BANGOR – The small tan pocketbook of Lena A. Gray, and its contents, characterized her personality – clean, tidy and proper. Members of her family sat on the porch of her brother’s home in Bangor on Thursday evening, tenderly looking through the objects Gray carried… Read More
WASHINGTON – The Senate on Thursday passed a $109 billion bill to pay for war in Iraq and hurricane relief at home, knowing it would ignite a battle with the White House and House conservatives determined to shear it of $14 billion in election-year add-ons. Read More
BANGOR – Bright yellow and purple flowers planted in loose pavement on State Street near the Family Dollar Store provided the only color along the dull gray road and served as a quiet reminder amid heavy traffic Thursday of the pedestrian killed one day earlier as she crossed… Read More
PORTLAND – Mainers will have the final say on a proposed taxpayer bill of rights thanks to a state supreme court ruling Thursday that the secretary of state acted within his authority in allowing extra petitions to be submitted after the statutory deadline. The court’s… Read More
AUGUSTA – After the death of an elderly pedestrian who was struck by a tractor-trailer in downtown Bangor, Maine’s congressional delegation vowed to seek emergency authority for the Federal Highway Administration to temporarily allow heavy trucks on interstate roads and bridges. All four members of… Read More
A May 3 story on Page 1 about the University of Maine System tuition increase should have said that the University of Maine’s budget deficit relates to the 2007 fiscal year, which runs July 1, 2006, to June 30, 2007. Read More
AUGUSTA – A member of Maine’s three-person Public Utilities Commission is stepping down, giving Gov. John Baldacci an opportunity to put forth a third nominee for the panel. Stephen Diamond, a PUC commissioner since October 1998, submitted his resignation Wednesday to Baldacci, effective June 30,… Read More
WEST ENFIELD – The town of Enfield has taken Cold Stream Lumber Co.’s sawmill off its 2005-06 tax rolls to help the company recover from a devastating fire last weekend. The deletion removes $400,000 to $500,000 in appraised value from the company’s property taxes and… Read More
STAMFORD, Conn. – International Paper Co. on Thursday reported a first-quarter loss of $1.2 billion as the world’s largest paper company took a charge for selling businesses as part of a transformation plan. The Stamford-based company said it lost $2.52 per share for the January-March… Read More
PORTLAND – Some Maine businesses were making plans for coping with a bird flu pandemic even before the Bush administration announced that local governments and business leaders shouldn’t count on the federal government alone to rescue them. Among the possibilities: restaurant workers could wear masks… Read More
ELLSWORTH – Even the M&Ms were congratulatory. Amid balloons, fancy hors d’oeuvres and, yes, personalized candy, the employees at the Shaw’s supermarket on High Street in Ellsworth were honored Thursday as the company’s store of the year for 2005. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
For anyone who wonders, “Who are these people who march against war?” Well, here are two of them! On April 29 my husband David and I marched with United for Peace and Justice in New York City to do our part to bring the troops home from Iraq… Read More
I was thrilled to read the Maine Supreme Judicial Court’s ruling on Schwartz vs. the Maine State Unemployment Insurance Commission. According to an April 27 Bangor Daily News article, “… In a 4-2 decision, the court instructed the commission to clarify whether the Bar Harbor mission is principally… Read More
After I found out about the bridge closing and the rerouting of the trucks, I was wondering how long it would be before the first fatality. I just heard it on the scanner not more than 10 minutes ago, and it’s only day two. I… Read More
Late Wednesday afternoon, I was one of the unfortunate citizens of Bangor who stumbled upon the accident scene at State Street and Broadway where an elderly woman was killed when hit by a tractor-trailer. The accident is unfortunate, and I hope they find out the… Read More
Now that lawmakers have pushed back their adjourn-ment date, they have more time to debate tax changes and road repairs. They also have time to find a fifth member of the state’s ethics commission, a position that has been vacant for more than a year. This post should… Read More
Three challenges face Tony Snow as he takes over as White House press secretary, making it a particularly tough assignment. First, he must get along with the White House press corps, which has always been a pampered elite group, vying for attention in the televised… Read More
The current congressional debate over “net neutrality” could have significant consequences for the citizens of Maine. If the government decides to start regulating the Internet, do they really know what the ultimate consequences will be? googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
If your child had trouble making friends, would you pay a neighbor child to play the role? It sounds like the plot to a bad TV movie, doesn?t it? And it is bad because everyone knows the outcome. The child will learn the friend was a phony and… Read More
OLD TOWN – The city is continuing to look at what can be cut from its budget, following Wednesday’s announcement that the Georgia-Pacific Corp. mill’s valuation has dropped 52 percent since its closure. G-P announced last month it was closing the Old Town facility, but… Read More
AUGUSTA – The presence of two top political aides from the 1980s administration of President Ronald Reagan will help set a tone for this weekend’s Republican State Convention. But it shouldn’t be viewed as any special advantage for the candidate in the party’s three-way contest… Read More
The Maine Board of Environmental Protection approved tighter controls on biomass plants that burn wooden debris Thursday despite several members’ reservations about the role the Legislature played in the new rules. On a 5-1 vote, the board enacted more stringent monitoring, reporting and quality control… Read More
AUGUSTA – A Superior Court judge on Thursday denied a Kennebec County man’s initial attempt to keep his name off the state’s sex offender registry. Justice S. Kirk Studstrup denied the man’s request for a temporary restraining order but ordered that a hearing on his… Read More
MACHIAS – The district attorney for Washington County is calling for an independent investigation into an anonymous allegation that time-sheet fraud may be occurring within the Washington County Sheriff’s Department. The sheriff dismissed the allegation as baseless. “It’s a closed matter and I will not… Read More
Just about 10 hours later and 100 yards away from where an elderly woman was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer truck on Wednesday, a Bangor patrol officer watched two loaded log trucks drive straight through another intersection – headed the wrong-way on a one-way street. Read More
AUGUSTA – High school graduates becoming adults is good news for the Maine Community College System, an official said Thursday. “Sooner or later they’re going to be our students,” said Scott Knapp, president of Central Maine Community College in Auburn. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
BREWER – The sister cities of Bangor and Brewer have a brand new tool – a fire-red hovercraft that should help emergency crews from each community pluck people out of dangerous, water-related situations. “This will run over roads, ice and a clam flat that you’d… Read More
PORTLAND – A 14-year-old prodigy who is graduating from high school this spring has decided to attend the University of New Hampshire after university officials in Maine denied her request to live in a college dormitory. Lauren Lazarus of Hiram is valedictorian of her Sacopee… Read More
Brewer High School Third 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
VEAZIE – In an ideal world, construction on the second phase of Penquis CAP’s Graham Senior Housing project at the former John R. Graham School could begin as soon as next spring. The project is expected to cost $3 million and will add 24 units of affordable senior… Read More
BANGOR – A City Council panel unanimously endorsed on Wednesday night the lease of a portion of Summer Street slated for closure to a local fuel company. A lease agreement to that end will be among the matters the council takes up during its next… Read More
HOULTON – Southern Aroostook Cultural Arts Project and the Houlton High School music department will partner with the Penobscot Theatre Company for a performance of the play “Almost, Maine” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, at Houlton High School. Tickets are on sale in advance… Read More
FORT KENT – The nursing staff at Northern Maine Medical Center will hold a ceremony at noon Wednesday, May 10, at the hospital to honor former members of the organization’s nursing department who have died. A balloon will be released into the air to mark… Read More
LINCOLN – Depression. Homelessness. Alcoholism. Pregnancy. Anger management. Mattanawcook Academy teachers find themselves increasingly dealing with students’ complex health issues, so much that they lose class time that should be spent on education, Principal Jim Boothby said. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK – A Richard Nixon mask. A vodka bottle, three-quarters full. Credit cards, coffee cups and a mountain of crumpled, losing lottery tickets. The strange accumulation was chucked from car and RV windows to become part of the tons of trash that pile… Read More
JONESBORO – Richard Price knows the likely profile of drug users. He sees them in his general store, ZacRy’s on U.S. Route 1, every day. “You see their bad checks, stolen checks, because they need money so badly for the drugs,” the shop owner said. Read More
LIMESTONE – It’s fishing season, and the National Wildlife Refuge at the Loring Commerce Centre will hold its third annual children’s fishing derby Saturday, May 20. The more than four-hour derby will have prizes for kids up to 16 years old. There’ll be hot dogs,… Read More
THOMASTON – A cap flap is afoot here over size restrictions for new commercial buildings. Our Town Thomaston – a citizens group supporting a 70,000-square-foot cap – claims it was denied a printed response in the town newsletter to a resolution by town officials supporting… Read More
BANGOR – The seventh annual Camp Bangor citywide cleanup will take place at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 6, at locations around the city. Camp Bangor children and their families are encouraged to take part to meet the program’s community service requirement. After the cleanup, there… Read More
PITTSFIELD – The Pittsfield Garden Club will hold a spring tea 2-4 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at the Lane Hall of the Congregational Church. Garden therapy consultant Bill Wright will be the guest consultant. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
BANGOR – Residents who leave broken sofas, used mattresses and other bulky trash items along city streets should take notice. City councilors next week will consider a solid waste ordinance amendment aimed at tackling the ongoing problem of large trash items improperly placed at curbside… Read More
BUCKSPORT – The Bucksport Bay Early Childhood Network once again will offer its annual Children’s Fair, which provides parents of preschool children with information about resources available for them. The fair will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 6, at the Jewett… Read More
CALAIS – Most people think of historical societies as repositories for stodgy, antiquated, dusty history buffs who spend their lives digging up the past. But not the St. Croix Historical Society. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
THOMASTON – SAD 50 voters will cast ballots May 16 on a nearly $12 million budget for 2006-07 that exceeds the current budget by 6.27 percent. If approved, Cushing’s share of district costs would rise the most at $2,305,350 – a 13.52 percent increase. St. Read More
BREWER – Lowe’s Home Centers Inc., which announced its interest in moving to Brewer last week, is just one of many new businesses interested in the city’s Wilson Street corridor, city officials are saying. The day after the Lowe’s announcement, for example, news was released… Read More
PORTLAND – A partial ban on shellfishing has been imposed along the southern Maine coast in response to red tide concerns. Soft shell clams have not been included so far, but officials on Tuesday suspended the harvesting of mussels, snails, European oysters and surf clams… Read More
PERRY – LNG may be a hot button for the selectmen, but even though controversy continues to swirl around LNG and the town’s Comprehensive Planning Grant application, it was clear Wednesday night that the planning board wanted to work cooperatively. After nearly an hour of… Read More
BANGOR – Photojournalist Jim Harney will speak at 7 p.m. Sunday, May 7, at Redeemer Lutheran Church. Harney will share stories about his time spent on the border between Mexico and Arizona. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
VAN BUREN – The SAD 24 school board last week approved a deal with a former bookkeeper that would bring closure to a 10-year-old theft case that involved nearly $80,000 of public money. The deal calls for the school district to take over lakefront property… Read More
EASTPORT – A 26-year old Eastport man was taken by ambulance to Calais Regional Hospital on Thursday after the car he was driving crashed into a guardrail on Route 190 and went down over an embankment. The accident stopped traffic into and out of Eastport… Read More
For their 15th performance season, The New Renaissance Singers and director Laura Green have chosen “Spring in the Isles” as the theme for their annual spring concert at 7 p.m. Sunday, May 7, at Union Street Brick Church in Bangor. A suggested donation of $5… Read More
CASTINE – Maine Maritime Academy’s training ship was set to sail at 5 o’clock this morning after computer problems in the engine room delayed its departure on the annual training cruise for two days. The vessel had been scheduled to leave at 10 a.m. Wednesday… Read More
BANGOR – Despite less then ideal weather conditions, construction of the Joshua Chamberlain Bridge ended Thursday, well ahead of schedule. The bridge, the middle one of three that connect Bangor and Brewer over the Penobscot River, reopened at around 3:30 p.m. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
PORTLAND – Maine’s first-in-the-nation laptop program wasn’t enough to give the state top marks for technology in schools. Maine received a B-minus compared to the national average of C-plus in the survey conducted by the Editorial Projects in Education Research Center and Education Week, a… Read More
The soft drink industry’s decision to take sugary sodas out of school vending machines nationwide won’t have a big impact in Maine. That’s because Maine already banned the sale of soda, candy and other junk food in schools. Coca-Cola Co., PepsiCo Inc. and Cadbury Schweppes… Read More
ORONO – A former Livermore man indicted in Lewiston this week on charges stemming from a 2004 collision that claimed the life of another man has been arrested in Orono, police said. Law enforcement authorities did not know John Mincher’s location when he was indicted… Read More
BATH – A fire early Thursday swept through the former Stinson Seafood cannery, a sardine plant along the Kennebec River that closed a year ago and was sold to a developer who hoped to convert it into condominiums. There were no reports of injury in… Read More
PORTLAND – The state supreme court on Tuesday upheld a lower court’s decision to toss a lawsuit brought by a woman hurt while tubing at a ski area, ruling that the law that applies to ski areas covers tubing as well as other ways of getting down the… Read More
AUGUSTA – Democratic Gov. John Baldacci remained ahead of his re-election challengers in fundraising as the deadline fell Tuesday for Maine’s gubernatorial candidates to file their latest campaign finance reports. Including donations from the previous reporting period, Baldacci has raised $383,692. Subtracting what the governor’s… Read More
Jim Murphy has sacrificed plenty of Friday and Saturday evenings during 22 years as athletic administrator at George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill. So during the sports seasons when games end earlier in the day, you’d think the last thing he’d want to do is… Read More
Officials at the University of Maine are gearing up for a busy weekend of athletics-related activities on campus. An estimated 500 family, friends and associates of former Bangor businessman and philanthropist Larry Mahaney are expected to gather Saturday morning at the new Mahaney Dome for… Read More
OLD TOWN – It’s enough to drive a coach nuts, but the Bangor High School baseball team is making comebacks a habit. Four times so far this season the Rams have trailed in a game, but still they are undefeated after rallying from an 8-2… Read More
The area behind the chain-link fence at Unity Raceway where John Crawford was seriously injured Sunday while filming an auto race will be off-limits for media from now on, according to track owner Ralph Nason. The area had been closed to spectators, but Crawford, who… Read More
MILLINOCKET – As the Central of Corinth softball team marches along in defense of its 2005 Class C state title, there are a few schools the Red Devils have been looking forward to playing – and beating. First, Central picked up a narrow win against… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL At Woodland 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
COLLEGE NAC 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
SOFTBALL MAINE vs. UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE COUNTY 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 () { //… Read More
FARMINGTON – Tom Danylik hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning to lead the University of Maine at Farmington a 2-1 victory in the first game of a college baseball doubleheader Thursday. Bates of Lewiston captured the second game 6-1. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
FORT FAIRFIELD – Andrea Belskis hit two singles and an RBI triple to score the winning run in the top of the seventh inning as the undefeated Ashland softball team won its fifth game of the year, 6-3 over Fort Fairfield in high school action Thursday. Read More
LINCOLN – Keely Sullivan and Terren Hall combined on a three-hit shutout, striking out nine and walking none to lead the Bucksport softball team to a 5-o triumph over Mattanawcook Academy in a high school game Thursday. Hall hit a solo home run in the… Read More
MILLINOCKET – Junior righthander Jordan Burleigh allowed just four hits while striking out eight and walking one as the Stearns High baseball team handed the Central Red Devils of Corinth their first loss of the season, 9-4 in high school action Thursday. Cory Barnett paced… Read More
All it takes is a quick glance at the Husson College baseball statistics to recognize the catalysts. Bucksport’s Jason Harvey and Brewer’s Justin Spencer have put together memorable senior years and they would love to cap their college baseball careers with a North Atlantic Conference… Read More
Kenny Rogers isn’t just one of the legendary performers in country music, having recorded more than 60 albums with worldwide sales in excess of 105 million. He also spends considerable time studying his industry. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
When Mom-A-Palooza takes the stage at the Penobscot Theatre tomorrow, think of it as Destiny’s Child meets Raffi. But don’t, under any circumstances, compare the “Moms” to the Wiggles, or the Doodlebugs. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
What do you do after being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fall? If you’re Jim Weider, you just keep busy in the studio and on the road. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
Tony Thaxton, drummer for Motion City Soundtrack, had no idea where he was when I talked to him on Wednesday, except that he was somewhere in Ohio. He and his band have been on tour nonstop for more than two months. Let’s cut him some… Read More
In theaters AKEELAH AND THE BEE, written and directed by Doug Atchison, rated PG, 118 minutes. 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… Read More