BANGOR – It won’t come as any surprise to the Orono joggers who were running around in shorts a few weekends ago, or to the loggers who were cutting wood in short sleeves. January 2006 was among the warmest Januarys on record, according to the… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Both of Maine’s senators are being criticized for supporting Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito. Sen. Susan Collins announced her support last Friday, and Sen. Olympia Snowe announced her support just hours before Tuesday’s successful confirmation vote. “They both had the opportunity to take… Read More
    “Court reform is sort of like trying to repair a truck while driving it down the road. If you can’t pull over and stop, and we can’t, you’ve got to keep a sharp eye on the road ahead while you work.” – Daniel E. Wathen, Maine chief justice,… Read More
    A Jan. 31 Calais District Court listing in the State section erroneously named Hardy R. Preston Morris for operating under the influence of intoxicants. The correct listing should have been: Morris Hardy R. Preston, 33, Calais, operating vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants, $700, jail nine days,… Read More
    PORTLAND – Maine utility regulators said Tuesday they have withdrawn from settlement talks for a proposed electric rate plan for New England, saying they cannot accept increases that would give energy companies an unjustified windfall. “With electricity supply prices at historic levels, Maine consumers cannot… Read More
    I have just read the Jan. 23 op-ed, “Keep a rural eye on state Board of Education,” by Sen. Kevin Raye and am incensed by his comments about members of the Maine State Board of Education. He states “… it is so deeply troubling that the board is… Read More
    David Littell, who was unanimously confirmed by the state Senate last month to head the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, is taking over the agency at a difficult time. The department has been plagued by charges that it worked too closely with paper companies and a state legislator,… Read More
    A quick look back at Maine’s grades on an annual economic scorecard, issued again last week, shows the state to be surprisingly consistent since the mid-1990s. Consistent in a mediocre way. Still, there is hope and evidence that Maine may be doing better than the scores indicate. Read More
    I recently welcomed back to my squadron a large number of travel-wearied Air Force medics who had spent the last five months supporting our efforts in Iraq. After having survived frequent shellings of their base, witnessed terrible medical atrocities and spent countless hours caring for our heroes, they… Read More
    So, there we have another promise of economic prosperity, backed by a federally funded $1 million (taxpayer) study (“Maine may be central to ‘Atlantica’; east-west corridor could secure economic region’s growth, experts say,” BDN, Jan. 21-22). Needless to say the current administration strongly encourages oil-driven… Read More
    I was saddened to hear of the death of Paul Baldacci, and I appreciated the article in Friday’s paper. Paul knew my husband, and several years ago when Dave was struggling with cancer, we would go to Momma Baldacci’s every Friday night that we could. Read More
    By fear, innuendo and misstatements the administration has tried to defend their clearly illegal wiretapping of U.S. citizens. They claim the warrant by a special judge that the law requires is either not needed or too time consuming. This despite the fact that the law allows them to… Read More
    The fallout of the close election to ban the hunting of bears with bait, hounds and traps was the submittal of eight different bear bills to the legislature last year. The Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, instead of addressing them, directed the Department of Inland Fisheries and… Read More
    PORTLAND – Maine’s two Republican senators applauded President Bush’s State of the Union speech Tuesday, citing his recognition of the sacrifices made by U.S. forces in the war on terrorism and his concerns about rising health care costs and the nation’s dependence on imported oil. Read More
    AUGUSTA – A panel charged with finding ways to cope with a $130 million funding shortfall for state road and bridge projects on Tuesday offered a combination of savings, shuffled money and borrowing. Late last year, the state Department of Transportation concluded it would have… Read More
    CARIBOU – The man accused of murdering 57-year-old Jacqueline Shorey of Houlton and leaving her body in a motel room pleaded not guilty to the crime in Aroostook County Superior Court in Caribou on Tuesday. Daniel Boles, 30, entered the plea before Justice E. Allen… Read More
    PORTLAND – A York County girl who suffers from Asperger syndrome is entitled to special education services even though she completes her homework, behaves well in class and scores well on tests, a federal judge ruled. U.S. District Judge D. Brock Hornby ordered SAD 55… Read More
    NEWPORT – Revenge may have been the reason that more than two dozen animals in Charleston were neglected and deprived of care and food, court documents revealed Tuesday. The thick court file, which included photographs, was received Monday at Newport District Court, and graphically describes… Read More
    Maine pharmacists have been working overtime to ensure their elderly and disabled customers have continued access to the medications they need during the thorny transition to Medicare Part D. In recognition of their efforts, Mike Leavitt, secretary of the federal Department of Health and Human… Read More
    BANGOR – Observation of Black History Month will begin with a talk given by Maureen Elgersman Lee, author of “Black Bangor: African Americans in a Maine Community, 1880-1950,” at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, in the Lecture Hall, Bangor Public Library. Studying Bangor’s black population… Read More
    BREWER – With a burst of growth within the city and the tremendous amount of work ahead of them in the next few years, city leaders are looking specifically for an economic development specialist. “We’re looking for an individual with some experience in the field,… Read More
    NEWPORT – Members of the Nokomis Regional High School’s ROTC drill team and color guard will participate in the 2006 National High School Drill Team Championships this May in Daytona, Fla. More than 188 teams consisting of more than 4,000 ROTC cadets from across the… Read More
    THOMASTON – The planning board has voted to pass on to selectmen two petitions seeking limits on retail building size. The petitions could be considered in a May referendum. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
    MACHIAS – Calling the University of Maine at Machias “a little diamond in the system,” the vice chancellor of the University of Maine System summarized the tone of an all-day visit to the campus Tuesday of UMS officials. That was Elsa Nunez’s remark, while Chancellor… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – Organizing officials are halfway through the 2006 Biathlon Junior World Championships and, while there have been a few glitches along the way, they are singing the praises of hundreds of volunteers for a successful event so far. “We couldn’t do it without… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – During the first biathlon competition Tuesday morning at the Nordic Heritage Center, no one had more fans in the stands than U.S. youth biathlete Hilary McNamee. The Fort Fairfield native’s parents were cheering her on from the spectator bleachers, as was her… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – When Charles B. Kennedy graduated from Maine Central Institute in 1870, he struck out for the West and new adventures. He founded a school, became a state legislator and watched as the country became linked by railroads. If Kennedy were to board a… Read More
    EASTPORT – Calling it a NIMFY factor – Not in My Front Yard – Eastport’s city manager said Monday night the city has no choice but to oppose the Passamaquoddy Tribe’s efforts to build a liquefied natural gas terminal at Split Rock. City Manager George… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – On Friday, students and employees of Northern Maine Community College will participate in a polar dip off Pleasant Point on the coast of Down East Maine. Proceeds will benefit Maine’s Ronald McDonald House charity. The Ronald McDonald House provides a place for… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – Northern Maine Community College will host a read-in featuring the works of Langston Hughes at noon Monday as part of the 17th National African American Read-In. The event is open to the public, and participants are encouraged to bring and share their… Read More
    CARIBOU – The Caribou Performing Arts Center will host a concert by Bill Chinnock and his band at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Chinnock’s roots are in blues as well as traditional rock. He has been making music since his debut in 1975, and his newest album,… Read More
    ST. AGATHA – The Aroostook Municipal Association has become the first municipal leaders group in Maine to have an interactive Web site. The site, showed to AMA members at their annual meeting in January, went online Friday. The Web site can be accessed at www.aroostookmunicipal.org. Read More
    ROBBINSTON – Three people were injured Tuesday when their cars collided near the town’s boat landing on Route 1. In recent years, several serious accidents have occurred in that area, which is considered dangerous because of a small hill near the landing. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – A car unable to stop at an intersection slid right through, setting off a chain reaction Tuesday morning that ended with three vehicles damaged and one person taken to Sebasticook Valley Hospital with back injuries. Arthur Harsh, 38, was driving a 1996 Ford… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – The Piscataquis County Economic Development Council is searching for a person to serve as a part-time community development specialist. The candidate selected will work on a variety of planning and development issues in the county, according to Marc Scarano, PCEDC executive director. Funds… Read More
    Bangor police summoned two Bangor men on assault charges after a dispute Tuesday morning over a dog walking on someone’s property. Charles Robshaw, 56, said he became upset after seeing a woman walking her dog on his property in Pray’s Trailer Park, at about 8:45… Read More
    PALMYRA – Fifty-five firefighters from six area departments on Tuesday were able to save most of a mobile home on Madawaska Road in Palmyra, a save Pittsfield Assistant Chief Dean Billings called extraordinary. Christian Howe, 21, and Angela Calcia, 18, were not at home when… Read More
    BANGOR – Citing safety concerns in the winter months, Penobscot County officials are asking the state to reconsider a temporary halt to work on a bridge over the Olamon Stream in Greenfield Township. “It’s an accident waiting to happen under these conditions,” Penobscot County Commissioner… Read More
    CAMDEN – Dr. Karl Fritz Sitterly, a Camden physician, had his license to practice medicine suspended Tuesday by the Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine. According to a press release issued by the licensing board, Sitterly’s alleged substance abuse was determined to pose a “sufficient… Read More
    WINTER HARBOR – Winter Harbor will be the first of two communities to vote on whether to accept Steuben pupils into the Peninsula Consolidated School District. The issue will be addressed during a special town meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Winter Harbor School… Read More
    PORTLAND – A federal judge ruled Tuesday that a 13-year-old girl who was suspended for allegedly writing a bomb threat on a wall at Massabesic Junior High School must be allowed to return to class, at least for the time being. U.S. District Judge George… Read More
    Americans just aren’t getting the message about prescription drug abuse. A new national report shows that roughly half the adults interviewed in a random survey don’t understand that prescription painkillers such as OxyContin, morphine, codeine, Demoral and methadone are fully as addictive as heroin. About… Read More
    HALIFAX, Nova Scotia – Nova Scotia is warning the fishing industry that a failure to curb trade in illegal lobsters will harm the all-important U.S. market for the crustaceans. Increased American inspections at a Canada-U.S. border crossing in December found illegal lobsters from Canada in… Read More
    KENDUSKEAG – Three people were injured Tuesday afternoon in a head-on collision on Route 15 that sent both vehicles over an embankment and into a cornfield. The collision threw the driver of an SUV into the passenger side of the vehicle where she pinned her… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Democratic leaders at the State House said Tuesday that Gov. John E. Baldacci’s proposed $35 million infusion into the state’s Budget Stabilization Fund will likely be up for reconsideration if lawmakers feel the money is needed elsewhere. “The supplemental budget is the beginning,… Read More
    ALLAGASH – Friends of the Allagash, an Aroostook County group seeking the preservation of traditional access sites to the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, will pursue its arguments on several fronts after a meeting last Friday night. One organizer said Tuesday the group is seeking 200 copies… Read More
    PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The former tour manager for the band Great White has agreed to plead guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter for his role in the deadly fire that roared through a Rhode Island nightclub in 2003, a judge announced Tuesday. Daniel Biechele,… Read More
    AUGUSTA – A bill intended to serve as companion legislation to the so-called ‘Tina’s Law,” directed at Maine’s worst drivers, took a bumpy ride Tuesday during a public hearing before a legislative policy committee. Members of the Transportation Committee watched as opponents lined up to… Read More
    PORTLAND – A 16-year-old girl who stabbed a 20-year-old female friend was mentally ill and not criminally responsible for her actions, a judge ruled. District Court Judge Peter Goranites ruled Monday after two expert witnesses testified that the girl believed she and her friend would… Read More
    To a tea Verna Cox of Verona Island has unveiled her latest design of handpainted tea cups and saucers: the potato blossom. Since 2003, Cox has designed tea sets for Maine’s first lady, Karen Baldacci, as part of a fundraising effort for the Blaine House. Read More
    When you saw his steady improvement over the course of his freshman season, you figured University of Maine right winger Greg Moore was going to have a productive career. He certainly has. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
    MAINE vs. HARTFORD Time, site: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., Alfond Arena, Orono 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
    PRESQUE ISLE – Fans watching the action at the Nordic Heritage Ski Center may not know it, but they have a genuine star in their midst. Hailing from what is likely the most biathlon-mad country in the world, Magdalena Neuner of Germany has been anointed the sport’s next… Read More
    BANGOR – Art Meether, 43, of Hampden rolled his fourth career 300 game at the Family Fun Lanes Monday night. Meether, who coaches the All-Area High School bowling team of the Penobscot Valley High School Bowling league, rolled the perfect game in the Monday Night Men’s League. Read More
    BANGOR – Passes for the upcoming high school basketball tournament, which begins Feb. 17, will be on sale at the Bangor Auditorium lobby Feb. 8-9 from 1-3 p.m. There are two passes: one for Classes A-B-C-D games and one for B-C-D games. Class A games… Read More
    HIGH SCHOOL At Dover-Foxcroft 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
    BRUNSWICK – The Bowdoin College Polar Bears used a balanced scoring attack Tuesday night to beat NESCAC women’s basketball rival Bates 76-59 and notch their 65th straight victory at home, a New England Division III record. The previous mark was held by the Williams College… Read More
    ROCKLAND – The Rockland Tigers hit 14 of 20 free throw attempts in the fourth quarter while Ben Baudanza-Sturks and Brian Walton nailed 9 of 10 combined foul shots en route to a 67-55 high school boys basketball victory over the Camden Hills Windjammers Tuesday. Read More
    FORT KENT – Sam Bard hit a free throw with seven seconds remaining as the Fort Kent Warriors overcame a nine-point halftime deficit to upset the Madawaska Owls, 60-59 in high school boys basketball action Tuesday night. Bard connected for a game-high 28 points to… Read More
    Coretta Scott King was remembered Tuesday by Maine’s top politicians and civil rights activists as an iconic leader who carried on her husband’s fight for justice and racial equality with grace, dignity and determination. “We’ve lost a great leader,” Gov. John Baldacci said after learning… Read More