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
BAILEYVILLE – The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has reached an informal settlement agreement with Washington County’s largest employer, Domtar Inc. The company has tentatively agreed to pay $7,500 in fines for several “serious” violations that OSHA found in the mill. The fine could… 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PORTLAND – Maine utility regulators said Tuesday they have withdrawn from settlement talks for a proposed electric rate plan for New England, saying they cannot accept increases that would give energy companies an unjustified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
AUGUSTA – If the Passamaquoddy Tribe’s petition signatures for a Washington County racino are validated by the Maine Secretary of State’s Office, Democratic leaders conceded Tuesday it was possible the Legislature might simply enact the bill and schedule a statewide vote for June. In other… 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
EDDINGTON – Selectmen in Eddington will hold a special meeting at 6 tonight at the town hall, to close the books on 2005. 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
BELFAST – The city has reached tentative agreement with Wayfarer Marine of Camden to use a portion of the former Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad waterfront rail yard as a boat storage area. If the deal is approved by the City Council, Wayfarer would have… 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
BELFAST – Both the state and the defense agreed on one thing Tuesday in the case of a Navy man from Texas who is charged with the sexual assault of a Waldo County woman two years ago. Rigo Padrone and the alleged victim were having… 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
DEXTER – The annual winter festival began here as a “pick-me-up” for the community when Dexter Shoe Co. closed its doors in 2002. It did what it was designed to do that year and was so successful that it has become an annual event. This… 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
DOVER-FOXCROFT – The results of a survey late last year of SAD 68 parents of elementary and middle school pupils indicates that most are pleased with the education offered in the district. School directors had hoped that more parents would have completed the survey but… 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
BANGOR – An Aroostook County man pleaded not guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to import OxyContin. Scott Norton, 28, of Woodland is being at held at Penobscot County Jail. A detention hearing to determine whether he will be released on bail will… 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
BANGOR – The Hampden Academy boys basketball team has been in cruise mode for much of the season, enduring the challenges of all who seek to measure themselves against the reigning Class A state champs. It was Bangor’s turn at Red Barry Gymnasium on Tuesday… Read More
BREWER – The Brewer Witches came out of the gates Tuesday night with something to prove to themselves. “Our last game we didn’t play with any intensity and our whole focus tonight was to just play as intense as we could,” said Brewer coach Andy… Read More
Optimism and hard work can do wonders for any basketball team, but sometimes those qualities aren’t enough. Coach Ann McInerney had hoped to have the University of Maine women rounding into shape as they headed into the second half of their America East season. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Marion Blondeau has already stood on the podium with a top-3 finish in the 2006 Biathlon Junior World Championships twice this week. On Tuesday, Blondeau reached the top step. Blondeau’s speedy skiing, on a day where wind and snow made things erratic… Read More
Bangor High junior Casey Quaglia is on the fast track to fast times as the Eastern Maine Indoor Track League season winds down. Quaglia lowered his personal best for the indoor two-mile to 9 minutes, 59.77 seconds while winning the event during a meet at… 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
LINCOLN – Levi Slike grabbed an offensive rebound and converted a layup with two seconds left in regulation Tuesday night to lift Mattanawcook Academy to a 61-59 boys basketball victory over Penobscot Valley of Howland. Steve Andrews led the Lynx with 17 points and Dylan… 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