to the continuing erosion of democracy is the root cause of licit and illicit drug use, especially among youth. Causes include disgracefully unfair regressive tax codes, cancerous growth of corporate power, wealth and political influence, serious structured deficits of government, including the obsolete, destructive… Read More
My wife and I recently returned from our camp on Moosehead Lake near Seboomook Landing where we spent an idyllic two weeks. No boats or tourists – just loons, mergansers, moose and susurrus lap of the waves. I could fish at my favorite spots along the West Branch… Read More
It is certainly disappointing to see that the University of Maine upper administration and trustees have learned so little during 35 years of super university life. Professor Brian Beal of the University of Maine at Machias (BDN op-ed, July 8) outlines the concern quite compellingly,… Read More
I attended the Fourth of July parade in downtown Bangor and was extremely impressed with District 2 congressional candidate Brian Hamel. He was approachable, enthusiastic and very well spoken. He came across as exactly the type of representative I would like to have in Congress. Read More
In response to the article, “Audubon appeals turbine decision/Group says project may injure wildlife” (BDN, July 2). Peter Gish, general counsel at UPC Wind Partners, stated that: “They are literally missing the forest for the trees” in response to the Audubon’s appeal. What an odd… Read More
Editor’s note: This column is based on a real patient. Some details have been changed to protect her identify. Dear Commissioner of the Maine State Bureau of Behavioral and Developmental Services, I was going to call you in the middle of the night from the… Read More
The American Loggers Council is outraged over a proposal to import loggers from a foreign country when there are plenty of domestic contract loggers willing to work for a fair day’s pay. The American Loggers Council is the only national trade association that represents independent contract loggers, exclusively. Read More
We take it for granted, but if you think about it, it’s a very special thing,” the Maine guide said. He was describing with masterly understatement the lands between Grand Lake Stream (highest per capita number of registered guides in Maine) and the Machias River. His audience, a… Read More
AUGUSTA – A handful of Maine lawmakers are joining fellow legislators from around the country in Utah this week to discuss the problems they all share – taxes, budget deficits, rising health care costs and federal education mandates. “I think it is extremely beneficial to… Read More
WATERVILLE – Some Maine motorists are showing their support for troops deployed in Iraq by sticking magnetic yellow ribbons, designed by a Skowhegan grocer, to their cars and trucks. Louann Barnes, owner of the West Front Market in Skowhegan, designed her ribbon magnet through a… Read More
For a few years now, states and municipalities across the country have been considering legislation that would require drivers to use headsets or other hands-free devices while talking on their cell phones. The theory has been that talking on the phone while hurtling down the… Read More
AUGUSTA – Deer ticks have expanded their range deeper into Maine and brought with them an increased risk of Lyme disease. Experts say both the relatively harmless dog tick and the Lyme disease-carrying deer tick are spreading to parts of the state where they previously… Read More
MATINICUS – For three hours the ferry rises and falls across blue Atlantic swells, the island ahead floating on the edge of vision. Twenty-five miles off the coast of Maine, the farthest-flung of this state’s inhabited islands, Matinicus has the feel of a place out… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – A program to aid farmers that was driven by one of the nation’s biggest ecological disasters has weathered 60 years. The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District, organized in 1944, will celebrate its birthday at a banquet next month in Dover-Foxcroft. Special… Read More
MOUNT DESERT – Northeast Harbor Library trustees have raised about $3 million toward their fund-raising goal of $5 million to build a new library and endow their operational budget to ease annual fund raising. “If we don’t have a [healthy] endowment, it really doesn’t matter… Read More
HOLDEN – A man who filled his Chevy Suburban with gas Monday night at the Route 1A Irving station paid a little more than he bargained for. Holden police and fire department officials went to the gas station at about 9 p.m. to help clean… Read More
BELFAST – Waldo County’s premier summer event will take center stage at City Park this week when the Belfast Bay Festival rolls into town. From the Fearless Flores Thrill Show to Fiesta Shows’ old-fashioned carnival and the always-frantic mile-long parade through downtown, the 57th version… Read More
BANGOR – Residents can now ask public works employees not to spray herbicides near their property. As part of a new policy adopted July 12 by the City Council, residents may opt out of the spraying program that that controls vegetation growth along city rights… Read More
OLD TOWN – The town’s recent Canoe Hullabaloo festival was a success, raising between $16,000 and $18,000 from Saturday’s canoe and silent auction, according to its planners. Organized by the Old Town Public Library and the River Coalition, Canoe Hullabaloo was designed to celebrate the… Read More
ROCKLAND – Joseph Malburg, 37, of Rockland was arrested early Saturday after a Union Street resident found him sleeping in the car of the resident’s wife. Alcohol appeared to have been a contributing factor to Malburg’s behavior, according to Deputy Police Chief Wally Tower. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
SEARSPORT – The Waldo County Sheriff’s Department on Monday was investigating a weekend break-in at Tozier’s Family Market that netted four bottles of liquor. Chief Deputy Bob Keating said deputies were alerted by an alarm at 12:04 a.m. Sunday. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
BELFAST – The Sheepscot Wellspring Land Alliance will hold a Once in a Blue Moon Dance at the Boathouse on July 31. The alliance, a land trust dedicated to preserving the headwaters of the Sheepscot River, will hold the community dance from 8 to 11… Read More
HERMON – Repairs are under way this month on several local roads, with the Blackstream Road closed as a new bridge is put in place. Work on replacing the Goodspeed Bridge on the Blackstream Road began Monday and the road is closed to through traffic… Read More
HOLDEN – No one was injured Monday in a three-car accident on Route 1A that tied up traffic for more than an hour. At 11:35 a.m., the driver of a 1999 Volkswagen Golf caused a chain reaction when he rear-ended a 2004 Pontiac Vibe traveling… Read More
A Brewer man was issued a summons Sunday for criminal threatening stemming from an incident at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. Henry Jenkins Sr., 45, was brought in for a psychiatric evaluation by Bangor police Officer Joshua Ouellette after Jenkins was found intoxicated and… Read More
BANGOR – A summer program that offers high school freshmen another opportunity to demonstrate that they have met the state’s academic standards has been successful, Bangor educators said Monday. The program, which features English-Language Arts and math, has helped students improve scores, build self-esteem, and… Read More
CAMDEN – Concerned that the pastoral nature of the village is being ravaged by development, a group of residents has petitioned the Select Board to impose a moratorium on home building. Sharon Gilbert presented the petition during the Select Board’s Monday meeting at the Camden… Read More
HAMPDEN – Town councilors intend to scrutinize a proposed double-digit increase in the water rate to determine whether it’s justified. Residents in Hampden received notice in recent days of a $206,385 across the board increase the Hampden Water District intends to seek from the Public… Read More
BANGOR – After another round of discussion on redeveloping Union Place, city councilors Monday night voted to enter exclusive negotiations with David Lawler, an abutting landowner who has acquired and rehabilitated several properties in that neighborhood. Lawler, owner of Dave’s Movie Center, was one of… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Business owners vented their frustrations to selectmen Monday about the revaluation of their commercial properties which added $19 million to the town’s valuation. The property owners faulted the fact that Hamlin and Associates, the assessing firm hired to do the revaluation, assessed them… Read More
ORONO – University of Maine officials are reviewing applications from architects and designers interested in developing the university’s new Student Innovation Center. The center, which is expected to be 5,000 square feet once completed, is still in the very early stages of development, but university… Read More
ELLSWORTH – City officials decided Monday night to aim for completing a citywide property revaluation by August of next year. Larry Gardner, Ellsworth’s assessor, told the City Council at its regular monthly meeting that the cost of a revaluation could range from around $200,000 to… Read More
MOUNT DESERT – The town’s longtime tax assessor has accepted the job of administrative assistant to the selectmen of Surry. John Brushwein will begin his new duties on Sept. 13. He will work for Mount Desert through Sept. 10. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
Penobscot Valley High School Fourth 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] googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
ORONO – Residents, town officials and developers met at Monday’s community development meeting to discuss a 55-unit housing development that may be coming to town. Developer and land buyer Joe Reinzo is proposing to create a single-family subdivision near Orono High School on 40 acres… Read More
TOWNSHIP 22 – A Bangor man and a Holden woman received nonlife-threatening injuries over the weekend when an all-terrain vehicle flipped on a fire road in eastern Hancock County, according to an official with Maine Warden Service. Tracy Smith, 24, was driving the ATV on… Read More
BANGOR – A two-sided map featuring cultural heritage and recreational offerings in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties is being offered by the Maine Highlands Corp. The maps will be distributed in all of the office of tourism visitors centers, as well as through several local chambers… Read More
BUCKSPORT – The Orrington and Bucksport Republican committees will hold a joint House District 40 Replacement Caucus at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 22, at the AVEY Community Building, 1160 River Road, Bucksport. Chairmen Margaret Brown of Orrington and Mike Cuskelly of Bucksport will moderate. For information call 825-3178. Read More
NASHUA, N.H. – A man police described as armed and dangerous was being sought after authorities discovered his wife had been shot and killed in the couple’s home early Sunday morning. Police said Stephen Mann, 32, of Nashua last was seen driving away from his… Read More
AUGUSTA – Maine’s unemployment rate in June was 4.1 percent, the same as it was in May but well below the national rate of 5.6 percent, the Baldacci administration said Monday. Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman said the state’s unemployment rate has dropped by almost a… Read More
PORTLAND – The Coast Guard said three kayakers paddled to safety Monday after spending the night on an uninhabited island in Casco Bay after they became disoriented in the fog. Cindy McNett of Topsham and Mike and Ellen Handa, of Andover, Mass., were seen leaving… Read More
KENNEBUNK – Towns throughout York County have turned to caps on new housing permits and large lot sizes to slow down the pace of development of residential neighborhoods and communities. Growth caps came into fashion during the housing boom of the 1980s as a way… Read More
While helping to plan a benefit fashion show for later this summer, I figured it would behoove me to find out what is in fashion – other than rain slickers – for those of us who live Down East. Lo and behold, Vogue magazine had… Read More
Two of the best fabric care allies available are those old standbys, vinegar and baking soda. Both products are versatile enough in their uses to merit books of their own – “Vinegar” and “Baking Soda” – both by Vicki Lansky, published this year by Book Peddlers on recycled… Read More
Dear Jim: Our house feels warm even with the air conditioner running. The temperature seems to be low enough for comfort. Could the heat be coming from the attic? Will solar-powered attic fans help much? – Caroline J. Dear Caroline: Your situation is not uncommon. Read More
Many of us approach the yearly moose permit lottery with giddy optimism, tempered with a healthy dose of dread. On one hand, there the anticipation builds, as we convince ourselves … again … that this year … again … is our lucky year. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
As the American Legion Zone 1 regular season winds down, success in the postseason may evolve into a survival of the healthiest. Several teams are coping with the loss of key players due to injuries, including divisional leaders Bangor and Brewer. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
OXFORD – Ellsworth’s Andy Saunders had always wanted to enter the Banknorth 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway. But, due to a lack of finances, Saunders had never had the opportunity. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
It wasn’t an easy search, but Dexter High finally has a field hockey coach to take over one of the most successful sports programs in the state – and a one that has a chance for a national record this fall. Dexter athletic director Steve… Read More
Mike Baker of Stratton has qualified for the second time in a month for an event on the PGA Tour. Baker, teaching pro at Sugarloaf Golf Club in Carrabassett Valley, survived a four-man playoff to earn one of two spots coming from Monday’s New England… Read More
Jake Whitesides, a center fielder for the Bangor Lumberjacks, will be the Northeast League’s leadoff hitter in Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Fort Worth, Texas. Whitesides is joined by Bangor’s Donnie Ross, who will bat sixth as the designated hitter. The Northeast League stars will face… Read More
Bangor Lumberjacks slugger Derry Hammond was named the Northeast League’s Batter of the Week, the second time in four weeks Hammond has earned the honor. Hammond had 11 hits in 25 at-bats for a .440 average. He also had one double and three home runs… Read More
BANGOR – The Maine Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association’s annual summer meeting will be held Saturday at Miller’s Restaurant. The business portion of the meeting will start at 3 p.m. There will be a social hour at 4:30 and a dinner at 5. The MSBOA… Read More
HOLE IN ONE Mike LaChance 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
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Former Kennebunk High School star Erik Nedeau had one last chance at Olympic glory Friday in the semifinals of the 1,500 meter run at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials. The 32-year-old Nedeau, who competed in the 1992 and 1996 trials,… Read More
BANGOR – Tyson Bannon’s two-run double and Ben Silver’s two-run single, both in the fifth inning, helped the Bangor Senior League all-star team post a 10-9 victory over Old Town-Orono/Veazie for the District 3 championship and a berth in the Senior League World Series. Bangor… Read More
BANGOR -Jeremy Byrd’s single plated the winning run in the seventh inning of the second game Sunday as Blue Hill completed a sweep of its Bay League baseball doubleheader against Aerus Electrolux. Blue Hill won the opener 6-2 and took the nightcap 6-5. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
WISCASSET – Nick Reno of West Bath overcame a fourth-place start in Saturday’s 25-lap Limited Sportsman feature to win his second race of the season Saturday at Wiscasset Raceway. Reno held off Newcastle’s Chuck Colby, who finished in second place. Pole-sitter Maurice Young of Chelsea… Read More