ELLSWORTH – The mother of a Southwest Harbor woman formally charged Friday with an elderly woman’s murder whispered the words “I love you” as her daughter left the Hancock County courthouse in tears. The state alleges that Michelle Mills, 37, was responsible for the January… Read More
BANGOR – Former presidential candidate Steve Forbes called a Bangor man’s conviction for his part in the New Hampshire phone-jamming scandal “a political prosecution” in the June 19 issue of Forbes magazine. James Tobin, 45, worked for Forbes in 1998 as the director of political… Read More
For anyone convinced that federal policymakers don’t listen to the people of Maine, the next few days may provide a welcome turnabout, when the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services convenes in Camden. The three-day meeting, which runs from Sunday afternoon through… Read More
Although the demand for natural gas is on the rise and developers have set their sights on eastern Maine, it is not a foregone conclusion that any liquefied natural gas terminals will be constructed in the state. According to government projections, the 18 LNG proposals… Read More
An Associated Press story on page B10 Friday about the death of former state legislator Charlene Rydell contained the wrong date for a memorial service. A service is planned at Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick on June 25. A story that ran on Page A1… Read More
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Gov. Don Carcieri signed a law Friday making Rhode Island the first state in the nation to require cat owners to spay or neuter their pets. Cat owners must spay or neuter pets older than six months unless they pay $100 for… Read More
Downeast LNG, Washington, D.C., founded in 2004. PROPOSED SITE: LNG terminal and storage facility at Mill Cove, Robbinston. 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++)… Read More
The primary opponent in Maine to the development of liquefied natural gas terminals on Passamaquoddy Bay has been the group Save Passamaquoddy Bay, which was formed in response to developer interest in building in eastern Washington County. Save Passamaquoddy Bay consists of residents of the… Read More
SAINT JOHN, New Brunswick – Canaport LNG plans to build a $750 million (Canadian) liquefied natural gas terminal and storage tank facility next to Irving Oil’s huge oil tank farm at Mispec Point. Neighbors like the idea, and the company plans to turn on the… Read More
Quoddy Bay LNG, Oklahoma City company Quoddy Bay LLC, part of Smith Cogeneration family of companies. PROPOSED SITE: Split Rock on Passamaquoddy Tribe land googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i… Read More
Southwest Harbor seemed a different town Friday than the one that woke up last winter to the news that one of their own had been murdered. But even though the formerly quiet streets and shuttered shops now are bustling with tourists and summer residents, the… Read More
I attended a graduation recently and was saddened to see the way people dressed for the occasion. The really big thing that made me sad was to see all the men and boys with their baseball caps on during the whole time. Another disturbing thing… Read More
In response to the article, “Marine’s father sues funeral protesters” (BDN, June 6), I would like to propose that the level of ignorance exhibited by the Westboro Baptist Church [of Topeka, Kan.] be made criminal, and that raising one’s children to arbitrarily hate to the magnitude be considered… Read More
As we approach the June 13 primary elections, Maine finds itself straddled with more than $5 billion in debt. Our infrastructure – our highways and bridges – is deteriorating. The largest state agency, the Department of Human Services, is devoid of effective management and efficiency. And even our… Read More
I must admit, I was surprised to read the June 8 column, “Mills’ candidacy presents golden opportunity.” Rep. Steve Bowen, the author, advocates that Republican voters support state Sen. Peter Mills in the Republican primary on June 13. I’ve worked with Sen. Mills on many… Read More
We would like to say a thank you to John Baldacci for the work he has done for the people of Maine. A few months ago we both lost our jobs. Between the two of us we had more than 40 years of being productive… Read More
Every time I read an article on sewing in the paper, I feel insulted. The most recent, a reprint from a Seattle newspaper, was informative, offered good ideas and is completely useless to us all. How many folks from Maine will be able to visit… Read More
Just as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is pressing his rivals in the militant Hamas party to accept Israel and to work toward the creation of a Palestinian state, the Israeli government has quietly begun building a new settlement in an effort to secure more land. The Israeli action,… Read More
Dams alter water quality, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled recently in a case involving Maine’s S.D. Warren Co. The unanimous ruling sends an appropriately strong signal that states have the power to regulate dams to restore or maintain fish runs. S.D. Warren, a subsidiary of… Read More
Having served in the Maine State Police for 24 years, in the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department as a jail administrator and in the Maine Legislature for eight years, I’ve had more than my share of opportunities to observe people. Hopefully, in these 30-plus years, I have gained some… Read More
I read with obvious interest this newspaper’s recent endorsement of Peter Mills for the Republican nomination for governor. During this campaign I have spent a great deal of time with Peter and I admire his decency and his commitment to public service. However, he and I have very… Read More
The newspaper story on the day after San Francisco Giants baseball player Barry Bonds had tied Babe Ruth’s major league career home- run record at 714 contained one of those small nuggets of information that tend to leave a reader wishing for just a tad more detail. Read More
In the beginning was the music. For Doug Wainoris, anyway. When you step into the garage-like building where he does business, the signs of music are everywhere. In fact, you can hardly walk a straight line through the drum kits, amplifiers, speaker cabinets, racks of… Read More
FREEPORT – L.L. Bean announced Friday that it plans to open stores in Dedham and Mansfield, Mass., in 2007 and 2008. A store at Mansfield Crossing, the largest shopping center in central Massachusetts and, is slated to open in fall 2007. The shopping center is… Read More
BANGOR – Penobscot Theatre Company has released its $350,000 renovation plan for the facade of the Main Street theater building, which includes repairing the Egyptian-inspired art deco design. The plan is part of a $2.5 million renovation to the entire building involving modernizing stage equipment… Read More
SAINT JOHN, New Brunswick – Northern New England and Atlantic Canada have similar histories and industries, and they might share another if local leaders can further develop an industry for which this port city already is well-known – energy. Saint John, home to Irving Oil… Read More
FORT KENT – Five Fort Kent Community High School seniors agreed in District Court on Friday to pay $500 in court costs plus restitution of cleaning costs for their part in releasing chickens and goslings in the school a week ago. In return, charges of… Read More
WELLS – The Federal Emergency Management Agency prepared to close its disaster center in southern Maine as more rain added to the misery for those who have suffered through one of the rainiest stretches of weather in recent memory. A flood watch was posted for… Read More
WATERVILLE – News that a Norridgewock man was freed on $300 bail a day before he allegedly attempted to abduct an 8-year-old girl from a Wal-Mart store has led to a push to make judges put a greater emphasis on public safety when setting bail. Read More
With a tiny U.S. flag sticking out of his breast pocket, Andrew “Drew” Crosthwaite of Ellsworth acknowledged that he has lived in the United States for 21 years. However, it wasn’t until this Friday morning that he became a U.S. citizen, taking the official oath… Read More
SORRENTO – An investigator with the State Fire Marshal’s Office said Friday that officials likely will never know what started a fire at a home that was forfeited two years earlier after a drug raid. The early morning blaze on Thursday destroyed a home before… Read More
BREWER – The local tax rate is going down to its lowest level in at least 46 years, even with increases to city, school and county budgets, city officials announced. “It’s an exciting day for Brewer,” Finance Director Karen Fussell said Friday. “We have a… Read More
The June 13 election will include a bond issue to finance $1.5 million to replace sewer pipelines along Route 1A between Souadabscook Stream and Crestwood Trailer Park. One-third of the $1.5 million sewer replacement will be funded by taxation, while two-thirds of the funding will come from sewer… Read More
New, raised yellow strips have been installed on sidewalks along North Main Street by the Maine Department of Transportation to help visually impaired people, city engineer Frank Higgins said Friday. “They’re a tactile warning device,” he said. “You feel the bumps, and if you’re blind, you know you’re… Read More
A new base exchange is under construction at the Maine Air National Guard and is expected to open before the end of the year. The 7,000-square-foot facility, similar in size to a convenience store, is being built adjacent to the commissary, near the base entrance, Col. Dave Vashon… Read More
ORONO – The University of Maine Department of Public Safety has been awarded more than $40,000 to purchase a video detective. A video detective enhances still and moving digital pictures, bringing clarity and definition to the images. The package includes a digital video recorder and… Read More
BANGOR – The days are ticking down to show time for the city’s newly streamlined voting procedures, which on Tuesday will be put to the test for the first time. On Election Day, about half the city’s voters will report to new polling sites. That’s… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Four men were indicted on various charges Friday in Piscataquis County Superior Court. Reuben A. Bragg, 47, of Milo was indicted on two counts of unlawful sexual contact. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
GREENVILLE – Moosehead Sanitary District officials offered on Wednesday to take over responsibility for operating the town’s septic waste site. The sanitary district owns the site, but it is licensed to the town. Septic waste from Greenville, Shirley and Beaver Cove is deposited there. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
CAMDEN – Three candidates are seeking two seats on the Select Board in voting on Tuesday. John French, a nine-year veteran of service on the board, is seeking re-election. Parker “Chip” Laite Jr. is not seeking re-election. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
Jesse is a handsome, bright and caring 16-year-old with light brown hair and blue eyes. He loves to play video games and enjoys skateboarding and snow boarding. He likes to listen to music, spend time outdoors and hang out with his friends. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
BELFAST – Now that the school year has ended – early – SAD 34 board members and administrators hope for better times ahead. The board has proposed a $22.5 million spending plan for the 2006-07 year, up almost $2 million over this year’s budget, which… Read More
BANGOR – Penquis CAP is now accepting applications for its child care programs. Its Head Start and child care services are open to children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old, and the before-and-after school care program is open to children 5-8 years old. Year-round… Read More
BELFAST – Kiwanis Club of Waldo County is looking for donations for a July yard sale that will benefit the organization’s charities. Cindy McIntire of Swanville, president of the Kiwanis Chapter, said this week that the auction will be held July 21-22 on the front… Read More
SHERMAN – In 1883, memories of the Civil War and the soldiers who fought in it were still fresh. Today, those memories have faded, and history books, silent battlefields and memorabilia rekindle thoughts of the war between the states. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
HOULTON – A local business that keeps people moving has done some moving of its own. County Physical Therapy LLC confirmed earlier this week that it had moved its Houlton outpatient clinic to 4 North St. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
FORT KENT – Three men were charged with a variety of marijuana counts Thursday night after a police raid that netted marijuana, money, drug paraphernalia and one firearm. Several officers of the Fort Kent Police Department were involved in the operation. More arrests could be… Read More
HOULTON – As they toiled late last year and into 2006 to craft a “bare bones” budget, town councilors vowed to keep the mill rate as low as possible in order to keep cash in taxpayer pocketbooks. They scrimped and pinched last September to lower… Read More
CARIBOU – Two U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development grants of nearly $400,000 will go a long way to help northern Maine displaced workers get jobs. The Rural Business Enterprise grants to the City of Caribou and the Northern Maine Development Commission’s Northern Maine Finance… Read More
Ellsworth District Court Cases April 1-May 15, 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 () { //… Read More
OLD TOWN – A health care options workshop is being sponsored by the Penobscot County Transition Team for Georgia-Pacific Corp. millworkers who recently were laid off. Other members of the public also are welcome to attend this event, which will provide information on COBRA, MaineCare,… Read More
BLANCHARD TOWNSHIP – The Blanchard Preservation Society will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 20, in the Meeting House. Members will discuss the 175th anniversary of the township’s incorporation. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
GUILFORD – The district vote on the SAD 4 proposed budget will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, at Piscataquis Community Middle School. An informational meeting on the spending plan will be held before the vote at 6 p.m. in the same location. Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Volunteers are needed to be trained to serve Red Cross shelters in the event of a disaster. Tom Iverson, Piscataquis County Emergency Management Agency director, will hold a training session from 1 to 6 p.m. June 28 and 29 at the Milo bunker. Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – The Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce will unveil its new name at a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 21, at the Center Theatre. The chamber voted to change its name from the Southern Piscataquis County Chamber of Commerce on May 15. Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – A popular SAD 68 administrator will leave her post this summer after two years with the district. Marcia Boody, principal at Morton Avenue and Monson elementary schools, has accepted a position as director of the Maine Literacy Partnership at the University of Maine. Read More
LINCOLN – When Freda Nadeau of West Enfield opened Golden Girls restaurant last year, she had hopes of turning the long, boxlike building at the corner of West Broadway and River Road into a success. It didn’t happen. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
KENSINGTON, N.H. – Dozens of gleaming vintage cars including a 1940 Lincoln Zephyr Continental Cabriolet owned by Babe Ruth are going on the auction block this weekend at the farm of investor and philanthropist Michael Dingman. The former Ford Motor Co. director’s collection, most of… Read More
BANGOR – Political observers interested in competitive races may have to wait until the fall when it comes to Penobscot County, where candidates in all county office races are running unopposed. All six of the positions, which include the county’s top prosecutor and law enforcement… Read More
GUILFORD – Abbot residents submitted a petition on Thursday requiring SAD 4 officials to begin a process to amend the local education cost-sharing formula after earlier requests failed. The petition signed by 300 SAD 4 residents – mostly from Abbot – will spark a study… Read More
With 100 hikers covering four trails, the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter’s 11th annual Hike to End Homelessness is expected to be the largest turnout in the shelter’s history, reports BAHS executive director Dennis Marble. The hike is planned for Saturday, June 24, on Cadillac Mountain… Read More
BREWER – When talking about math, the eyes of many high school students glaze over, so Brewer High School leaders have decided to try something new and offer a hands-on approach to arithmetic. The Infinity Program starts at the high school in the fall and… Read More
OLD TOWN – The Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance has been awarded $63,000 in federal funds that will assist the nonprofit organization in a number of ways, according to Executive Director Theresa Secord. “We’re so excited,” she said Friday. “One of the reasons we wrote the… Read More
PORTLAND, Ore. – The state board of higher education on Friday chose Dr. Mary Cullinan as the new president of Southern Oregon University, ending a six-month search. Cullinan is provost and vice president for academic affairs at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Read More
BANGOR – The final adoption next week of the Penjajawoc Marsh overlay zone is the final step in a series of measures the city has taken to protect the ecologically sensitive Penjajawoc watershed from encroaching development. The adoption, which will involve adding the district to… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – The following divorces were granted in 13th District Court during April on grounds of irreconcilable differences: Kwan Y. Lee and Ukdae Lee, both of Williamsburg; married at Raymond, N.H., June 2, 1999. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
BANGOR – Kim Roberts realized she wanted to help victims of sexual violence when she was 16 years old. Growing up in Kentucky, Roberts read the book “Against Our Will” by Susan Brownmiller for a high school class. The book covered all aspects of sexual… Read More
BANGOR – The following are city meetings and other activities for the week ahead. All will be held in City Council chambers at City Hall unless otherwise indicated. . Monday: 5:45 p.m., City Council, executive session regarding negotiations with owners and tenants of permanent racino… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Attorney Doug Smith is seeking the state senate seat for District 27, representing all of Piscataquis County and parts of Somerset and Penobscot counties. The lifelong resident of Dover-Foxcroft, former probate judge, and tree farmer faces Joyce Perry, also of Dover-Foxcroft, in a… Read More
OLD TOWN – The city has received a request to allow construction of a new, expanded business in town, which is proposed to be located adjacent to the Sargent Corp., formerly known as H.E. Sargent Inc. But first residents must approve a zoning change that… Read More
SKOWHEGAN – A New Portland woman was ordered to perform 50 hours of community service for helping her daughter and two other teenage girls bake cookies laced with a laxative that were given to a teacher. Julie Hunt, 43, was charged with misdemeanor assault last… Read More
MILLINOCKET – It doesn’t look like Moscone Bantam Boiler Co. LLC will be opening a factory in the former Katahdin Paper Engineering and Research Facility, town officials said Friday. After months of negotiations, Robert Moscone and Medway businessman Richard Day Jr., who are pushing the… Read More
BANGOR – Almost a third of the way through its 2006 harness racing season, Bangor Raceway appears to be bucking a statewide trend for the better. Although total handle figures statewide are slightly down through April, those at the Bangor Historic Track at Bass Park… Read More
BUCKSPORT – Graduation was scheduled to begin four hours after the start of Friday afternoon’s Eastern Maine Class B quarterfinal, but Bucksport pitcher Terren Hall didn’t feel any need to rush through the game. It ended up being a quick contest anyway. That’s what happens… Read More
BAR HARBOR – Dr. Jerome Missel and his wife Rebecca of Woonsocket, R.I., wound up with an unusual prize during the Whited Ford Paul Bunyan Amateur Golf Tournament last year – a second home. “We had been looking on and off for a couple of… Read More
BANGOR – Bangor High School senior second baseman Ryan Jones isn’t your typical No. 9 hitter. Jones came into Friday night’s Eastern Maine Class A quarterfinal against Cony of Augusta hitting .300 and he belted a run-scoring triple to key a nine-run sixth inning that… Read More
COLLEGE NAC Winter/Spring All-Academic Honorees 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
FORT WORTH, Texas – Scarborough’s Ryan Moore finished 14th in the Sam’s Town 400 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway Friday night. Todd Bodine passed pole-sitter Mike Skinner on the last lap to take the checkered flag. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
GARDINER – Corey Cushing scattered seven hits while getting eight strikeouts and issuing two walks to lead the fifth-seeded Brewer Witches past the No. 4 Gardiner Tigers in Eastern Maine Class A quarterfinal baseball action Friday. Cushing and Mitch Peasley each singled and scored a… Read More
STACYVILLE – Keith Anderson hit a single and a grand slam to lead No. 3 seed and home team Katahdin past No. 6 Deer Isle-Stonington 8-2 in Eastern Maine Class D quarterfinal baseball action Friday. Senior right-hander Patrick Willett allowed two runs on two hits… Read More
The state high school team tennis championships originally scheduled today at Lewiston High School have been moved indoors to Portland’s Racket and Fitness Center on 2445 Congress Street. The state outdoor track and field championships will be held as scheduled at Bowdoin College in Brunswick… Read More
Watching the droplets run down the glass in my picture window, and seeing drips fall steadily from the roof eaves, I sighed and shook my head. Our region had just gotten over two full days of rain early in the week and now the weekend was into a… Read More
For the past five years, Justin Stevens has done plenty of field work as a biology specialist for the Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission. Come springtime, you’re not likely to see much of him. Unless, of course, you spend a lot of time deep in the… Read More
Moose lovers will flock to Greenville on June 17 to learn all about Maine’s largest land mammal. “Moose Tales” is both an educational event and the grand finale of MooseMainea month in the Moosehead Region. The program is sponsored by the Natural Resources Education Center… Read More
Everyone pictured in Monday’s paper looked a little soggy, didn’t they? There were wet Maine guides in wet canoes, wet dogs, wet runners, wet Soap Box Derby contestants, wet walkers at Acadia National Park, wet walkers in Machias’ Trails Day celebration, wet kids and monster… Read More
In the stark light, a crowd has formed at Jordan’s Snack Bar on U.S. Route 1 in Ellsworth. A vanilla ice cream cone, perched atop the plain white building with blue trim, beckons motorists. A row of yellow light bulbs glows above the takeout windows. Read More
Founded 53 years ago as the first TV station in Maine, Bangor’s WABI (TV 5) will take on a new look this fall. Well, that’s not entirely true. Longtime viewers will still receive the CBS, syndicated and local programming to which they had been accustomed… Read More
Everyone deserves the chance to find a love like Drew Barrymore’s in “Never Been Kissed.” The kind that makes you kick up your heel during that first smooch and embrace – and keeps you kicking up that heel for years to come. Now, four single… Read More
Moms have all the luck. On Mother’s Day, they’re showered with jewelry and chocolate, and the celebration usually includes some sort of champagne brunch. What do dads get? Ties. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
It is chili again. Actually, at this moment in the outside world, it is chilly as coastal Maine often is in June. So here is a warm-you-up chili for supper, or, if it is already warm when you get around to cooking this, put it on the hot… Read More
I hate the Yankees. I hate the Yankees. I hate the Yankees. Got that? 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()) {… Read More
“Black Hawk Down: Extended Cut”: Ridley Scott’s unflinching war movie, now padded with an unnecessary eight additional minutes, features one of the best re-enactments of man-to-man land combat captured in a movie. The film is about the real-life Battle of the Black Sea, the Oct. 3, 1993 U.S. Read More
“Even then this modest tree might pass unnoticed by many, appreciated by few. It belongs, something like the warbling vireo which eats the Pigeonberry’s fruit, to the class of subtle sylvan things little seen and even quite unheard of, by most people. It is most enjoyed by those… Read More