AUGUSTA – The University of Maine System’s controversial strategic plan took center stage Tuesday during lengthy public hearings on two bills calling for more public and legislative participation in major policy and restructuring decisions affecting UMS. Speaking before the Legislature’s Education Committee, faculty, students and… Read More
    AUGUSTA – The already charged political atmosphere at the State House got kicked up a notch Tuesday after a cadre of Republican lawmakers challenged a key funding provision of the Democrats’ majority state budget with a proposed people’s veto referendum. Last month, minority Republicans in… Read More
    CONCORD, N.H. – As the Pentagon narrows its list of military bases targeted for closure, supporters of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard sought funding Tuesday for a broad campaign to save the facility. The Seacoast Shipyard Association is seeking $100,000 in state money for legal fees,… Read More
    BANGOR – Despite a predicted lackluster year for the airline industry nationally, a record-setting March at Bangor International Airport could help bolster a stronger-than-average year, an airport official said Tuesday. Figures for flights at BIA in March showed a fairly robust growth of 8.6 percent,… Read More
    FREDERICTON, New Brunswick – Premier Bernard Lord will be looking for nearly $1 billion when he meets with Prime Minister Paul Martin on Wednesday to discuss refurbishing Atlantic Canada’s only nuclear power plant. Lord said Tuesday that given the uncertain future of the federal Liberal… Read More
    I have just read Bob Bedard’s letter (BDN, April 8). I would challenge him to explain exactly what kind of “special rights” for gays the Legislature just enacted. It is difficult to fault people such as Bedard for being confused about what the new law… Read More
    Boy, was I excited to be e-mailed a copy of the governor’s press release with the headline “Governor Names Creative Economy Council Members.” We really need something in Washington County. After Gov. Baldacci’s adviser tried to stick us with LNG I know he feels like… Read More
    Your March 23 editorial addressed two bills dealing with the sea urchin fishery to be considered that day by the Legislature’s Marine Resources Committee. Absent subsequent coverage by your paper, please note that LD 167, the so-called Department of Marine Resources’ bill, received an ought… Read More
    Judy Harrison’s critique of the book, “A Bitter Brew: Faith, Power, and Poison in a Small New England Town” (“An outsider’s view into church poisonings,” BDN, April 4), is, at the very least, superficial and probably uninformed. [I am a Bangor native who grew up in New Sweden.]… Read More
    I am shocked but not awed to learn that in Iraq, and no telling where else, the United States has been using weapons of mass destruction loaded with depleted uranium. Depleted uranium contains traces of plutonium, the most toxic substance known, with a “shelf life” of several million… Read More
    With control of the budget in Congress, Republicans largely remain determined to cut Medicaid and other social service programs while insisting on huge tax cuts, producing a dangerous double of fewer government services and deeper debt. Seven Senate Republicans, however, are looking for quiet ways to protect those… Read More
    With new equipment and responsibilities, police work has changed a lot in the last six decades. The State Police’s system of barracks and patrols has not. An assessment of the force and where and how it works is now under way and should bring the police up to… Read More
    Maine law enforcement leaders are proud to have two strong, independent leaders in Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins. On March 17, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives passed budget resolutions that set the wrong priorities for America’s law enforcement and for children. When… Read More
    ALLAGASH – The 77-year-old man stranded with his cat and two dogs by ice and water along the St. John River said Tuesday he still plans to ride out the elements. Milt Tottle has stayed in his home west of Big Rapids since Thursday. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Gasoline-electric hybrid cars and other “clean” low-emission vehicles are popular among Maine consumers, but a formal quota on the sale of these vehicles proved controversial at a hearing before legislators Tuesday. The Department of Environmental Protection has proposed joining six other New England… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Public school is tough enough without exposing students to hazardous chemicals, advocates of a bill to pay for cleaning up school laboratories and janitors’ closets told legislators Tuesday. A recent incident in the Washington, D.C., area brought the problem to light when students… Read More
    HOULTON – With little hesitation, town councilors on Monday evening approved a resolution that urges the Legislature to recognize what they say are problems with the state’s property tax relief package known as LD 1. The Town Council’s measure urges legislators to “work toward the… Read More
    NEWPORT – SAD 48 taxpayers should see a cut in the six district towns’ assessments to fund education this year, Superintendent William Braun said this week. “There should be a 6 percent across-the-board reduction in what we tax the towns,” Braun said. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – Town officials were painted a sobering mental picture on Tuesday of the role the Homestead Exemption Act will play on municipal finances. In a brief summary provided to selectmen, Town Manager Jack Clukey estimated the town will lose about $150,000 in revenue in… Read More
    LINCOLN – Basketball tournaments held earlier this month raised almost $7,000 for the proposed town Parks and Recreation Department center, organizers said Tuesday. Most of the amount raised likely will go toward paying designer Ted Ocana of Foresight Engineering of Lincoln for the design proposal… Read More
    HERMON – The town’s taxpayers likely won’t have to fork over much more than they did last year to fund the 2005-06 school budget, which was approved unanimously on Monday night by the school committee. The $10.5 million budget represents a 6 percent increase over… Read More
    BREWER – The money that the city pays T.J. Ryan Center for ice time used by Brewer High School teams will be funneled back to the city to pay the business’s unpaid tax bill. Brewer City Council members voted unanimously Tuesday to direct the money… Read More
    ROCKPORT – The lone finalist for the principal’s job at Camden Hills Regional High School spent Tuesday visiting the school community. Nick Ithomitis rose to the top from a field of 13 applicants, said Five Town Community School District Superintendent Pat Hopkins. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    FRENCHBORO – The sudden erosion of a roadside embankment in a recent rainstorm has prompted town officials to ask for outside help in getting it fixed. First Selectman Robert Stuart said Tuesday that about a foot of rain fell on the island community in an… Read More
    MACHIAS – Judy East of the Washington County Council of Governments has a mission this month: Convince local leadership of the value of setting up two days in summer when the public can get rid of hazardous household waste. Last week she gained support for… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – Three state universities linked by an agreement are investigating ways to improve college success rates after they received planning grants from the MELMAC Education Foundation. The University of Maine’s Presque Isle, Fort Kent and Machias campuses garnered $6,000 in planning grants to… Read More
    HOULTON – Town councilors on Monday evening went forward with their plan to appoint a member of the public to the board of the Shiretown Development Corp., but balked when the town attorney advised they should not use a secret ballot to make a choice. Read More
    MACHIAS – A 36-year-old substitute teacher at Eastport High School was indicted Tuesday on charges of Class A gross sexual assault by the Washington County grand jury. Geoffrey Miller was arrested in September by Eastport police for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old… Read More
    HOULTON – A workshop on community response to domestic violence will be held 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, at Houlton Regional Hospital. Participants will learn about: googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE -The American Cancer Society Relay for Life will be held from 6 p.m. Friday, June 3 to 12 p.m. Saturday, June 4, at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Relay for Life is a family-oriented event where participants raise funds to support… Read More
    CARIBOU – A book sale will be held 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, April 29, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at the Caribou Public Library. Adult and children’s books, videos, magazines and audio books will be available. Call 493-4214 for information. Read More
    ELLSWORTH – State law enforcement officials have found a way to save one of three positions in Hancock County’s anti-drug task force. Darrell Crandall, a division commander with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, said Tuesday a vacant agent’s position in the southern end of the… Read More
    BANGOR – The county’s doors will be open next week to anyone who would like to take a look around Penobscot County Jail, watch firsthand as dispatchers handle police and fire calls, or see how county workers go about their day-to-day business. Several open-house events… Read More
    BAILEYVILLE – Calais expects to have a new bridge to Canada by 2007. A decision to build the area’s so-called third bridge in Calais was made more than two years ago. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
    FORT KENT – A local woman was treated for injuries after an accident Sunday night at the intersection of Main and Market streets. Darlene Dumond, 43, was driving out of the Rite Aid parking lot, crossing Main Street to go onto Market Street when her… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – A community cleanup day sponsored by the Presque Isle Chamber of Commerce and the city of Presque Isle will be held 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 30. The city will provide trash bags and refreshments after the event. Call 764-6561 or 764-4485 to… Read More
    Wisdom Middle-High School, St. Agatha Second 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]… Read More
    DREW PLANTATION – The state Legislature will next get to decide whether Drew Plantation should be allowed to deorganize into a township, town officials said Tuesday. Residents voted 13-8 in favor of deorganization during a town meeting Saturday that clears the way for the Legislature’s… Read More
    HOLDEN – After reviewing the town’s 2005-06 budget at the yearly budget hearing Monday night and making no changes, town leaders endorsed presenting the figures to residents at the annual town meeting in mid-June. “There were no changes,” Town Manager Larry Varisco said Tuesday. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    One person in a chicken suit and four other animal-rights activists brandished anti-KFC signs during the Tuesday lunch rush at the Broadway fast-food restaurant. The protesters from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals attracted some stares from passers-by and honks from drivers during their demonstration, part of… Read More
    The renovation of the historic Bass building will whittle the number of Central Street driving lanes for the next few days from three lanes to one. A subcontractor started opening up the sewer hole Tuesday morning to put in a new drain, Lin Lufkin, vice president of the… Read More
    BLUE HILL – Selectmen are awaiting an engineering report before they decide how to replace the Mill Street Bridge, which was washed out during heavy rains earlier this month. The bridge, which already had been targeted for repairs or replacement with funds raised at the… Read More
    Belfast District Court Cases April 4-8, 2005 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
    Black ice was blamed for a four-car pileup on Veterans Memorial Bridge. Minor injuries were reported. The chain reaction on the bridge began at 5:35 a.m. when a 1990 Nissan driven by Larry Hall, 37, of Belfast spun out of control while heading south. Hall’s vehicle was hit… Read More
    A car rolled over Tuesday morning on Lincolnville Avenue, injuring the driver. Belfast police Officer Howard Dakin responded to the accident near the Belfast-Northport line. Amy Giansiracusa, 19, of Warren was on her way to the University of Maine in Orono at 7:03 a.m. when her 1996 Pontiac… Read More
    A celebration of Down East river heritage, service and preservation is planned Friday at a smelt fry and potluck supper at the Columbia Falls town office. The 5 p.m. event is sponsored by the Downeast Salmon Federation and Downeast Rivers Land Trust. Ray Robinson, 90, one of the… Read More
    A Levant man was arrested Monday night after a traffic stop and charged with illegally possessing the drug morphine. Police said Leslie A. Bragg, 38, was a passenger in a car they stopped on Oak Street about 8:30 p.m. because the driver had allegedly crossed the centerline. Ellsworth… Read More
    The award-winning documentary “Blue Vinyl: Toxics in Our Midst” will be presented at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 15, at the First Universalist Church, 345 Broadway. After the film, Steve Taylor, director of outreach for the Environmental Health Strategy Center, will give an update on legislation proposed to remove… Read More
    The Rockland-Thomaston Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly business after-hours gathering from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, at Fixtures … Designer Plumbing Showroom, 143 Maverick St. The monthly open house is a chance to showcase a business and offer Chamber members the chance to… Read More
    Singer-songwriter Livingston Taylor will perform a benefit concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at the Owls Head Transportation Museum. Proceeds will be donated to tsunami relief efforts in the Bay of Bengal. Tickets are $20. Call 594-9209. Read More
    BANGOR – A former University of Maine student who allegedly robbed a local credit union earlier this month was indicted Monday by a federal grand jury. Stephen Wesley Bell, 19, of Bangor and Newport is charged with the April 4 robbery of the University Credit… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – A Chesuncook man died on Monday when his vehicle veered across Route 6-16 and crashed into a telephone pole. Robert McNaughton, 53, was conscious when police and medical personnel arrived at about 1:45 p.m. but died seconds later, according to Dover-Foxcroft Police Chief… Read More
    AUGUSTA – A woman’s claim of sexual harassment at the Blue Hill apartment complex where she lived was supported by the Maine Human Rights Commission on Monday. The commission’s investigator recommended the panel find in favor of Rebecca Kidder, who now lives in Penobscot in… Read More
    One week from today, the books will be cooked and ready for eating, no pun intended. It’s the fourth annual Books2Eat edible book celebration from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, at Rangeley Hall at Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    AUGUSTA – When state veterinarian Don Hoenig told the Legislature’s Agriculture Committee last week that veterinary records should be treated in the same confidential manner as human medical records, he raised a few eyebrows. Hoenig was testifying in favor of LD 1106, which would establish… Read More
    PORTLAND – Official paperwork associated with Maine’s suspended brain-harvesting operation can be withheld from the public, according to a recent court document filed by the Maine Attorney General’s Office. State medical examiner’s forms identifying a deceased brain donor and who approved the donation reveal “private… Read More
    ORONO – College Republicans, who say they are being treated unfairly on college campuses around the state, discussed the issue during the organization’s annual state convention Saturday at the Black Bear Inn in Orono. The theme of the gathering that drew about 200 young Republicans… Read More
    AUGUSTA – LD 429, a bill that would have required state veterinarians to provide vaccine disclosures to pet owners, has been tabled after the Legislature’s Agriculture Committee sent the responsibility for such disclosure back to the vets themselves. Kris Christine of Alna, the pet advocate… Read More
    Following is a list of Bangor-area sites now under consideration by state court officials: . Site 1: Sylvan Road, Bangor, 8 acres, near the former GTE-Sylvania plant. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false;… Read More
    FORT FAIRFIELD – All along the St. John River on Tuesday the banks were piled high with ice. The ice was piled there from the water pressure of the river as small jams moved. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
    BREWER – A unique partnership between a local bank and Eastern Maine Development Corp. was announced Tuesday that will provide low-interest loans to people, groups and businesses interested in developing a space at The Mill at Penobscot Landing. “EMDC and UnitedKingfield Bank [of Bangor] have… Read More
    Starting today, announcements for Bangor-area benefits, club meetings, 12-step groups and other community events should be sent to The Weekly, Weekly Calendar, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329; or left at the front desk of the BDN’s Buck Street entrance. Announcements of concerts, plays and dances… Read More
    Cook books Ever devoured a good novel? Then you’re ready for the fourth annual Books2Eat event at Eastern Maine Community College. The fund-raiser for EMCC’s library features edible books (in the form of cakes, crackers, etc.). Cooks can compete in four categories: professional chef, culinary… Read More
    Stephanie Guidi probably hasn’t had enough college coaching experience to land the job as the next University of Maine women’s basketball coach. But the 1996 UMaine graduate, who has spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach at Southwest Missouri State, should be an… Read More
    Four-year University of Maine assistant men’s hockey coach Campbell Blair is one of five finalists for the coaching job at Canisius College (N.Y.). Canisius was 16-15-4 in Atlantic Hockey this past season. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
    Boxing is struggling to maintain its standing in the world of professional sports, but Ken Wyman is working to make the “sweet science” a viable part of the amateur athletic world in Maine. Wyman, a former two-time Maine Golden Gloves champion, has opened his own… Read More
    COLLEGE Tip Fairchild 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
    Sugarloaf Golf Course in Carrabassett Valley and Belgrade Lakes Golf Course have jumped up in the rankings of the top 100 public golf courses in America as determined by Golf Digest magazine. Sugarloaf is ranked 30th, leaping up from 45th in the previous rankings released… Read More
    HAMPDEN – The Souadabscook Stream Race has been rescheduled for Sunday at Emerson Mill Road Grange. The 8-mile, whitewater race starts at 11 a.m. with registration from 9-10:30 a.m. Helmets are required. The sprint race has been canceled. Contact Leslie Winchester-Mabee at 942-0601 for more information. Read More
    ROCKLAND – The Rockland Golf Club will open for the season on Thursday at 11 a.m. The front nine holes will be open for walking. Golf carts will be available as soon as course conditions allow. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
    GORHAM – Max Arsenault and Ryan Bourque opened the sixth inning with back-to-back singles and scored on an errant pickoff attempt and a groundout, respectively, as the University of Maine edged Endicott College 7-5 in college baseball action on Tuesday. Eddie Skeffington paced Southern Maine… Read More
    MAINE vs. BROWN Time, site: Wednesday, 2 p.m.; Aldrich Field, Providence, R.I. 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
    BOSTON – Greg Cronin was named head hockey coach at Northeastern University on Tuesday after working in the New York Islanders organization since 1998. Cronin succeeds Bruce Crowder, a former Boston Bruin and Pittsburgh Penguin whose contract was not renewed after the Huskies went 15-18-5… Read More
    Dexter High School standout Ashley Ames has decided to attend Emmanuel College in Boston to play basketball for the Division III Saints. The 6-foot-4 forward narrowed her choices recently, Dexter coach Jody Grant said. She was also considering Wentworth Institute of Technology, which is also… Read More