BANGOR – Though it’s thousands of miles from the three sites designated for today’s landing of the space shuttle Discovery, Bangor International Airport is on NASA’s list as an emergency landing site. “The runway is long enough that it’s capable of handling a shuttle,” airport… Read More
    In Columbia Falls, the Columbia Falls Pottery has a rack just inside the door that showcases brochures from every other business on the town’s Main Street. Owner April Adams doesn’t merely want customers to spend their money at the next door down; she encourages them to do so. Read More
    I wish the Bangor Daily News would provide historical perspective when, week after week, you publish op-ed pieces which have no other purpose than to call into doubt the ability of President Bush to lead our country and to defend the free world. Last Friday, Arthur Greif tried… Read More
    Just as certainly as the public generally hated the recent Supreme Court ruling on the use of eminent domain, some states will overreact and set limitations on government so strict that the public good will be run over in the pursuit of protecting private property. Maine should make… Read More
    For generations of TV viewers, Peter Jennings was a knowledgeable, reassuring source for the night’s news. That voice was silenced Sunday when Mr. Jennings, 67, died of lung cancer in New York. Mr. Jennings, the longtime evening anchor at ABC News, was part of the… Read More
    “Blown away!” “I think I know what that means now,” said a friend as we left the Blue Hill Congregational Church after the concert by Ray Cornils, organist, and his trumpet ensemble. They came from Portland to help us launch our rebuilt 19th-century Ryder pipe organ in a… Read More
    Regarding the article in the Bangor Daily News’ July 30-31 edition regarding the Medicare prescription drug program which will be starting on Jan. 1, 2006: I would like readers to know that there is free education available in our community about the new prescription drug program right now. Read More
    Thank you, Daniel J. Bernier, for the excellent op-ed, “How to lower Maine’s high health insurance rates?” (BDN, Aug. 3). We need free-market competition in the offering of health insurance to Maine people. Our governor and Legislature need to remove the regulations that created the… Read More
    For many years, I bought my family’s groceries at Doug’s Shop ‘n’ Save, never knowing the man behind the name, or if there even was a real “Doug.” In recent days, with the sad news of his passing and the many public tributes, I’ve begun to learn the… Read More
    A satellite photo of the United States blinds us with the lights of sprawl all across our land. Maine’s North Woods stands out in stark contrast as the largest wild area east of the Mississippi River, like a dilated cat’s pupil seen by campfire-light. Seattle-based Plum Creek Timber… Read More
    Crafting Bangor’s first budget under the new tax cap was difficult. Our options were restricted by an outdated state tax structure and suffocating state and federal mandates. In light of our recent experience it is appropriate to reflect on both the process and what we can expect in… Read More
    Efforts to repeal the federal estate tax are on hold right now, but when the Senate resumes deliberations after its August break this contentious issue is sure to reappear. Maine’s two moderate Republicans are already targets of intense lobbying efforts. Familiar arguments about self-reliance, creating… Read More
    BANGOR – An Englishwoman’s swim for America was successful, but her illegal lap across the St. John River has landed her in jail. Katharine Mary Hiscox, 33, of Great Britain appeared Monday in U.S. District Court in Bangor on charges of entering the United States… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – A Caribou trucker who was arrested Saturday for allegedly driving without a license – a little more than a week after he was charged in a Maine Turnpike crash that killed a woman – pleaded not guilty on Monday to four misdemeanor charges related to… Read More
    If you think you’ve been noticing an ever-increasing number of people talking on their cell phones while driving these days, here’s a study that should confirm your suspicions. According to the Yankee Group, a research firm in Boston, cell phone customers in the United States… Read More
    ROCKLAND – A film biography of actor Errol Flynn will be screened at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, in the Friends Community Room of the Rockland Public Library. “The Adventures of Errol Flynn” features interviews with his family and friends. The film offers home movies… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – City officials are hoping to negotiate with a local landscaping company after the lone bid for enhancing the aesthetic value of High Street came in nearly twice as high as expected. During a brief meeting Friday morning, City Council members reviewed the bid… Read More
    CALAIS – “Nimbooda,” the perpetrator who sneaked around under the cover of darkness last week and decapitated a family of wooden snowmen, paid $100 restitution and issued a letter of apology to the victim-owner. But it’s a hush-hush settlement. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
    THOMASTON – A driver and three passengers were injured Saturday in a two-car accident on U.S. Route 1. The accident was still under investigation Monday for suspected operating under the influence of prescription drugs. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
    DEER ISLE – Officials from the Maine Department of Transportation will present preliminary plans for the proposed rehabilitation project for the Deer Isle-Sedgwick bridge at a meeting at 6 tonight at the Deer Isle town office. DOT representatives will review the details of the proposed… Read More
    LINCOLN – The Maine Department of Transportation will be working on the bridge that crosses the Penobscot River between Chester and North Lincoln to repair deteriorated concrete that supports the bridge. Construction began Monday and is expected to last about four weeks. Temporary traffic signals… Read More
    BROOKSVILLE – The Maine Department of Transportation has begun construction on a bridge replacement project on Route 175-176. Drivers should expect alternating one-way traffic at the Davis Narrows Bridge for the next several weeks, and then from Sept. 5 through Oct. 10 the road will… Read More
    CAMDEN – Dr. Eric Betz will talk about carpal tunnel syndrome at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9, at the Camden Public Library. Betz has been an applied kinesiology chiropractor in Lincolnville for three years. Read More
    ROCKLAND – Midcoast Magnet will host a forum about the Downtown Building Rehab and Reuse at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10. Midcoast Magnet and visiting experts will lead a Main Street walking tour of the Rockland rehabs, followed by a 6:30 p.m. panel discussion at Rockland’s new Gateway… Read More
    CAMDEN – Richard Ogle will speak on “The Primacy of the Imagination” at 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, at the Camden Public Library. The presentation will take place during the regular meeting of the Camden Philosophical Society. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
    ROCKPORT – Merryspring Nature Park and Learning Center will host its “Tuesday at Noon Talk” at noon Tuesday, Aug. 9, at its Conway Road location. Tuesday’s talk, “Beekeeping in Midcoast Maine,” features Dick and Jean Vose of Nobleboro. The Voses started beekeeping in 1986 in… Read More
    Aroostook CountySuperior Court Cases June 1-30, 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]… Read More
    MADAWASKA – The Madawaska Knights of Columbus, with the assistance of local individuals and businesses, donated more than $5,000 Sunday to the family of Kenny Sirois, the 16-year-old athlete who died earlier this summer. The donation was made to the Vincent and Wendy Sirois family… Read More
    THOMASTON – Police and the Knox County Sheriff’s Department have joined forces to conduct random roadblocks in the area. They say it is designed to make traveling safer. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner =… Read More
    NEWPORT – Rockland has its lobster festival. Machias is blueberry country. Jackman means snowmobiles and moose. And the Waterville Opera House has put that city on the Maine map. That type of recognition – the ability to become a destination – is what Newport is… Read More
    CARMEL – The town’s Board of Selectmen opted Monday to allow a board member whose job is causing scheduling conflicts to stay on in a tiebreaking role until a replacement is elected next spring. In a letter dated Aug. 5, former Chairman Garrett DeBeck indicated… Read More
    ORRINGTON – Residents in town voted resoundingly on Monday to support the creation of a municipal fire and rescue department by combining the Orrington Volunteer Fire Department and Orrington Volunteer Ambulance Service. The vote took place during a special town meeting at Center Drive School… Read More
    BANGOR – From radios to rescue equipment, members of the Penobscot County Homeland Security Review Committee on Monday forwarded nearly $74,000 in local funding requests to the state for final review. Requests by eight communities and the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department were approved by the… Read More
    AUGUSTA – With 3,000 jobs in the balance, community officials from around Maine said Monday they want to speak with one voice to Bank of America. The company is buying out the credit card company MBNA, which employs people in seven Maine communities. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    LINCOLN – Scott and Ruth Birtz hope to move into their new home at 95 Taylor St. by late October, Ruth Birtz said Monday. Insurance adjusters are finishing assessing the total damage done by the July 27 fire, and the Birtzes are in the process… Read More
    LINCOLN – More than a year after they started, it looks like Larry and Carolyn Jackson might finally get to build their dream retirement cottage near Mattanawcook Lake. The Town Council voted unanimously Monday night to add language to the town’s zoning laws that would… Read More
    A New York woman who took a taxi Monday from Portland to Bangor but couldn’t pay the $250 fare was arrested on outstanding warrants and also was charged with theft of services. Rachel Guimond, 23, originally from Indian Island, was picked up early Monday afternoon… Read More
    CHARLESTON – A fire that blackened nearly an acre Sunday afternoon on Puddledock Road was under investigation Monday. The landowner, John Acabbo, was clearing the land and had obtained a burn permit in June to dispose of debris, Fire Chief Steve Weinstein said Monday. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    HAMPDEN – Cyndi Darling, an environmental specialist with the state Department of Environmental Protection, will attend a meeting of the Hampden Citizens Coalition at 7:15 p.m. today in the community room of the municipal building. Darling will answer questions about Pine Tree Landfill’s application to increase capacity and… Read More
    OLD TOWN – Afterburner, the U.S. Air Force rock band from Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts, is scheduled to perform from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10, at Old Town’s Riverfront Park. Bringing a blend of rock ‘n’ roll, country, Motown and pop,… Read More
    WASHINGTON – Three Maine communities will share more than $1 million in federal grants and loans to improve drinking water quality and provide proper wastewater disposal. The Dexter Utility District has been awarded a $400,000 loan and a $300,000 grant, the town of Milford has… Read More
    MOUNT DESERT – A Northeast Harbor woman was jailed Friday afternoon for driving to endanger and criminal trespass after she allegedly gate-crashed a party on a private road off Sargent Drive. Police said that Susan Lyall Utsch, 70, drove a 1995 Mercury station wagon through… Read More
    ROCKLAND – City councilors unanimously rejected a zone change Monday to allow a commercial hair salon in a residential property that would have uprooted two families. Residents in the Cedar and North Main street neighborhood united in opposition to Visual Changes hair salon operating at… Read More
    Rockland District Court Cases June 6-July 8, 2005 googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i < slot_sizes.length; i++) { if (isMobileDevice()) { if (slot_sizes[i][0] googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
    ACADIA NATIONAL PARK – An ominous-looking fin spotted Saturday morning circling in the ocean off Sand Beach caused rangers to clear the water of swimmers until they could be sure it did not belong to a shark. “Rangers and lifeguards saw a circling fin,” Ranger… Read More
    Machias District Court Cases March 1-31, 2005 googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i < slot_sizes.length; i++) { if (isMobileDevice()) { if (slot_sizes[i][0] googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
    FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Last summer, in town for a book signing, former President Clinton took a late-night drive through the University of Arkansas campus. He spotted Old Main and asked why the tower had no clock. Clinton was told empty slots were left for a… Read More
    Thanks to the efforts of Hermon resident Lisa Rancourt, people in eastern Maine now have the opportunity to host an international exchange student through EF Foundation. The government-approved exchange program, which already has students placed in southern Maine homes, this year will have one student… Read More
    WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Justice has awarded $2,410,259 to various entities in Maine for crime prevention. U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins announced the grants Friday. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
    PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – Portsmouth Naval Shipyard supporters will hold a picnic Saturday as a show of support for keeping the base open. The federal Base Realignment and Closure commission is expected to decide the week of Aug. 22 whether to remove the nuclear submarine repair… Read More
    DOVER, N.H. – Police have recovered a blue minivan driven by a man accused of raping a 19-year-old woman while he purportedly shopped for a home. The vehicle and a knife they think the man used to threaten the woman were found at a motel… Read More
    SOUTH BERWICK – A 16-year-old boy from South Berwick has died in a Boston hospital of burns suffered last Wednesday during an accident at a campfire along Silver Lake in Shapleigh. Jason Caouette suffered burns over 90 percent of his body when he poured gasoline… Read More
    ORONO – “Little Altars Everywhere” is the title of a popular Rebecca Wells novel, but it describes the installation “Milagros” at the University of Maine’s Carnegie galleries equally well. It’s apparent the space has been transformed as soon as you enter the building. Porcelain fishhooks… Read More
    Age: 52 Residence: Indianapolis, Ind. 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
    I came of stitching age in the 1950s and 1960s when magazines that specialized in needlework and crafts abounded. Woman’s Day and Family Circle magazines, Better Homes and Gardens, and even Country Living magazine featured needlework and craft projects that caught my imagination and sparked my interest. These… Read More
    Years ago – too many to count – my father, Doug Brown, gave me a small, black, transistor radio. The radio stopped working this summer, but it still holds a special place in my heart because Dad gave it to me. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    Whitney Hand’s summer of competitive golf exceeded even her own expectations, and she more than accomplished several personal goals. One of Hand’s better results came in the Junior Greater Bangor Open, where she finished fourth despite playing from the men’s tees. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    HOLE IN ONE At Katahdin C.C. 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
    LEWISTON -Jennifer “Jay” Hartshorn, a top assistant at Syracuse University since 2001, has been named the new women’s cross country and track and field coach at Bates College. She replaces Sally Hirsch, who recently resigned. Hartshorn has worked in the NESCAC before, as an assistant at her alma… Read More
    PORTLAND – The Portland Pirates will host division rival Providence Bruins on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Portland Ice Arena in a pre-season exhibition game. This will be the Pirates’ only preseason home game before the start of the 2005-06 season on Oct. 8 in… Read More
    The University of Southern Maine has named Susan Frost its new women’s lacrosse coach. Frost, a former coach at Binghamton (N.Y.) University, replaces Meredith Bickford, who resigned. Frost played college lacrosse for Marist College (N.Y.), and graduated in 1997 with an English degree and minor in psychology. Read More
    Former Ellsworth High track standout Ben Shorey took national championship honors in the 15-kilometer racewalk in Watertown, MA Sunday. Shorey led wire-to-wire and finished with a time of 1 hour, 11 minutes. In the women’s race, South Berwick’s Kate Dickinson, now running at UMaine-Farmington, broke… Read More
    BRIAN HEAD, Utah – Adam Craig of Corinth earned a pair of top-five finishes during the sixth event of the 2005 NORBA National Mountain Biking Series at Brian Head Resort over the weekend. The 23-year-old Craig, who rides for Giant Bicycles, finished second in the… Read More
    LINCOLN, Neb. – Calling plays in the huddle at Nebraska isn’t anything like calling them at Wake Forest or at Butler County Community College in Kansas. That’s why Zac Taylor is glad he enrolled at Nebraska in January so he could go through spring practice… Read More