Amid harsh criticism of relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, announced Friday that her Senate committee will launch an investigation into the federal government’s handling of the disaster. “[I]t is our duty to ensure that the executive branch… Read More
    A headline on a story published on Friday’s State page about the SAD 1 curriculum lawsuit was incorrect. The lawsuit wasn’t tossed out; instead, two remaining counts were declared moot and judgment was entered for the school district, as the story stated. — googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    Switching to organic foods provides children “dramatic and immediate” protection from widely used pesticides that are applied to crops, according to a new study by a team of federally funded scientists. Concentrations of two organophosphate pesticides -malathion and chlorpyrifos – declined substantially in the bodies… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Some Maine colleges are offering free or reduced tuition to students whose plans to study this fall have been interrupted by Hurricane Katrina. The University of Maine System is offering expedited admission and in-state tuition to students from Maine or elsewhere whose college… Read More
    BANGOR – When staff at WKIT, the city’s classic rock radio station, started to raise money for Hurricane Katrina disaster relief, they never expected to be nearing their $150,000 goal within days. “So far we’ve raised $130,000, which is unbelievable,” Melissa Brautigam, WKIT office assistant,… Read More
    Four members of the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department have volunteered to provide security in the Gulf Coast and are awaiting federal authorization before they can fly down. All four are members of the department’s Special Response Team and, if given federal approval, would use their… Read More
    There are a number of ways to support relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The most effective route is to donate cash to one of the following organizations: googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
    I worked on Main Street in downtown Bangor for 42 years. There were lots of shops and customers, but there was no excitement like what The American Folk Festival brought last weekend. I have had both hips replaced but my husband and I managed to… Read More
    A panel recommending cuts to Medicaid may have provided opportunity to Congress this week when its major savings came not from cutting services but from getting lower prices for prescription drugs and extending drug rebates to Medicaid’s managed-care plan. Those are the sort of changes advocates for expanding… Read More
    The images from New Orleans could just as easily come from Mogadishu. People, all their possessions stuffed into plastic bags, walking, to where they didn’t know. Young children their hands outstretched to grab food offered by relief volunteers. Snipers firing on evacuation helicopters and hospitals. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    After 9-11 we spent billions on emergency service preparedness. We created a new department to deal with security issues. We’ve got a huge National Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA. For four years the Bush administration and our Republican-controlled Congress have been spending… Read More
    The incompetence and ignorance of the Bush administration should be fully visible to all American citizens, following the devastation in the Gulf states. Government officials and agencies have acted astoundingly slow in providing basic relief to thousands of refugees. For days, reports from the media… Read More
    People are dying in the streetsof New Orleans. Right now, as President Bush is touring the area and talking about rebuilding, people are dying of starvation and dehydration. Mothers are holding dying infants who have gone days without formula or water. Grandmothers and grandfathers are sitting in the… Read More
    Effective April 14, the U.S. Postal Service added a new regulation that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation “in connection with examination, appointment, reappointment, reinstatement, reemployment, promotion, transfer, demotion, removal, or retirement” (Employee and Labor Relations Manual, section 666.12b). The Postal Service’s extension of basic… Read More
    Being born and raised in Bangor, it was great to get back and attend the Folk Festival. The committee did a great job. What a wonderful family activity. I’m looking forward to next year. Sylvia Goodbridge Chamberlin googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
    I agree with your thoughtful reservations in the Aug. 29 editorial about the proposal to require high school students to take the Scholastic Assessment Test and hope that Maine’s education commissioner will drop the proposal from further consideration. Contrary to common belief, the SAT is a poor predictorof… Read More
    With proposed military base closings, loss of manufacturing jobs, sprawl and changing patterns of land use, and increasing proliferation of big-box stores, issues of trade and economic development are on Mainers’ minds these days. Maine has been on the front lines of international trade issues… Read More
    This is what we know about the $4 billion Congress last June approved for bike lanes and related programs: Given a beautiful, late-summer day, a three-mile commute to work, gasoline at $3.10 a gallon and endless government studies describing how fat we are, 99 out of 100 of… Read More
    Because we had been fattened up for months by the oil cartel propaganda machine to accept that gasoline would be three bucks or more per gallon come Labor Day, the size of this week’s killer price hikes may have come as a shock, but their arrival right on… Read More
    BOISE, Idaho – Albertson’s Inc. said Friday it was considering putting itself up for sale as well as other alternatives as the nation’s second-largest supermarket chain contends with sales that have lagged many of its rivals. Its shares surged 11 percent. The company – which… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – It’s a sleek, silver convertible with leather seats, the last Ford Thunderbird ever built. It was delivered Friday afternoon to a Ford family estate on Mount Desert Island. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
    BANGOR – Labor Day brings with it a sense of anticipation – the first day of school, the changing of the seasons, and in Maine this year, the onset of what promises to be a bruising campaign over extending the state’s anti-discrimination laws to gays and lesbians. Read More
    In John Jackson’s hometown of New Orleans, living with the threat of hurricanes had always meant putting your faith in a tenuous trust. As long as the levees held, neighbors reminded one another, everything would be all right. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
    Belfast District Court Cases Aug. 8-19, 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 Slot… Read More
    An active, pretty teenager with brown hair and sparkling brown eyes, Spring has a great sense of humor and a great attitude that attracts people to her. She is able to form lasting relationships, loves animals and is willing to help with chores around the barn and house. Read More
    Following are divorces granted in 5th District Court in Belfast during August on grounds of irreconcilable marital differences: Gale H. French, Belchertown, Mass., and Pearl M. French, Belfast, married at Chicopee, Mass., Nov. 14, 1993. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
    BANGOR – Over the weekend, people around the city could find free paintings lying around as part of the Bangor Smile Project. Artist Bren Bataclan, also known as Smiley B, of Boston will be dropping off 15 of his smile paintings throughout the city for… Read More
    BREWER – Old Town-Riverside Grange will hold a public baked bean and ham supper 4:30-6 p.m. today at the Grange Hall on outer North Main Street in Brewer. Tickets are $5 for adults, $2.50 for children. For information, call Thelma Andrews at 989-2170. Read More
    ELLSWORTH – A 45-year-old local woman was arrested Thursday on charges of theft, forgery and misuse of identification. Ellsworth police said Annette Lindsey used a relative’s credit card to obtain fraudulent credit cards in that person’s name. She allegedly ran up a $2,000 tab by… Read More
    A Bangor man was arrested Thursday night after witnesses said he flipped over tables and threatened employees and patrons at the Whig & Courier restaurant downtown. Several witnesses said that a man – identified later as Craig Raymond, 30 – came into the restaurant around… Read More
    BANGOR – Stalled negotiations between Penobscot County and three bargaining units have prompted both sides to seek a mediator to bridge the gap. “The issues are difficult,” Michael Friedman, attorney and lead negotiator for the county acknowledged this week. It was the first time in… Read More
    BANGOR – A Dover-Foxcroft dog breeder was back in court Friday on charges that he violated bail conditions by allowing dogs inside his Gray Hill Road home. Mark Hagelin, 45, appeared in 3rd District Court before Judge Jessie Gunther, who ordered Hagelin to undergo a… Read More
    ROCKLAND – A citywide revaluation pushed some property values and property owners’ tempers to an uncomfortable level this past week. Owners of waterfront, water view and Dodge Mountain holdings saw the steepest climb in assessments – some rising three times higher than last year’s figures,… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – A 22-year-old man from Sullivan appeared in Superior Court on Friday to face drug and forgery charges. Zachery E. Spaulding pleaded guilty to forgery and possessing heroin. A second charge of possessing heroin was dismissed. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
    ROCKLAND – More than two months after being assaulted at a drinking party, a Washington man remained in serious condition Friday at Maine Medical Center in Portland. Defendant Brent Pitcher, 24, of Washington is charged with two counts of aggravated assault in connection with the… Read More
    HODGDON – The SAD 70 board will hold a special meeting Tuesday to consider a request from potato growers to delay the start of the potato harvest break. The proposed start date is Sept. 24 and the conclusion would be Oct. 16 for Hodgdon High… Read More
    SHERMAN – The annual Sherman Old Home Days celebration runs through Monday. Events today will include the Howard Guiggey Memorial Horseshoe Tournament at 9 a.m. at the Sherman VFW Post 2299. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
    The show must go on, no matter what the season, which is why you have the opportunity to enjoy this fall – instead of last spring – one of the most delightful amateur volunteer performances in this area when you attend the Y-Players’ production of “Disney Princesses 30… Read More
    BOSTON – A Duxbury woman has contracted the state’s first human case of eastern equine encephalitis this year, state health officials said Thursday. The woman, who is in her 60s, developed symptoms from the dangerous mosquito-borne virus on Aug. 27. Tests confirmed the infection on… Read More
    SACO – A phone call to Maine by a priest stranded by Hurricane Katrina’s floods may have led to his and a fellow priest’s rescue, a Maine Army National Guard official said Friday. The Rev. Bob Brennan, a 70-year-old priest who was formerly assigned to… Read More
    BANGOR – Internationally known child development expert Dr. David Elkind will be the keynote speaker later this month at the annual child care symposium sponsored by the Penquis CAP Resource Development Center and the Child Care Training Coalition. The symposium will be held from 7:30… Read More
    BANGOR – The Bangor Theological Seminary will mark its move from its campus home on Union Street, where it has been for 178 years, to a temporary home in Bell Hall on the Husson College campus as part of its opening convocation on Wednesday, Sept. 7. Read More
    ORONO – With nearly 4,000 students expected to arrive at the University of Maine campus this weekend, and roadways expected to be busy with holiday travelers, law enforcement officers will be out in full force. Officers will be conducting safety checks and saturation patrols to… Read More
    Columbia Street Baptist Church will be host of a piano concert by Lillian Garwood at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18. Now semiretired, Garwood has taught piano at the University of Maine, Colby College and Nyack College. She has been a church organist, pianist or choir director for nearly… Read More
    Police, fire and emergency medical personnel from around Maine will gather at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul for a commemorative Mass at 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 11. The service is designed to recognize the providers’ service to the people of Maine. The Roman Catholic Diocese of… Read More
    The Pentecostal movement began in the Old Town community in 1930 – in a dance hall. By 1940, a building had been constructed, and in 1980, a new church was built. Over the years, the church has had three names and nine pastors. Now, Christ Church of Faith,… Read More
    The parish of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, 21 Holyoke St., last week celebrated its first Eucharist with its new rector, the Rev. Barbara J. Clarke. Clarke had most recently served as rector of St. Augustine’s Parish in Washington, D.C. An Ellsworth native, Clarke studied and later taught biology,… Read More
    Pilgrim Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 375 Mount Hope Ave., is reviving its Westminster Lecture Series. A professor of Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Douglas Green will lead the series, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8. This year’s lecture is titled “Humanity’s Divine Destiny.”… Read More
    The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland said this week the Rev. Wilfred Labbe has been appointed diocesan director of campus ministry, based at the Newman Center in Orono. Labbe, until recently pastor of St. Mary Parish in Eagle Lake and St. Joseph Parish in Wallagrass, had already been… Read More
    When Twin City Baptist Church launches its 40 Days of Purpose campaign on Sept. 24, it will join a global network of thousands of churches from 60 denominations that have responded to stories of spiritual renewal and growth. At the center of the campaign is a book, “The… Read More
    Former Boston Mayor Raymond Flynn will be guest speaker at the Pro Life Education Association’s annual recognition luncheon in Maine. Flynn is a former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican. He will speak on “Why People of Faith Need to be Involved in the Civic Arena.” The luncheon will… Read More
    “Sacred Places at Risk” is the theme of the 33rd annual Maine Preservation Conference. The gathering will be from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, at the Irish Heritage Center, formerly St. Dominic’s Church, 34 Gay St., with some sessions at other locations. Organizers invite “everyone… Read More
    NORTON, Mass. – John Hickson had said before Friday’s opening round of the PGA Tour’s Deutsche Bank Championship that putting could be the key. Hickson, head pro at Sunday River Golf Club in Newry, was right as it turned out to be both a blessing… Read More
    The University of Maine has an incoming 6-foot-6 goalie in Ben Bishop and now they’ll have a 6-6 defenseman. Simon Danis-Pepin said he has verbally committed to attend Maine beginning next week. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
    LEWISTON – The youthful Bangor High football team endured some growing pains in its season opener Friday night. Most were inflicted by Jared Turcotte, a junior tailback who rushed for 237 yards and three touchdowns to lead Lewiston to a 20-7 Pine Tree ConferenceClass A… Read More
    HIGH SCHOOL At Northport GC 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
    Speedway 95 At Hermon, Richard Burrill of Sullivan survived a wild Little Enduro Wacky Wednesday race to take the victory on Friday night. George Cantwell of Hermon finished second, Keith Ogden was third, Ellsworth’s Bob Merchant was fourth, and Bill Walker of Bangor finished fifth. Read More
    HOLE-IN-ONE Jack Sincyr 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 University of Maine men’s basketball team will open its season Nov. 18 in the William and Mary Tournament at Williamsburg, Va. Maine hits the court for two preseason games Nov. 3 (University of Cape Breton) and Nov. 9 (University of Montreal-Quebec). Both exhibition games are at Alfond… Read More
    NEW LONDON, Conn. – Four different players notched a goal apiece for the University of Southern Maine Huskies in a season-opening women’s soccer win over the Coast Guard Academy 4-1 Friday. Eva Hanson, Regina Wilson, Danica Martin and Liz Brunton each netted a goal for… Read More
    DYER BROOK – Kaylea Collier scored three goals, including the game-winner with about two minutes remaining in the second overtime, to lead the Southern Aroostook Warriors to a 4-3 girls soccer victory over the Easton Bears on Friday. Brittany Charette added a goal for the… Read More
    BUCKSPORT – Emily Lyons and Emily Miller each scored second-half goals to lift the Ellsworth Eagles to a 2-1 season-opening girls soccer win over Bucksport Friday. Catie Cravens had four saves on six shots for Ellsworth. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
    MOUNT DESERT – Whitney Sinclair scored three goals to lead the John Bapst Crusaders to a 4-1 schoolgirl soccer victory over the Mount Desert Island Trojans Friday in the mutual opener. Hayley Cutri scored a goal for John Bapst of Bangor and Caroline Cassling stopped… Read More
    MILLINOCKET – Victor Quint’s 62-yard touchdown gallop with six minutes left in the game lifted the Maine Central Institute Huskies to a 24-19 high school football win over the Stearns Minutemen in the mutual opener Friday night. Quint totaled 77 yards rushing while Josh Sawyer… Read More
    Late each summer, Mike Jarvis packs up his truck, sets a course from Brattleboro, Vt., to the northern tip of Maine, and heads for Allagash, a place he has come to love. Everybody would forgive Jarvis if he didn’t come back. Everybody would understand. But… Read More
    FOXCROFT – Molly Cyr scored two goals to lead the Foxcroft Academy Ponies to a 2-1 high school field hockey victory over the Nokomis Warriors Friday in the mutual opener. Morgan Rice made 11 saves on 13 shots for 1-0 Foxcroft Academy. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    On June 11, the Bangor Daily News rolled out a new, six-page weekend television section and explained that, in response to changing viewer preferences, the TV Watch magazine would be discontinued. We also asked each weekend for suggested improvements to the six-page section, and the popular daily television… Read More
    It’s must-see TV. The Red Sox will, naturally, lose the division to the hated New York Yankees (winning me $50 from Terrence Fitzpatrick), but prevail in the playoffs. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner =… Read More
    “Crash”: White guilt run amok. A misguided, heavy-handed message movie about the current state of race relations in Los Angeles. That’s an important subject to explore – and let’s hope someone with the proper approach tries again soon – but not like this. This is schlock. Without a… Read More
    Dear Jim: I thought about installing a whole-house fan so I can run my air conditioner less. The prices and sizes vary quite a lot. How do I pick the best one for my home and will one really save much electricity? – Ellen D. Read More
    Lots of modern pickles have a sweet side to them, but several hundred years ago, when people put cukes into spiced vinegar with some salt and called it a day, pickles had a real bite. A few years ago I heard about a “muddy water” or “riley water”… Read More