OLD TOWN – Darlene Young has seen it all before. The Alton woman started at what is now Georgia-Pacific Corp.’s big paper mill 28 years ago, shortly after high school. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
AUGUSTA – Changes in the state’s pricing formula for home heating fuel sales under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program could prompt some oil dealers to drop out, according to one industry spokesman. During their regular monthly meeting Tuesday, commissioners of the Maine State… Read More
METHUEN, Mass. – Rivers crested and driving rains from the past week finally eased Tuesday as New England began to assess the full scope of the damage caused by the worst flooding since the 1930s. Topsfield police found a 59-year-old man dead in a submerged… Read More
AUGUSTA – The national program conceived to insure homeowners in flood-prone areas and protect taxpayers from needing to bail out flood victims is broke. While most Mainers in flooded areas of York County are not insured, the thousands who are likely face a long wait… Read More
HOLDEN – A developer is proposing to build homes on some 1,600 acres not far from the Brewer line and the heavily traveled U.S. Route 1A. Dale Henderson of Orrington owns the land situated between Eastern Avenue and Mann Hill Road. The acreage equals about… Read More
WASHINGTON – Buoyed by President Bush, supporters of immigration legislation established command in the Senate on Tuesday, brushing aside potentially crippling challenges to a bill that blends tougher border enforcement with a path to citizenship for millions in the United States illegally. “It was a… Read More
TORONTO – The United States has no plans to deploy the National Guard along its border with Canada as it will along the Mexican border, a Canadian government spokesman said Tuesday. Canada had expressed concern about how President Bush’s announcement of tougher U.S security at… Read More
AUGUSTA – In honor of Maine Army National Guard Staff Sgt. David Michael Veverka, who will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery today, Gov. John Baldacci has directed that the United States and Maine flags be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset. Veverka, a… Read More
Editor’s Note: April Forristall graduated from the University of Maine Saturday and is writing a series of columns, appearing Wednesdays, about her and classmates’ job-hunting experiences. According to Collegegrad.com, a link from Richard Bolles’ job-hunting book and my survival guide, “What Color Is Your Parachute?”… Read More
ORONO – Affiliated Healthcare Systems and the principals of Josco Partners, LLC, have announced the sale of Josco’s 50 percent interest in the Dirigo Pines Retirement Community in Orono to Affiliated, a subsidiary of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems. Josco was the primary developer and manager… Read More
SANFORD – A Maine company that refurbishes small airplanes is planning a $10 million expansion at Sanford Regional Airport that could result in more than 200 new jobs. Oxford Aviation intends to open a 93,000-square-foot building at the airport next spring, officials announced Monday. The… Read More
BOSTON – Massachusetts has filed suit to block new federal rules for fishermen that state officials contend could cripple the industry. Attorney General Tom Reilly’s lawsuit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court, seeks to overturn an emergency plan to reduce by half the number of… Read More
SOUTH PORTLAND – Gov. John Baldacci was joined by business and legislative leaders Tuesday in marking enactment of legislation to spare Maine companies from taxes they have long viewed as detrimental to business investment in the state. Baldacci traveled to the National Semiconductor plant to… Read More
BUCKSPORT – The sale of the International Paper Co. coated-paper mills is still pending as interested parties continue to negotiate. Two companies – NewPage, an Ohio-based coated-paper manufacturer and Apollo Management, a New York-based investment firm – have been identified as potential buyers. Local IP… Read More
The University of Maine commencement took place Saturday, conferring approximately 2,050 degrees, including 44 doctorates, 556 Masters, 1698 Bachel-ors and 539 Certificates of Advanced Studies. Keynote speaker John Edwards, of John Kerry campaign fame, talked about his poverty program reminiscent of the Lyndon B. Johnson… Read More
Eighty-thousand pounds is enough weight for any truck. Put the rest on the railroad where it belongs. We don’t build roads in Maine, we lay tar over the surface. Those units with the extra 10 tons are the ones tearing up the roads. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
Eliot Cutler’s op-ed (BDN, May 10), explaining his decision to vote for Peter Mills for governor, seemed at first a reasonable, thought-provoking, non-doctrinaire espousal of a view different from my own but deserving of consideration. His credentials are those of a respected veteran of service to politicians whom… Read More
The issues of securing our border and of what to do with the millions who have already broken our laws to enter the United States are separate and distinct topics and should be handled in specific legislation. It seems that none of the politicians in… Read More
I have strong feelings and concerns about sending National Guardsmen to the border between the United States and Mexico. Mexico is a country that needs more infrastructure to assist in developing the country’s internal abilities. Senators and U.S. representatives should encourage Mexico to develop ways… Read More
President Bush laid out a realistic middle ground approach on immigration Monday. The president called for better control of the U.S.-Mexican border, a guest worker program and the continued assimilation of immigrants into American society. While many questions about his plans to improve border security by assigning National… Read More
A tentative agreement last month finally may have settled the long-running softwood lumber dispute between the United States. The deal to end the 25-year fight was possible, in part, because of the soaring value of the Canadian vs. the U.S. dollar. The record high value… Read More
I’ve worked at Eastern Maine Medical Center for 27 years. I love my work here, and am proud of the care we all give to our patients. I appreciate how I personally have been treated as an employee, and am grateful for the gift this hospital is to… Read More
Imagine this: you’re living with three roommates, and you all decide it’s time to purchase a wide-screen TV. You pipe up with “I know where we can get a good one for $2,000, so why don’t you each give me $500?” So they do. And you trot down… Read More
Proclamations generally have the same riveting power as supermarket ribbon-cuttings, but a recent one in Maine is being celebrated as a small victory for children and noncustodial parents wounded by divorce. The proclamation, signed by Gov. John E. Baldacci, recognized April 25 as “Parental Alienation… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Officials with an insurance company in this Aroostook County city confirmed Tuesday that they are working on a more than $5 million expansion that is expected to create 35 to 50 new jobs over the course of 10 years, though they are delaying the release… Read More
STONINGTON – Penobscot East Resource Center has hired a New York fisherman as its first community coordinator. Robert Rosenbaum will work to build connections between local groups working to responsibly manage marine resources and help those groups operate and organize effectively. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
Bangor Theological Seminary will hold graduation ceremonies Friday at its Portland campus for the first time in its 192-year history. Of the 19 students earning degrees, eight took a majority of their classes at the Portland campus, housed in State Street Congregational Church. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
HAMPDEN – Casella Waste Systems Inc. officials have proposed shutting down part of the gas extraction system at the Pine Tree Landfill for two weeks in early July for testing, which intensifies the recurring concern about the facility’s stench. In a letter drafted by Casella,… Read More
PLEASANT POINT – A financial dispute between the Passamaquoddy Tribe and an Oklahoma-based developer of a proposed liquefied natural gas facility on tribal land may lead to arbitration, officials on both sides said Tuesday. Passamaquoddy officials say Quoddy Bay LLC owes the tribe $350,000 in… Read More
BELFAST – With nearly 1,000 residents of the six Belfast-area SAD 34 communities attending, a proposal to spend $550,000 from a state Medicaid overpayment to keep the district solvent through June 30 was defeated at a meeting Tuesday night. Ballot clerks from Belfast, Belmont, Morrill,… Read More
AUGUSTA – State officials earmarked more than $12 million on Tuesday for land conservation across Maine, including projects to protect a unique bog outside of Bangor and a 26,000-acre tract in Hancock County. Commissioners on the Land for Maine’s Future board were faced with deciding… Read More
FORT KENT – Ellen Cost has been named director of financial aid at the University of Maine at Fort Kent. Cost, the wife of UMFK President Richard Cost, has served as acting director since January 2003. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – The Maine Solar System Model will be recognized today by the Maine Tourism Association through its 2006 Tourism Awards. The model will be recognized in the Aroostook County region as a unique regional attraction that has contributed to tourism in the area. Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – The Presque Isle Chamber of Commerce will tempt local businesses’ taste buds with its annual Strawberry Shortcake Day on Thursday, June 22. The group will be selling the treats for $2.50 each. Deliveries to Presque Isle, Easton, Washburn, Mars Hill, Limestone, Caribou… Read More
The University of Maine at Presque Isle honored Scott Boucher during the University Day 2006 luncheon. Boucher, a 2001 graduate and Presque Isle native, was presented the Young Alumni Award to recognize his contributions in the professional world as well as his community service. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Local officials working to create a regional arts center and revitalize the downtown say that what they really want to do is keep the Star City shining. Organizing members of the Aroostook Arts and Education Center joined officials from a newly formed… Read More
CARIBOU – The Northern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery is looking to enlarge and enhance its facilities with an $800,000 plan for two projects as early as next summer. The facility wants to double the number of burial vaults for veterans who are cremated, and build… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – In an effort to combat the growing drug problem in Maine, local officials will host meetings in Aroostook County this month to talk about prevention, enforcement and treatment. A few weeks ago, crowds packed facilities in Caribou and Houlton to attend meetings… Read More
ELLSWORTH – The Hancock County arm of the Maine Community Foundation recently awarded more than $25,000 in grants to 16 nonprofit organizations in the area, including: . $1,500 to the Acadian Little League of Bar Harbor to upgrade its ball field at Town Hill. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
THOMASTON – The 150,000-square-foot cap on commercial building size overshadowed the 70,000-square-foot cap at the polls Tuesday by roughly a 200-vote margin. Question 1 – a vote for the larger cap: 623 yes vs. 436 no. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
FORT KENT – Local nurses are collaborating with medical organizations to better equip children involved in bicycle accidents. Emergency room nurses at Northern Maine Medical Center will give each young patient a custom-fitted helmet after treatment. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Work on Main Street and Parsons Street Connector began Monday. Crews will be repaving the roads during evening hours throughout the summer. Two-way traffic is planned. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
Repaving of three portions of Route 11 in Aroostook County began Monday. The first section begins 1.6 miles north of the town line between Portage Lake and Township 14 Range 6 and extends northward for 1.8 miles. The second project starts just south of Quimby… Read More
FRENCHVILLE – A free yoga workshop will be held at 3 p.m. today at the St. John Valley Technology Center. The event, sponsored by SAD 33 Wellness Team, is open to adults and children. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – The Aroostook Medical Center has been named a national award winner in health-care service quality for Exemplary Service Most Improved Inpatient Care 2005 by Avatar International Inc. The award is based on the results of the hospital’s 2005 inpatient care patient surveys,… Read More
FORT KENT – The Fort Kent Recreation and Parks Department will hold swimming registration from 6 to 7:30 p.m. for Fort Kent residents and 7:30 to 8 p.m. for nonresidents, on Thursday, June 1, at the municipal building. Registrations will be taken on a first-come,… Read More
FORT KENT – The Fort Kent Recreation and Parks Department will host the 11th annual Camp Kick-It soccer clinic 3:30-5 p.m. for children aged 9-11 and 5:30-7 p.m. for children aged 5-8, from Monday, June 5, through Thursday, June 8, at Riverside Park. The fee… Read More
BUCKSPORT – Councilors on Tuesday approved a $16.4 million preliminary town budget that will result in a decrease in the municipal tax rate this year. If the figures remain the same when the council adopts the final budget, the town’s tax rate would decrease by… Read More
THOMASTON – SAD 50 voters gave overwhelming support Tuesday at the polls to a nearly $12 million budget for 2006-07. In Thomaston, St. George and Cushing, all 16 budget articles were approved for the $11,982,878 budget, which exceeds last year’s budget by 6.27 percent. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
BANGOR – Detectives in Orono and Bangor are looking into whether two men caught with a stolen refrigerator are connected to a string of burglaries at construction sites in recent months. Kevin Lane, 34, of Old Town and Ryan Fish, 27, of Bangor remained at… Read More
Plum Creek Timber Co.’s latest plan for development and conservation of 413,000 acres in the Unorganized Territory of the Moosehead Lake region won the endorsement Tuesday of the Piscataquis County commissioners. The company submitted a new plan last month to the state Land Use Regulation… Read More
A very large pet pig was briefly on the loose Tuesday morning on Johnson Mill Road in Orrington, but with a little coaxing, pet and owner were reunited. The pig was seen near the road and an observer was concerned enough to call the police… Read More
ORONO – Vandals destroyed a bench and removed or broke railings last week at the Orono Bog Boardwalk, officials said Tuesday. Police said they are investigating the estimated $300 in damage, believed to have occurred May 8. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
As part of discussions to expand the Penobscot County Jail more than 20 years ago, Penobscot County Commissioner Tom Davis was assured that there would be plenty of inmate space long after he was gone. Fast-forward two decades and Davis is very much alive and… Read More
For the second time in four days, a pair of persistent ospreys left the Moosehead Lake region in the dark. The birds have been trying to nest on a transmission pole that feeds power to the Moosehead Lake region. Central Maine Power constructed a wire cage last year… Read More
A 12-inch waterline will soon provide access to public water along U.S. Route 1A, and the cost is being split between Holden and a property owner. A hydrant at McKay’s RV and Marine Center is where the Brewer Water Department line ends, Holden Town Manager Larry Varisco said. Read More
BANGOR – Members of the city’s planning board Tuesday night completed their part in a five-year comprehensive plan update. All that remains before the revamped plan takes effect is adoption by the City Council. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
BREWER – It’s a flaming hot question that city leaders want answered: What return do full-time fire departments get from their mutual aid partners, besides being a good neighbor? City Manager Steve Bost is so interested in the question that he asked Fire Chief Rick… Read More
Millinocket District Court Cases April 5-7, 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
DOVER-FOXCROFT – The following divorces were granted in 13th District Court during March on grounds of irreconcilable marital differences: Ronald B. Lamb, Sebec, and Donna C. Lamb, Sangerville; married at Bridgton Dec. 22, 1977. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
BAR HARBOR – The annual Warblers and Wildflowers Festival will be held from Thursday, May 25, to Tuesday, May 30. Call the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce at (888) 369-8413 or visit the Web site www.barharborinfo.com/warblers for information or to register. Read More
MARS HILL – A partially paved road that has been used for years as a high-speed shortcut will soon become two dead-end roads after a Town Council vote Monday night. Mars Hill Town Manager Ray Mersereau said Tuesday that Clark Road increasingly has become a… Read More
MADAWASKA – A property feud between two local men that led to a charge of criminal trespass against one of them allegedly escalated into the destruction of two pickup trucks this week, police said. Game wardens are also looking into the discovery of eight moose… Read More
INDIAN TOWNSHIP – A $7 million upgrade of the Passamaquoddy Tribe’s water and waste treatment system will be dedicated in memory of a tribal member who worked for the Indian Township Public Works Department, USDA Rural Development officials said Monday. Darryl John “Pineapple” Nicholas Sr. Read More
ELLSWORTH – An ambitious nonprofit organization with visions of turning a portion of the former Calais Branch Line into an excursion train service has recruited a little more muscle. The Ellsworth City Council approved Monday a memo of understanding between the Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation… Read More
SOUTHWEST HARBOR – A two-day whittle-a-warbler workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 20, and Sunday, May 21, at the Wendell Gilley Museum. Preregistration is required. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
CALAIS – The 15th annual Cobscook Bay 10K Race to benefit Down East Hospice will be held at 9:15 a.m. Sunday, June 4, in Pembroke. The event is in the Tradewinds-Sub-5 Series, and will include a 5K run-walk, and a one-mile fun run for children. Read More
MACHIAS – Down East Community Hospital presented a check for $10,000 to Machias Community Summer Camp to support its 2006 season. The contribution was made through the Hospital’s Community Benefit Fund. The Machias Community Summer Camp runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 19-Aug. Read More
CALAIS – Six members of a Department of Environmental Protection certified construction company from Calais are the latest recipients of an award recognizing excellence in the use of soil erosion control practices in protection of the state’s surface waters. Richard Freeman, Scott Freeman, Kenneth McIver,… Read More
MILBRIDGE – The Women’s Health Resource Library, 24 School St., will hold a gala grand opening from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, May 19. The event is open to the public. State recognizes work of Calai… Read More
CALAIS – The Washington County Genealogical Society will meet at noon Saturday, May 20, in the genealogy room at Calais Free Library, a change in time. Staff member Sally Moir will discuss the facility’s genealogy collection. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
Many more activities than you might imagine are part of the Relay for Life event at the Old Town High School track Friday and Saturday, May 19-20. For example, Jessica Gray of Corinna and members of her Relay for Life team, “Judi’s Hope,” invite individuals… Read More
AUGUSTA – Buff firefighters pose on the pages of some calendars, while scantily clad colon cancer survivors, burly lobstermen, Irish barmen, nearly nude Lions Club members and morticians mug it up on others. The latest posers come from the world of the macabre: serial killers. Read More
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK – How much seaweed do periwinkles eat, and why is it important to the park? Visitors and interested locals are invited to stretch their scientific legs and help answer these questions during the first of three scheduled Resource Acadia workshops to be… Read More
BANGOR – Three community leaders from New Orleans will be in Maine this week to talk about their response to Hurricane Katrina and how the crisis was handled. The three-hour program, titled “Crisis Management in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina,” will start at 8:30 a.m. Read More
BANGOR – Two men were sentenced to federal prison on Monday in U.S. District Court in unrelated cases. Alfonso Coello-Vasquez, 34, a Mexican citizen, was sentenced to four years in prison for entering the country illegally. He also was sentenced to three years of supervised… Read More
SKOWHEGAN – Police are giving credit to a 31-year-old Skowhegan man for helping them nab a robbery suspect after the man chased the getaway car and got its license plate number. Jeffrey Doucette was on his way to work at the New Balance athletic shoe… Read More
LA PUSH, Wash. – A young woman who fell 25 feet and broke her leg survived for three days without food or water on a beach south of this Olympic Peninsula coastal hamlet, Coast Guard officials said. Dana Crane, 19, of Brunswick, Maine, a student… Read More
The power of pairs At Pairings in Winterport, multifaceted character of wines — and cooks — revealed
On a drizzly morning last week, three students came out of the rain and into the gleaming new teaching kitchen at Pairings, a food-and-wine education center in Winterport. They had come to learn about vegetarian cooking, though none followed a strictly vegetarian diet. Dave Walter… Read More
Frozen assets Don’t have time to plan, shop for and prepare wild salmon cakes, mahi mahi tacos or polenta lasagna for dinner tonight? Now you can leave all the work of a gourmet meal to Grace. Not divine grace but Grace’s Kitchen, a Seattle-based food… Read More
CALAIS – The St. Croix Valley Amateur Radio Club monthly business meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 21, at the Methodist Homes activities room. Visitors and newcomers are welcome. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
Jesse Speirs of Bangor headed to Fort Worth, Texas, last fall hoping to play a lot for Texas Christian University, one of the top collegiate programs in the country. He did play in four of 11 varsity tournaments for the Horned Frogs, who are 38th… Read More
Pro All-Stars Series regulars Ben Rowe of Turner and Gary Smith of Bangor applauded the rule changes announced by PASS founder and president Tom Mayberry at a meeting in Portland Monday night. Mayberry had implemented new rules at the outset of the auto racing season… Read More
Barry Hertzler had a tough choice to make as a high school senior in 1998. Should he go north to the University of Maine and play for one of the pre-eminent baseball programs in the northeast or south to Old Dominion University and much warmer… Read More
Tom Mayberry cares deeply about stock car racing. A former driver himself, Mayberry rescued pro stock racing when he formed the Pro All-Stars Series tour six years ago. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner =… Read More
Baseball may not be the most popular sport among high school kids in the St. John Valley – when Fort Kent met Van Buren in a doubleheader on Monday, Van Buren had the minimum nine players on its roster while Fort Kent had just 11, seven of them… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL Official standings as reported by the Maine Principals’ Association for baseball, softball and tennis for games through May 13. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL At Madawaska 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
BILL ALBRECHT HAMPDEN – Bill Albrecht of Bangor recorded his 10th hole-in-one with an ace on the 190-yard sixth hole at Hampden Country Club Sunday. Albrecht used a 4-wood to record the hole-in-one, which was witnessed by Betty Albrecht and Kenneth Mulbery, both of Bangor. Read More
HIGH SCHOOL At Sorrento 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
VAN BUREN – Whitney Flint fired a no-hitter, striking out 15 batters to lead the Ashland Hornets to a 9-1 high school softball victory over the Van Buren Crusaders Tuesday. Danielle Long hit two singles, a triple and drove in two runs, and Angela Belskis… Read More
Jamie Ecker of Brewer High School and Josh Pelletier of Foxcroft Academy will be among 18 recipients of the 19th annual Scholar-Athlete Awards presented by the State of Maine Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Inc. Ecker helped Brewer win… Read More
BROOKLINE, Mass. – The University of Maine baseball team left the bases loaded in the top of the fifth inning, and it ended up costing the Black Bears as they dropped a 3-2 decision to Northeastern University in a rain-shortened, non-conference affair at Friedman Diamond Tuesday. Read More
University of Southern Maine baseball coach Ed Flaherty has been named Little East Conference Coach of the Year while four of his players have been selected to the all-conference team. Earning first-team honors were junior first baseman Max Arsenault, outfielder Ryan Bourque and junior shortstop… Read More
CHICAGO – Rheumatoid arthritis patients taking Humira or Remicade face triple the risk of developing several kinds of cancer and double the risk of getting serious infections, a study led by the Mayo Clinic found. The analysis builds on previous reports about the risks associated… Read More