AUGUSTA – Buried in the 3,300-page Omnibus Appropriations bill approved by Congress on Nov. 20 is a provision that says federal regulators have the power to overrule state and local officials in deciding where ships can deliver liquefied natural gas. “I am really very concerned,”… Read More
    BANGOR – Since the announcement in September that the medication Vioxx would be taken off the market because of its potential for causing heart attacks and strokes, many Mainers with chronic pain have been trying to find another drug to make their lives more comfortable. Read More
    AUGUSTA – Convening today for the first meeting of the 122nd Maine Legislature, lawmakers will be greeted with a bill the governor says will reduce the property tax burden for all Maine residents. Meeting Tuesday in a Cabinet room packed with lawmakers and lobbyists, Gov. Read More
    BANGOR – Two central Maine sites Tuesday were given the dubious honor of a spot on the Toxic Action Center’s list of the dozen sites in New England that pose the greatest avoidable danger to public health. Griffin Park, a Bangor apartment complex, and the… Read More
    An item published in Tuesday’s State section about an equine breeding management clinic on Dec. 11 at the University of Maine incorrectly stated that the $10 registration fee included lunch. Participants are responsible for their own lunches. Read More
    PORTLAND – Downtown businesses are stepping up efforts to cut down on graffiti, saying it makes the area less welcoming to shoppers and hurts the bottom line. Property owners and retailers say graffiti are a pervasive problem that can drive commerce to the Maine Mall… Read More
    PORTLAND – The state filed a lawsuit Tuesday claiming that the former owner of Great Northern Paper owes more than $25 million in severance pay to workers who lost their jobs when the company went bankrupt. Attorney General Steven Rowe alleges in the four-page complaint… Read More
    PORTLAND – About 325 employees stand to lose their jobs when Sanmina-SCI Corp. closes its Westbrook plant in March, the company’s third plant shutdown in the region since the summer of 2002. The plant makes enclosures for custom electronics equipment, and San Jose, Calif.-based Sanmina-SCI… Read More
    Is it possible to work with President Bush? Why is his weakness (stubbornness) perceived by many as a strength? He has already gotten rid of a number of moderate Republicans. Why? There is only one way with Bush – his way or the highway. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    I’ve seen a lot of letters over the past months condoning the banning of gay marriage or attacking the advocates of gay marriage for “trying to force their religious views” on those who don’t agree (what do you think a ban would be?). However, for all the pomp… Read More
    Todd Benoit’s column, “Methadone debate hits middle age” (BDN, Nov. 27-28), indicates that buprenorphine and LAAM (levo-alpha-acetyl-methadol) are alternatives to methadone in the pharmacologic treatment of the disease of opiate addiction. This requires clarification. Although LAAM remains FDA-approved to treat the disease of opiate addiction,… Read More
    In response to the letter, “Live moose can thrill” (BDN, Nov. 4), they can also cause a lot of accidents. I know, because on Oct. 4, 1982 my husband and I were in a car-moose accident. We were on our way from Linneus to my… Read More
    In the largely gray and white wintry landscape, the sight of those tiny school children racing home in their colorful jackets from the stopped yellow buses offers welcome relief from the drab scene and a reminder that these are our future citizens. The amber and… Read More
    After a prisoner abuse scandal in Iraq, the International Committee of the Red Cross has reportedly found that prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay are subjected to interrogation methods that are “tantamount to torture.” The Pentagon should immediately investigate the group’s findings about the treatment of detainees at the… Read More
    WASHINGTON – The Bush administration on Tuesday upheld the imposition of penalty tariffs on shrimp imports from China and Vietnam, handing a victory to beleaguered U.S. shrimp producers. The action affirmed with slight modifications a preliminary ruling by the Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration last… Read More
    The Santa’s Helper Fund now stands at 33 percent of its goal of raising $50,000 this year. The following donations, coming from individuals, organizations and groups, bring our total to $11,700. Thanks go out to Jacob and Bernice Friedman, Brewer, $25; Anonymous, in memory of… Read More
    ROCKLAND – A proposed methadone clinic is turning nonprofit and working on an affiliation with a local hospital to make itself more palatable to officials and residents who oppose it. “It’s an effort to compromise,” Angel Fuller-McMahan, owner of the planned Turning Tide clinic, said… Read More
    BANGOR – The Penobscot County commissioners charged Tuesday that they have been left out of the latest bid to develop a new court facility in Bangor, and they pressed for greater involvement and to keep the courts on the current campus or at least downtown. Read More
    GREENBUSH – A Burlington woman was killed instantly early Tuesday when a station wagon crossed the centerline on Route 2, hit her sedan and sent it flying into a ditch, police said. Maria Fontaine, 41, apparently died of massive head injuries, while the driver of… Read More
    BANGOR – One year after small groups of Maine residents began convincing local officials to oppose the USA Patriot Act, organizers will be honored today by the Maine Civil Liberties Union. The state branch of the American Civil Liberties Union at its annual meeting in… Read More
    OLD TOWN – One person was sent to the hospital Tuesday in an accident that caused Old Town police to close a portion of Center Street for about half an hour. Nancy Bell, 56, of Brewer told police she was unsure whether she had stopped… Read More
    LINCOLN – The town is seeking about $1,800 in fees from the parents of three young siblings for the repair of 57 gravestones in a Main Street cemetery the youths vandalized last summer. Town Administrative Assistant Gilberte Mayo has filed paperwork with small claims court… Read More
    DEXTER – A 15-year-old student was summoned Tuesday after he allegedly entered Dexter Regional High School and assaulted a student on the second floor. School officials “challenged” the student, who attends an alternative education program offered by SAD 46, from going any farther inside the… Read More
    WILLIMANTIC – A local couple will begin the new year with a monthlong wilderness trip from Greenville to the Allagash, just as they did on their honeymoon more than 20 years ago. Only this time, Alexandra Conover, 51, and Garrett Conover, 49, of North Woods… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – It has been 36 years since a cross was stolen from a local church and later was found nearby in a river, and now police are looking for it again. The 2-foot-high brass cross vanished a second time during the past week from… Read More
    MOUNT DESERT – The directors of the Acadia Disposal District will take public comment next week on their new policy to ban corrugated cardboard from municipal trash collection. The Dec. 8 public hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Somesville Fire Station. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    ST. GEORGE – A four-alarm fire Tuesday afternoon that gutted a Tenants Harbor home injured a woman inside the house and killed two dogs. The owner of the 45 Wallston Road home – John Melquist Jr. – was not home at the time of the… Read More
    MILBRIDGE – Heading in an entirely new direction, the Washington Hancock Community Agency plans to set up an adult day care facility within Hancock County starting in 2005. The agency’s board of directors Tuesday approved the executive director’s concept to develop a business plan that… Read More
    BAR HARBOR – A main power line onto Mount Desert Island came loose from a utility pole on Route 102 late Tuesday evening knocking out power to customers in sections of the town, and blocking the road for several hours. The first report of the… Read More
    UNION – John Upham, commandant of Midcoast Detachment 637 of the Marine Corps League, announced that all future league meetings will be held at 1 p.m. on the second Saturday of every month at the Thompson Memorial Building at the junction of Routes 131 and 17. Read More
    VERONA ISLAND – A suspected burglar didn’t get very far from the crime scene Monday night before police arrested him. Officers arrested Adam M. Gray, 21, of Blue Hill in connection with a break-in late Monday night at the Fort View Variety store on Route… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – One of four guitars stolen from a local store over the weekend has been recovered and an arrest warrant issued for a man suspected of committing the burglary, according to police. Ellsworth police Lt. Harold Page said Tuesday that the man – whom… Read More
    BENEDICTA – “The fight is starting tonight.” Danette Moody’s words to Education Commissioner Susan Gendron on Monday evening illustrated the way many parents say they will spend the next seven months if the commissioner goes through with a plan to close the Benedicta Elementary School… Read More
    OAKFIELD – When Candy Campbell and Debbie Gray got their food pantry running in September, they expected to feed hundreds of the area’s hungry. What they didn’t expect was to be victims of a crime. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – Almost six years ago, resident Joey Seeley sat amazed in a North Carolina stadium as he watched the opening ceremonies of the 1999 World Special Olympics Summer Games. Seeley, who has organized and volunteered in local Special Olympics events since 1991, said… Read More
    HOULTON – An Oakfield man who police believe was behind a Thanksgiving Day melee found himself in even hotter water Tuesday when he allegedly tried to contact his victim from jail. Aroostook County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Montpetit said that an additional charge of tampering with… Read More
    BANGOR – Though a meeting on Penn National Gaming’s efforts to develop a $75 million racetrack casino at Bass Park drew few residents Tuesday night, those who did attend offered some insight into access issues, especially during times of heavy traffic. “I see that right… Read More
    BROOKLIN – Voters on Saturday will decide whether to allocate additional funds for a town pier at Naskeag Harbor. The project was approved at the annual town meeting earlier this year. The special town meeting will start at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at the… Read More
    BANGOR – Firefighters found an unconscious woman as they were putting out a fire inside her Union Street apartment Tuesday night. Firefighters discovered the woman and removed her minutes after they had knocked down the fire in the back apartment at 255 Union St., just… Read More
    HERMON – If you like to go for a run before breakfast or ride your bike to school, there are few options in town besides the busy main roads. That’s why a community group is working on plans to build a 1.2-mile recreational trail system… Read More
    BANGOR – Two local school officials have been selected to attend the second annual National High School Leadership Summit Dec. 2-3 in Washington, D.C. Bangor Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Ervin and Bangor High School Principal Norris Nickerson were nominated by the U.S. Department of… Read More
    BELFAST – The City Council is expected to take up the matter of a contract extension for City Manager Terry St. Peter when it meets next week. St. Peter is working under a contract that expires June 30. He said Tuesday that discussion of a… Read More
    WINTER HARBOR – Despite the dangers inherent in their profession, the majority of the 13 men whose names are listed on a stone outside a local lobster fisherman’s co-op do not have tragic stories associated with their deaths. They were born, they fished lobster for… Read More
    MOUNT DESERT ISLAND – The high school concert choir will perform Saturday to benefit the Island Housing Trust. But the choir may help itself as well, and the very future of the popular year-round island. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – The Knights of Columbus of Ellsworth and Bucksport will hold a public fish fry 5:30-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at St. Joseph Parish Hall Church. The dinner will include fresh haddock, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, rolls and dessert. Cost is $7 for adults and… Read More
    CAMDEN – Local cook and cookbook author Elinor Klivans will sign copies of her latest book 7-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, at Sherman’s Books & Stationery. Klivans will bring samples of cookies featured in her new book, “Big Fat Cookies.” googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
    CASTINE – The Castine Women’s Club will host its monthly meeting at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, at the Unitarian Church Parish Hall. The program will feature students from the Adams School performing seasonal music. Members and nonmembers are welcome to attend. Read More
    CAMDEN – Community members age 55 and older are invited to attend the presentation of “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8, at the Camden Public Library. Erika Pfander of the Chamber Theatre of Maine and George Sykes will… Read More
    CASTINE – A Christmas celebration featuring caroling, readings and seasonal music will take place starting at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13, at Trinitarian Parish Church on Main Street. Ray Nualla will read G.K. Chesterton’s “The House of Christmas,” which will be followed by music from… Read More
    CAMDEN – The Camden Hills Regional High School bands will hold their annual Winter Concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, at Strom Auditorium. The Concert, Symphonic and Jazz bands will perform, featuring works by Count Basie, Frank Ticheli, David Holsinger and Robert W. Smith… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – The 13th annual Poinsettia Ball, presented by R.H. Foster and Machias Savings Bank, will be held beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Ellsworth. The black-tie affair is a fund-raiser for Maine Coast Memorial Hospital’s maternity… Read More
    What a delightful, midday break is in store for all who attend a special fund-raiser for the junior class of Hodgdon High School. Members of the Zoot Suit Revue Back Door Dance Studio of Eddington will take the stage at noon Saturday, Dec. 4, at… Read More
    ORONO – Area students who attended a meeting about moral courage Tuesday said they plan to spread the word at school that remaining true to oneself is more important than being popular. Taking the lessons they learned from a daylong conference sponsored by the University… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Mainers set a record for voter turnout in the Nov. 2 election, drawn to the polls by a close presidential election, referendums on tax reform and bear hunting, and a full slate of legislative candidates. Secretary of State Dan Gwadosky said 73.8 percent… Read More
    AUGUSTA – The fate of four Democratic candidates for high-profile state offices will pivot on the ability of the party’s House and Senate leaders to get their legislators to work on time today. Because of term limits, the current secretary of state, state auditor and… Read More
    MONTPELIER, Vt. – Vermont’s two largest public pension funds are joining a multistate effort to pressure drug companies not to limit supplies to Canadian pharmacies that export medicines to the United States. The Vermont teachers’ and state employees’ pension funds will join similar funds in… Read More
    PARKMAN – Until police interview “some people of interest” who are now out of state, the investigation into the March 11 death of an elderly Parkman man is on hold. Arthur Bailey, 74, died on March 11 at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor from… Read More
    The skinny Bakers aren’t the only people fighting the low-carb craze – how do you think bartenders feel? Bob Skilnik, the author of “The Drink Beer, Get Thin Diet,” knows you can drink only so many ultralight beers before you get bored, so he wrote… Read More
    If you were a woman working in Maine’s cotton mills in the late 1880s, you made about $4.50 to $9 a week. If you were a shoe worker, you made $6 to $15. Your male counterparts made up to $27 in the cotton mill and up to $20… Read More
    It’s a shame, really. Two coaches I respected have become nothing more than bush leaguers in my eyes. I thought Pete Carroll was over his head when he was coaching the New England Patriots into consistent underachievement. But the offensive creativity, flair, and explosiveness we… Read More
    The Maine Baseball Hall of Fame is soliciting nominations until Dec. 10 for its 2005 induction class. Founded in 1969, the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame is committed to recognizing players, coaches, umpires, organizers, and benefactors who have achieved prominence or made significant contributions to… Read More
    The American Lung Association of Maine is offering its 2005 Golf Privilege Card for $60, a $10 discount off the regular price. The card affords a golfer the opportunity to play more than 200 rounds of golf at no charge or for reduced fees at… Read More
    HIGH SCHOOL Pine Tree Conference Football 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
    COLLEGE Olivia Zurek and Kari Simpson 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
    ALTON – An attorney for We the People, a group of area residents opposed to the West Old Town Landfill deal, has filed a lawsuit at Penobscot Superior Court against the state Board of Environmental Protection. We the People’s attorney Marcia Cleveland of Brunswick is… Read More
    BELFAST – Three nations inhabit the Passamaquoddy Bay region, and this larger community opposes a plan to build a $300 million liquefied natural gas terminal there, members of a coalition said Tuesday. The Save Passamaquoddy Bay Alliance met with reporters at the Hutchinson Center of… Read More
    PORTLAND – The political crisis unfolding in Ukraine has brought both hope, despair, and worry to Ukrainian immigrants in Maine. At a time when their native country seems to be at a dreadful tipping point, Larissa and Alexander Timchenko of South Portland are some 4,500… Read More