AUGUSTA – A task force of legislators and private sector professionals assembled to evaluate the state’s emergency preparedness were told Monday that while Maine has made great improvements to its critical response capability, the network remains threatened by federal cutbacks in the national homeland security program. Read More
EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – It was estimated Monday that 100 Edmundston area residents will lose their jobs at Fraser Papers Inc. after its purchasers remove paperboard-making assets from the mill. The sale and ensuing cuts are expected to affect 21 percent of the 475 people… Read More
BANGOR – A settlement has been reached between a Bangor doctor and federal agencies investigating her prescribing practices. Attorneys on both sides agree family practitioner Jean Benson made an honest mistake in overprescribing pain medications for just one of her many patients, but the case is being held… Read More
A News Brief published in some editions of Saturday’s State section incorrectly stated that the Center Theatre in Dover-Foxcroft closed in 1971. It closed in 1973. Read More
WASHINGTON – Nissan Motor Co. said Monday it will recall more than 100,000 minivans because of problems with a seat adjustment mechanism that could cause a finger injury. The automaker said the recall affects about 118,000 Quest minivans from the 2004-2006 model years in the… Read More
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court refused Monday to consider New Hampshire’s appeal in a sexual assault case involving two Manchester, N.H., sisters and a Bangor, Maine, man. The justices had been asked to use the case to clarify when defendants must be allowed to confront… Read More
BANGOR – By launching an ambitious study of how Maine’s quality of life and its economy play off each other, GrowSmart Maine is hoping it can help determine the state’s future development. At a Monday afternoon press conference at City Hall, GrowSmart Maine President Alan… Read More
PORTLAND – The Navy has awarded a team led by Bath Iron Works a $223 million contract to design a hull for one of its newest combat ships, according to defense contractor General Dynamics Corp., the parent company of BIW. The company will complete the… Read More
BANGOR – Touting how well state investment in biomedical research has boosted the state economy, supporters of the so-called “jobs” bond kicked off a campaign to promote the issue Monday at the Sea Dog Banquet and Conference Center. If voters approve Question 4 on the… Read More
WASHINGTON – Roughly $1 of every $5 in loans the Small Business Administration directly made to companies hurt by the Sept. 11 attacks has fallen into default, leaving the government with an uphill effort to recover millions of dollars in taxpayer money. The agency is… Read More
We cannot let the terrorists win. The struggle against Islamic terrorism is a noble cause, to save America and the American way of life. We will win despite all the protest marchers and radical leftist groups such as MoveOn.org, and the Cindy Sheehans who think… Read More
It was amusing to read the spin placed on the federal budget saying it dropped to $319 billion. It is the third highest deficit in history. Congress and the president should be held accountable for the past five-year record of adding more than a trillion… Read More
What were they thinking? The engineers of the city of Bangor installed four-way stop signs at the intersection of Juniper and Howard streets last week. This dangerous action is apparently another device to relieve the traffic situation between Mount Hope and Stillwater avenues. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
I read with interest the article in the Bangor Daily News by Wendy Fontaine on Oct. 12, regarding the recent purchase of radio station WNSX by two local broadcasters. We’re thrilled to have such experienced broadcasters back in the marketplace and wish them continued success. However, I feel… Read More
President Bush has told the religious right: Trust me, Harriet Miers is one of us, she will carry out my agenda, including overturning Roe v. Wade. President Bush has told the rest of us: Trust me, I don’t know the positions of Harriet Miers, one… Read More
I have been outraged ever since I read the article, “Castine selectman to serve 30-day sentence for assault incident” (BDN, Oct. 5). As a former long, longtime resident of Castine, I have known Kenneth Eaton since he was a little boy. Not only was he… Read More
A bookshelf worth of recent studies has found that American kids are getting fatter. Further studies, as if they were needed, reveal that poor food choices and a lack of exercise are to blame. The federal government’s response to this obesity epidemic is to turn the food pyramid… Read More
The vote by Iraqis on a constitution last weekend will be dissected dozens of ways over the coming weeks, but the most important outcome was that a vote was held, the outcome beforehand was unknown and the give and take of democracy played out in various ways. The… Read More
In 1692, the “city upon a hill” faced unprecedented crises. The crown had revoked its charter and ordered the arch-Puritan colony to tolerate dissenting faiths. Puritans were engaged in a bloody war with Native Americans, who had decimated Casco (Portland) and York. A military expedition to Quebec returned… Read More
Sportsmen are losing access to the woods and waters of our state at an alarming rate. That’s why the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine urges all Maine sportsmen to vote yes on Question 5, a new $12 million bond issue for the Land for Maine’s Future Program, on Nov. Read More
BANGOR – Four years after the Sept. 11 attacks, the nation’s war on terror has been shortsighted, overwrought with bureaucracy, and incorrectly referred to by President Bush as “this generation’s functional analog of the Cold War,” according to Laurence Pope, a former U.S. ambassador and terrorism adviser during… Read More
BANGOR – Massachusetts Judge Edward G. Loring appeared relieved Monday to learn that Maine schoolchildren had voted 61-13 to change history and allow him to keep his job. In 1854, Loring was removed from his position after he sent fugitive slave Anthony Burns back to… Read More
LEWISTON – The Republican gubernatorial primary officially expanded to three candidates Monday when state Sen. Chandler Woodcock announced his intentions to become the Grand Old Party’s choice to oppose Democratic Gov. John E. Baldacci in 2006. A former teacher, coach and Vietnam veteran, Woodcock is… Read More
CARIBOU – A Littleton couple’s desire to spend time with their granddaughter soon will be in the hands of the seven justices of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. The state’s high court will convene today at the Caribou Performing Arts Center. It is the first… Read More
HOWLAND – The state Board of Education’s rejection of SAD 31’s plan to build a new $8.9 million high school in Howland sets a bad precedent by attempting to force small school administrative districts to consolidate with other small SADs, new SAD 31 interim Superintendent Jerry White said… Read More
At least 50 people left their East Millinocket, Grindstone, Mattawamkeag and Medway homes overnight Sunday as a precaution against rising waters that threatened properties near the Penobscot River. Heavy rains over the weekend not only threatened homes on the Penobscot but also resulted in minor… Read More
On Sunday night, as the Chicago White Sox were set to clinch their first World Series berth since 1959, I couldn’t help but think of those quieter-than-usual emergency rooms in the Windy City and all the doctors and nurses wondering where the heck their patients were. Read More
SKOWHEGAN – The Somerset County grand jury has indicted nine people, including a Cornville woman for three counts of gross sexual assault involving a boy under the age of 14. Jessica Bowring, 25, also was indicted for tampering with a victim and terrorizing, as well… Read More
BREWER – State Street Elementary School pupils barely could stay in their seats when Clifford the Big Red Dog came onstage pulling a red wagon full of donated Scholastic books. Their eyes gleamed while they waved to Clifford, a well-known children’s book character, and cheered… Read More
FORT KENT – The parents of a St. Francis boy who was injured in a physical education accident at Fort Kent Elementary School in March 2004 are seeking $300,000 from SAD 27 and former physical education instructor David Minzy. According to court records at Aroostook… Read More
Penobscot County Superior Court Cases July 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… Read More
MEDWAY – State fire marshal investigators said Monday that they don’t expect to learn exactly how or why a fire started in a trailer where the remains of a woman were found Friday. The fire so devastated the Grindstone Road trailer and attached wooden structure… Read More
ROCKLAND – A Union woman accused of whacking her 7-year-old daughter on the head with a 5-pound cast-iron frying pan in February will serve three years of closely monitored probation, according to court records. On Friday, Natalie C. Hall, 35, was sentenced in Knox County… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Volunteers involved with raising $1.3 million for a major library expansion stood smiling around a new sign on the library lawn Monday morning. This weekend alone, another $2,340 toward the expansion was collected, bringing the two-year tally so far to $860,000 in cash… Read More
MACHIAS – Norman Nelson, a lifelong resident of Washington County and a selectman in Machias, will be the featured speaker tonight at the meeting of the Machias Historical Society. Open to the public, the meeting takes place at 6:30 p.m. at the Hemingway building on… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Dave Putnam is trying to solve a mystery. Through an event he co-organized on Saturday – which doubled as a celebration of Maine Archaeology Month in October – the professional archaeologist said he’s trying to figure out prehistoric life in Aroostook County… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – The Presque Isle Housing Authority has amended its Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy and Section 8 Administrative plan, which will be available for review by the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, at the Housing Authority Office, 58 Birch St. Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – An information session on the “Born to Read” volunteer reader program for interested adults will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the Grant Memorial United Methodist Church, 79 Fleetwood St. For information or to register, contact… Read More
CARIBOU – The Northern Maine Development Commission will be able to reduce or eliminate pollution of water resources in rural areas and improve planning and management of solid waste facilities in northern Maine. The organization recently received funding from the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development Solid… Read More
CARIBOU – The Caribou Recreation Department’s annual Halloween celebration for children in sixth grade and younger will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, at the Teague Park School, 59 Glenn St. The event will feature games, candy and a best costume… Read More
CARIBOU – A book sale, including adult and children’s books, videos, magazines and audio books, will be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Caribou Public Library, 30 High St. For… Read More
“Farm Marketing and Image Building,” a three-hour workshop that teaches basic terms and concepts and how to develop marketing plans, will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, at the Houlton Higher Education Center, 18 Military St., Houlton. Another workshop will be… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Northern Maine Community College will sponsor a Fall Fashion Show 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, at the Shrine Club. Proceeds from the event, featuring Miss Maine 2005 Megan Beals and WAGM-TV’s Samantha Hensell, will support Women, Work, and Community’s services in Aroostook… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Five people were arrested on seven drug- and firearm-related charges on the weekend after police executed a search warrant at a private home on Friday night. MDEA Division Commander Darrell Crandall reported Monday that Kary Carney, 37, of Presque Isle, at whose… Read More
Two volunteers from the Greater Bangor chapter of the NAACP who are headed south to aid survivors of Hurricane Katrina got a warm send-off Monday at the University of Maine. Francis Thompson and Willie Nelson will drive a donated van to the battered Gulf Coast region and administer… Read More
The Brewer Education Association will host a “Meet the Candidates” forum at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, in the student services conference room at Brewer High School. The public should note the new location. Two people are running for one open City Council seat that will be decided… Read More
For the third year in a row, Maine Central Institute has been the recipient of a gift of textbooks from an alumnus who arranged for more than $70,000 worth of free math textbooks. In 2003, Norbert Young, who graduated from MCI in 1966 and now lives in Connecticut,… Read More
A man who ran his car off the road and into a bridge near the Bangor-Hampden line early Monday morning had been drinking and was on probation out of Waldo County, police said. Kenneth Starefos, 39, of Winterport was driving home at about 12:30 a.m. Read More
HOLDEN – The Maine Department of Transportation has hit another bump in the road for its planned connector route to link Interstate 395 with Route 9 and ease traffic between Canadian Maritime Provinces and the federal highway system. Federal Highway Administration officials informed the DOT… Read More
HAMPDEN – Hunting will continue to be allowed on town-owned property without restriction after town councilors agreed Monday to accept the recommendations of two council committees. The town’s public safety and recreation committees met last week to discuss the issue, which has come to the… Read More
PALMYRA – When Palmyra voters determine Thursday whether the town will buy a new, small-scale recycling truck, neighboring towns Pittsfield, Canaan and Detroit will be paying close attention. The towns are working toward a regional recycling program that includes the possible purchase of a single… Read More
BANGOR – Some city schools will find it easier to keep energy costs down than others this winter, the school department’s director of business services said Monday. Briefing the Bangor school board on schools’ energy consumption, Alan Kochis said that a handful of buildings have… Read More
BANGOR – Influenza season is here again, and public health officials say it’s time to schedule an annual vaccination. Each year the flu virus causes more than 114,000 hospitalizations and 20,000 deaths nationwide, and visits several days of misery on untold thousand of others. Most at risk are… Read More
ROCKLAND – Theft of a 150-horsepower outboard motor from Beggar’s Wharf was reported Monday. Police said the stolen property was described as a charcoal-colored 150-horsepower Suzuki outboard motor worth $8,000. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
BAR HARBOR – An urchin fishing boat with four people on board broke down Monday afternoon just off Great Head in Acadia National Park and sparked a three-agency rescue operation . A hiker on Great Head Trail noticed that a fishing boat was in distress… Read More
ROCKLAND – SAD 5 directors have hired a longtime midcoast educator as interim superintendent. Denis Howard of Belfast most recently served as superintendent of Islesboro schools. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for… Read More
ROCKLAND – Most people who packed City Council chambers Monday night supported passage of a landfill access agreement between the city and FMC Corp. Many of them were FMC employees. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
CALAIS – “Helping communities plan their future in Washington County, Maine” is the mission of the aptly named Washington County Council of Governments. The council took shape under the umbrella of the Eastern Maine Development Corp. in 1998 and took on responsibilities previously handled by… Read More
ROCKLAND – A father and son sailing to New Hampshire in a 41-foot sailboat were reported overdue Monday by family members and a search for them was begun, according to Coast Guard authorities. The men, Stephen Woods, 55, and Asher Woods, 20, both of Stratham,… Read More
ORONO – Aaron Cohen, a longtime NASA administrator who managed the early design and development of the space shuttle, will offer his perspectives on the state of the U.S. space program during a public talk Friday, Oct. 21, at the University of Maine. The free… Read More
Calais District Court Cases Sept. 23-29, 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
AUGUSTA – Gov. John Baldacci wants Maine Public Safety Commissioner Michael Cantara to boost patrols during inclement weather to slow down motorists on Interstate 295, where there were two fatal pileups on back-to-back weekends. Something must be done to get drivers to ease up on… Read More
Get ready to climb aboard for the 2005 Connolly’s Haunted Hayride, 7-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, and Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Connolly residence, 67 Garland Road in Corinth. Patrick Connolly called to announce with understandable pride that this is the third annual hayride his… Read More
PORTLAND – Testifying for the first time, Brandon Thongsavanh told jurors Monday during his retrial for murder that he didn’t fatally stab a Bates College student during a street brawl in 2002. The 22-year-old Lewiston man said he and two friends stopped their car when… Read More
BANGOR – Aiming to prepare citizens for active participation in the global community, a University of Maine System delegation plans to travel to France this month to sign agreements with four higher education institutions as part of a new initiative that will enable more faculty and students to… Read More
FARMINGTON, Conn. – Actor and comedian Charles Rocket, who had roles in a variety of movies and TV series and briefly gained notoriety for uttering an obscenity on “Saturday Night Live,” committed suicide, the state medical examiner ruled. Rocket, 56, whose real name was Charles… Read More
YORK – State police detectives worked Monday to identify a body found over the weekend near the Maine Turnpike. A motorist who stopped alongside the toll highway Saturday afternoon spotted the man’s body a short distance into the woods. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
A convicted child rapist from Maine who disappeared while on probation awaited extradition proceedings Monday after being taken into custody in Arizona. U.S. marshals in Maine heard that Eugene Trundy might be in a trailer park in Arizona and alerted authorities in Phoenix. Trundy was… Read More
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – He was as adept at drawing a charging brigade of Civil War soldiers as he was painting outdoorsmen scouting a mountaintop view in the Adirondacks. And the seascapes illustrated from his vantage point on the rocky Maine coast captured an uneasy balance… Read More
Size will be the first thing readers will notice about Knitscene, the new magazine from Interweave Press, which hits newsstands today, Oct. 18. The magazine is an inch narrower and 2 inches shorter than regular size magazines. Its unconventional size signals, perhaps, the kind of knitters and crocheters… Read More
As a fine art photographer specializing in children’s portraits, Patrisha McLean of Camden and Castine has seen her share of youngsters in the 10-plus years she has been working in the field. Whether it’s a cherubic infant or a wide-eyed young girl, McLean seeks out the natural and… Read More
Back in May, Dale Penney of Pittsfield checked in to tell the story of his son Dylan’s turkey hunt. The best part of that story, many people agreed, was that 13-year-old Dylan made a point of buying a dozen donuts and dropping them off at… Read More
Chagrined Boston Red Sox fans are not enjoying this year’s baseball playoffs leading up to the World Series. The Old Towne Team went quietly this postseason, being swept by the Chicago White Sox in first round play. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
Orono High sports are enjoying plenty of success this year. The football team is 6-2 and sitting in third place in its conference. The Red Riots girls soccer team went 13-0-1 in the regular season and are in second place for the Eastern Maine Class C playoffs. Read More
COLLEGE Ben Bishop 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
LOCAL 10th Annual Great Pond Mountain Trail Run 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 () { //… Read More
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HAVERHILL, Mass. – Maine singles champions Shawn Morrison of Brewer and Judy Bowden of Newport captured the International Candlepin Bowling Association Championships in 10-string matches Sunday at the Pilgrim Lanes in Haverhill, Mass. Morrison rolled a 1,257 to beat state champs Craig Holbrook of New… Read More
PORTLAND – Eastern League officials have nominated the Portland Sea Dogs for Minor League Baseball’s Larry MacPhail Promotional Trophy. The award is presented annually -to the club that performed outstanding promotional work throughout the season. The winner will be chosen by Minor League Baseball officials and honored at… Read More
ORONO – The University of Maine baseball and softball teams will host a youth clinic prior to the homecoming football game this Saturday, beginning at noon. Baseball coach Steve Trimper and softball coach Stacey Sullivan will host the clinics, which are for kids age six up through eighth-graders,… Read More
BREWSTER, Mass. – Husson College’s Ross McGee shot a 1-under-par 71 to help the Eagles place sixth after the first round of the New England Interscholastic Golf Association Championships at Captains Golf Course Monday. Husson compiled a 313, 18 strokes behind leader University of Rhode… Read More
The man with arguably the best last name ever to grace the back of a University of Maine basketball warmup jersey is back in Orono, this time in a suit. Julian Dunkley has traded in his shorts, sneakers, and jersey for a suit, shoes, and… Read More
Red Riot pride I would like to take this time to let my community know of a gentleman who has not only inspired my two sons but has taken the load off my shoulders as a father: Orono’s head football coach, Bob Sinclair. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Giants designated righthanded pitcher and Bangor native Matt Kinney and five other players for assignment Monday, leaving their roster at 34 players. Kinney, a former Bangor High School and Bangor American Legion baseball star, went 2-0 with a 6.00… Read More
ROCKLAND – Caitlin Hynes scored what proved to be the game-winning goal with 13:07 left in the game to lead No. 8 Rockland to a 2-1 preliminary victory over No. 9 Nokomis and a berth in the Eastern Maine Class B quarterfinal round. Ashley Kenney… Read More