AUGUSTA – It appears that Maine Learning Results has caught hold with the state’s students. Commissioner of Education Susan A. Gendron announced Tuesday that not only have Maine Educational Assessment scores for elementary mathematics increased for the third successive year, a “significant jump” also occurred… Read More
A Canadian power company, hoping to bring to fruition what a now-defunct California firm could not a decade ago, announced plans Tuesday for a 3,700-acre wind farm atop the mountains of western Maine. TransCanada, a firm based in Calgary, Alberta, that specializes in natural gas… Read More
WASHINGTON – General Motors Corp. said Tuesday it was recalling about 800,000 sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks in 14 northern states, including Maine, because corrosion was affecting the antilock brake system, leading to more than 200 low-speed crashes. GM, the world’s largest automaker, said… Read More
FRENCHVILLE – Spring rains caused late planting of potatoes in the St. John Valley, and now schools have delayed their annual harvest recess one week to allow extra growing time for the crop. Officials of all four St. John Valley school units said Tuesday that… Read More
A few years ago, smoking in bars ands restaurants in Maine became illegal. The only places that are not affected by that law are privately owned clubs, such as the American Legion and the Elks Club. Now, the state has decided these organizations must send… Read More
According to biographer Banesh Hoffman, in chapter 10 of his volume, “Albert Einstein, Creator and Rebel,” Einstein had an habitually expressed reaction to the quantum theory; he said in German, “Gott wurfelt nicht,” which translates as “God does not play dice.” For the past couple… Read More
The Bangor Daily News’ editorial (Aug. 22) on textbook prices does address the key conclusion of the General Accountability Office report: Publishers are investing money and taking on significant risk to create educational materials that improve student success, and they are “assuming roles that have traditionally belonged to… Read More
I have two sons, ages 19 and 17. I believe I have struck a successful bargain with them: If you want to join the Israeli army, I’ll buy a ticket for Tel Aviv; if you want to join the Saudi Arabian army, which no Saudi citizens seem to… Read More
Members of the Senate who prefer not to be weighed down with a lot of paper could do themselves a favor when they return from vacation to confront the reform of the estate tax. The Congressional Budget Office has a simple set of numbers that will give them… Read More
You may not have used a backpack when you were in school, but they now are high on the back-to-school shopping lists. These days, every school student seems to need one. They’re a good way to carry books, laptops, baseball mitts, lunches and the other must-have stuff. But… Read More
Does one company have the right to change the character of Maine’s northern forest forever? Perhaps. Plum Creek has asked Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) to rezone about 426,000 acres in the Moosehead area. It is a concept draft that proposes planned growth over 30 years, including… Read More
A narrow swath of storms dumped as much as 3 to 5 inches of rain early Tuesday on isolated sections of Aroostook, Penobscot and Piscataquis counties – and a reported 8 inches in Patten, causing flooding along roads, including a section of U.S. Route 1. Read More
BANGOR – A new program aimed at keeping children safe from Internet predators is now being offered at no cost to all schools in Maine. Parents, children and law enforcement officials also can access some of the interactive resources and download helpful information. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
AUGUSTA – With the financial future of Gov. John Baldacci’s controversial health insurance program DirigoChoice hanging in the balance, members of a special task force said this week they have been unable to reach agreement on a key funding element of the plan. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
BEAVER COVE – Instead of airing their concerns about Plum Creek Timber Co.’s proposed development in the Moosehead Lake region at public sessions held throughout the state, some individuals have resorted to acts of vandalism to express their apparent displeasure with the company’s plan. At… Read More
PLEASANT POINT – Passamaquoddy tribal elders opposed to a proposed $500 million liquefied natural gas terminal came out swinging Tuesday saying that two public officials who have formed a consulting company to promote a facility in Calais may have breached moral and ethical codes as elected officials. Read More
BANGOR – The city’s first Greek immigrant, George N. Brountas, was so starved for his native language and Orthodox faith that he imported family, friends and a visiting priest to the Queen City. Brountas, who arrived in 1897, was the first Greek Orthodox immigrant to… Read More
ORONO – Workers at the Orono Water Pollution Control Facility are excited about a multimillion dollar project to update the 35-year-old plant, where they treat 375 million to 450 million gallons of wastewater per year. Built in 1970, the plant has had several small improvements… Read More
MILLINOCKET – Despite a pending lawsuit over the matter, a group of town councilors was pressing the town manager Tuesday to ensure that a regional economic development agency gets $80,000 the town owes it as soon as possible. Saying the organization needed the money, councilors… Read More
BREWER – One deal to sell the T.J. Ryan Center was removed from the table on Tuesday but should be replaced by another one on Thursday, according to Lou Janicki, manager of the ice-skating rink. Hours after informing Bangor resident Quinn Paradis that there would… Read More
ROCKLAND – Zero tolerance is the name of the game that Knox County Sheriff’s Department kicked off at Union Fair last week. Undercover officers filed 22 charges while patrolling for underage drinking over three nights, according to Deputy Michael Sprague, who wrote the successful $7,499… Read More
Rockland District Court Cases Aug. 1-8, 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
ROCKLAND – The Trade Winds Motor Inn has pitched a proposal to lease the former Chamber of Commerce building for a restaurant and ship chandlery, and the city’s public floats for a 30-slip marina. The Trade Winds, located close to the waterfront on Park Drive,… Read More
BLUE HILL – Rob Eaton is keeping his weather eye out this week. With the remnants of Hurricane Katrina expected to bring heavy rain and wind into Maine today, Eaton, the president of the Hancock County Agricultural Society, is hoping for blue skies or, at… Read More
FORT KENT – The Edgar J. “Guy” Paradis Cancer Fund has received a major boost in fundraising from the Tour de la Vallee, and is looking to the first Fall Foliage Classic, a minimarathon, to raise even more money to help cancer patients and their families. Read More
ORIENT – Town officials opted this past weekend to reschedule their annual town meeting after procedural questions arose. Town Clerk Alicia Silkey said Tuesday that the yearly meeting would now be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – A local man remained in the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton on Tuesday after a hit-and-run accident and alleged “combative behavior” when police tried to arrest him. Dewayne Posey, 45, of Presque Isle made his first appearance Tuesday in Houlton District Court… Read More
CALAIS – Police said Tuesday they are investigating a rash of vandalism that involves graffiti on retaining walls and at Pike’s Park south of the city. “It is not new to the city,” Police Chief Michael Milburn said. “It happens in many other communities. Unfortunately… Read More
ELLSWORTH – A local man was arrested Tuesday morning for allegedly having improper contact with an 11-year-old girl the night before. Gary Johnson, 53, was charged with unlawful sexual touching, which is a Class D misdemeanor. He made bail the same day from the Hancock… Read More
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK – A 68-year-old woman was carried to safety by rangers Monday afternoon after she broke her ankle on Mansell Mountain on the western side of Mount Desert Island. Myrna Nizen was hiking after a rainstorm about 3 p.m. when she slipped on… Read More
MACHIAS – The Board of Selectmen has lost its two longest-serving members in the last month, Edward Pellon and Alayne Willard, for two different reasons. Both had been selectmen for the last 18 years. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
BREWER – A few days after three homes were broken into, Brewer police received reports Tuesday of two more break-ins, this time while the residents were still home. The most recent burglaries occurred late Monday night or early Tuesday morning at the homes, located in… Read More
BANGOR – With a final budget still months away, the Penobscot County commissioners chipped away Tuesday at a $13 million budget, wary of rising prices for fuel, salt and negotiated contracts. “We’ve just got to hold the line here,” County Commissioner Stephen Stanley of Medway… Read More
WILLIMANTIC – Residents took no action at a special town meeting Tuesday on a request to raise $1,000 for assessing, despite a warning that the town had no funds to process taxes. The need for more funds was viewed by Selectman Jeff Morin as an… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – A local woman was injured on Saturday when she lost control of her eastbound vehicle on Route 11/16 and was ejected as the car rolled over three times. Nekole McLeod Harmon, 20, was in fair condition Tuesday at Eastern Maine Medical Center in… Read More
Belfast District Court Cases Aug. 15-19, 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
DEXTER – The SAD 46 Education Association has approved a new contract that was ratified last week by district directors. The ratification by the association on Monday morning ended months of tense negotiations between the board and the association over salaries and insurance. Still unresolved… Read More
BREWER – The city is looking for people who like to get their hands dirty. City staff are working on an “Adopt a Park” program so area groups, school classes or organizations can help maintain the nearly complete Penobscot Children’s Garden. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
STONINGTON – Saying they feared it would put too much waterfront property into the hands of a single organization, voters at a special town meeting on Monday overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to swap land where the fire station is located in exchange for property and a new firehouse… Read More
WHITNEYVILLE – There is one thing that the 262 residents of the town can agree on: It’s good to have the bridge open again. The bridge over the Dan Hill Brook along U.S. Route 1A had been closed for the last month as state Department… Read More
BELFAST – It appears the city will be going to trial over the disputed ownership of a right of way to Penobscot Bay. That was the option on the table after 5th District Court Judge John Nivison rejected attempts by City Hall and land owner… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – One of the city’s oldest standing buildings has one of the newest facades after months of renovation and brickwork at the former police and fire station on Church Street. A few hundred people turned out during the weekend for a firsthand look… Read More
PATTEN – Town officials are putting the finishing touches on a $213,000 sewer project that Town Manager Rhonda Harvey said Tuesday would benefit both the municipality and the residents that it affects. A public hearing was scheduled Tuesday night for final comments on the project,… Read More
FORT KENT – A mechanical engineer who has been running a consulting business has been hired as the town’s economic development director. John Bannen, 42, is from Portland but has been living in Fort Kent for nearly three years. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
Members of Three Rivers Kiwanis Club in Milo recently completed a community service project to build a gazebo in their park, wrote Joe Zamboni, of the club’s gazebo committee. “The gazebo was completed and dedicated this past June,” he continued, adding that “we are now… Read More
BANGOR – A Bucksport woman pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court to using credit cards stolen last year from a van in Acadia National Park to purchase more than $1,500 in merchandise. Tracy Ann Clough, formerly known as Tracy Ann Paquette, admitted she used… Read More
BANGOR – An Englishwoman who entered the United States by swimming across the St. John River at Fort Kent earlier this month pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to re-entering the country after she was refused entry earlier this year in Atlanta because of visa problems. Read More
BANGOR – The League of Women Voters of Maine has postponed its event scheduled for Sept. 24 at the Bangor Public Library. “Local Voices: Citizen Conversations on Civil Liberties and Secure Communities” will be rescheduled for sometime in March or April, League President Ann Luther… Read More
BANGOR – Bells will be ringing Friday afternoon to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, and a downtown parade at 1:30 p.m. will give the public the chance to honor a group of patriots now in their 80s and older. Read More
Those with a hankering for a good cut of meat now have a new option. They can visit the best little roadhouse in Texas. Actually, Texas Roadhouse, a national chain of more than 200 restaurants, opened Monday in the new Bangor Parkade, located diagonally across… Read More
With the Labor Day holiday fast approaching, it’s time to determine what you’ll be tossing on the grill to feed your family and friends. One possibility that will satisfy individual tastes is a grill full of colorful and tasty shish kebabs. Perhaps the best thing… Read More
Bangor: European Farmers Market, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, year-round, Sunnyside Florists & Greenhouses, 117 Buck St. 947-8464. Bar Harbor: Eden Farmers Market, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays, through October, YMCA parking lot, Main Street. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
ST. AGATHA – Center midfielder Beth Gerard is known as the playmaker on the Madawaska girls soccer team. Gerard, the senior who sets up scoring opportunities for everybody else, took things into her own hands early in Tuesday afternoon’s game against Wisdom, scoring an early… Read More
Reaching Brewer High football coach Ed Ortego by phone isn’t easy this week. Ortego is leaving Brewer after the first semester of the 2005-06 school year to rejoin his wife in his native Louisiana, which currently is coping the with the devastating effects of Hurricane… Read More
Change greets each high school football season, but some years more than others. And 2005 is one of those years. 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
ORONO – There is no substitute for game experience. Overcoming a lack of that quality in key positions will be among the challenges facing the University of Maine football team during the 2005 season. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
What do Ricky Craven and Jimmy Howard have in common? Both have captured the hearts of Mainers and both are moving on. The major difference between the two? One’s career may be coming to an end and the other one’s is just beginning. Newburgh native… Read More
BANGOR – More than 20 golfers are expected to compete for the eighth annual Northeast Deaf Golf Tournament championship to be held at Bangor Municipal Golf Course this week. Play begins Thursday and runs through Saturday with starting times beginning at 9:15 a.m. each day. Read More
Lori Gear McBride, who played on the 1994 North Carolina women’s basketball team that won a national championship, has been named head women’s basketball coach at Colby College. Gear McBride spent five years as an assistant coach at the Division I level at Seton Hall… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL At Bangor Municipal GC, par 35 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
Dick Harris and his wide-ranging golf interests have spent a lot of time in the spotlight this summer. One Harris Golf operation, Boothbay Country Club, was showcased during last month’s Maine Amateur Golf Championship. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Kasey Spencer scored in the first half and Katy LePage in the second to lead the Maine Black Bears to a 2-1 field hockey victory over Fairfield Tuesday. Rebecca Giroux had five saves on nine shots for 2-1 Maine. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
HODGDON – Brian Fitzpatrick just can’t stay away from soccer, and as the Hodgdon girls soccer team has found out, that’s a good thing. Two years ago, coming off a season in which the Hawks made it to the Eastern Maine Class C final, Fitzpatrick… Read More
EASTON – Bradley Trask and Nick Flewelling scored goals less than six minutes apart midway through the second half as the Easton Bears rallied to knock off Ashland 2-1 in boys soccer action Tuesday. Ashland (1-2) had taken a 1-0 lead on an unassisted goal… Read More