PORTLAND – Two University of Maine scientists studying the effects of climate change in the Arctic have discovered that two glaciers in Greenland are moving at a not-so-glacial pace. The scientists returned last week from a five-week expedition to the east coast of Greenland, where… Read More
A unanimous vote in the U.S. Congress last week has eased a significant barrier to treatment for addiction to opiate drugs. In Maine, where the rate of addiction to heroin and prescription drugs such as oxycodone is the fifth-highest in the nation, the change represents an opportunity for… Read More
AUGUSTA – Nonresidential building permits were up 69 percent in the first six months of 2005 when compared to the first half of 2004, with the dollar value of the permits totaling $469 million. “This has got to be good news,” said Sen. Lynn Bromley,… Read More
Ninety thousand pounds of ready-to-eat meat products, made by Ilyssa Manufacturing Corp. of New York and distributed to retail stores nationwide, has been recalled because they may be contaminated with listeria. Some are labeled as “Gourmet Garage, To Go” and “Under 10,” while others do not have a… Read More
Bob Belanger from Aroostook County contacted Northeast COMBAT through Consumer Forum in March of this year. He was frustrated when he wrote us that he had ordered a pair of men’s warm winter boots from J.D. Marvel Products Inc., located in Champlain, N.Y., in October 2004. His check… Read More
SACO – Nearly seven decades after it began showing movies, the nation’s second oldest drive-in theater is in danger of falling victim to escalating real estate values. The Saco Drive-in sits on a stretch of busy U.S. Route 1 that has become crowded with car… Read More
Mexican immigrants settling Northeast In Maine, Census estimates 48 percent jump between ’00 and ’03
NEWBURGH, N.Y. – Sunday morning in this small, Hudson Valley city: More than 1,000 parishioners, most from Mexico, pack Spanish-language Masses at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Afterward, many families flock to El Azteca for its authentic tacos. If somebody needs a ride home, there are at least a… Read More
Kudos to Elizabeth Miller (BDN letter, July 27) for bringing up an issue that turned my stomach. I, too, came across an unfortunate cat that had been hit by a car and left in distress. Surprisingly, this happened just 100 feet from the ER veterinary… Read More
Maine’s bear-feeding program is again in full swing. Tons of food are again being dumped at thousands of bait sites across Maine in order to produce more bears so that out-of-state hunters can bag a bear with little or no effort. If Maine’s bear-feeding program… Read More
In the 27 July article by Diana Graettinger, titled “Canadatown against LNG,” there is an implication that only the idle rich would oppose the building of liquefied natural gas import terminals on Passamaquoddy Bay. It is doubtful that the royalty who frequent St. Andrews would become activists in… Read More
A newspaper is supposed to be an instrument of truth and objectivity. As such, you have an obligation to your readers to screen out fact from fiction or at least present both sides of an issue. Thus, I offer this as a counter-weight to Tom… Read More
The Religion Page feature by Dr. Sattar Memon, “Send me an angel” (BDN, July 16-17), has particular significance for me right now. My wife Barbara passed away just a year ago, on Aug. 1, 2004. Dr. Memon’s article brought back memories of my wife’s relationship with her oncologist,… Read More
Whether the Chinese decision earlier this month to revalue its currency was a political move aimed at pacifying the United States or a genuine attempt at the beginnings of economic reform, the slight increase in the yuan is likely to have little impact on American consumers and workers. Read More
The Bush administration gushed over the release of figures recently showing that the budget deficit for this year is expected to be smaller than originally predicted. While this is good news, it is not time for celebration. The smaller deficit is the result of many one-time events that… Read More
The Plum Creek Plan for our land in the Moosehead Lake region has been getting a lot of attention lately. Despite recent events, we continue to believe that most people are willing to engage in constructive dialogue about the merits of our plan. The Land Use Regulation Commission’s… Read More
Kids killing kids. We hear about it all too often. It happens in schools; it happens in the streets; it happens at the workplace. In today’s world, something has transpired in which “settling a score” or grabbing the limelight translates into young people arming themselves, and using them… Read More
Kevin Duplissie’s op-ed, “You can’t fight Brewer’s city hall” (BDN, July 25), reminded me of the saying, “If you tell a lie often enough, some people will actually believe it.” Each and every issue he raised was addressed multiple times over a two-hour period at our City Council… Read More
BANGOR – While a crowd assembled Sunday at the Bangor State Fair to watch BMX bike riders launch themselves off a ramp during a midafternoon stunt show, a few 4-H children dressed sharply in khakis and white shirts paraded their cows around a small dirt arena before a… Read More
PERRY – Now that an Oklahoma developer of liquefied natural gas facilities has told residents of a second Washington County town that $1 million per year could be theirs if they allow the developer to build there, residents of the first town to get the offer are wondering… Read More
HOULTON – After a brief delay, Town Manager Douglas Hazlett said recently that the town is now recruiting volunteers to serve on a committee that will make recommendations about whether to designate more ATV access routes in the municipality. At a recent town council meeting,… Read More
Historic McCurdy’s Smokehouse in Lubec hasn’t seen a raw, pickled or smoked herring in years, but the place still smells of fish. “The smell will never go away,” said Judy Goodman, a summer resident who is committed to the old factory’s restoration along the town’s… Read More
FORT KENT – The Aroostook War, while a bloodless engagement between the United States and Great Britain, was the catalyst that brought two great statesmen of the time together to finally create the borderline that divides the northeastern U.S. and Canada today. Daniel Webster and… Read More
LUBEC – Generations of parents have told their children while visiting the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse that they are standing on “the easternmost point in the United States.” Now the children can read that much for themselves. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
FORT KENT – The University of Maine Fort Kent has announced the University of Maine System Osher Scholarships, which are now available for the fall semester. Osher Scholarships award up to $600, which can be applied to tuition, required books or other fees associated with… Read More
HOULTON – The third annual American Cancer Society Northern Maine Living with Cancer Conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Houlton Regional Hospital’s Center for Community Health Education. The free daylong program is for cancer patients, family… Read More
JONESPORT – The Maine Department of Transportation will be doing a culvert replacement project from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, which will close a small section of Route 187 near Sandy River Beach. Drivers will still be able to access both ends… Read More
FREEDOM – The Dirigo Grange will hold a Blueberry Festival from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, at the grange on Route 137. The grange will serve turkey, salad, coleslaw, biscuits, pies and blueberries with cream. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
NORTHPORT – The Midcoast Dollhouse Miniature Show and Sale will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7, at Goose Hall on Route 1. Admission is $2 for adults and free for children 12 and under. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
CAMDEN – The farmers’ market will host the yodeling “Cowboy Bob” from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 13. There is no charge for the event, which is located at the market between Union and Limerock Streets at Tibbetts’ parking lot. Read More
MUSCONGUS BAY – Local residents will be randomly selected to receive a survey in their mailboxes to anonymously voice their opinions about economic, environmental and cultural issues of the bay area. The surveys are part of a yearlong bay management pilot project, and the results… Read More
CUSHING – Author Courtney MacLachlan will present a program about her book, “The Amanda Letters: Civil War Days on the Coast of Maine,” after a brief historical society business meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, at the historical society on Hathorn Point Road. The… Read More
BELFAST – Wright-Ryan, a construction management and general contracting firm in Portland, has appointed a new superintendent, whose first job will be at Tall Pines, the assisted living facility. Michael Barton, the new superintendent, is a 2000 graduate of Deering High School and 2004 graduate… Read More
ROCKPORT – Dr. Eric R. Schenk is moving to Maine from New York and starting his own practice, called Coastal Maine Internal Medicine, on Aug. 1. The practice is opening in the physicians building at Penobscot Bay Medical Center. Schenk received his Doctor of Osteopathic… Read More
HANCOCK – A three-car accident on Route 1 in Hancock early Saturday morning caused two people to be transported to a hospital by LifeFlight helicopter and the road to be closed for more than three hours. Names of those involved in the accident were not… Read More
AUGUSTA – As she filled out an application this spring for a new scholarship, Kimberly Mehuren of Thorndike never thought she would soon be awarded nearly enough money to pay for her upcoming junior year at the University of Maine in Orono. The 2000 graduate… Read More
MACHIAS – On Saturday, more than 100 Washington County households from Steuben to Calais got rid of environmentally unfriendly things that had filled their barns and basements for years. The process, held in Washington County for the first time, was easy. Residents filled out forms… Read More
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK – A Missouri woman who lost control of her rented motor scooter Saturday afternoon suffered multiple injuries during a crash, according to park rangers. Mary Fales, 57, of Kansas City was riding on the Park Loop Road near Bubble Rock when the… Read More
MOUNT DESERT – A head-on collision Sunday afternoon on Route 198 left two vehicles totaled and their occupants shaken but safe, an officer said. Patricia Solari, no age available, of Northeast Harbor was driving her 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis toward Northeast Harbor when she apparently… Read More
LUBEC – Jazz Lubec 2005 plays out at three places in town on Tuesday, Aug. 2 through Thursday, Aug. 4. On Tuesday, saxophonist Greg Abate will play his fourth concert in as many years to benefit the Lubec Memorial Library. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
Calais District Court June 17-30, 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 var… Read More
UNITY – It’s sort of a wet version of trying to find a needle in the haystack. Except that the needles are alive and swimming. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var… Read More
PROSPECT – Though the ammunition isn’t live, field amputations are unheard of and the enemy Confederate troops are fellow enthusiasts from all over Maine, the life of a Civil War re-enactor is not without its own perils. Lois McKeering of Hartland, decked out Saturday afternoon… Read More
PORTLAND – The owner of a fire equipment company in Buxton remains free on bail while he awaits sentencing on federal charges of falsifying hundreds of fire extinguisher tests. Dale Nason, 49, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court on Friday to 18 violations of the… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Children and their parents visited farm animals, ate cotton candy, hot dogs and hot sausages, watched tractor pulls and rode carnival rides, and tried to bring home prizes from carnival games during the opening weekend of the 151st running of the Northern Maine Fair. Read More
PORTLAND – The Baldacci administration’s push to save tax dollars by prodding towns to band together and school districts to consolidate is no longer on the front burner, but the governor hasn’t given up on the idea. Instead of having the state provide financial incentives… Read More
PORTLAND – A former call firefighter in Westbrook with a history of psychological problems since childhood has been sentenced to four years in prison after his guilty plea to four counts of arson. Under a sentencing agreement worked out with prosecutors, Phillip Caron, 21, will… Read More
OXFORD – For a few minutes, Winterport’s Ryan Deane was on cloud nine. In his first-ever appearance in an Oxford TD Banknorth 250, Deane finished fourth in the third and final consolation race which meant he qualified. He would start 36th. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
OXFORD – Turner’s Mike Rowe needed to win the last-chance 50-lap hooligan race to earn a spot in the Oxford TD Banknorth 250. He started 37th. But Rowe maneuvered his way to the front, passed Farmingdale’s Johnny Clark with 10 laps left remaining and comfortably… Read More
BANGOR – Big innings marked Day 2 of the state American Legion baseball tournament Sunday at Mansfield Stadium. . Andrews Post of Portland scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth to rally past Brewer 7-2. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
CHENEY, Wash. – The Seattle Seahawks signed second-round draft pick Lofa Tatupu on Sunday, leaving first-round selection Chris Spencer as the team’s only unsigned rookie. Tatupu, a linebacker out of USC, joined the team for Sunday’s early workout. He didn’t have time to study a… Read More
Adam Staier of Farmington won the state 5,000-meter racewalk championship race with a time of 28 minutes at the USA Track and Field Association Championships in Lewiston Friday. Staier, a University of Maine-Farmington senior, was one of four successful Mainers at the meet. The other… Read More
Two incoming University of Maine freshman hockey players were selected in Saturday’s NHL Draft: Goalie Ben Bishop was picked 85th overall by St. Louis and defenseman Matt Duffy was taken 104th by Florida. Bishop, a 6-foot-5, 205-pound native of Des Peres, Mo., and Duffy, a… Read More
LOCAL At Milbridge 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 =… Read More
HOLES-IN-ONE Ron Grass 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
MONTREAL – For the last two years, everyone at the pool was chasing Michael Phelps. Now, he’s the one playing catch-up. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i… Read More
HERMON – UBS and Aerus Electrolux split a Bay League baseball doubleheader Sunday with UBS winning 2-0 in the first game and Aerus taking the nightcap 4-1. In the first game, UBS’ Craig Harvey wacked a two-run single in the top of the tenth inning… Read More
ROCKLAND – York’s Adam Bailey pitched a four-hitter, striking out 10 batters while only walking two, to lead York by Portland North 8-1 to win the state title for ages 9-10 in the Little League All-Star baseball tourney Saturday. Catcher Alex Mercurio started the game’s… Read More
HERMON – Fred Brown of Winterport made up for lost time and won Saturday night’s Linnehan Credit Now Auto 50-lap Coca-Cola limited sportsman feature race at Speedway 95 after being absent for a few weeks. Duane Seekins of Stockton Springs was working his way to… Read More
BANGOR – Pitching for the Brewer American Legion baseball team this summer has basically meant pitching with a lead, because the Falcons have had a tendency to score in bunches early in games. Andrew Patterson, for one, doesn’t mind the support. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
Now that the dandelions are over their adolescent outburst, an amazing thing is happening in the fields and roadsides in Maine. Midsummer has arrived, like a hiker cresting a steep hill and pausing to take in the view. Wildflowers and grasses of subtle but extraordinarily rich colors have… Read More
Bangor’s agricultural fair was already an important event in Maine at the beginning of the 20th century, so its premature burial in the newspapers in 1904 was a major shock. “GOOD-BY TO BANGOR’S FAIR: President Beal Decides to Quit an Unprofitable Enterprise, and There’ll Be… Read More
Now,” the nature walk leader said to the young, eager faces, “I’m going to tell you some cool things about sphagnum moss.” It was a summery Saturday morning – the air warm, a breeze blowing, white puffy clouds overhead. Six kids accompanied by their parents… Read More
In theaters MUST LOVE DOGS, written and directed by Gary David Goldberg, based on the novel by Claire Cook, 98 minutes, PG-13. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0;… Read More
What do you call it when you look at vital records or church records and it’s obvious that some are missing? You could say that “the register is very bitty,” according to English genealogist Paul Brewer. I noticed this phrase on Jeff Linscott’s Web site… Read More
Sacred monuments In the Mayan city of Uxmal in Mexico are the ruins of an observatory dating to about A.D. 600. It was used to plot the synodic period of Venus, the time between two appearances of the planet at the exact same point in… Read More