BANGOR – Bangor High School athletic director Steve Vanidestine has been suspended from his job without pay for three weeks as the result of a school department investigation into an incident that took place after a Feb. 15 basketball game in which a student alleged he was assaulted… Read More
PORTLAND – The Vatican has removed two Maine priests and upheld restrictions on a third after an investigation into accusations that they sexually abused minors, church officials said Tuesday. The Vatican has imposed its most severe punishment by defrocking Christian Roy, 57, and John Shorty,… Read More
AUGUSTA – Although a special task force concluded Tuesday that Maine is well-prepared to handle any disaster situation, the panel thinks the state must make several improvements, including finding ways to encourage and retain more volunteer emergency service workers. Just the opposite was taking place… Read More
LIMESTONE – A deadly fire spread quickly through a 2 1/2-story wood-frame home early Tuesday morning, taking the lives of two adults and a child. The deceased were identified as Kelley Holmquist, 35, her 10-year-old son, Trevor Holmquist, and Alex McDougall, 38, a male friend… Read More
AUGUSTA – Gov. John E. Baldacci is asking federal officials for another three-week extension of the deadline to be repaid for the costs of providing prescription drugs to Mainers not yet properly enrolled in the new federal Medicare Part D program. The state has been… Read More
BAGHDAD, Iraq – American reporter Jill Carroll is being held by the Islamic Army in Iraq, the insurgent group that freed two French journalists in 2004 after four months in captivity, Iraq’s Interior Minister said Tuesday. Interior Minister Bayan Jabr, who is in charge of… Read More
WASHINGTON – Congressional Republicans and Democrats on Tuesday tempered calls for an immediate vote to block a Dubai-based company’s takeover of some U.S. port operations as President Bush prodded them to avoid a confrontation. Returning to the Capitol in force for the first time since… Read More
PORTLAND – Homer Simpson as a pitchman for Maine potatoes? In an apparent surprise to the industry, the nation’s best-known cartoon glutton endorsed Maine spuds during an episode of Fox’s “The Simpsons” that aired Sunday night in prime time. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
AUGUSTA – A lingerie shop has stopped using live models to draw attention and customers after one of its models received harassing phone calls, the store’s owner said. Spellbound drew protests – as well as window shoppers – when it began using live models who… Read More
It was through vision, perseverance and generosity that Percival Baxter was able to cobble together the exceptional parcels of real estate that make up Baxter State Park. It was an extraordinary gift to all the people of Maine from an extraordinary man, and it is not surprising that… Read More
Maine took a small but important step in reducing the prevalence of toxic chemicals in everyday items Wednesday when the governor signed an order changing state purchasing policies to prefer safer alternatives. The order also boosts research and development into safer chemicals and bio-based products. Read More
The article, “Hospitals fight over Waterville” (BDN, Feb. 14), was well-written and informative. I get the feeling that Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems is trying to monopolize health care in an area that already has existing hospitals available to the public. If EMHS has that much… Read More
We have been reading the Bangor Daily News online while we have been on vacation in Florida and were shocked and dismayed by the reporting of the alleged incident involving Steve Vanidestine and some students. We feel compelled to write this letter of support because… Read More
Although I don’t totally disagree with Todd Benoit’s oped, “Risky talk for democracy” (BDN, Feb. 25-26), I take issue with his statements about the recent meeting in Belfast with Rep. Michael Michaud. This meeting was well publicized and was attended by people from both sides… Read More
If you are among the many Mainers who get their prescription drugs from Canada, don’t worry about reports of increasing seizures by U.S. Customs. Canadian pharmacies that send mail orders to the United States expect seizures from time to time. If a package doesn’t reach the customer, the… Read More
The current site being evaluated for a transportation facility in Trenton seems at odds with the mission of its sponsors, Friends of Acadia. Their mission is to protect the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality and cultural distinctiveness of Acadia National Park and the surrounding communities. Read More
Sadly, it has become apparent that Maine needs a brand-new legislative ethics enforcement law. The need was amply demonstrated last week when the Maine Ethics Commission took up Rep. Tom Saviello’s request for its opinion as to his conduct as a legislator. Saviello is employed… Read More
CORINNA – A 20-unit senior citizens housing facility and community center that already has a waiting list for tenants opened Tuesday on the site of a former woolen mill, the first of several projects that signal a new future for Corinna. Jerome Emerson, former state… Read More
The 2006 Maine Kids Count data book released Tuesday shows that, on the whole, Maine children and teens are thriving. But a county-by-county breakdown reveals wide disparities, and a leading children’s advocate says the data should be used to guide Maine lawmakers in making the state a better… Read More
Maine’s two largest Indian tribes are seeking to redevelop part of the Brunswick Naval Air Station, which the Defense Department has slated to close as part of last year’s Base Realignment and Closure process. Working separately, the Penobscot Indian Nation and the Passamaquoddy Tribe both… Read More
ROCKLAND – Murder defendant Douglas Dyer fired the gun that killed Allison Small on Jan. 28, 2005, defense attorney Steven Peterson told jurors Tuesday, but it is not a case of murder. “The evidence is not going to show the execution-style killing described by [the… Read More
AUGUSTA – Maine is building a health care information superhighway, and health care providers had best be getting up to speed. That was the message delivered to about 150 chief information officers and other tech types from around the state at a special half-day seminar… Read More
ROCKWOOD – Visitors come to the Moosehead Lake region and support its economy through the North Woods experience – the wildlife, the remoteness, the silence, the views and the multiuse trails that attract a variety of outdoor enthusiasts. But that unique North Woods character and… Read More
STEUBEN – Tom Richmond was just three days into his contract as town manager at last year’s town meeting. This time, on March 6 for voting and March 11 for the balance of town business, Richmond is well-versed in all the issues. They are numerous,… Read More
FORT KENT – Two young women and a young man were selected by the audience Friday to represent the St. John Valley in the United Way’s Aroostook Idol competition at the Caribou Performing Arts Center in March. Adam Ouellette of Frenchville, Samantha Boutot and Lindsey… Read More
HOULTON – Although detailed investigations have been conducted, Houlton police Lt. Dan Pelletier said Tuesday that no arrests have been made in connection with two burglaries that have occurred over the past month. “The investigation into each of them remains ongoing,” he said. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
HOULTON – For more than a year, Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce Administrator Chris Batby worked diligently to organize the town’s 2007 bicentennial celebration. She rallied volunteers, considered an advertising campaign and organized a committee to make things happen. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
SEDGWICK – Town and school officials have kept a tight rein on their budgets this year and voters at the annual town meeting this weekend will see smaller budget totals. The municipal budget total is $565,000, a decrease of about 3 percent from the current… Read More
BANGOR – An Eagle Lake man was sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court to two months in federal prison for stealing the identity of two Aroostook County residents in 2003 and charging more than $5,000 in merchandise in their names. Wayne David Broome, 50, tearfully… Read More
HOULTON – It was a small victory, but one that will give a bit of a reprieve to the shocks and struts of vehicles that frequently travel along Bangor Street. Town councilors on Monday evening approved a construction area agreement between the town and the… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – A veterans services officer from the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management will be at the following locations to assist veterans, widows and dependent children in filing for state and federal benefits. . 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, Penquis CAP building,… Read More
GREENVILLE – The National Resource Education Center will sponsor a program on raptors at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 16, at Community House. State expert and wildlife biologist Charlie Todd will talk about the habits of eagles and other raptors in the Moosehead region. The presentation… Read More
ORONO – A University of Maine student is facing three charges after he allegedly pushed his way into a dorm room early Monday morning and assaulted another student, according to UM spokesman Joe Carr. A male and female student were in the woman’s room at… Read More
MILLINOCKET – With a son who attends school in town and sees doctors and a dentist in East Millinocket, T1 R9 resident Ramona Cesare spends a lot of time playing taxi driver. It was worse, Cesare said, before her two daughters graduated Stearns High School. Read More
Belfast District Court Cases Feb. 20-24, 2006 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
ORONO – An Orono man is lucky to be alive after he crashed his 2003 Jeep Liberty into a telephone pole and then head-on into a tree, according to police. “Speed was definitely a factor,” Orono Deputy Police Chief Gary Duquette said Tuesday. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
BANGOR – A Mexican man who worked for a Brewer insulation company was being held Tuesday at Penobscot County Jail after appearing in U.S. District Court on charges of being in the country illegally. Jose Alfredo Rubio-Olivo, 27, of Veazie, was arrested on Monday near… Read More
ORONO – Town officials discussed at a meeting Monday night a recent “tragedy” that occurred when four dogs drowned in an unattended car that rolled into the Stillwater River, according to the town manager. The convergence of a lot of bizarre things resulted in fire… Read More
ORONO – The six school committee candidates were quizzed at Monday’s candidates night about a variety of topics, but the majority of questions focused on the candidates’ thoughts on the coming budget process. Two residents are running for a one-year term on the committee, and… Read More
EDDINGTON – The SAD 63 school board disapproves of a plan to consolidate the hundreds of school units in Maine into just 35, and has penned a letter to let state leaders know how they feel. The opposition letter was fully endorsed by the board at Monday’s meeting. Read More
HOLDEN – The police and fire departments both need more space, and after discussing the issue for nearly a decade, town leaders have decided a new stand-alone public safety building is necessary. With the spring construction season fast approaching, councilors decided Monday to hold a… Read More
BROOKS – The Arthur Jewell Community Health Center has extended its hours of operation on Monday and Wednesday evenings. The new hours are 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays; 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 8 a.m. to 4… Read More
SANDWICH ACADEMY GRANT – Bruce Coffman of Kingston, N.H., used to warily eye the one-lane, snow-covered bridge over Moose River that his family would have to cross on their snowmobiles as part of Interconnecting Trail System 88. A sharp curve on the north side of… Read More
BELFAST – Faced with the prospect of a major increase in next year’s school budget, school board member Alan Wood has outlined a series of cuts that he believes will bring spending under control. Wood submitted his proposal to his fellow SAD 34 board members… Read More
BANGOR – A Milbridge man was sentenced on Monday in Penobscot County Superior Court to nine years in prison for selling cocaine in two counties during the same week in November. Gary W. Reynolds, 48, received back-to-back sentences – four years for drug trafficking in… Read More
Belfast District Court Cases Feb. 13-17, 2006 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
Today, I offer you a fun request from an acquaintance of mine who lives in Eddington and winters in sunny southern California. Linda Conn wrote that she and her sister, Millie Cannon of Bradley, have been working on a family genealogy for several years. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
People who love food also love to complain. I know this because I’m one of them. They wonder why menus change so infrequently. Why they can’t get tres leches cake here. Why, oh why, every new restaurant in the city is a chain. Foodies have… Read More
AUGUSTA – Betsy Sholl, a Portland poet and teacher, has been nominated as the state’s third poet laureate, the Maine Arts Commission confirmed Tuesday. The nomination will be presented March 15 to Gov. John Baldacci, who is expected to make the appointment at the opening of Maine Cultural… Read More
Food for thought Help kids learn to eat – or eat to learn – during a Shaw’s Healthy Eaters Field Trip. All Shaw’s supermarkets offer schoolchildren in kindergarten through sixth grade the opportunity to learn about healthful snacking; how many fruits, vegetables and dairy servings… Read More
So, did you get your fill of curling during the Winter Olympics? There was certainly no shortage of it. It’s nice to know that after your household broom gets old and loses a lot of its bristles, there’s still use for it. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
BANGOR – The Bangor High School Rams didn’t know what to expect from the Patriotic Knights of Gray-New Gloucester/Poland in their Eastern Maine Class A hockey quarterfinal Tuesday night. “But we definitely didn’t want to take them for granted. That’s the worst thing you can… Read More
Cherryfield’s Andy Santerre, who captured his fourth consecutive Busch North points championship last season, will switch gears this season and will not be driving. Santerre, who managed the three-car Grizco Racing Team in addition to driving for it last season, will be the team owner… Read More
Those who monitored the turnstiles at this year’s Eastern Maine high school basketball tournament most closely had to be happy whether the venue was the Bangor Auditorium or the Augusta Civic Center. Fans turned out in greater numbers this year for both the Class A… Read More
BANGOR – Ed Leeman remembers playing for Calais in the Eastern Maine Class C tournament some two decades ago, and understanding the role confidence plays in enabling players and teams to achieve success. “Confidence is enormous,” he said. “I remember when I was here in… Read More
BANGOR – Just three times in the first 12 years of the William C. Warner Most Valuable Player Award was there a repeat recipient of the honor. Sam Henderson of Class C Hodgdon (1995 and 1996), Ralph Mims of Class A Brunswick (2002 and 2004),… Read More
COLLEGE All-Conference Teams 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
LYNDONVILLE, Vt. – The UMaine-Fort Kent Bengals outscored the Lyndon State Hornets 17-4 from the foul line and survived some foul trouble on their way to their 15th consecutive victory, 56-49 and the Sunrise Conference women’s basketball title Monday night. Traci Weatherhead connected for a… Read More
MAINE vs. BOSTON UNIVERSITY 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
LTC football officials and coaches have opted to continue holding their annual Eastern Maine Class C championship game at the home field of the highest-seeded finalist. The league had held discussions after the 2005 season about moving the final game to a neutral site, perhaps… Read More