WASHINGTON – In an unorthodox move, the Senate has confirmed the appointment of Donald Winter as Navy secretary, but he won’t formally take over until the current secretary’s stalled promotion is cleared in an expected recess appointment by President Bush. Two senators, Sen. Olympia Snowe,… Read More
    Getting Americans to care about fuel consumption and energy conservation turned out to be easy. Right after Hurricane Katrina, when gas prices shot above $3 a gallon and caused fears about energy shortages, the public’s attention was painfully focused. Since then and even as the price has dropped,… Read More
    After a six-year ban, fishermen could be allowed to hook a salmon on the Penobscot River under a proposal from the Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission. Allowing a limited Atlantic salmon season on the Penobscot will restore confidence among fishermen in the management, by both the federal and state… Read More
    The Dirigo insurance plan has been a godsend to my family and me. In 2001 I was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer. My employer at the time paid for my health insurance for three months and then it was up to me. My… Read More
    Next week Premier Video in Bangor will close its doors forever. There were a lot of factors that contributed to this difficult decision. Whether it was construction on State Street, rising fuel costs, local competition or from Internet companies, cable and satellite, or even expanded… Read More
    The rioting in France from African immigrant communities is not caused by French racism, xenophobia or stinginess. On the contrary, France is a liberal generous nation, which has openly welcomed African people and their culture. But for decades the intellectual and political elite, obsessed with promoting diversity and… Read More
    Patrick Keating (BDN, Nov 8) writes that the Bangor Daily News is anti-war because it publishes “factual” information on the numbers of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq. Had we known the “facts” there would be no need to publish the names of our brave soldiers… Read More
    Once again we see on the news that Maine is looking forward to very high fuel oil prices this winter. We hear from Maine families that they will be wearing coats and hats indoors to keep warm when they have to lower their thermostats to conserve oil. In… Read More
    War is, at best, barbarism,” the old warrior, William Tecumseh Sherman, told graduates of the Michigan Military Academy in June 1879. “Its glory is all moonshine. It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud… Read More
    State Geologist Robert Marvinney ends his public talks with a pop quiz. How many gallons of water, he asks, are in the top inch of Moosehead Lake? My answer to him the other day was so far off I’d be embarrassed to tell you, but the correct response,… Read More
    Vice President Dick Cheney has been toiling behind the scenes to kill an amendment sponsored by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., to the Defense Department funding bill. The measure would explicitly outlaw “cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment” of prisoners in U.S. custody here or abroad. President… Read More
    Downtown Bangor might be able to learn a few things from Belfast, Camden, Ellsworth and Rockland, but it should not take all of its redevelopment cues from their successes, according to Bangor Center officials. The downtown organization took 20 of its members on a bus… Read More
    BOSTON – The struggling lobster population off the Bay State’s southeastern coast and off Rhode Island still hasn’t bounced back from a steep and unexplained population drop earlier this decade, according to a report released this past week. The lobster stock crashed after overfishing, an… Read More
    BANGOR – He was there to help liberate Buchenwald and took part in the Battle of the Bulge. He helped break through the Siegfried Line and root out German troops after Allied forces took it over. But on Friday, Nolan Gibbs, 83, of Monroe was… Read More
    CANAAN – One man was killed and another seriously injured late Thursday night in a single-vehicle accident on U.S. Route 2 in this Somerset County town. The passenger, Robert Tardiff, 32, of Fairfield was pronounced dead at the scene, shortly before 11 p.m. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    Today, the Bangor Daily News kicks off its annual Santa’s Helper Fund effort and is pleased to report that the first donation already has arrived. Larry Dawson, George Crouse and Chuck Jordan, representing the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Brewer, Aerie 3177, recently arrived with a… Read More
    AUGUSTA – He waited and waited. For more than four hours, Greenville Town Manager John Simko waited Thursday to discuss a unique cost-sharing proposal with a commission studying the delivery of services to the unorganized territory, but he never got the opportunity. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    Backers of a tribal racetrack casino in Washington County are making a heavy push for a statewide vote on the issue, collecting more than 20,000 signatures last week, organizers say, toward securing a spot on the 2006 ballot. “We are committed, and we will deliver,”… Read More
    CASTINE – Maine Maritime Academy students had two key questions Friday morning when they met with trustees over breakfast. “They wanted to know about student housing and will there be enough,” Ward Graffam, trustee chairman, said. “And they wanted to know about a double cruise… Read More
    Calais District Court Cases Oct. 21-27, 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
    Carrie L. Loranger has been promoted to the rank of major in the U.S. Air Force. Loranger has served in the military for 10 years and has been assigned to the 82nd Training Wing at Sheppard Air Force Base, in Wichita Falls, Texas. She is the daughter of… Read More
    Despite bitter winds, the sun shone strongly Friday as veterans from all parts of Aroostook County converged for Veterans Day ceremonies in Presque Isle and Caribou. In Presque Isle, about 20 people gathered at Veterans Park for a short morning service by the Hayward-Frazier VFW… Read More
    NEW BEDFORD, Mass. – An increase in its already lucrative scallop catch helped make New Bedford the most valuable fishing port in the country for the fifth year in a row. New Bedford fishermen caught $206 million in fish in 2004, compared with second-ranked Dutch… Read More
    Jordan is an active 7-year-old boy. He likes the outdoors and loves to catch bugs, go on nature walks and go fishing. Jordan also enjoys playing with trucks and dinosaurs. He has a good imagination and is great at creative play. He enjoys crafts and… Read More
    LINCOLN – In observance of Thanksgiving, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles Mobile License Unit won’t be in Lincoln on Thursday, Nov. 24. The unit will be available 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
    PORTLAND – A volunteer emergency medical technician raped a woman a day after he helped her sick child, using a ruse that he had left behind a medical instrument to get into the family’s home, police said. Scott Mondor, 31, of Harrison was held Friday… Read More
    BUCKSPORT – A fire in the ductwork at the International Paper Co. mill kept firefighters busy for four hours Friday morning. The call came in at about 8 a.m., according to Assistant Chief Mike Denning. The fire was contained in the exhaust system for the… Read More
    Bucksport High School First quarter honor roll 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
    ALTON – No traffic will be allowed through the Tannery Road for eight weeks starting Monday, Nov. 14, according to the Maine Department of Transportation. Repairs to the Tannery Road Bridge, which crosses Dead Stream near the western end of the road, are needed due… Read More
    GLENBURN – A Glenburn Town Council special meeting to discuss a registered sex offender who lives in the area will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, at the Glenburn Elementary School, 991 Hudson Road. Any resident with a disability who would like to… Read More
    BANGOR – Bangor Theological Seminary will hold an open house at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, at its new location in Bell Hall on the Husson College campus. The open house will include an information session with Michael Huddy, admissions director. A worship service will… Read More
    LINCOLN – The Ella P. Burr School Library is celebrating Children’s Book Week with a three-day book fair. The fair will open at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at the library and will continue 3-8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, and 7:30 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Nov. 22. Read More
    BANGOR – Following are city meetings and other activities for the coming week. All will be held in City Council chambers at City Hall unless otherwise indicated. Monday: 7:30 a.m., downtown parking advisory committee, agenda includes discussion with Verizon employees regarding parking on Park and… Read More
    A Second Street resident who was warned late Thursday afternoon for playing his music too loud was arrested about a half-hour later when police returned to his apartment. Police first responded at 5:23 p.m. to reports of a fight at 40 Second St., but when… Read More
    ATLANTA – After hard freezing scorches the fields, there comes a moment in late winter when it seems impossible that even a single green blade will ever pierce the solid brownness. In Andrew Wyeth’s imagination, it never does. “Andrew Wyeth: Memory and Magic,” a retrospective… Read More
    Cookbooks always make terrific holiday gifts, and this one contains something extra you might not expect. Dot Clark has announced that the Brewer Stitchers of the Greater Bangor Chapter of the American Sewing Guild has produced “Sew, You Can Cook!” googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
    AUGUSTA – The state panel that will enforce Maine’s new gay rights law doesn’t expect a flood of complaints. The Maine Human Rights Commission already handles discrimination complaints based on age, religion, race and other factors. When the law goes into effect, it will investigate… Read More
    The Rev. John Wingert of Cazenovia, N.Y., has been called as interim rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church, 225 French St. He will serve while the parish searches for a successor for the Rev. Kevin Holsapple, who resigned this fall to become rector of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church,… Read More
    Apostolic Lighthouse Church will be host of a creation seminar, with Steve Grohman and family leading the discussion. “The Word has led me and my family to serve Him by teaching others about His creation so as to strengthen their faith and knowledge in his Word,” Grohman says… Read More
    Twelve choirs will perform in the second annual Festival of Choirs, beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 231 Main St. The choirs will perform individually, with some smaller choirs joining forces. All of the choirs will perform a final piece together. Choirs… Read More
    Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:26 – these and a handful of other biblical passages are lobbed around in contemporary debates over the church’s teaching and practice surrounding human sexuality. From the rhetoric of the reactionary religious right, one gets the sense that the Bible… Read More
    PORTAGE LAKE – A local man took a trip to the hospital with a minor injury after he and another hunter took a shot at the same bird, according to a Maine Warden Service official. Troy McCrum, 32, of Washburn sustained a pellet shot to… Read More
    BRIDGEWATER – Searchers on Friday morning recovered the body of a local man who has been missing since Tuesday, according to an official with the Maine Warden Service. Gary Davis, 70, of Bridgewater was found dead near the Snow Settlement Road after a night and… Read More
    LOWELL, Mass. – University of Maine senior defenseman Travis Wight had never scored a goal in 72 career games entering Friday night’s Hockey East game at UMass-Lowell. Junior left wing Brent Shepheard had gone 15 games without one. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
    There are plenty of Maine hunters who can be counted on to get their deer nearly every year, no matter what. Rain? Snow? Wind? Heat? googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var… Read More
    COLLEGE NCAA Div. III 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
    ORONO – The America East-leading University of Albany Great Danes improved their overall record to 25-3 with a 3-0 match victory over Maine Friday night. The Great Danes, who are 10-1 in America East play, were led by Ashlee Reed, who had 11 kills. Ashley… Read More
    BOSTON – Trading away a Dominican star wouldn’t faze South Portland native Jim Beattie. As general manager of the Expos, he once sent Pedro Martinez packing from Montreal. Beattie, former executive vice president of the Baltimore Orioles, met Friday at Fenway Park with Red Sox… Read More
    We have “lost the voice of the child.” There can be no more damning indictment of youth sports in this country than this. That finding came this week in the Citizenship Thorough Sports Alliance report card on sports programs in the U.S. for youth ages… Read More
    I did it! Again! For years I’ve performed the semiannual ritual of extricating the popup camper from the garage in the spring and re-inserting it into the garage in the fall. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
    The e-mail subject line read, “coot et al,” and was from my friend Ed Grew. “Did you ever get to see the coots, widgeons and green-winged teal in Witter Farm marsh this weekend? If not, it’s not too late. They must have weathered the freezes… Read More
    Atlantic salmon fishing will be the topic of discussion on Monday when the Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission holds a public scoping session in Brewer. The ASC is gathering public input prior to the drafting of new recreational fishing rules for the Penobscot River. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    Stinky ladybugs Last week we experienced a rite of fall – the annual invasion of the ladybugs! These familiar little beetles are searching for a place to hibernate and spend the winter. They come in the cracks under the doors. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
    I won’t be surprised if the CD doesn’t fly off the music store shelves, but I’m interested to hear what Donald Trump’s appearance on “The Regis Philbin Christmas Album” sounds like. Much like his Emmy Awards appearance with Megan Mullally of “Will & Grace” earlier… Read More
    “Big Fish: Special Edition”: From Tim Burton, tall tales about life and love in a special edition DVD. Albert Finney is Edward Bloom, a dying salesman whose charmed life, recounted from his deathbed, proves a colorful confection of bigger-than-life stories, some legitimately lived, others overtly embellished. A contemporary… Read More
    A rainy, windy night in November and suddenly the leaves are gone from trees and shrubs along the roadside. We have an unobstructed view of the bright red berries of our native winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata), a signal at 60 miles-per-hour of passing from autumn into winter. Read More
    In our continuing quest for good tasting, inexpensive and reasonably healthful fare, here is a vegetable offering I picked up from a friend a couple of weeks ago when I was moaning aloud about not being able to think of enough ways to cook turnips. Read More