BANGOR – Many area residents received letters recently from television celebrities Tom Bosley and Marion Ross, stars of the 1980s sitcom “Happy Days.” But their message was no laughing matter: Because doctors often cannot or will not order certain diagnostic medical tests without a specific reason, they say,… Read More
WASHINGTON – People who smoke marijuana because their doctors recommend it to ease pain can be prosecuted for violating federal drug laws, the Supreme Court ruled Monday, overriding medical marijuana statutes in 10 states, including Maine. The court’s 6-3 decision was filled with sympathy for… Read More
CALAIS – Supporters of a proposed racino in Washington County issued last-minute appeals to Gov. John Baldacci on Monday, asking him not to veto the bill the Legislature recently approved allowing horse racing and slot machines at a facility to be run by the Passamaquoddy Tribe. Read More
BOSTON – On the morning of April 25, Gregory Despres hitchhiked to the Canadian border crossing at Calais, Maine, carrying a homemade sword, a hatchet, a knife, brass knuckles and a chain saw stained by what appeared to be blood. Customs officials confiscated the cache… Read More
FORT KENT – Maine students will pay an average of nearly 8 percent more for tuition and fees at state universities next fall after a vote Monday by the trustees charged with overseeing the University of Maine System. The tuition hike is part of an… Read More
Supporters of Maine’s medical marijuana law were disappointed by the U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing federal prosecution of sick people who use marijuana, but it was unclear how many people are actually affected by the ruling in Maine. The referendum approved by Mainers in 1999… Read More
An incorrect date was given in Friday’s Happening page story about the band The Irreverends. The group will play on Saturday, June 11, at Carmen Verandah in Bar Harbor, not June 4 as reported. — googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
AUGUSTA – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Monday it has fined two contractors a total of $114,700 following a crane accident at a Freeport construction site. A crane that was lifting concrete slabs at a Hilton Garden Inn construction site became overloaded and… Read More
THOMASTON – It may not be what the tourists come to Maine to see, but the Dragon Products’ huge cement plant has achieved landmark status. The Maine section of the American Society of Civil Engineers has designated the plant and limestone quarry off U.S. Route… Read More
The residents of Holden, Clifton and Eddington will soon be asked to approve the SAD 63 2005-2006 budget. The school administrative district administration would have the voters believe they are asking them to approve an increase of $400,868 or 5 percent over last year’s 2004-2005 budget of $8,015,930. Read More
Maybe you’ve had the same thoughts we’ve had while waiting in an airport line to remove jacket, shoes, belt, the odd paper clip, and pass them through security screening: For all the work the agents are doing, an alert terrorist is going to figure out this system quickly. Read More
Behind the headlines about salmon lawsuits and draconian regulations, the aquaculture industry, regulators and environmental groups have slowly developed rules and practices that, when fully implemented, should position Maine salmon farms to be leaders in the industry. These efforts to encourage sustainable farming should be rewarded, by consumers… Read More
On May 30, Bangor Daily News reporter Sharon Kiley Mack wrote a moving article about the three Caldwell brothers of Palmyra who died in World War II. However, had she checked the files of the BDN she would have found another area family so afflicted. Read More
We now have seen the Maine Department of Transportation’s detailed plan for a new international bridge approach in the Calais International Park. It is a wonder. The approach requires all cross-border traffic coming east on Route 9 to make a right-angle turn and join the mostly local traffic… Read More
I had no idea our state’s lawmakers punched a time clock and got overtime. Kudos to those (if any) who turned their checks back into the general fund, and a pox on all who didn’t. Shame! googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
Once again Washington County gets a slap in the face. Shortly on the heels of the governor’s announcement that he will veto the racino bill for the county, the Community College System announced plans to cut 17 faculty, staff and administration jobs to help deal… Read More
First of two parts A new study has come out looking to the future and predicting vast sums of money will be saved if we consolidate schools, and, furthermore, students will not suffer. It is always interesting in such circumstances to look at what past… Read More
“A small debt makes a man your debtor, a large one makes him your enemy.” – Seneca, from “Ad Lucilium” “If the Maine Medicaid budget continues to run amok in the red the resulting budget deficits may strip the state budget of its ability to… Read More
You might have read elsewhere in today’s paper that All Saints Catholic School in Bangor will require that its students wear school uniforms for the first time next fall. The move, which makes All Saints the 15th of Maine’s 17 Catholic elementary schools to adopt… Read More
BANGOR – A convicted murderer who stole a truck from a transitional facility in Charleston was indicted Monday by the Penobscot County grand jury for theft. Kent Hanson, 62, of Brattleboro, Vt., was arrested on May 20, two days after the truck was reported missing,… Read More
BANGOR – Aiming to reduce “social pressure” on pupils and their families, All Saints Catholic School will require uniforms to be worn starting in September. The measure, approved by the school board in April, will go a long way toward eliminating competition over clothing, according… Read More
AUGUSTA – Although the Part 2 budget, more than 100 bills, an unspecified bond package and negotiations to eliminate a $450 million budget-balancing loan remain unresolved, legislative leaders were confident Monday the current special session would meet its June 15 deadline for adjournment. “We’re committed… Read More
MADAWASKA – Nine counselors were available to students at Madawaska Middle-High School Monday to help them cope with the death of one of their classmates over the weekend. Kenny Sirois, 16, a star athlete and National Honor Society student at Madawaska High School, collapsed and… Read More
Firefighters from Maine, having arrived in La Tuque, Quebec, on Sunday, were gearing up, getting additional training and getting ready to move into areas of northern Quebec on Monday night to help fight 57 forest fires that are ravaging that Canadian province. Arnold Martin of… Read More
A local woman was arrested Friday night for assault and obstructing report of a crime, one of several incidents handled over the weekend by local police. Christine Lunn, 38, allegedly assaulted her husband, Donald Lunn, during a dispute, according to Dexter Police Chief Art Roy. Donald Lunn called… Read More
In an effort to get out into the communities they serve, the Piscataquis County commissioners will hold their meeting 8:30 a.m. today at the Milo Town Hall. The meeting will include a discussion and vote on the new rules for the Orneville transfer station, a discussion on recycling… Read More
Residents in Dexter, Exeter, Ripley and Garland will go to the polls today to vote on a proposed $9 million spending plan for 2005-2006. It reflects an increase of $194,056 over this year’s budget. Assessments to each of the communities was reduced by $64,686 collectively. Polls are open… Read More
The Camden Garden Club, the oldest garden club in Maine, will host its 58th annual House and Garden Tour from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, July 21, rain or shine. Nine sites will be featured this year. Call 230-6509. Read More
The Penobscot School wants your old books. Its annual big book sale will be at 28 Gay St. in Rockland’s north end all day on Friday and Saturday, June 24-25. All proceeds from the sale will benefit Penobscot School’s programs: classes in foreign languages for adults and young… Read More
Atlantic Challenge and Planet Toys of Rockland have teamed for a special summer solstice event to kick off the sailing season: a Community Sailing Scholarship Essay Contest for children ages 8-14. Two winners will be chosen to receive an Atlantic Challenge scholarship for a sailing session this summer,… Read More
Ron Joseph, wildlife biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Old Town, will lead a bird walk on a stretch of the St. George River in North Appleton. The walk will begin at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, June 11. Organized by the Georges River Land Trust, the… Read More
Poets Mark Melnicove and Kendall Merriam will read their works in a joint appearance this week. The reading will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 9, in the Friends Community Room of Rockland Public Library, 80 Union St. Melnicove has been executive director of Maine Writers and Publishers… Read More
BLUE HILL – “The Noisy Depths: Whales and Sound” will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 16, at the Marine Environmental Research Institute. Sean Todd, a senior scientist for Allied Whale at College of the Atlantic, will talk about the use of sound by… Read More
ADDISON – The Pleasant River Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, June 13, at the Indian River Grange Hall. Three teachers will discuss their experiences in a one-room schoolhouse. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
ORLAND – Community radio WERU-FM will hold a benefit concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 15, at the Alamoosook Lakeside Lodge Bed & Breakfast. Carole Isis, a New Age folk musician, will perform. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
ROCKLAND – Midcoast law enforcement officers received recognition last week for their diligence in fighting the war on drugs. A joint task force, made up of Rockland police and the Lincoln and Knox counties sheriff’s departments, was awarded the Francis A. Grondin Memorial Award for… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – The development of one or more resorts in Aroostook County has been on the agenda of the Aroostook Partnership for Progress since its inception a couple of years ago. The group, a public-private partnership looking for economic development, took a giant leap… Read More
HOULTON – Chris Batby, the chamber administrator for the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce, has worked for the past year to organize the town’s 2007 bicentennial celebration. She has rallied volunteers, brainstormed an advertising campaign and organized a committee to make things happen. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
Limestone cuts school positions Superintendent says budget still requires $3,000 more from taxpayers
LIMESTONE – The equivalent of four full-time positions have been cut in the Limestone School Department to keep the budget at a fundable level for the coming year. Jobs cut in the budget development process include a special education position, two elementary teaching positions, and… Read More
HOULTON – District Court Judge Bernard O’Mara revoked a Fort Kent man’s bail Monday after he was reportedly found to be intoxicated on Friday night. Scott Saucier, 26, was remanded to Aroostook County Jail after his Monday afternoon hearing. He had been held at the… Read More
HOULTON – Police continued their search Monday for whoever is responsible for two separate break-ins at the Daigle Oil Co. fuel station and carwash on Bangor Street. Houlton police Officer Mark Ganzel said Monday that the first burglary occurred sometime between 9 p.m. May 31… Read More
Basic Training SAN ANTONIO – Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Danny L. Lavoie graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base. A 1998 graduate of Madawaska High School and 2000 graduate from Northern Maine Technical College in Presque Isle, Lavoie is the… Read More
MARS HILL – An Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department deputy came across a sizable opponent on his way to assist a comrade late Saturday evening. The result was a collision that killed a moose and destroyed a cruiser, but left the officer with only minor injuries. Read More
FORT KENT – Officials at the University of Maine at Fort Kent are alerting all students and recent graduates with Stafford loans from banks or commercial lenders that they could save hundreds of dollars on college loans. The annual variable interest rate is reset every… Read More
CARIBOU – The Caribou High School Music Fund will sponsor benefit concerts throughout the summer to build a new music center at the Caribou High School. Country Generations, a 10-piece country music band, will hold a benefit concert from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June… Read More
FORT KENT – Rachel Albert has been named the interim vice president for academic affairs at the University of Maine at Fort Kent for the coming academic year. Albert is now an associate professor of nursing and the chair and director of the college’s division… Read More
FORT KENT – Jane Rioux and Pauline Jandreau, Northern Maine Medical Center nurses, regularly go into the community to present programs about injury prevention through the proper use of seat belts. Rioux and Jandreau volunteer their time, providing seat belt education to the public. To… Read More
FORT KENT – There will be a training class for breast cancer survivors interested in becoming Reach to Recovery visitors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 25, at the Northern Maine Medical Center. For information, contact Debbie Seybold at the American Cancer Society… Read More
Jonesport-Beals High School JONESPORT – The faculty and administration of Jonesport-Beals High School have announced the honor parts for the Class of 2005. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i =… Read More
MACHIAS – Mothers Against Abuse will hold a community awareness event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 11, at the mall of the University of Maine at Machias campus. Beginning at 10:30 a.m. and continuing throughout the day on every hour, there will… Read More
OLD TOWN – After months of work, the council unanimously approved on Monday the final city and school budgets. The overall budget calls for total city expenditures of $7.5 million and total school spending of $13.3 million. Assuming there are no changes in property valuation,… Read More
HAMPDEN – A town councilor elected last November has resigned and town officials decided Monday night to schedule a special election to fill the post. George Cronk, who was to have served through December 2006, has accepted a job out of state, according to his… Read More
BREWER – The school committee approved its 2005-06 school budget Monday night and agreed to set aside nearly $100,000 to install new lockers and renovate the cafeteria at Brewer High School. The school budget will go to the City Council for final approval later this… Read More
ORRINGTON – The scheduled vote on whether the town should join other communities in forming the state’s first regional fire district was not taken during Monday’s annual town meeting because of technical reasons, the town attorney told residents. “We realized a week and a half… Read More
BANGOR – A mattress fire in a third-floor apartment at 83 First St. on Monday night resulted in minor damage to the building, according to Bangor firefighters. No one was injured. The occupants of the apartment weren’t home at the time of the fire, which… Read More
BANGOR – Though the owner of a Larkin Street pub has taken steps to curtail problems for neighbors, there still is room for improvement, city officials concluded Monday during a finance committee meeting. After an update session with pub owner Raena Everett and her Lincoln… Read More
Bangor police charged two men Sunday with knocking over a half-dozen gravestones at the Oak Grove Cemetery. Jacob Adam Raitt, 19, of New Hampshire and Orlando Juan Tirado, 20, of Bangor were arrested a short time after police said they walked to the Finson Road… Read More
BANGOR – City councilors will consider overriding new state limits on municipal and school spending during their next regular meeting, set for Monday, June 13. The new limits are the result of this year’s passage of LD 1, a statewide property-tax reform initiative that aims… Read More
THOMASTON – Georges Valley High School Principal Ricque Finucane is bound for Bath, where she will take the helm of a much larger school. Finucane has been top administrator at Georges Valley for five years. She came to the area from New Mexico in 2000. Read More
STONINGTON – With a view to bolstering local economic development efforts, a town panel has invited experts from agencies and organizations around the state to attend a conference next week. “Stonington Rocks! Business with a View” is designed to provide area planners a chance to… Read More
ELLSWORTH – People who camp, fish and own property on Branch Lake filled City Council chambers and spilled out into the corridor Monday night for the anticipated vote on an ordinance that would restrict certain activities on the pond to protect it as a public drinking water source. Read More
OLD TOWN – Two women and a 15-year-old girl have been accused of forcing their way into a local apartment building early Sunday morning and beating the mother of infant twins. Rachel Allen, 21, and Jessica McLaughlin, 20, both of Brewer, have been charged with… Read More
DEXTER – The possibility of “mothballing” the historic old Town Hall, selling the municipal skating rink, deeding the Hewitt medical building back to HAD 4 and consolidating parks and recreation with public works are under consideration by the Dexter Town Council. These recommendations are not… Read More
LINCOLN – A federal magistrate has recommended the dismissal of a civil lawsuit charging the town, Police Department and a West Broadway landlord with discrimination against Asians by conspiring to force the closure of a Chinese restaurant in July 2003. In a 26-page ruling dated… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – A police officer suffered a torn earlobe in a scuffle Saturday with an inebriated man. The assault allegedly occurred when Sgt. Joel Cyr asked Ansel Preble, 42, of Bar Harbor to accompany him to Cyr’s cruiser so he could file a report about… Read More
MILLINOCKET – A downtown arts, culture and retail center worth as much as $750,000 will open in the former J.J. Newbury department store building by Thanksgiving if Guilds Hollowell’s plans develop according to his vision, he said Monday. Working in affiliation with the Millinocket Area… Read More
CALAIS – A Waite woman agreed to surrender an 18-year-old bichon frise to the state, but her husband, Thomas Farr, is expected to appear in court today charged with two counts of animal cruelty. Lori Ann Farr turned over her dog, Bridgett, to the state… Read More
CALAIS – On Monday, state Sen. Kevin L. Raye, R-Perry, called on John Fitzsimmons, president of the Maine Community College System, to delay implementing cuts and suspending programs that will result in the closure of the Marine Technology Center in Eastport and elimination of nine options at Washington… Read More
MACHIAS – Business owners with a tourism bent in Washington and Hancock counties are not waiting until June 30 for Gov. John Baldacci to announce his much-awaited tourism initiatives intended to boost local economies. Working with dozens of tourism business owners and operators, two Down… Read More
Knox County Superior Court Cases June 6, 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]… Read More
ROCKLAND – A truck stolen in Rockland on Saturday was swapped in Windsor for another stolen vehicle that wound up back in the city. At 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Gary Carleton of Crescent Street reported that somebody stole his Dodge pickup truck, which was parked near… Read More
ELLSWORTH – Two men were treated at a hospital Sunday after a fistfight at a McDonald’s restaurant. Nicholas Willey, 21, who has addresses in Milbridge and Cherryfield, was the aggressor in the fight, police said. He was summoned on charges of assault, disorderly conduct and… Read More
ROCKLAND – A local man was charged Saturday with supplying a 12-year-old girl with drugs in exchange for sexual favors. Charles Ugro, 41, was arrested by Rockland police after an investigation into a complaint that he furnished the child with illegal drugs and sexually assaulted… Read More
ROCKLAND – Midcoast law enforcement officers received recognition last week for their diligence in fighting the war on drugs. A joint task force, made up of Rockland police and the Lincoln and Knox counties sheriff’s departments, was awarded the Francis A. Grondin Memorial Award for… Read More
BANGOR – A Lubec woman who admitted smuggling 159 oxycodone pills inside a condom that was partially hidden inside her vagina has been sentenced to one year and a day in federal prison. Lisa Dawn Fitzgerald, aka Lisa Dawn Chute, 31, was one of three… Read More
BANGOR – A Chelsea man was sentenced Monday to nearly five years in federal prison for his part in a cocaine distribution scheme. In U.S. District Court in Bangor, Roy Dubreil, 39, was sentenced to 58 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, possession… Read More
This weekend, residents of and visitors to Down East Maine will take part in the Margaretta Days Festival, commemorating 230 years since the first naval engagement of the Revolutionary War. In 1775, 40 Down East settlers boarded and captured the British schooner Margaretta in Machias… Read More
BANGOR – Five people were indicted Monday by the Penobscot County grand jury for their alleged involvement in the April 28 burglary of a Corinth mobile home that was thwarted by the father of one of the suspects. Joshua L. Emerson, 21, James A. Emerson,… Read More
BANGOR – An Exeter woman facing embezzlement charges in Hancock County was indicted Monday by the Penobscot County grand jury for allegedly stealing more than $100,000 from a Bangor restaurant owner four years ago. Cecilia White, 40, was indicted for theft of $107,000 during 2001… Read More
PORTLAND – The Maine Supreme Judicial Court is seeking attorneys to serve on the following committees: Advisory Committee on Civil Rules; Advisory Committee on Criminal Rules; Advisory Committee on Rules of Evidence; Advisory Committee on Probate Rules; Advisory Committee on Professional Responsibility; Board of Bar… Read More
ORONO – Volunteer organizations and government representatives hoping to learn how to work better with one another took some time Monday to listen to advice from north of the border. Representatives from both sides of Canada’s Volunteer Sector Initiative told approximately 80 Mainers gathered at… Read More
Celestial art may be the best way to describe Lydia Cassatt’s pastel dreamscapes, on display through June 18 at Elan Fine Arts on Elm Street in Rockland. Technically they fit into the landscape category, but with names such as “To Those That Magic Make,” “Morning Glow” and “Somewhere… Read More
I was cruising the aisles at a local fabric shop in March when I happened upon a twentysomething woman wearing a polar fleece poncho. “Did you make that?” I asked, and she assured me that she had. She cut 12-inch squares of fleece in contrasting… Read More
Needle and thread are simple tools, and darning a hole in a sock or a pair of pants is a simple skill. Yet the knowledge of those tools and skills has prevailed through the ages and transcended national boundaries and cultures. Gabriella Bortolotti of Ivrea,… Read More
The thought occurred to me the other day just how long the shadow has been for UMaine baseball coach Paul Kostacopoulos to operate under since he came to Orono in 1997. Let’s face it. All this guy has done is win since he left Providence… Read More
Another strong season has vaulted the Bucksport softball team into top spot for the Eastern Maine Class B playoffs, which start with preliminary games today. And the 14-2 Golden Bucks are hoping last year’s very short postseason run won’t happen again this year. Bucksport didn’t… Read More
Recent warm weather notwithstanding, there’s one sure way to tell that summer’s on its way here in the Penobscot River valley. Just look for the striped bass anglers. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner =… Read More
OXFORD, Miss. – The season is over for the University of Maine baseball team, but the success it achieved during 2005 make it one of the most memorable and meaningful in program history. UMaine again emerged as the premier program in New England. Coach Paul… Read More
BREWER – A former standout athlete is returning to his stomping grounds of Brewer High School this winter. Andy Nickerson of Holden was named head coach of the girls varsity basketball team Monday evening at the Brewer School Committee meeting. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL Eastern Maine Class B semifinals 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
COBSCOOK BAY At Pembroke 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
HIGH SCHOOL All Aroostook Teams 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
HIGH SCHOOL PVC Team Tennis 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
WILLINGEN, Germany – Adam Craig of Corinth earned his his first top-10 finish of the season at the UCI World Cup mountain bike cross country race held here Sunday. The 23-year-old Exeter native and Dexter Regional High graduate placed eighth in the field of 177… Read More
SKOWHEGAN – Red Sox Nation would have been proud of Stanley Whitaker and Reagan Merrill and their wedding. For the weekend ceremony in Coburn Park, Whitaker was dressed in a Red Sox jersey with Jason Varitek’s name and number on the back. The best man… Read More
HERMON – They ranged in age from early teens to late 20s and hailed from locations all over Maine as well as New England, but there was a common denominator with most of the 20 boxers assembled under the white big-top tent last month. Besides… Read More
What is the rationale for the 10-run rule? I witnessed an event the other day in Hampden that left me upset and frustrated. One local junior varsity team was outscored by another local school by the score of 12-2 in the bottom of the fifth… Read More
Zach Sill of Stewiacke, Nova Scotia, who was Team Atlantic’s leading scorer in the Telus Cup Canadian Midget Hockey Championships, has verbally committed to attend the University of Maine beginning in the fall of 2006. The center-left wing had three goals and four assists in… Read More