BANGOR – Six-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong landed back on American soil Saturday, touching down for a brief stretch at Bangor International Airport. After clearing customs on board the NetJet Gulfstream IV, the 32-year-old racing phenom joined his girlfriend – and reportedly now… Read More
BUCKSPORT – You can’t sneak up on a loon. You can quietly glide your kayak into a pond and – making small, careful motions with your paddle – cruise around the edge of the shore, pretending to ignore the feathered family bobbing on the still… Read More
WASHINGTON – The federal government raised the terror alert level Sunday to “orange” for the financial services sectors in New York City, Washington and Newark, N.J., citing the discovery of remarkably detailed intelligence showing that al-Qaida operatives have been plotting for years to blow up specific buildings with… Read More
A correction published Saturday contained an error regarding an earlier correction about Pierre Monteux. Monteux founded a conducting school in Hancock. His son, Claude Monteux, a concert flutist and conductor, hired Masanobu Ikemiya as a pianist in the 1970s. — googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
NEWINGTON, N.H. – The below-average number of smoggy days this summer has been good news for New England residents but bad news for scientists who have been using a flying laboratory to study the region’s air pollution. “You need sunlight to produce ozone,” said Robert… Read More
BOSTON – Scott Ruffner, an antiwar activist who campaigned in Maine for Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, came to the Democratic National Convention an unhappy man – a delegate profoundly disappointed in the ticket his party was about to nominate. After a week of hoopla… Read More
BANGOR – Family Dollar, a nationwide chain of dollar stores in legal trouble for its labor practices, is opening a store on the corner of State Street and Broadway. Florence Stanley, a Family Dollar spokeswoman, said the company plans to open the store on Aug. Read More
No pun intended, but keep an eye out for the following products recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. . Eyelash curlers manufactured in China and imported by the W.E. Bassett Co. of Shelton, Conn., have plastic handles that could detach and cause consumers… Read More
PORTLAND – Federal financial backing for Maine companies developing innovative technologies has increased, according to a recently released report. The federal Small Business Innovation Research Program awarded 17 Maine companies $5.9 million during the last fiscal year. The amount is the most ever for the… Read More
LEWISTON – A federal law designed to reduce the amount of time it takes for a check to clear will change the way banks handle checking. But it will also change the lives of the hundreds of Mainers who work in check processing centers. The… Read More
BANGOR – The Bangor area is playing host today and Tuesday to the August meeting of the New England Society of Convention & Visitors Bureau. NESCVB is composed of more than 20 representatives from the convention and visitors bureaus from Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, New… Read More
BOSTON – Unionized workers for dozens of Shaw’s Supermarkets on Sunday overwhelmingly rejected a contract proposal the grocery chain presented earlier in the day and characterized as its final offer. The 81 percent vote to turn down the proposal and authorize a strike increased the… Read More
The efforts of Eastern Maine Healthcare over the past few years have been disturbing. We have seen classic textbook methods used to justify expansion, for example: a rural hospital system must “vertically integrate system services and thus achieve economy of scale.” This is another word for attempting to… Read More
Although there was elation when the long-delayed 94th Military Policy Company returned to the United States last week, the unit’s longer than expected stay in Iraq highlights the deficiencies in current military planning. The case of the 94th, a National Guard unit that has been deployed overseas for… Read More
There was good reason for the absence of celebration recently when it was announced that the number of jobs in Maine has finally returned to the June 2001 level. The reason is that the thousands of high-paying jobs that have been lost in recent years have been replaced… Read More
The op-ed, “Prop 13: Ask your friends in California” (BDN, July 24-25) by Arthur A. Dole was too much. I recently moved back to Maine from southern California after 40 years and have been reading about the November referendum with much interest. I don’t think… Read More
I am a Maine native presently working at a new combination liquefied natural gas re-gasification-combined cycle power plant in Zierbena, on the northeast coast of Spain. I have been following the newspaper articles about the protests against the proposed building of a similar facility in Maine. I am… Read More
Ray Davis’ letter, “Body armor essential” (BDN, July 22), bases his criticism of Sens. John Kerry and John Edwards on incomplete information. Robert Byrd, a senator for 45 years and a much-respected statesman, explains in his new book, “Losing America: Confronting a Reckless and Arrogant… Read More
Paul Silverman, who served as president of the University of Maine (1980-1984) and who died on July 15, was a remarkable human being. Many Mainers, including many at UMaine, did not fully appreciate what we had and lost. Dr. Silverman was a brilliant scientist. He… Read More
The rise of the nonprofit sector in America is often traced to a famous 1819 U.S. Supreme Court case, Trustees of Dartmouth College v. Woodward. In that case, argued for Dartmouth by renowned orator Daniel Webster, the court held that the state of New Hampshire lacked the power… Read More
AUGUSTA – A study given to lawmakers last week estimates the economic cost of alcohol and drug abuse in Maine was $618 million in 2000, but makes no recommendations on what to do about the problem. That concerns some lawmakers. The study is a mix… Read More
BANGOR – The Bangor State Fair was in full swing on Saturday, and so was Lana McAllister, a ranking officer in a veterans auxiliary who became a kid again amid the sights, sounds and smells of the fair. McAllister, a senior vice president of the… Read More
PORTAGE LAKE – One day after new legislation that allowed logging and trucking contractors to negotiate with Maine’s largest landowners went into effect, the International Logging Association held a meeting Saturday to reorganize the group that last January led a logging strike against Irving Forest Products Inc. Read More
UNITY – In one corner of the massive farm property owned by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association in Unity, a group of farmers on Sunday morning grasped the unfamiliar scythe, learning how to smooth their strokes out and cut hay by hand. A… Read More
BANGOR – Everyone knows the race is about to begin when the 1976 Cadillac pulls onto the dirt track. Horsemen in colorful racing garb and their steeds quickly line up behind the starter vehicle before they begin their dash around Bangor Raceway. The Cadillac passes… Read More
Ellsworth District Court Cases June 3-July 12, 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
ROCKLAND – The Rockland base of the U.S. Coast Guard had a busy two hours on Saturday afternoon and evening, answering five distress calls ranging from people in the water to missing teenagers in a dinghy. In all five cases, there were no injuries and… Read More
ST. AGATHA – Hundreds of residents, former residents, students and members of their own congregation came out on Saturday and Sunday to honor the Daughters of Wisdom during the commemoration of the centennial of their arrival in St. Agatha. St. Agatha Catholic Church was filled… Read More
CARIBOU – Local police and an Aroostook County deputy sheriff on Saturday night made quick work of arresting three males suspected of assaulting and robbing a Caribou businessman in his home. Travis Tuttle, 21, of Caribou was charged with robbery, assault and using a disabling… Read More
Belfast District Court Cases July 19-23, 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
MOUNT DESERT – Tax Assessor John Brushwein has changed his mind and will not become Surry’s administrative assistant, officials confirmed last week. Brushwein submitted his resignation with Mount Desert after 17 years, but he told selectmen, who wanted him to stay, that the decision was… Read More
MADAWASKA – An 18-year-old Frenchville man was killed instantly on Friday night when the motorcycle he was operating went out of control, throwing him off the machine. Robert Cyr was dead at the scene, just east of the Frenchville-Madawaska town line. Police think that speed… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Pittsfield councilors should come to Tuesday night’s meeting with their pens full of ink, as the evening’s agenda includes signing nine agreements, plans, certifications and policies. They include voting on and signing: googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
Ellsworth District Court Cases June 3-July 12, 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
A Bangor detective working private detail at Barnaby’s on the Odlin Road Friday caught an underage woman trying to use another woman’s license to get into the bar. Trisha Carlsen, 20, of Milford came in with a group of seven women at about 10:30 p.m. Read More
CRANBERRY ISLES – Voters will be asked to authorize selectmen to spend up to $125,000 for construction of a town office when they meet for a special town meeting next week. Frances Bartlett, town tax collector for 31 years and town clerk for the past… Read More
CALAIS – For the third year in a row, Old Glory on Sunday blew all of its competition out of the water during the annual International Raft Race. The only requirement to compete was that teams come up with the wackiest “human-powered” craft possible. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
CALAIS – For whom the road tolls, you might ask? It tolls for charity. At least in small towns in Maine. The Calais Rotary Club on Saturday held its annual road toll to raise money for numerous projects including its scholarship fund. The club plans… Read More
Rockland District Court Cases June 14-July 13, 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
BAR HARBOR – Town officials hope finally to settle the thorny issue of whether homeowners can rent their houses on a weekly basis. The planning board, at the behest of the Town Council, will hold a special meeting Aug. 11 to discuss the issue and… Read More
FALMOUTH – Even though Jan Rankowski, 9, will be too old this fall to use the elementary school playground during recess hours, his parents aren’t giving up their fight for him to be allowed to play there. For them, it’s a matter of principle. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
Dipping their wheels into the Pacific Ocean last June 20 in Astoria, Ore., Russell Carey of Milo, his 16-year-old son, Ian, and 31 other adventurous individuals then turned their bicycles around, and headed east. On Monday, Aug. 9, they will dip their wheels into the… Read More
KENNEBUNKPORT – President Bush is expected take a break from his re-election campaign to attend his nephew’s wedding next weekend at the family’s coastal compound. White House spokesman Ken Liasius said the president would stay overnight Friday at the family compound on Walker’s Point after… Read More
BANGOR – As hot as it was on Saturday at the Bangor State Fair, some folks had no intention of cooling things down. For them, the hotter the better. At least when it came to chili, that is. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
KITTERY – Navy Secretary Gordon England will tour the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on Thursday, getting a firsthand look at the work of the facility’s nearly 4,600 employees. Members of the U.S. congressional delegations from New Hampshire and Maine will accompany England on the visit and… Read More
DEXTER – The town of Dexter is a very different town today from five years ago. It’s not just the cactus, hay bales and horses that were all over downtown for Wild West Weekend. Town Manager Robert Simpson said it is the can-do attitude of… Read More
LEWISTON – Although a recent study finds the new Medicare discount drug cards offer savings off retail prescription prices, pharmacists and advocates say Maine’s senior citizens are largely ignoring the cards. “I haven’t had a one,” said Robert Witt, a pharmacist at Howard’s Liggett Rexall… Read More
PORTLAND – After causing outbreaks at Portland and Biddeford high schools earlier this year, whooping cough has reappeared among students attending summer athletic camps. Dr. Dora Anne Mills, director of Maine’s Bureau of Health, said health officials had hoped the summer vacation would reduce the… Read More
BANGOR – Top-seeded Bangor blended power and perseverance to win the American Legion Zone 1 baseball tournament championship at Mansfield Stadium on Saturday. Power came from catcher P.J. Dowe, whose leadoff home run in the bottom of the eighth inning ignited a five-run rally that… Read More
Reaction to the trade of veteran Boston All-Star shortstop Nomar Garciaparra to the Cubs in a multi-team deal that landed them shortstop Orlando Cabrera from Montreal and first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz from Minnesota was mixed among baseball people with Eastern Maine ties. Besides the two… Read More
CAPE ELIZABETH – Mother Nature waved her magic wand just in time for the start of the seventh annual Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K Sunday. After humid, muggy conditions throughout the weekend, the skies cooperated with the 5,000 runners wish for good conditions: cool, cloudy… Read More
BANGOR – Another game, another solid start on the mound, and another hero for the Bangor Lumberjacks. The Lumberjacks notched their seventh win in the last eight games and maintained a share of first place for the second straight day with a come-from-behind 3-2 win… Read More
HOLE-IN-ONE Basil Wentworth 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
LOCAL Beach to Beacon 10K 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… Read More
BEAVER FALLS, N.Y. – Matt Kobyluck of Oakdale, Conn. captured the Kinney Drugs 150 Busch North race at Adirondack International Speedway Saturday night, holding off points leader Andy Santerre of Cherryfield by one second. Kobyluck, who was involved in wrecks in two races at New… Read More
BLUE HILL – John Lewandowski hit two doubles to drive in a run and scored twice to help lead Blue Hill to a 6-4 victory Sunday in the first game and an eventual sweep of its Bay League doubleheader against Quirk Auto Park. Blue Hill… Read More
Louie Luchini’s Achilles’ heel is proving to be, quite literally, his Achilles’ heel. Ongoing complications from his year-long struggle with an Achilles’ injury contributed to Luchini’s decision to pull out of the 5-kilometer run at the KBC Night of Athletics Grand Prix II meet Saturday… Read More
BANGOR – The Penquis Navigators scored 49 runs in four games during the American Legion Zone 1 baseball tournament. But it was a late dose of defense that secured Sunday night’s 12-7 victory over Brewer and a berth in the state tournament that begins Wednesday… Read More
BANGOR – Nate McKeown pitched a no-hitter and struck out 11 while walking only one to help East Biddeford to the 17-0 win over Bangor East in Game 4 of the Little League All-Star baseball tourney Saturday. Yarmouth cruised to the 14-1 win over Ellsworth… Read More
Who are Natasha, Ilya, Lydia, Sergei, Alexander and Sasha? Leading contenders in pro tennis? Supporting characters in the latest James Bond film? Stars in amateur figure skating? googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false;… Read More
George Bernard Shaw wrote more than 50 plays, and, like Shakespeare who wrote 38, he paid particular attention to his woman characters. Between the two of them, women gained some of the most intriguing and provocative roles written for stage. Shaw, in particular, was clearheaded… Read More
When famed jam rockers Phish staged IT last August at the former Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, roughly 60,000 fans, as well as a cadre of journalists (including myself), flocked to the willywags of northern Maine to attend the three-day carnival of music, camping and good vibes. Read More
The strongest earthquake ever recorded in Maine occurred a century ago on March 21, 1904. The newspapers described it in near biblical terms. Before the earth started to shake, “a great brilliancy” lighted up the horizons, and the wind, which had been blowing fiercely for… Read More
In theaters THE VILLAGE, written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, 120 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; i++) { if (isMobileDevice())… Read More
I always look forward to reading Le Forum, published six times a year by the Franco-American Center at the University of Maine. I was particularly interested in “Tracking Down My Lost Family,” which I presume to be only the first part of Dick Michaud’s trip… Read More
BURLINGTON, Vt. – The charitable giving arm of the jam band Phish says it will donate at least $100,000 of the proceeds from an upcoming concert to Vermont nonprofit groups. Phish, which formed in Burlington, has already earmarked $75,000 of that money for groups including… Read More