President Bush has earmarked $4.2 million in his budget proposal for two land conservation projects in Maine, one of which encompasses more than 42,000 acres of the Penobscot watershed outside Bangor, state officials announced Tuesday. Maine and South Carolina are the only two states to… Read More
AUGUSTA – Maine’s largest health insurance company took it on the chin Tuesday at a public hearing that underscored concerns about its support for a major state health initiative. But Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine said it remains committed to the success of the state’s… Read More
Though supporters of small schools may believe they finally are being heard here in Augusta, they also know they may have to make a lot more noise before winning changes to a school funding formula they feel is stacked against them. Led by a large… Read More
HAMPDEN – Even if Casella Waste Systems Inc. doesn’t receive the go-ahead to increase capacity at its Pine Tree Landfill, the company plans to explore building a local processing facility that would make it easier to fulfill its fuel obligation to the Old Town paper mill. Read More
PORTLAND – Maine’s highest court on Tuesday upheld a lower court ruling awarding the former owners of a western Maine ski resort $1.5 million in damages from Camden National Bank. Camden National had appealed an Oxford County Superior Court jury decision that the bank was… Read More
HOULTON – The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians announced its intentions Tuesday to build a $9 million biodiesel processing plant on tribal land in Houlton. Chief Brenda Commander said the decision to go forward with plans comes after the completion of a positive feasibility study. Read More
Merrill Merchants Bancshares has announced that its income during 2005 increased to $5.7 million, up 17 percent from the 2004 total of about $4.9 million. Earnings per share increased from $1.40 to $1.66. Merrill Merchants president Edwin Clift said solid loan growth, increasing interest rates and a strong… Read More
The following petitions for bankruptcy were filed at U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Bangor during October 2005. Jeff Miller, aka Jeffrey N. Miller, aka Jeffrey Neil Miller, retired/disabled, and Patricia Miller, aka Patricia A. Miller, homemaker, no dependents, Waterville: assets, $102,699; debts, $15,363. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
If you were fortunate enough to have the time to tune in Jan. 23 to cable Channel 17, EWTN, you could have experienced what will go down in American history as one of our finest hours – the 33rd Annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. Read More
Just as the Maine Development Foundation last week was flunking Maine yet again for its rising health care costs, advocates for one of the most effective health care cost-savers around were trying to persuade lawmakers not to let their program erode. The connection between the two is inescapable… Read More
The most striking event of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings Monday was how often Republican senators urged Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to work with Congress to find stronger checks and balances in the National Security Agency’s warrantless surveillance program. Committee Democrats, it was clear from their questions, wanted… Read More
The editorial, “Fisheries Im-provement” (BDN, Jan. 17), shed some much-needed light on the perils of overfishing. It’s unfortunate that members of New England’s congressional delegation have fallen hook, line and sinker for the dubious claim that the best way to stop overfishing is to allow… Read More
Congratulations to the administration, teachers, parents and students of the Columbia Falls and Cherryfield Elementary Schools. They have taken big steps on a long walk to eliminate the injustice in school funding. As a retired teacher and a present member of the Machias School Board,… Read More
Why is the new gambling enterprise in Bangor veiled as a “racino”? If you accept the proposition that gambling is defined as any game of chance, then gambling is gambling. So, why is a gambling enterprise allowed in Bangor, but not in Washington County? If… Read More
On Jan. 25, Bangor Daily News reporter Jeff Tuttle quoted Sen. Joe Perry as being critical of former Mayor Frank Farrington’s plan to remain on the Bangor City Council and replace Perry as Bangor and Hermon’s state senator as saying, “I don’t see how anyone can do both.”… Read More
I read with interest the complaint (BDN, Jan. 20) by the executive director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine about declining interest in hunting and fishing and the need for some strong marketing. SAM is a vibrant group, active and well-led, and I think George Smith’s comments are… Read More
Relatively few people experience the wonder of observing microorganisms, yet all experience their effects directly or indirectly. For example, some microbes are used in treating wastes and pollution. Others have been “trained” to perform feats of biochemistry that contribute to food, chemical and pharmaceutical production. Yet others spoil… Read More
CALAIS – Jessica Young’s eyes were as bright as the nighttime stars as she talked Tuesday about an enchanting village where children with life-threatening diseases get to visit for a week. It’s called “Give Kids the World” and Young, along with 16 other students from… Read More
BANGOR – While an investigation into mismanagement practices by the Transportation Safety Administration at Bangor International Airport continues, TSA officials say the results will not be made public. An e-mail sent more than a week ago to TSA employees in Bangor claimed that a review… Read More
MEDDYBEMPS – After a weekend joy rider turned a front-end loader on three structures, mowing down two and damaging a third, it looked like a wrecking party. The destruction occurred near a sandpit on the Hayward Road just off Route 191 sometime between Saturday morning… Read More
BANGOR – A Bangor man accused of stabbing two of his Court Street neighbors appeared Tuesday in 3rd District Court in Bangor on charges of elevated aggravated assault and aggravated assault. Christopher Reeks, 31, is being held at the Penobscot County Jail. Although District Court… Read More
AUGUSTA – Sweeping mountain vistas, picturesque fishing villages and rural communities that still retain an early 20th century character are no longer enough to secure a place for Maine in the filmmaking industry, according to Gov. John E. Baldacci. With many European countries and Canadian… Read More
AUGUSTA – One thing could have saved her daughter from being beaten to death, a Presque Isle woman told a committee of elected state officials on Tuesday: a panic button. Johna Lovely, the mother of Erin Sperrey, testified in front of the Legislature’s joint labor… Read More
ST. AGATHA – The town of St. Agatha is developing a Community Development Block Grant application to help fund a regional fitness center that could support the needs of the population of two towns and two unorganized territories. The town is looking at three sites… Read More
BREWER – There is a pretty big chunk of money leftover from several construction and improvement projects recently completed at the high school, and the school department is asking that it be used to add a sprinkler system to the building. “The plan is to… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Three Pittsfield teenagers were injured Tuesday afternoon when the car they were in ran through a stop sign and plummeted down a 20-foot embankment, flipping over and landing on its roof just 100 feet from the Sebasticook River, police said. “They are lucky… Read More
BANGOR – A proposed $12 million waterfront condominium complex won approval Tuesday night from the city’s planning board, leaving the developer with one remaining city approval to obtain. “That passed unanimously. Congratulations,” Chairman Robert Guerette said to Brian Ames of Penview Associates LLC immediately after… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Piscataquis County commissioners on Tuesday approved purchase of a software and hardware system that will integrate the county budget into the accounting system. The commissioners voted to purchase a Trio system costing $14,828 and to fund it through the contingency account. Although the… Read More
MOUNT DESERT – The Northeast Harbor Library may be one of the few public places in the country where stacks of Sotheby’s catalogues, yachting magazines and dog-eared children’s picture books comfortably coexist. Soon all of the library’s high class, and kid-sized, reading material will have… Read More
CARIBOU – Aroostook County needs to decide what the area has and let people from away know about it if tourism is to grow and become an even larger segment of the economy. That was one of the recommendations that a consulting firm has come… Read More
HOULTON – The value of the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce and the belief that the organization could benefit from a more visible location prompted councilors at a recent budget hearing to double the funding that they had previously proposed giving the organization. Councilors met… Read More
HOULTON – Councilors were busy trimming late last week, as they made their final cuts to the more than $7.7 million fiscal year 2006 municipal budget. Despite the insistence of Houlton Police Chief Daniel Soucy that his department needed to catch up on training, councilors… Read More
CALAIS – Polar Bear Dippers who braved the icy waters of Passamaquoddy Bay helped the Washington County Community College student senate reach the magic $100,000 mark. Proceeds from last week’s event will benefit the Ronald McDonald House in Bangor. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Because of some serious belt-tightening last fall, the Presque Isle City Council received two bits of good news about the city’s finances during its Monday night meeting. City Manager Tom Stevens said Tuesday that the first good piece of news was that,… Read More
ELLSWORTH – Charges were filed against a 17-year-old student after drug-sniffing dogs searched the building and grounds at Ellsworth High School. The girl, whose name was not released because she is a minor, was issued a summons on charges of possessing marijuana, tobacco and drug… Read More
ASHLAND- The Bureau of Motor Vehicles License Unit will not be available on Monday, Feb. 20, in observance of President’s Day. However the BMV will be available from noon to 2 p.m. Monday, June 19. Applicants needing an extension on their license may contact License Services at 624-9000,… Read More
MADAWASKA- The Bureau of Motor Vehicles License Unit will be open from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 19. The schedule change is due to the President’s Day holiday. Applicants needing an extension on their license may contact License Services at 624-9000, ext. 52114 or… Read More
FORT KENT – The New England Association of College Admission Counseling, or NEACAC, has appointed Jill Bouchard Cairns, of Fort Kent, as the chair of the NEACAC College Fairs Committee. Bouchard Cairns serves as assistant director of admissions at the University of Maine at Fort… Read More
COOPER – Anyone for animal control officer in town? How about second selectman, constable or first assessor? Road commissioner, health officer or treasurer and tax collector are open positions, too. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
CHARLOTTE – Unseasonably warm temperatures have forced the cancellation of two winter events – one for safety reasons, the other because there’s no snow. The annual Calais Rod and Gun Club Fishing Derby, scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 19, had to be canceled because the ice… Read More
HOULTON – It was the vocalists who performed near the last half of the competition that ended up finishing first on Sunday evening, as three local residents were tapped to head to the finals during the first portion of the Aroostook Idol competition. Houlton residents… Read More
ELLSWORTH – A Southwest Harbor man was indicted by a Hancock County grand jury on Tuesday for allegedly raping three women over three days last June. The 22-count indictment against Peter D. Mills, 48, includes charges of gross sexual assault, unlawful sexual contact, assault, tampering… Read More
STONINGTON – This town is a fishing town; always has been, and there are a number of different projects going on to make sure that it will continue to be. Buddy Folino thinks more people should be aware of what is going on in Stonington’s… Read More
Southern Aroostook Community High School, Dyer Brook Second 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
The city’s Parks and Recreation Department is working on plans to add walking trails to improve a minor park created on city-owned land near Friar Tuck and Canterbury Road a year ago. “It’s basically an open space,” City Planner Linda Johns said Tuesday. “Right now, there are some… Read More
The Penobscot County commissioners are expected to name a new director for the county’s dispatch center after taking under advisement Tuesday the names of four finalists for the job. Commissioner Tom Davis said that they wanted more time to review the rank-order list that was developed by a… Read More
The Town Council will hold a workshop at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, at the town office to discuss a firearms ordinance. The workshop wasn’t spurred by any event or incident, but the town has no firearms ordinance, Town Manager Carl Betterley said. Representatives from the Department of… Read More
Two LaGrange men remained hospitalized Tuesday, one day after the pickup truck they were in went off Route 16 and rolled over several times, ejecting them. John Moors III, 19, was listed in fair condition at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor on Tuesday. No information was available… Read More
PITTSFIELD – What appeared at first to be a disastrous meeting Tuesday night between the fledgling group, Citizens for Positive Change, and the administrators at Maine Central Institute, evolved into a positive forum for discussion, according to those who attended. Kristina Lord-Linde, who is a… Read More
An accident Tuesday night on Union Street in Hermon is still under investigation, but a Penobscot County sheriff’s deputy said a woman lost control while apparently trying to make a U-turn and went off the road. Constable Deputy Noel Santiago, who covers Hermon, said that… Read More
LINCOLN – Fortified with options presented by about 40 residents at a recent town meeting, the Town Council will decide next week whether to lease the town office on Main Street from the local Masonic lodge for 10 more years. The lease continues the monthly… Read More
How wonderful that nearly 200 people turned out last Thursday to meet and greet the inspirational Surry Elementary School teacher Peter Loiselle, who was the featured speaker for week No. 4 of the Healthy Hancock 10-week Lose and Win team challenge program. Iris Simon reported… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – An Abbot man acquitted of gross sexual assault who admitted on the witness stand during that case in December that he had oral sex with a minor has been charged with another offense based on his testimony. Dennis Boutilier, 24, will appear on… Read More
CONCORD, N.H. – A 55-year-old Ohio man who pleaded guilty to coming to New Hampshire to molest a child living with one of his friends has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. Federal prosecutors said Monday that Arthur Norman of Hamilton, Ohio, was… Read More
AUGUSTA – The Maine Senate on Tuesday gave its final approval to a bill to tighten up the state’s requirements for issuing drivers’ licenses and state identification cards to residents who are not United States citizens. The Senate voted without debate to enact LD 501… Read More
AUGUSTA – Difficulties experienced by elderly and disabled Mainers during the transition to the Medicare Part D prescription drug program have prompted legislation to fill what sponsors see as continuing gaps in the federal program. Mainers who were covered under state drug programs encountered problems… Read More
AUGUSTA – Gov. John Baldacci made it clear Tuesday he would veto a bill to raise future governors’ salaries if it reaches his desk. “Let me make myself clear that I will veto any pay increase,” Baldacci said in a prepared statement. “Until teacher’s salaries,… Read More
LEWISTON – People in this central Maine city take politics seriously, but it’s not often that political differences lead to violence. That may have been the case last weekend when a fracas that followed the Androscoggin County Republican caucus resulted in a charge of assault. Read More
PORTLAND – Lawyers for three teenagers charged in the street beating of a Westbrook man who died four days later told jurors that their clients acted in self-defense after Douglas Wilcox threatened them. Alexander Layug, 18, of Portland, and Nicholas Lavigne and Wade DePalma, both… Read More
ST. ALBANS – Mold problems and security issues are high on the priority list at the St. Albans town office this week. “I have been sick for four weeks now,” Interim Town Manager Bert Taylor said Tuesday. “I’ve been eating antihistamines like candy.” googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
PITTSFIELD – When Bob and Jean Gervais got married, Bob announced that he had only three unbreakable life rules, and the third one was the most important: No dogs. But then along came Ernie, a Lhasapoo, half Lhasa apso and half poodle, and Bob Gervais… Read More
BANGOR – A Honduran national with a half dozen known aliases who has been deported several times was sentenced on Monday in U.S. District Court in Bangor to 10 months in prison. Jose Fredy Acosta-Cardona, 23, of Harrington pleaded guilty in August to illegal re-entry… Read More
GREENVILLE – A proposal for the formation of the Moosehead Council of Governments is being eyed by Greenville, Beaver Cove, Piscataquis County and Shirley officials. Greenville Town Manager John Simko, who proposed the organization, believes such an effort could provide the communities with some clout… Read More
Maine Preservation is now accepting nominations for the 10th annual Statewide Historic Preservation Honor Awards. Applications are due by March 31 and the awards ceremony will be May 12. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
AUGUSTA – Gov. John Baldacci’s proposal to give Maine teachers raises would cost $4 million in state funds in the first year, according to his budget, but critics say its impact on property taxpayers would be much greater. When he advanced the proposal during his… Read More
More than a year ago, when Karen Wagner invited Frank McGrady to her family’s camp on Big Indian Lake in St. Albans for their first date, she knew there was one special thing she could do to win his heart: make soup. The romance of… Read More
PORTLAND – Nineteen recordings that collected a total of 32 Grammy Awards nominations were mastered at Maine’s Gateway Mastering Studio, the most nominations founder Bob Ludwig can recall in a single year. This year’s list of Gateway clients who received nominations includes Beck, Eric Clapton,… Read More
Here’s a foolproof way to tell whether or not a restaurant’s any good: Order soup. Or bisque. Or chowder. If it’s love at first slurp, the rest of your meal won’t disappoint. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
Tea time Last week’s Tidbits entry about Verna Cox’s tea sets gave the information for a previous design, the lupine. Her 2006 potato blossom cups and saucers are available from Friends of the Blaine House for $35 plus $7.50 for shipping, handling and insurance. For… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Bill Pullen gave the Maine Central Institute girls basketball team just a short halftime talk despite an 11-point deficit in Tuesday’s game against Rockland. “I knew we were fine,” said the Huskies coach. “I wasn’t worried at all. I made it a very… Read More
HAMPDEN – In what seemed like the blink of an eye, Tuesday night’s boys basketball game between Hampden Academy and Messalonskee of Oakland went from tight game to runaway. Actually, it was more like a rideaway as the Broncos reared up in the third quarter… Read More
Former University of Maine hockey captain Ray Jacques is returning to the airwaves. Jacques had served as a weekly hockey analyst on the Eddie Andelman Show on WWZN 1500 AM in Boston for three years and will re-surface weekly with Andelman on a Boston FM… Read More
The Husson College men’s basketball roster will add some size next season with the addition of three local high players. Presque Isle center Chris Coffin, Mount View of Thorndike center Kyle Tripp, and Medomak Valley of Waldoboro forward Matt McKenzie all made tuition deposits and… Read More
LEWISTON – Kelly Godsey planned to play basketball when she arrived at Bates College in the fall of 2002, but instead picked up the shot put and hammer and went on to become an 11-time All-American track and field thrower, possibly the school’s most decorated female athlete ever. Read More
HIGH SCHOOL Aroostook League 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
COLLEGE Maine Small College Conference Awards 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
COLLEGE Brigitte Laflamme 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
GORHAM – The University of Southern Maine reached 20 victories for the 26th consecutive season Tuesday night by virtue of its 80-39 Little East Conference women’s basketball victory over Plymouth State at Hill Gymnasium. Megan Myles scored 15 points to lead the Huskies. Ashley Marble… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Greg Cyr took a pass back to the point from Dylan Collins and rifled a slapshot into the upper righthand corner of the net 23 seconds into overtime to lift the Presque Isle Wildcats to a point-worthy 4-3 Class B hockey victory over the Houlton-Hodgdon… Read More
HERMON – Corey Dewitt went 4-for-4 at the foul line in the final 35 seconds as the Ellsworth Eagles held on for a 69-63 schoolboy basketball victory over the Hermon Hawks Tuesday night. Dewitt had 32 points for the Eagles. Matt Karst had 10 of… Read More
MILO – Ray Burdin hit a foul-line jumper at the buzzer Tuesday night to lift Piscataquis Community of Guilford to a 38-36 boys basketball victory over archrival Penquis. Shane Tracy tied the score with 56 seconds left with a 3-pointer, his only bucket of the… Read More
AUGUSTA – President Bush’s proposed $2.77 trillion budget is getting mixed comments from the state’s congressional delegation and from Gov. John Baldacci, who says if it is approved, Maine and other states will see continued loss of federal funds. Still, Baldacci cautioned Tuesday against overreacting… Read More
WASHINGTON – The Navy submitted a plan Tuesday for reversing the decline in the size of the U.S. fleet, expanding from 281 ships this year to 313 within several years, though the number of aircraft carriers would drop by one, to 11. “We need to… Read More