AUGUSTA – The state Department of Health and Human Services has failed to correct problems the federal government asked it to fix nearly two years ago, according to a U.S. inspector general’s report. The inspector general of the federal Department of Health and Human Services… Read More
AUGUSTA – An effort to repeal the state’s gay rights law cleared its last major hurdle to the ballot box Thursday, with state elections officials verifying 56,650 signatures to send the matter to a statewide vote. Technically, opponents of the so-called “people’s veto” have five… Read More
BANGOR – The Federal Aviation Administration’s decision to outsource the operation of its flight services stations will leave nearly 30 federal employees at Bangor International Airport out of work this fall. Employees at Bangor’s station were notified one week ago that they will be laid… Read More
The wedding date in Wednesday’s State section story about Nicholas Raymond and Kimberly Stowell of Hampden was incorrect. The correct date is Sept. 24, 2005. — googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for… Read More
AUGUSTA – The Maine State Employees Association is hailing a federal judge’s ruling upholding “fair share” fees the state workers’ union charges nonunion members. Twenty state employees challenged the fees in U.S. District Court in Portland with assistance from the National Right to Work Legal… Read More
GUILFORD – Jack Cashman, commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, said Thursday that there is a serious would-be buyer for the Pride Manufacturing facility in Guilford. Cashman said the potential owner was beyond the “tire-kicking” stage and working hard to make… Read More
CINCINNATI – Macy’s will replace locally familiar names including Filene’s in New England and Famous-Barr in the Midwest in some 330 stores across the nation under post-merger plans announced Thursday by Federated Department Stores Inc. Federated also plans to sell 68 stores, including 27 current… Read More
AUGUSTA – A rift between the AFL-CIO and two other unions will cost the labor federation 14,000 members in Maine and perhaps some of its political clout, according to union leaders. The Service Employees International Union and Teamsters announced on Monday their separation from the… Read More
BANGOR – The idea to bring the flags together in the shape of a shamrock came to Danielle Harrison while she was over the Atlantic Ocean. “I was just doodling in my notebook on the plane and it just happened,” Harrison, 16, of Carrickfergus, Northern… Read More
BREWER – There is a new specialty bakery in town creating gourmet goodies for Fido and Fluffy. Dog Bone Bakery opened its doors on Center Street one month ago and is offering several hand-made pet treats including frozen chicken-flavored or peanut butter-flavored yogurts, banana bread… Read More
Sara Stalman, M.D. (BDN letter, July 28) has joined Michael Belliveau [of the Environmental Health Strategy Center] in ignoring common courtesy, decency and integrity. They have not only made unfounded allegations but have spread outright lies. Ms. Stalman has wrongly accused me of letting greed hijack good fiscal… Read More
Is Maine really ready for economic opportunity or will we be satisfied with continued economic stagnation? The next test may well be Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission decision concerning Plum Creek’s proposal to preserve 416,000 acres of existing working forest while allowing restricted development of 2 percent of… Read More
On Veterans Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, we Americans hold parades to honor the birth of our country, the veterans who died while serving this country and others who served. One of the most important symbols is the flag. As a young… Read More
Larry Dansinger’s proposal about “How to end terrorism” (BDN letter, July 22) was a breath of fresh air. To put his ideas into action: Build a Department of Peace, as recommended by Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio; encourage the State Department to appoint conflict managers… Read More
Letter writer Debbie Walker (BDN, July 28) needs to get her facts straight before making careless and slanderous accusations. It is a fact that Lance Armstrong has on numerous occasions categorically denied taking any kind of performance enhancement drugs. He is the most often tested… Read More
The current political cleansing of Washington, D.C., might be called a conspiracy if its perpetrators were not so boastful in interviews and on the Internet. This sort of boasting, by either conservatives or liberals, is usually and happily short-lived. The “K Street Project” is a… Read More
Teenagers, as any parent knows, don’t want to be told what to do. This applies to their eating habits, too, according to a recent Pennsylvania study, which found that by posting health information about lunch entrees high school students more often chose the healthier alternative on their own. Read More
The way life should be” represents many things that make Maine unique, including a clean environment, low crime and good schools. But without economic stability that allows for Maine families to live and work in a place of their choosing, these qualities mean less. Liquefied natural gas is… Read More
This week dozens of educators gathered at the University of Maine at Orono to discuss ideas of how to best keep students in school. Perhaps they should take a closer look at the proven model that already exists in Maine. Last week, JMG (Jobs for… Read More
AUGUSTA – Is a gubernatorial election rematch in the making? Democratic Gov. John Baldacci has said he intends to seek voter approval for a second term next year, and now his 2002 Republican opponent, Peter Cianchette, is launching another try. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
PETA activist turns heads in Bangor Scantily clad woman in West Market Square protests meat industry
BANGOR – An activist for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals chickened out on Thursday by not appearing nude at West Market Square, as the organization had advertised. Despite her comparatively conservative garb, Amy Jannette, 18, of Manitowoc, Wis., nonetheless turned heads during… Read More
When Jennifer and Rick Moore arrived on Webster Avenue in Bangor three years ago to look at a house that had just gone on the market, they found they weren’t the only ones interested. “People were swarming through this house all weekend,” Jennifer recalled this… Read More
AUGUSTA – A plan to include $2 million within the Land For Maine’s Future program for preserving the state’s working waterfront makes the proposal more likely to be embraced by voters in November, according to one election watcher. MaryEllen FitzGerald of the Portland-based Critical Insights… Read More
BROOKLIN – Brian Allen was a quiet guy who worked odd jobs, came from a well-known family and would do whatever he could to help someone in need, according to those who knew him. He lived in an old trailer on his father’s property off… Read More
BELFAST – The man who admitted holding up the Unity Pharmacy using a gun and a knife will spend the next 10 years in prison and could be looking at more jail time for two other drugstore robberies. Shawn D. Kivlin, 29, of Unity pleaded… Read More
ORLAND – A fire that likely started from a lightning strike late Wednesday night destroyed a garage on the Castine Road. The call came in at about 10:40 p.m. and firefighters found the garage, owned by Gordon Lanpher, in flames when they arrived. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
HERMON – More than a month after discussions began regarding the town manager’s contract, the Town Council put an item on its July agenda with the intent of settling the matter once and for all. So much for intentions. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
A Bangor man was arrested late Tuesday night and charged with terrorizing after allegedly damaging a Bangor residence. Officers Edward Mercier and Brad Hanson of the Bangor Police Department responded to a report of property being damaged at an apartment building on Pearl Street. Mercier… Read More
PALMYRA – One person was taken to a local hospital Thursday morning after two vehicles crashed on Route 2. A 1994 Chevrolet van driven by Dana Morgan, 19, of Hartland had just left a store on Route 2 and was stopping to make a left… Read More
GREENVILLE – A local man has been arrested after attempting last Sunday to break into an area business. Ryan Bartlett, 19, of Greenville was arrested Wednesday night and charged with burglary, a Class C felony, after evidence linked him to an attempted break-in at The… Read More
HOLDEN – Severe weather, wildfires and traffic accidents, especially those that include hazardous materials, are the most prevalent dangers town residents face, according to Holden’s recently adopted hazard mitigation plan. Snowpack that melts and creates spring runoff combined with rain can cause flooding, Town Manager… Read More
HOULTON – A Bangor man who was indicted earlier this month by the Aroostook County grand jury on charges of elevated aggravated assault and attempted murder pleaded not guilty to the charges Thursday during his arraignment in Superior Court in Houlton. The charges against Christopher… Read More
ELLSWORTH – The Stanwood Wildlife Sanctuary will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the work of ornithologist Cordelia Stanwood from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. The commemoration will include guided tours of her homestead, which is now part of the Birdsacre wildlife preserve just south… Read More
MADAWASKA – A wave of creative thinkers and doers has been creating a new economic model across the country and members of the Maine Creative Economy Council brought their thoughts to the St. John Valley on Thursday with a vision of reinvigorating the economy of northern Maine. Read More
HOULTON – A 19-year-old who reportedly teamed with another teenager to burglarize an area home pleaded guilty to a lesser offense Thursday in Houlton Superior Court. Kurt Hatch of Houlton was found guilty of criminal trespass by Justice E. Allen Hunter. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
HOULTON – A Superior Court judge disagreed with a man who claimed that he was not a predator and imposed a lengthy sentence Thursday on the Houlton resident charged with multiple sex offenses. Roy Lewis Rogers, 44, pleaded guilty before Justice E. Allen Hunter to… Read More
PORTLAND – Investigators don’t believe a serial killer was responsible for the slaying of a Massachusetts woman whose body was found in a trash barrel last fall in York County, but they’re no closer to solving the crime. The body of Wendy A. Morello of… Read More
THOMASTON – Police have charged a Washington man in connection with the burglary and theft of $5,000 at The Feed Store, where the alleged perpetrator had been working. During the investigation of several burglaries in the past week, police were led to believe that the… Read More
Camden Hills Regional High School, Rockport 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 District Court Cases July 11-15, 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… Read More
AUGUSTA – An estimated 200,000 Mainers will be eligible for property tax rebates under a revamped state tax relief program that begins Monday. The Legislature in January expanded the Maine Residents Property Tax Program, also known as the “circuit breaker,” as part of a tax… Read More
SKOWHEGAN – Pittsfield officials went to court Wednesday, armed with photographs and first-person accounts of junk and rat-infested garbage on the Elizabeth Bernasconi and Robert Burt property on Mill Street. The couple have been warned repeatedly about conditions at their home. Earlier this year, the… Read More
OLD TOWN – A slight change has been made to the town’s mutual aid agreement with Orono, but it’s for the better, Old Town Fire Chief Jim Lavoie said Thursday. The council is expected to vote at Monday’s meeting to enter into, or rather continue,… Read More
BELFAST – The man who held up the Country Bargains store in Winterport this winter wanted to go to prison. The judge sent him to jail. Joshua Roberts, 21, of Orrington pleaded guilty to the Feb. 28 armed robbery in Waldo County Superior Court on… Read More
UNITY – It’s final exam time for SAD 3. While teachers and students enjoy their summer break, a three-year planning process for a new kindergarten through 12th-grade school faces two big tests in the coming weeks, one before the State Board of Education, and the… Read More
LINCOLN – The fire that destroyed a Taylor Street home and much of its contents late Wednesday probably was sparked by construction workers incorrectly disconnecting the building’s utilities earlier in the day, a state investigator said Thursday. The fire probably smoldered for several hours in… Read More
CALAIS – The city needs a marketing plan to attract the thousands of tourists who pass through this border community every week to stop and shop. That was the message Wednesday night from the Washington County Council of Governments. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
BANGOR – The Bangor State Fair got off to an informal start Thursday, with community and media members allowed onto the fairgrounds to get a sneak peek at the new attractions at this year’s festivities. One new part of the fair is the “Close Encounters… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – The cancellation of a look-alike contest, which organizers said was supposed to make local history more accessible to area residents, has left some blaming the media and others raising questions about whether the event was ever appropriate. The Jim Cullen Look-Alike Contest,… Read More
AUGUSTA – An $83 million bond package has received most of the attention leading up to Friday’s special legislative session, but also on the State House agenda are Senate confirmations of a half-dozen of Gov. John Baldacci’s judicial appointments. While the state bond package could… Read More
ORONO – Just across the street from the Maine Center for the Arts, a few doors down from dormitories undergoing summer renovations, and within crowing distance of the University of Maine football field, three rare Chinese chickens are blissfully unaware they are summering on a college campus. Read More
BAR HARBOR – Some of the country’s top research scientists discussed the critical need to educate nonscientists about the importance of the work they are doing at Thursday’s annual meeting of the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory. “Our future right now is hanging by a… Read More
BAHIA HONDA STATE PARK, Fla. – A former Maine man was among two divers who died in unrelated diving incidents on Wednesday, the first day of lobster miniseason, a popular event in the Florida Keys. The two-day lobster season, held in advance of the commercial… Read More
NORTHAMPTON, Mass. – The head of New Hampshire’s emergency management services said Thursday he’s confident the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant is safe, but he told its managers to do a better job communicating with state officials and the public when problems arise. There was an… Read More
WASHINGTON – Towns throughout the state have been awarded $8,689,835 in funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, according to U.S. Sens. Olympia J. Snowe and Susan M. Collins. “Housing is one of the basic necessities of life – something that no… Read More
BANGOR – A six-car pileup on Interstate 395 slowed traffic wfor nearly an hour Thursday afternoon and caused minor injuries to several motorists. Trooper Kyle Willette with the Maine State Police said a white commercial vehicle with a flatbed did not stop in time when… Read More
FREDERICTON, New Brunswick – The New Brunswick government was expected to announce today it will go ahead with a $1.4 billion plan to refurbish its aging Point Lepreau nuclear power plant near Saint John, about 25 miles from the Maine border. The question is: How… Read More
This is the Nomar thing all over again. When Nomar Garciaparra finally couldn’t stand being in Boston anymore and the Sox couldn’t take the clubhouse disruption he was causing, he was traded. Always a bright spot with the fans, the Sox went on anyway – all the way… Read More
Stan Meserve can’t remember exactly how many Oxford 250s he has run. He does know he has never won it and he’s hoping to rectify that when the 32nd annual Oxford Banknorth 250 is held Sunday evening at Oxford Plains Speedway. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
Pat Moran will have a tough task matching his last visit to the mound in the state American Legion baseball tournament – a no-hitter for the Brewer Falcons in the 2003. Moran was a youngster on the Legion scene then, but two years later he’s… Read More
BANGOR – There will be no true Cinderella stories in this year’s state American Legion baseball tournament. Of the eight teams that will play in the double-elimination event that begins Saturday at Mansfield Stadium in Bangor, seven were seeded first or second in their zone. Read More
HERMON – Three cars went under the checkered flag together in a Little Enduro feature with Mike Golding winning by a fender Thursday night in Speedway 95’s Wacky Wednesday makeup event. Sam Whitmore of Corinth finished second and Darren Durrell of Newburgh took third. Roger… Read More
LINCOLN – Art Greenlaw, who guided Stearns High of Millinocket to four state championships and five LTC titles during an 18-year tenure, has been named the new head football coach at Mattanawcook Academy. Greenlaw, a retired educator who served as an assistant coach for the… Read More
If you have a spare 35 hours and 10 minutes to relive all of the glory and excitement from the Boston Red Sox 2004 season, or you’re looking to get a gift for the Sox fan who has everything, Major League Baseball Productions has just the thing. Read More
BANGOR – Darrin Daniels pitched a six-hitter and helped his own cause with two singles as Quirk Auto Park defeated Aerus Electrolux 8-1 in a Bay League game at the Winkin Complex Wednesday night. Cliff Urquhart doubled, tripled and knocked in four runs for the… Read More
Randy Lee, who spent the last two seasons as the head men’s and women’s basketball coach at the University of Maine-Machias, has left to become the head men’s coach at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, an NAIA institution in Odessa. Lee, 32,… Read More
FALMOUTH – Kevin Pierce cranked a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh to give Camden-Rockport a 3-2 win over Bangor East in an elimination game of the state Little League All-Star baseball tourney for ages 11-12 Thursday. Jimmy Weferling hit a two-run… Read More
Soap Box Derby week marks the fulfillment of a childhood dream to those who qualify to race down Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio. That dream will come true Saturday for a number of young Maine racers who qualified for the 68th annual All-American Soap Box… Read More
Bobby Hamilton spent 12 years racing in NASCAR’s top stock car series without ever finishing better than ninth in the points. But since losing his Cup ride in 2002, when Andy Petree’s team lost its primary sponsor, Hamilton has moved to NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series… Read More
LOUDON, N.H. – Michael Waltrip never even hesitated. When asked recently what profession he would like to try if he wasn’t an auto racer, the Nextel Cup driver for Dale Earnhardt Inc. answered “Weatherman, for sure.” googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
Herb Mitchell’s story about becoming a successful commercial actor in Los Angeles goes this way. Back in the 1970s, Mitchell was working as a stockbroker in Bangor. He was bored with his job and stuck in a rut. His best friend, Gus, was pulling the curtain for a… Read More
THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, written by John Michael Hayes, 100 minutes, not rated. Show tonight only, weather permitting, Pickering Square, downtown Bangor, sundown. Lawn chairs advised. Free. The fourth film in the River City Cinema Society’s Smiles on a Summer Night… Read More
Age: 51 Hometown: New Haven, Conn. 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
The double album marks a turning point for a band. Sometimes it’s a sprawling odyssey that establishes a band as both ambitious and important; sometimes it’s a long-winded mess that gets relegated to the dustbin of pop culture. Folk trio Maggi, Pierce and E.J. are… Read More