AUGUSTA ? A movement to repeal the November 2003 vote authorizing slot machines for the state’s commercial harness racing tracks could delay work on Penn National Gaming Inc.’s permanent gaming facility in Bangor, a corporate executive said Thursday during a meeting of the Maine Gambling Control Board. Read More
BANGOR ? A potential terrorist managed to slip through airport security in Paris and was headed straight for Boston on Thursday ? or so federal authorities thought. An Air France flight bound for Logan Airport was diverted to Bangor International Airport on Thursday afternoon because… Read More
AUGUSTA ? Minority Republicans at the State House continued Thursday to pursue a carrot-and-stick approach in attempting to convince Democrats to reconsider a $450 million borrowing component in the budget passed a month ago by the majority party. On one hand, GOP leaders reiterated their… Read More
Anxious or ambivalent, residents in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts will learn today whether the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Brunswick Naval Air Station will be targeted during the first round of military base closings in a decade. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is set to make… Read More
A Newspapers in Education special series titled “It’s Maine Government and History Week” on Page C8 contained an error on April 26 in the Pieces of Maine History timeline provided by the Maine Historical Society. The Aroostook War was not declared by the state of Maine. Read More
WASHINGTON ? Thirty-four military bases shut down since 1988 are on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund list of worst toxic waste sites ? most of them for at least 15 years ? and not one is completely cleaned up. As the latest base-closing commission begins… Read More
AUGUSTA ? State workers must pay a union fee regardless of whether they join the union or risk being fired, according to a state official. A memo handing down the pay-or-be-fired ultimatum came from Kenneth Walo, director of the state’s Bureau of Employee Relations. It… Read More
BANGOR ? More than 6,000 visitors are expected this weekend at the 2005 Northeastern Forest Products Equipment Expo, which runs all day today and most of Saturday at ? and outside ? the Bangor Civic Center. The trade show, one of the largest of its… Read More
A funeral home operator in Bangor knows first-hand about the problems small businesses can face when the people who work for them are called up for lengthy deployments with the National Guard and reserves. Larry Audet, a longtime member of the Army National Guard, was… Read More
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. ? Despite UnumProvident Corp.’s $15 million fine from a multistate investigation of denied claims and a disappointing first quarter, no shareholders complained Thursday. One day after shares of the nation’s largest disability insurer traded at $17.27, up more than $3 from before the… Read More
Information about milk has been the topic of opposing viewpoints in this paper recently. Sharon Mack (BDN, May 4) thoughtfully discussed the role of milk in a healthful diet. A representative of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals responded with the dangers of dairy (BDN, May… Read More
Three cheers to the Bangor Daily News for leading the way with its bold position that the Central American Free Trade Agreement should be defeated (BDN editorial, May 11). A look at the countries involved in this latest attempt at free trade tells a little something about CAFTA’s… Read More
I hope your editorial, “Driving Tips from Norway” (BDN, May 6), will be read in Washington where we desperately need an abrupt change of course if the United States is ever going to start making progress toward energy independence. Fortunately, in Maine, we can start… Read More
A bill, LD 1664, was filed by Rep. Scott Cowger, of Kennebec County, to require crematoriums to remove dental fillings containing mercury from corpses prior to cremation. The article in the Bangor Daily News of May 11 had an interview with a funeral business owner… Read More
Amidst all the brouhaha about school budgets and shrinking districts, have we lost sight of what really matters? The kids. Beyond the classrooms, curriculum and computers lies the essential element that gets them through and keeps them in school. This was apparent at a recent… Read More
With high heating oil and electricity prices, energy costs have been on the minds of many Mainers lately. The Maine Legislature can take a simple step to ease those concerns a little by passing a bill that will require the most energy-efficient models of more than a dozen… Read More
A year after the nation first learned of the abuses of prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison by U.S. personnel, and then learned that the abuses weren’t confined to that prison, the debate over brutal interrogation techniques has turned toward the conclusion that those techniques aren’t very effective because… Read More
BANGOR ? Low-income Mainers can look forward to having an easier time getting the drugs they need to stay healthy and out of the hospital. Major health care providers in the area met earlier this week to begin designing a “one-stop shopping” service that would simplify access to… Read More
I called Bangor police Lt. Tim Reid this week to talk about unsolved homicides for a column I was going to write. But rudely enough, right in the middle of our interview, Reid switched directions on me and my whole well-researched column idea flew out… Read More
AUGUSTA ? The aunts of a pregnant Bangor woman murdered by her husband 2 ? years ago urged members of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee on Thursday to support a bill that would make the death by violence of an “unborn child” a homicide. The women… Read More
BANGOR ? Down the road, when small high schools apply for state construction money, they may need to plead their case based on the number of students who have graduated, gone to college and performed well on tests. Those are some of the criteria that… Read More
BANGOR ? Robert Woodbury guesses he must ride the Bangor Area Transit bus system at least 12 times a week ? which comes to twice a day on the bus’s Monday through Saturday schedule. “I go everywhere,” the Bangor resident said as he waited outside… Read More
Trillions of gallons of rain, sleet and snow trickle through the rocks and soil of Maine each year, recharging a groundwater resource that is becoming world-famous. But with industries such as one of the world’s biggest water-bottling companies, ski mountains that depend on wells for their snowmaking equipment,… Read More
ELLSWORTH ? A Bangor driver was treated at a local hospital Wednesday night after a two-car crash on High Street. The accident occurred at the intersection in front of McDonald’s restaurant about 8 p.m. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
HANCOCK ? An 84-year-old local man was taken to the hospital after a Route 1 crash Thursday morning. Maine State Police Sgt. Tim Varney said Dorothy Proulx, 62, of Ellsworth was stopped in a line of eastbound traffic near Le Domaine Restaurant because of road… Read More
OTIS ? Voters will decide whether to pave the road to the public boat launch when they gather for the annual town meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 14, at Beech Hill School. Paving the section of West Shore Road would cost $19,126. While the… Read More
GLENBURN ? Attempts to keep budget increases at a minimum have some residents worried that town officials are getting rid of a valuable service to the community. The Legislature voted in January to increase the so-called homestead exemption for homeowners, but reduced the reimbursement from… Read More
HOLDEN ? The SAD 63 budget is increasing by 5 percent but is offset with additional state funds so residents will pay less for education at tax time, superintendent Louise Regan said Thursday. “Yes, the budget did go up but the taxes [for education] will… Read More
DEXTER ? After serving as Monson’s town manager for the past year, Judy Doore is returning to her hometown to serve as Dexter’s first female town manager. The Dexter Town Council voted unanimously at a special meeting Monday to hire Doore. She will begin in… Read More
ALTON ? School officials are proposing a $1.28 million budget, a 3.5 percent increase over last year. The bulk of the increase comes from fuel and operations costs, contractual salary increases and special education costs. “Fuel is a major factor for us,” Union 90 Finance… Read More
A three-car accident on the Joshua Chamberlain Bridge in Brewer Wednesday afternoon resulted in an Orrington man being charged with operating under the influence of intoxicants. Brewer police were called shortly after 4 p.m. when Michael Aygarn, 48, rear-ended a vehicle on the bridge near… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT ? Town officials recently agreed to contract Davis and Northup of Parkman for the cleanup of debris left by a fire this winter at the Dover-Foxcroft Recycling Facility. The company submitted a bid of $21,483 for the cleanup project, the lowest of two bids. Read More
ORONO ? An environmental design workshop will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday, May 22, on Ayers Island to focus on converting sites into ecologically friendly “ecopeace” sites. Professionals and interested community members will weigh in on what should happen to the old… Read More
BANGOR ? Traffic on State Street will be detoured between Maple and Fern streets beginning at 7 a.m. Tuesday, May 17. Traffic will be detoured for four to six weeks to allow for installation of new sewers and storm drains between Salem Court and Fern Street. Read More
PERRY ? If voters say yes in June, the Passamaquoddy Tribe plans to move forward with its plan to build a $20 million aviation and aerospace maintenance and manufacturing plant on land the tribe annexed from the town. When tribal officials made the announcement in… Read More
TOWNSHIP 14 ? After days of searching Cathance Lake, the Maine Warden Service dive team Wednesday night called off its search for a missing 55-year-old Meddybemps fisherman. Jim Craig has been missing since Saturday. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
ROCKLAND ? The estate of a woman killed when her Chevy Blazer plunged into a quarry filled with icy water wants the city to pay for the dive team the family hired after government rescuers decided an immediate recovery would be unsafe. A notice of… Read More
WARREN ? Selectmen voted unanimously Wednesday to appeal to Superior Court the recent Maine Emergency Medical Services board’s ruling that the town must provide emergency ambulance services to state prisons within the town. The board decided last week during a public meeting that inmates are… Read More
ROCKLAND ? The Maine Lobster Festival Corp. shed a few pounds of cash Thursday, handing out $70,000 in contributions to the city and the soon-to-open Maine Lighthouse Museum. A check for $60,000 was given to the museum during a news conference at the Park Drive… Read More
DEER ISLE ? A Colorado man escaped injury Wednesday morning after the vehicle he was driving rolled over and landed in the marsh off Route 15. Ian L. Ochs of Durango, Colo., was driving south near 1:30 a.m. when his vehicle skidded and left the… Read More
SEARSPORT ? A public meeting will be held to discuss the Even Start grant and the family literacy program proposed for SAD 56. The meeting will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, in Room 11 of Searsport District High School. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
WARREN ? Selectmen awarded this year’s road paving contract Wednesday to Vaughn Thibodeau & Sons of Waldo County for $214,753. Town Manager Grant Watmough said Thursday that about 3.5 miles of road will be resurfaced in all, noting the cost per ton for asphalt has… Read More
ST. AGATHA ? Residents of an island in the middle of Long Lake may have to move again because of the instability of a half-mile-long causeway that quickly was deteriorating Thursday. Waves pushed by 30 to 45 mph winds pounded the rock and gravel causeway,… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE ? There’s nothing like a bike trip across North America to help a person develop inner strength and better connect with the world. Just ask Shirley Rush. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
NASHVILLE PLANTATION ? A local man is out on bail after an official from the State Fire Marshal’s Office arrested him last week for arson and insurance deception. Jerry Carney, 48, of Nashville Plantation awaits a July 8 District Court trial on charges stemming from… Read More
MARS HILL ? A Houlton man will appear next month in Presque Isle District Court on three Class E misdemeanor charges stemming from an apartment house fire in January that left 13 people homeless. Frank Draus, who owns the two-story apartment building at 22 Benjamin… Read More
FORT KENT ? The Town Council is looking into liability issues, insurance problems and a proposed site location for a skate park proposed by local children and their parents. Artists of the Plank, a local group of skateboarders, in-line skaters, trick bikers and scooter enthusiasts,… Read More
GREENVILLE ? The Greenville Town Office will be closed on Monday, May 23, for training and to upgrade the computer system. Read More
GUILFORD — SAD 4 directors on Tuesday rejected a request from Abbot town officials to change the date of the district budget meeting now held the same day as the June primary. It was the third attempt by Abbot officials in three years to convince… Read More
ELLSWORTH ? One day after he appeared in Bangor federal court, a Bass Harbor man was in Hancock County Superior Court on Wednesday to accept a plea agreement on state charges, including writing $10,000 in bad checks and trafficking in heroin. David C. Faulkingham Jr.,… Read More
Three female eighth-graders and an elementary-age pupil in SAD 40 schools were charged Thursday with terrorizing in connection with separate incidents. One pupil at Warren Community School was summoned for terrorizing for allegedly threatening a teacher, according to Knox County Chief Deputy Todd Butler. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
AUGUSTA ? The central Aroostook County legislator sponsoring a trucking bill that seems to give an edge to Canadian truckers claims the bill originally was aimed at helping an Aroostook County mill with its wood supply. Since then, the Aroostook County mill has been taken… Read More
Three St. John Valley towns will be holding their annual town meetings next month, and several school districts will be having their annual budget meetings where residents get their say. The annual budget meeting for SAD 27 will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE ? A Westfield woman was only slightly injured when her vehicle hit a moose, Officer Kevin Schumacher said Thursday. The vehicle was demolished. Carol Reeves, 62, of Westfield received minor lacerations on her hands from flying windshield glass, Schumacher said. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE ? Students at Presque Isle High School are working together to put on the first Erin Sperrey Memorial Walk-A-Thon in an effort both to honor the former student and to make their workplaces safer. The local FFA is host of the event, which… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE ? Work is slated to begin soon on an addition to the Maine Department of Transportation’s highway garage in Presque Isle now that DOT officials have awarded a construction contract to a local company. Officials awarded the contract to A.L. Construction Inc. of… Read More
BRADLEY – The proposed school budget of $1.76 million is about a 4.8 percent increase in the total budget over last year, school officials said Wednesday. As with other schools in Union 90, the increased price of fuel has added to the rise in next… Read More
GUILFORD – A 2005-2006 budget reflecting a 7.55 percent increase over this year’s spending plan was approved on Tuesday by SAD 4 directors. The $6,549,417 budget now will be decided by residents in the towns of Sangerville, Guilford, Abbot, Cambridge, Parkman and Wellington at a… Read More
BREWER – The promise was made last year to reduce taxes for city residents, and City Council members are determined to keep their word. “That’s our pledge,” Mayor Joseph Ferris said Wednesday at the annual joint meeting of the council and Brewer School Committee. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
PITTSFIELD — There appears to be renewed interest in replacing the town’s antiquated asphalt swimming pool. Various meetings have been held and a plan is being developed, Town Manager Kathryn Ruth said Wednesday. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
CARIBOU ? Fire officials suspect that a fire that destroyed a mobile home this week was caused by electrical problems, Caribou Fire Chief Roy Woods said Thursday. The mobile home, owned by Tracy Devoe and located on River Road in Caribou, caught fire Tuesday afternoon,… Read More
A man reported missing March 13 has returned to the area, his family said Thursday. Dwayne Murphy, 40, had been gone since March 4, saying he was visiting a friend known only as Mike. His family, based mainly in Hancock County, had conducted search efforts in the Bangor… Read More
MILLINOCKET ? The Town Council paved the way Thursday night for a more than $1 million health center complex that will bring at least 50 mostly new jobs and hundreds more residents downtown. With its 5-1 vote, councilors approved selling a tiny parcel of land… Read More
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK ? Ominous piles of fallen rocks loosened by April’s heavy rains were marked Wednesday by orange traffic cones on the sides of Acadia National Park’s famed Park Loop Road near Jordan Pond. Park officials are warning drivers to slow down on the… Read More
ROBBINSTON ? Don’t expect an LNG terminal in this community anytime soon. That was the message this week from Tom Moholland, chairman of the Board of Selectmen. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false;… Read More
GREENVILLE ? If you’re nimble with knitting needles, the Moosehead Lake Region Chamber of Commerce has a chair with your name on it. The Chamber, with support from Bartlett Yarns Inc. of Harmony, is sponsoring the “‘Knittin’ Mitten” contest, a resurrection of a bygone event,… Read More
One of the three registered sex offenders who recently moved to Dover-Foxcroft was sentenced this week for failure to register or update information with the Maine Sex Offender Registry. Erlon Noyes, 22, was sentenced Monday in 13th District Court to 30 days in jail. He also received a… Read More
CUTLER ? Mired in a lawsuit over how the town’s harbor has been handled for the last year, Cutler’s selectmen on Wednesday led residents through a special town meeting that, in the end, gave town officials more money, authority and leeway in how they move forward at this… Read More
ORONO ? More than 150 students from 10 Maine high schools will compete for prizes and scholarships at the Maine Principals’ Association’s 59th annual Maine State Science and Technology Fair on Saturday, May 14, at the University of Maine. Judging will begin at 9:15 a.m.,… Read More
Conversations surrounding Penobscot Theatre’s second annual Gala Fund-raiser, beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Opera House in Bangor, will abound with hellos and goodbyes as attendees welcome former Brewer resident and jazz singer Diane Linscott back to the area and bid a fond farewell to… Read More
AUGUSTA ? Domestic violence and other forms of violent crime dropped last year in Maine, but there were two more homicides, the state Department of Public Safety said Thursday. Maine’s overall crime rate decreased for the third consecutive year as the 2004 rate dropped by… Read More
BANGOR ? Many of the more than 400 people attending a public workshop on living wills Wednesday evening left with a completed document in their hands. The free workshop at the Spectacular Event Center was the first of its kind in this area, and organizers… Read More
Within seconds and without discussion, an unusual plan to outlaw abortions of “gay fetuses” met its demise in the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee on Thursday, essentially ending the bill’s turbulent run through the State House. “Let’s get rid of ? [LD] 908,” Sen. Barry Hobbins, D-Saco,… Read More
BANGOR ? A City Council committee gave the nod Wednesday for the city’s airport to look for a designer for a proposed parking garage. The approval by members of the City Council and city officials brings the airport one step closer to having a long-term… Read More
STANDISH ? Husson College junior shortstop Jason Harvey said being immersed in final exams and taking a few days off from baseball this week was beneficial. “I was able to relax and get refocused,” said Harvey, whose two-run first-inning homer, triple and single helped lead… Read More
Cherryfield’s Andy Santerre will seek his fourth consecutive Busch North series points championship beginning Sunday at Lee USA Speedway in New Hampshire. But, for the first time, he also finds himself managing an imposing team that will include Mike Stefanik and Brad Leighton. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
When it comes to sports, Matthew Paul knows enough to contribute to any discussion, be it in a bar over beers, from the comfort of his favorite easy chair with a game on, or sitting in the stands. It’s quite another thing to do it… Read More
BANGOR ? Two days after allowing an early lead to slip away against Brewer, the Bangor High softball team wasn’t about to let it happen again. In fact, the Rams couldn’t help but think about it as they again went up early on Hampden in… Read More
BANGOR ? It was a cool spring evening that felt almost like autumn, but it was optimal pitching weather for Hampden Academy righthander Chris Pease. “It was chilly at first, but once the wind died down, it was nice,” said Pease, who struck out 10… Read More
This is going to be fun. Baseball is going to become even more worldly. Major League Baseball announced Wednesday that the long sought world championship tournament will be played next year and be called the World Baseball Classic. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
College NESCAC 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 slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
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BOSTON ? Red Sox Fenway Ambassadors selected 10-year-old Aaron Beaulieu as honorary bat boy at Wednesday’s Red Sox-Athletics game. The Hampden resident helped Red Sox bat boys with pre-game duties and watched batting practice from the Boston dugout. Aaron, along with honorary bat girl Alicia… Read More
FORT FAIRFIELD ? Aroostook Valley Country Club in Fort Fairfield, Maine opened up at 8AM on Thursday May 12, 2005. New Cart Shed is completed and is now available for cart storage. Read More
DYER BROOK ? Junior righthander Travis Brooker allowed only four hits and a walk and struck out eight to lead the Southern Aroostook Warriors to a 7-0 high school baseball victory over the Fort Fairfield Tigers Thursday. Jeff Boutilier cranked a two-run homer and singled… Read More
Looking back on how the UMaine-Farmington softball team won the North Atlantic Conference championship, coach Bob Leib still has a hard time believing the Beavers have advanced to the NCAA Division III tournament. But some big early season defensive changes and a strong showing of… Read More
JONESPORT ? Timothy Holmes singled three times and doubled once to drive in three runs for the Jonesport-Beals Royals as they held off Bangor Christian 18-16 in baseball action Thursday. Reggie Mitchell had two doubles and a single for three more RBI. Joseph Libby doubled… Read More
BREWER ? Katie Quimby singled to bring the game-winning run home in the top of the tenth to give the Witches a 4-3 in the first game and they took an easier route to victory with a 10-0 victory in the second to sweep a softball doubleheader with… Read More
STONY BROOK, N.Y. ? University of Maine pitcher Sarah Bennis notched 10 strikeouts, but her third-seeded Black Bears fell to No. 2 Boston University 1-0 in extra innings Thursday afternoon. The America East playoff loss leaves Maine 16-25 overall. The Black Bears will face Stony… Read More
BREWER ? A few brief opening remarks, then a few small group activities, and some open discussion ? that was how members of Brewer’s Sports Done Right committee envisioned its community meeting at the high school cafeteria Wednesday evening. But the committee didn’t plan on… Read More
ORONO ? The Maine Center for the Arts will be the only presenting organization in the state to offer concerts by highly respected jazz giants through a national granting program, the National Endowment for the Arts announced in April. The NEA Jazz Master on Tour, a cross-country initiative… Read More
In March, when Bangor Community Theatre held auditions for next week’s production of “Kiss Me, Kate,” Missy Babineau, president of the board and a performer in the company, was surprised at the number of people who showed up. Or didn’t show up. Typically, BCT organizers… Read More
In theaters CRASH, directed by Paul Haggis, written by Haggis and Bobby Moresco, 107 minutes, rated R. 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++) {… Read More
Everyone wants the dish on the royal family, and America’s most beloved king may be the King of Rock and Roll. “Elvis by the Presleys” is the story of Elvis Presley as presented by his former wife, Priscilla, daughter Lisa Marie and other family and… Read More
Lydia Warren never cared much for the blues growing up, though judging by the music she plays now, you would never guess it. “I grew up listening to a lot of heavy rock, like Metallica and Nine Inch Nails,” Warren says. She remembers vividly the… Read More
WASHINGTON ? The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced a schedule of 11 public hearings across the country, including one in Portland, Maine, to get comments from small-business owners on how the agency defines the size of small businesses. The forums will allow small-business owners… Read More