NEW YORK – In a Sept. 29 story about a federal judge’s decision to block secret and unchallengeable government searches of Internet and telephone records, The Associated Press described the government’s right to conduct such searches as part of the Patriot Act of 2001. The right originally was… Read More
    PORTLAND – Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean and conservative activist William Bennett on Thursday debated the strengths and weaknesses of President Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry. Their appearance before 600 people at the conference of the American Council of Engineering Companies came just hours… Read More
    BANGOR – A former U.S. ambassador under President Clinton maintained Friday that Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John F. Kerry definitely held the upper hand in his first debate Thursday against President Bush. Meanwhile, General Joseph Tinkham, retired Adjutant General of Maine and Homeland Security adviser… Read More
    After the debate Thursday between President George Bush and Sen. John Kerry, it was difficult not to conclude that the preceding year of campaigning had been an enormous waste of time. If you wanted to understand the differences between these two men, on the specifics of foreign policy… Read More
    Reimportation of lower-priced prescription drugs from Canada is a Rube Goldberg process for what should be a straightforward transaction. But because Congress cannot overcome its fear of negotiating drug prices – even as it seeks low bidders for much else that it does – reimportation is one of… Read More
    A brain cramp rendered a passage in an editorial titled “Progress on NCLB” yesterday senseless. The passage should have read as follows: “Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe have formed a task force of two dozen educators from around the state to provide further information about obstacles to… Read More
    In the column, “State must get tougher on seat belts” (BDN, Sept. 25-26), Tom Weber writes in favor of Maine making seat belt violations a primary offense, whereby the police could pull a motorist over solely based on the fact that the officer cannot observe a seat belt… Read More
    May a California native, homeowner and one who voted for Proposition 13 more than 32 years ago put her two cents in? Proposition 13, contrary to what the doom-and-gloom folks here want you to believe, did not ruin California. On the contrary, it allowed thousands… Read More
    Kent Ward referred to protesters of President Bush in Bangor as an “obligatory gaggle” in the column, “As Bangor campaign rallies go, Nixon’s was a keeper” (BDN, Sept. 25-26). Among the 300 or so “obligatory gaggle” at last week’s Bush rally were physicians, nurses, teachers,… Read More
    Maine faces a serious problem with its high real estate taxes. The referendum for a real estate tax cap is clearly not the way to go. The study submitted by the Rockland city manager to the City Council sets forth the budget impact: closing of… Read More
    The University of Maine System trustees have some nerve asking for an additional $29 million for the state after they voted unanimously recently to send half of the students to that state’s fledgling Community College System starting in July 2005. Not only should the UMaine… Read More
    One hundred thirty-two schools here failed to meet the 2004 standards under the No Child Left Behind Act, Maine Education Commissioner Sue Gendron announced this week, and the public reaction was … silence. That is likely not what the drafters of NCLB had in mind when they announced… Read More
    Thursday night’s televised debate between President George W. Bush and his Democratic challenger, Sen. John Kerry, was a pretty lively exchange considering that it was governed by a mind-numbing 32 pages of ground rules agreed to by the participants. No props. No podium risers or… Read More
    There has been much debate over tax reform in Maine and what is the best method to lower Maine’s tax burden. What is not being debated is that Maine’s rating of having the second highest tax burden in the nation sets off some red flags and must be… Read More
    A motion adopted by St. Croix Valley Chamber of Commerce directors expresses opposition to the Palesky tax-cap ballot question on Nov. 2. The board of directors for the region’s largest business and professional organization focused its position on instability the ballot measure would create in area communities. Read More
    BROOKLIN – HyperMedia has sold its dial-up Internet business to Mid-Maine Communications in order to focus its efforts on its Web design and support customers. The transfer of approximately 2,000 customers occurred at noon on Wednesday, according to Dick Flemming, president of HyperMedia. The changeover… Read More
    PORTLAND – Portland-based boats landed more fish last year than the year before but the value of the catch dropped sharply, the federal government reported. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its list of the top 50 commercial fishing ports in the United States… Read More
    Bangor Police Chief Don Winslow is a strong believer in the concept of community policing. He takes pride in running a department whose mission is not only to arrest lawbreakers but to be accessible to all of the city’s residents, to be a comforting presence… Read More
    ORONO – The Maine Center for the Arts is launching a $10.2 million renovation designed to transform the 18-year-old building into a showplace for productions on the scale of “Phantom of the Opera.” At its season-opening musical gala tonight, MCA’s leadership plans to promote the… Read More
    VAN BUREN – After spending 15 months in Maine trying to obtain custody of their four grandchildren, Yvonne and Norman Thibeault packed up their van last month and headed to their winter home in Maryland without them. Once there, they were faced with the reality… Read More
    Teachers and students aren’t the only ones who feel increased pressure from new state and federal requirements. School board members also are anxious about making sure students consistently perform at high levels. That’s why two statewide education associations have decided to join forces and design… Read More
    BRADFORD – When it comes to gardening, Elroy Morgan thinks big, really big. In his home garden, where cornstalks and sunflowers grow taller than tall, Morgan has grown tomatoes that weigh two pounds. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
    Chanju Byun returned home to South Korea much less worried about her daughters’ college years in Maine. After spending a Sunday afternoon at the First Korean Methodist Church in Brewer, she found that her fears had been eased because her daughters would be able to… Read More
    HERMON – Town Manager Clint Deschene said it’s not scare tactics when he talks about costs rising in town and services dropping should the proposed tax cap proposal gain passage this November. “Just because something is scary doesn’t mean it’s scare tactics,” Deschene said Friday,… Read More
    Two women were injured Friday in a two-car accident on Main Street in Bangor. Nellie M. Lagasse, 23, of Milford, was turning left out of the Miller’s Restaurant parking lot when at 5:30 p.m. her 1995 Plymouth was struck by an oncoming southbound vehicle driven… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – Here’s a clue that the new Pittsfield Economic Development Team is committed to working in partnership: At the first meeting Thursday night, it never occurred to anybody to elect a chairman. “It’s going to be a real team approach,” said Michael Gray, a… Read More
    WINTERPORT – One woman was hospitalized for smoke inhalation Friday after a candle ignited a small fire at her 49 Twining Road home. Jen Davis was sleeping when a candle in her bedroom set fire to nearby drapes and a carpet at 5:15 p.m., according… Read More
    BRADLEY – Volunteers will help bring an early lumbering village to life from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 2-3, as Leonard’s Mills stages a historical re-creation. Visitors will be able to learn about lumbering in Maine’s past and other tasks that… Read More
    OLD TOWN – The Animal Orphanage will sponsor a blessing of the animals and dog show Sunday, Oct. 3, at the YMCA on Stillwater Avenue. The blessing of the animals is at noon, and the dog show from 1 to 4 p.m. For information, call… Read More
    BANGOR – Roxanne Moore Saucier, author of the Family Ties column for the Bangor Daily News, will be the guest speaker for the Brewer Historical Society at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, at the Clewley Museum, 199 Wilson St. Her topic will be “Let’s Figure Out Our Cousins.”… Read More
    BREWER – Drivers using Interstate 395 should expect delays on Monday, Oct. 4, and Tuesday, Oct. 5, as the state Department of Transportation continues repairing the bridge that runs over the Penobscot River. Traffic will be restricted to one lane as the DOT replaces traffic… Read More
    EAST MILLINOCKET – The Katahdin Region Higher Education Center plans a public meeting at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, to talk about a new child care facility. The center, at 1 Industrial Drive, is an outreach center of Eastern Maine Community College. For information, contact Deb Roundtree at… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – The Pittsfield Historical Society-Depot House Museum, will host a railroad-theme slide show Oct. 23 put on by members of the Hebron Any Power Team, a collection of railroad buffs from central and southern Maine. The show will start at 7 p.m. No admission… Read More
    ORONO – The Esther Eayres chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will meet at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 4, for a brown bag lunch at the home of Helen King, 24 Mainewood Ave. The discussion will be “Do you know your Revolutionary soldiers?”… Read More
    Ellsworth District Court Cases Aug. 3-31, 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 Slot… Read More
    ROCKLAND – A Rockport man arrested in New Hampshire earlier this week was returned to Maine on Thursday to face numerous sex-related charges. Phillip A. MacClennen, 49, is charged with six counts of gross sexual assault and two counts of unlawful sexual contact involving the… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – Two people were injured Friday afternoon in a two-vehicle accident on Pine Street. According to Officer Christopher Smith of the Ellsworth Police Dept., Jennifer Patterson, 20, of Surry was traveling up Pine Street toward High Street when the accident occurred. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    CALAIS – Washington County Community College’s Trio Student Support Services program announces its first-ever College Fair from 12 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5 at the WCCC campus. Representatives from five Maine colleges: University of Maine, the University of Maine at Machias, College of the… Read More
    BELFAST – The Salvation Army has applications available for its holiday assistance program. Applications will be taken in person at the Salvation Army headquarters at 134 Church Street. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner =… Read More
    ST. AGATHA – The manager of one of northern Maine’s small towns has been named one of the “10 people shaping the future of Maine’s economy” by Mainebiz, a biweekly news magazine. Ryan Pelletier was singled out for his belief in and work towards regionalization… Read More
    Thirteen-year-old Brandy is an animal lover at heart. She adores all animals, but she is particularly fond of household pets. With that love in mind, Brady’s recent visit to the Marine Animal Rescue site for a “Thursday’s Child” television filming was special. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    CARIBOU – When Robert Pottle was a first-grade teacher at the Cavehill School in Eastbrook, he asked his pupils what they were interested in. Coming mainly from families who worked in the woods, the children told their teacher that they favored “chain saws” and “skidders.”… Read More
    HOULTON – Town councilors joined a growing number of municipalities and school boards on Tuesday evening when they adopted a resolution opposing the 1 percent tax cap referendum. All but one of the councilors voted in support of the resolution, which decries the so-called Palesky… Read More
    EAGLE LAKE – Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility has asked the Maine attorney general to investigate allegations that a northern Maine municipal official, who is also a commissioner for Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission, has not resolved LURC violations dating back 10 years. Tim Caverly,… Read More
    BELFAST – The Belfast Free Library and League of Women Voters will host a candidates night for local legislative races. The event will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, at the library’s Abbott Room. The Belfast candidates for House District 43, incumbent Democrat… Read More
    CORINNA – After more than four years of working closely with the community on the 25-acre Eastland Woolen Mill Superfund site, Rick Leighton is leaving. Leighton is the Environmental Protection Agency remediation construction manager at the site and has watched as 600 tons of contaminated… Read More
    ROCKPORT – Another threat was made against Camden Hills Regional High School on Friday, a day after the school was evacuated when a similar threat was made. Friday’s threat, received at 10:30 a.m., also resulted in an evacuation of the building, Superintendent Pat Hopkins reported… Read More
    ROCKLAND – The police department is sponsoring a hunter safety training program from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Oct 4-7, at the Midcoast School of Technology. Students age 10-12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
    BELFAST – The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to participate in its Fall Fashion Fling and Auction. The event will take place at the Boathouse at Steamboat Landing at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – The Ellsworth Historical Society will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 4, at the old Hancock County Jail. Anyone interested in preserving the old jail building or who is simply interested in the history of Ellsworth is encouraged to attend. A brief tour… Read More
    Calais District Court Cases Sept. 3-9, 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 Slot… Read More
    WASHBURN – Gov. John Baldacci will host an open public discussion at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Washburn Town Office, according to Joy Leach, the governor’s deputy director of communications. It is just one of several sites that the governor will visit that day. “It’s… Read More
    SULLIVAN – An electrical fire Friday afternoon forced the evacuation of Sumner Memorial High School. The fire started at about 1:20 p.m. on the main Bangor Hydro electric line, where it entered the school building near the school’s boiler room, according to Sullivan Dispatcher Mark… Read More
    MACHIAS – It took the one person on the University of Maine at Machias campus who gets more recognition than anyone else – the acting president – to initiate a way of spreading the recognition around. Sue Huseman, who is leaving her position at the… Read More
    Belfast District Court Cases Sept. 6-17, 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 Slot… Read More
    BANGOR – The YMCA and YWCA of Greater Bangor, commonly known as the Bangor Y, is hosting a grand reopening event from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 3. The community can visit both the Hammond Street and Second Street Y facilities for free open-house events… Read More
    PORTLAND – A three-judge panel of the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments on Monday in three Maine cases, including the appeal of a Bucksport man who a year ago was awarded $3 million by a jury in Bangor. U.S. District Judge Kermit… Read More
    WHITING – A 79-year-old man and his 74-year-old female companion who have not been seen in 13 days became the subjects of a search Down East on Friday involving the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, the Maine Warden Service and a Maine Forestry helicopter. Police have… Read More
    New England experienced fewer days with harmful levels of ozone pollution this summer than in 2003, the Environmental Protection Agency announced this week. During the summer of 2004, Maine experienced only one day with unhealthy levels of ozone, which can cause breathing problems for sensitive… Read More
    BELFAST – The Natural Resources Council of Maine has launched a door-to-door campaign as part of statewide efforts to alert the public about mercury pollution in Maine. The organization’s outreach team, dubbed Project Mercury, will be going door to door in parts of the state,… Read More
    LAS VEGAS – A New Hampshire ex-convict told a police dispatcher the slaying of his girlfriend in a Las Vegas Strip hotel was an accident, and that he was intent on killing himself. Lawrence Joyce, 34, of Laconia, N.H., did not say why he killed… Read More
    SOUTH PORTLAND – Republicans and conservative analysts say the state cannot afford to move forward with plans to enroll another 14,000 residents in MaineCare, the state’s Medicaid program. Critics point to the perennial holes in Maine’s Medicaid budget, one of the state’s biggest-ticket items. This… Read More
    What comes to your mind when you hear the word “evangelical?” Do you know any evangelicals personally? Exactly what is an evangelical, anyway? The dictionary uses the adjective form of the term to define the noun; in other words, an evangelical is one affiliated with… Read More
    The shock talk show has finally gotten religion. “Faith Under Fire,” a new television show on the PAX network (WBGR-TV 13), begins airing at 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
    A producer and camera crew for “NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw” are coming to Washington County on Oct. 18 and 19 to film a segment on the demise of America’s small, rural towns. The television team is targeting Centerville, which gave up its town… Read More
    Talk to a hunter for a bit, ask a few open-ended questions, and you’re likely to hear tales you’d never believe (if, that is, the hunter in question didn’t immediately pull out a well-worn photo album and offer up some slightly dog-eared proof). Outdoors enthusiasts… Read More
    BELFAST – Fullback isn’t always a glory position, but for the Brewer High football team it was a catalyst to victory Friday night. Matt Littlefield and Ben Caldwell combined for 154 rushing yards and two touchdowns as the Witches remained unbeaten with an 38-12 victory… Read More
    TALLADEGA, Ala. – “Front Row Joe” is back on top. Finally. Joe Nemechek took his first pole in four years and the seventh of his NASCAR Nextel Cup career Friday, earning the top spot for the EA Sports 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    On the road again. That will be one of the challenges today when four of Maine’s college football teams take the field. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0;… Read More
    HIGH SCHOOL At East Machias 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
    WASHINGTON – Sen. Susan Collins announced Friday that a total of 24 MAINEiacs hockey team players have been approved for H-2B visas, which enabled them to enter the U.S. in time for Friday night’s home opener. This year’s season was in question when many of the team’s players… Read More
    ORONO – The University of Maine field hockey team, ranked 17th in the current STX/NFHCA national poll, will hold an autograph session after Sunday’s 1 p.m. game at Morse Field against America East rival New Hampshire. The first 200 youngsters in attendance will receive a team photo and… Read More
    ORONO – Freshman striker Laura Harper scored her first collegiate goal to give the University of Maine a 1-0 women’s soccer victory Friday over Maryland Baltimore County in a mutual America East opener. Harper split a pair of defenders and headed home an Erin Corey… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – Foxcroft Academy rallied from a two-touchdown deficit with 3:02 remaining to nip Mattanawcook Academy 28-27 in high school football action Friday night. James McPhee, who had opened the scoring with a 46-yard run in the first quarter, ran the ball in from 2… Read More
    BREWER – Freshman goalkeeper Carolyn Tuck made 20 saves on 20 shots to help the Brewer Witches upset the Hampden Academy Broncos 1-0 in schoolgirl soccer action Friday. Kelly Shultz netted the only goal 8:03 into the second half for the Witches, now 2-5-1. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    DANFORTH – Ben Leighton notched four goals and an assist as Woodland shut out East Grand 5-0 in boys soccer action Friday. Cody Sappier added a goal for the 3-5 Dragons. Marshall Crowe made two assists and Steve Newell one. Todd Townstead stopped all eight… Read More
    It’s taken me a few years, and probably it’ll be another few before I’m through, but slowly I’m paddling my way around Frenchman Bay. I never set out with this goal in mind, but as I explore new places, I’ve returned to this area several times in the… Read More
    Seeing as Maine’s upland bird season took wing yesterday, I’d sooner be writing about pointing dogs locked up stiff as starch, the smell of burnt powder mingling with the cidery scent of autumn, and feathers drifting in covers dripping melted frost. Trouble is, lately I’m finding it difficult… Read More
    My father taught me to appreciate the beauty of nature. He would always call my attention to sunsets, interesting cloud formations, or the birds in our urban neighborhood. As do many city and suburban neighborhoods, ours had populations of European house sparrows and starlings, house… Read More
    Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Roland “Danny” Martin will be on hand at the Maine Snowmobile Show in Augusta Saturday, where he will unveil the new “Ride Right-Ride Smart” interactive CD produced by the department. Visitors to the show will have the chance… Read More
    MAINE vs. VERMONT Time, site: Sunday, 2 p.m., Gutterson Fieldhouse, Burlington, Vt. 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