AUGUSTA – A somber ceremony led by the governor on the sun-drenched steps of Maine’s State House was among the observances across Maine on Monday that paid tribute to the victims and heroes of the Sept. 11 attacks five years ago. About 100 people gathered… Read More
BANGOR – Mahmoud El-Begearmi had hoped that five years after Sept. 11, 2001, Americans would understand that the terrorists who planned and executed the attacks were not representing the tenets of Islam. El-Begearmi, a retired Cooperative Extension professor at the University of Maine, said Monday… Read More
A Los Angeles Times story published in Monday’s paper gave historian J.S. Holliday’s World War II Navy rank as second lieutenant. He was an ensign. Read More
Stephen Schley, a Bangor resident and president of Pingree Associates Inc., a Bangor timber company, was elected chairman of the Maine Development Foundation’s board of directors at its annual meeting on Sept. 8. The Maine Development Foundation is a private, nonprofit corporation that promotes sustainable,… Read More
PORTLAND – The prospect of Maine’s first Hooters restaurant opening in downtown Portland has triggered a proposal for a 10-week moratorium on new formula eateries in the city’s historic Old Port and the nearby Arts District. Businesses that offer food or beverages with standardized features… Read More
A ballot initiative to combat “brain drain” – the loss of college graduates to other states – will be put forth Tuesday by a group looking to establish a substantial tax credit for Maine residents who earn a state college degree and stay in Maine after graduation. Read More
Back in July 2005, perhaps influenced by the media’s frenzied reporting of the “vengeful” outing of Valerie Plame, your editorial page and op-ed contributors took great delight in vilifying Bush administration officials for their shameful treatment of Joe Wilson and his wife. Now that it… Read More
In his op-ed of Sept. 8, Robert M. Sargent is correct to point out that most Jewish Americans are lukewarm at best toward Israel, and that Israel’s most zealous supporters are fundamentalist and evangelical Christians. He is on shakier ground when attributing control of American… Read More
I’ve been reading many articles describing the anguish and outrage in millions of seniors throughout America because they have fallen into the infamous Medicare Part D “doughnut hole,” where Medicare stops paying for prescription drugs when a person reaches an annual limit of $2,250 in drug expenses and… Read More
As the residents of Whitneyville are struggling with the decision of whether to vote yes or no to deorganize, I have been wondering if we are really being told everything about the consequences of becoming a deorganized town. At a recent special town meeting with… Read More
The Senate’s Select Committee on Intelligence last week presented details on what has been broadly assumed for years: Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction leading up to the 2003 war, no biological or chemical weapon stockpiles or programs and no link to 9-11. Had… Read More
Do you think Bangor needs more theater or live music? Are there enough performances but they’re too expensive? Do you think Bangor’s cultural scene is on track? No matter what your thoughts – or residence – Bangor wants to hear from you. The city is… Read More
We support the troops but not the war.” As a former career military man, it is difficult for me to understand just what the anti-war demonstrators actually mean by this statement. During the Vietnam War, we clearly knew just what millions of Americans thought of… Read More
Justin is gone; he went downriver to hang with the family. Yesterday was a luminous day. No rain, but we were shielded from the sun most of the day; hours on the water with an engaging task. When we came home, filet mignon with friends, followed by a… Read More
Being a middle-aged wingnut, I have been thinking a lot in the last few years about buying a motorcycle. OK, OK, I’m an ER doc thinking about a motorcycle, so that means I blew my brains out with my last sneeze. But I like the idea of its… Read More
HARTLAND – The mood in town was somber but nervous Monday, a day after the charred remains of two people were found in the rubble of a home on Vigue Road that burned to the ground on Sunday morning. “I’m just like everybody else in… Read More
INDIAN ISLAND – Focusing during his campaign on a self-sufficient economy for the tribe, Kirk E. Francis Sr. was elected Saturday the new chief of Penobscot Indian Nation. Francis received 373 votes, beating former Chief Barry Dana, who received 172 votes. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
AUGUSTA – A working group that is expected to follow up on a land deal expanding Baxter State Park convened Monday and immediately took up a more recent development – a 25,000-acre purchase nearby by conservationist Roxanne Quimby. Members of the ad hoc group brought… Read More
As America marked the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, community members in Eastport and beyond were noting the date as another anniversary, too – one centered on peace. The international peace movement celebrated Monday as 100 years of Mohandas Gandhi’s philosophy… Read More
ORONO – The University of Maine System has reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement with full-time faculty after 18 months of negotiations. Approved Monday by the UMS board of trustees, the two-year contract includes an 8 percent salary increase and modest increases to employees’ share… Read More
A nationwide survey released last month suggests that many parents who grew up in the era of sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll may have fried more brain cells back then than they realize. Either that, or they’re simply unwilling to learn from their own… Read More
DEXTER – The historic town hall used to be a former hub of activity until it fell into disrepair, a victim of budget cuts. Its value, however, has not been lost to those who see the building as an asset to the town and who… Read More
FRENCHVILLE – At least one former SAD 33 board member says it is time for the district to look at consolidating schools. Roland Paradis, a retired engineer, says that taxes are too high and that education costs in the small district are responsible. Paradis has… Read More
BLUE HILL – Citing a lack of funds, selectmen have notified the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department that they intend to terminate the contract that has kept a deputy in the town for the past three years. The notification is a requirement of the contract, which… Read More
BANGOR – City councilors unanimously agreed Monday night to condemn a small house on Larkin Street that has been vacant for at least 15 years. The councilor’s 9-0 vote to condemn 56 Larkin St. followed a public hearing during which Code Enforcement Officer Dan Wellington… Read More
A trip to the emergency room ended in arrest for a Bangor man Sunday evening. A call was made around 7 p.m. from Eastern Maine Medical Center saying a patient had assaulted the person who had brought him to the hospital. Officer Chris Desmond responded. Read More
The Maine Department of Transportation today is shutting down the rest area on Interstate 95 northbound, located about a mile south of the Somerset Avenue exit. According to Sanford Giles of the Maine DOT, the rest stop should reopen sometime on Thursday, Sept. 14. The purpose of the… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Applications are available today for small-artisan businesses that need financial help for an expansion or an upgrade, Dover-Foxcroft selectmen learned Monday. The town, with support of Piscataquis County commissioners, received a $100,000 state grant to help businesses that produce or sell an artistic… Read More
BURLINGTON – The Triangle Volunteer Fire Department’s station on Long Ridge Road is a no-frills affair, even for a volunteer effort. It has a cement floor, pressed-wood walls, one story and no significant office space. That’s why the department’s dozen volunteers are raising money for… Read More
BURLINGTON – A town woman suffered possible first-degree burns to her right hand when she put out a grease fire Monday morning in her Long Ridge home, firefighters said. The woman, whose name was not immediately available, was cooking in her kitchen around 11 a.m. Read More
CAMDEN – A man seen carrying marijuana plants into his apartment was arrested Saturday. Police Lt. Randy Gagne said Monday that police received a call about 3 p.m. Saturday from someone reporting that Tod Kendall, 49, of Mount Battie Street had allegedly been seen harvesting… Read More
BAR HARBOR – The Bar Harbor Whale Museum presents a talk by Sarah Mercedes Boucher about the seabirds of the Gulf of Maine at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, at the museum on 22 West St. There will be a 30-minute period after the presentation… Read More
CALAIS – The St. Croix Valley Amateur Radio Club will hold its annual Hamfest from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Alexander School field. Food and drink will be available for sale, along with ham radio gear and other electronic equipment. Read More
MORRILL – Two teenage boys charged with stealing four all-terrain vehicles last month were caught Sunday trying to steal two more. Waldo County Chief Deputy Robert Keating said Monday that the two 15-year-olds were caught by the owner of one of the four-wheelers. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
CALAIS – Washington County Community College for Seniors has announced its schedule for the fall 2006 semester. To register or get more information, call WCCC Continuing Education Division at 454-1013, or e-mail vashby@wccc.me.edu or scassidy@wcc.me.edu. The cost for each course is $5 and there may be extra material… Read More
LUBEC – Lane restrictions and road closures should be expected through the end of October along Route 191 in Trescott Township and Lubec. The state Department of Transportation will be replacing a large drainage pipe off the Boot Cove Road, at the point where the… Read More
WARREN – SAD 40 has announced the appointment of a new director of student services. Karen Etheridge of Round Pond was shifted to the administrative position July 1, after having served 10 years with the district as a special education teacher at Union Elementary School. Read More
ROCKLAND – A Rockport woman cleaning house for a Rockland couple was arrested Friday for allegedly stealing the elderly man’s prescribed drugs and for attempting to refill his prescription. Lorrie Flaherty, 39, was arrested on one felony count of theft of drugs and one count… Read More
EAST MACHIAS – The state Department of Transportation has announced that traffic will be restricted on the Jacksonville Bridge, on Route 191, starting Tuesday. The bridge will be restricted to one lane so that workers can extend the life of the bridge. Read More
ROCKLAND – An Edgecomb woman is suing Midcoast Recreation Center in Rockport for allegedly suffering injuries two years ago when she fell at the Route 90 ice skating rink. In a lawsuit filed Sept. 8 in Knox County Superior Court by attorney Alison Wholey Mynick… Read More
NEWPORT – The combination of the proposed Taxpayer Bill of Rights on this November’s referendum and the governor’s Essential Programs and Services programming, which will not completely raise the level of state assistance with local school funding until 2009, has school superintendents reeling. “It’s like… Read More
ORLAND – Work has been completed on the new Orland town office building, and the municipal officers and staff are ready to move into the new space. The town office will shut down operations for three days this week to make the move into the… Read More
HOULTON – The Houlton Rotary Club has set its sights on raising money to benefit the Houlton Community Arts Center, and club members are appealing to area businesses to help them do it. The collective announced last week that it had begun work on the… Read More
HOULTON – Shauna Johnston, a teenager from Mapleton, wanted to go on a major shopping spree. Smyrna resident Ian Pasquarelli wanted to soak up the sun in Hawaii. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner =… Read More
HOULTON – The town is moving forward on a project that will revamp part of the 102-year-old Cary Library now that a discussion about how to fund the project has been settled. During a recent meeting, town councilors accepted a $9,330 bid from Harville Painting… Read More
BELFAST – A former payroll clerk at tent maker Moss Inc. has been charged with embezzling $17,216 in company funds. Mishelle Lawrence, 35, of Brooks was charged with theft after a brief investigation. She has been fired from her job, Police Chief Jeffrey Trafton said… Read More
MACHIAS – The University of Maine at Machias will host a forum on sustainable energy alternatives for Washington County at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18. Free and open to the public, the event takes place in the Portside Meeting Room of Kimball Hall. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
CAMDEN – A consultant hired by the town is working to transform the Ragged Mountain Recreation Area into a four-season attraction. A public session has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Camden Snow Bowl lodge building on the site off Hosmer Pond Road. Read More
ROCKLAND – City councilors unanimously denied renewal Monday of a five-year automobile recycling permit for Mid-Coast Auto Sales, located on U.S. Route 1. Owner Ruben Tuttle, who has been in business for 25 years there, must bring his automobile recycling business into compliance with applicable… Read More
Belfast District Court Cases July 31-Aug. 4, 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
BREWER – After collecting turkeys and pasta for several years to feed the hungry and raising funds last year for Hurricane Katrina victims, the local Cumulus Broadcasting company was named on Saturday as Brewer’s Business of the Year. Cumulus account executive Chris Popper accepted the… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Without a single question or comment, Pittsfield planners Monday night approved a proposal by Maine Central Institute to renovate a former staff residence across from the main campus into an honor student dormitory. MCI representatives had provided enough information at a planning board… Read More
BREWER – The Brewer school committee revised a 15-year-old policy on harassment and sexual harassment of students, and held the first reading of three other proposed policies covering harassment of school employees, evaluating staff and use of timeout areas and therapeutic restraint. “I don’t like… Read More
ENFIELD – Three men forced their way into a Dodlin Road home early Monday morning, brandished a weapon and robbed a man and woman living there, assaulting them before they left, according to an investigator. “We have a number of leads and we are following… Read More
VEAZIE – Police arrested a Lincoln man during the weekend and summoned four other people with him after a traffic stop turned confrontational. Sgt. Keith Emery of the Veazie Police Department stopped a minivan on State Street about 1:20 a.m. Saturday for speeding. After it… Read More
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK – Rangers rescued a climber Sunday afternoon after he became stuck while free-climbing on the cliffs near Great Head Trail. According to Ranger Richard Rechholtz, Nate Perry, 24, of Exeter, N.H., had hiked down to the bottom of the cliffs with friends… Read More
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK – Much has been accomplished with fee revenue that the federal park has been able to keep over the past several years, Acadia officials told the park’s advisory commission Monday. That’s why even though the park’s visitation figures are projected to be… Read More
AUGUSTA – Eleven gubernatorial nominees won approval Monday at a Senate confirmation session called primarily to fill a state ethics commission vacancy. Leading the list was the confirmation of Michael Friedman of Bangor, who had been recommended for a position on the Maine Commission on… Read More
HERMON – The town has received a community planning grant to research extending public water and sewer into the village area. At the beginning of September, town officials were told their request for funds was granted, receiving $10,000 from the state for the project. The… Read More
Just as they were for many throughout the world, the terrorist attacks five years ago were a life-changing event for Earl Bierman. Bierman, a Sorrento volunteer firefighter and member of the Legislature, was at ground zero Monday to take part in the ceremony honoring those… Read More
SCARBOROUGH – A Westbrook man whose car collided with a bus carrying the University of Southern Maine’s men’s cross-country team has died of injuries. Michael Churchill, 20, who died Sunday at Maine Medical Center in Portland, was one of eight people injured in the crash… Read More
TRENTON – A Franklin man crashed his car and died Monday after a fatal medical condition apparently caused him to drive off Route 3 near the Ellsworth city line, police said. Police did not release the man’s name Monday afternoon because they had yet to… Read More
BANGOR – A convicted sex offender from Houlton pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District Court to possessing child pornography on his cell phone. Joshua Dunston, 27, appears to be the first person in the state to face federal charges for using his cell phone to… Read More
NEWPORT – The Vic Firth Manufacturing Corp. of Newport and Boston is up and running after a fire and explosion Friday night, Michael Gold, manager, said Monday. The fire heavily damaged a storage building, which Gold said was about 20 by 20 feet square and… Read More
ST. ALBANS – A seven-year battle over the taking of a landowner’s property by eminent domain could be over in the wake of the Maine law court’s denial of an appeal on the matter. Gary Jordan, whose land borders Town Landing Road, appealed a recent… Read More
UNITY – There are no midways, fast food or games of chance at Common Ground Fair, the state’s largest alternative fair. Instead hundreds of activities take place on the fairgrounds spacious fields, in the gardens and farmyard, as well in several exhibition halls, all celebrating… Read More
A young black woman who was assaulted with words and kicks over the weekend in Hancock County was the victim of a hate crime, police said, and they’re taking it seriously. “This is almost unheard of here. I’ve been a trooper [in Hancock County] for… Read More
BOSTON – The 1st U.S. District Court of Appeals will consider today the appeal of an Alton man serving a 21-year sentence in federal prison for drug dealing. William Leland, 50, is asking the court to allow him to withdraw his guilty plea and stand… Read More
PARIS – A jail inmate accused of killing and mutilating four people in a Labor Day weekend killing spree seemed to be enjoying his notoriety and laughed about news accounts, according to another inmate. Ryan Brown, who was allegedly attacked Friday by Christian Nielsen at… Read More
The Maine Department of Transportation on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 12-13, will install wire loops in the pavement on the east end of the Veterans Remembrance Bridge on Interstate 395, according to Pete Pelletier of the DOT’s traffic engineering section. Traffic will be restricted to a single lane… Read More
CUSHING – Elisabeth Ogilvie, a prolific author best known for her colorful portrayals of Maine coastal and island life, died Saturday at her home in this midcoast town, 10 days after suffering a stroke. She was 89. A Boston native who vacationed in Maine and… Read More
The Maine Department of Transportation on Monday closed Green Point Road from the intersection of Wilson Street to the intersection of Dirigo Drive for approximately two weeks. Traffic to local businesses will remain open for this period. Those with concerns related to the project can contact Jeff Hand… Read More
DUBLIN, N.H. – The Old Farmer’s Almanac is on the newsstands again, predicting not just the weather but also the outcome of dinner dates with more down-to-earth research on pizza toppings. Believers will prepare for a colder and snowier than normal winter in much of… Read More
CARIBOU – Monday was a morning in northern Maine when motorists were scrambling to remember where they stored that windshield scraper last spring, and those with uncovered annual flowers and vegetables were saying goodbye to them. It wasn’t bad enough to harm the potato crop,… Read More
Nessa Burns Reifsnyder sat in the living room of her grandparents’ home in Millinocket one September night in 1972. She was just 8 – a third-grader – but she would have been allowed to stay up late that night. The lights in the room were turned down low,… Read More
I live in an old house with wavy floors and walls that aren’t straight. I wouldn’t have it any other way. But why I was content to live for more years than I care to say with the back of a bathroom door that looked like it had… Read More
Clark Cole received two meaningful phone calls this weekend as news spread of his Bangor Christian girls soccer team’s 4-2 win over Lee Friday afternoon. One came from David Palmer, the former coach of the Patriots, congratulating Cole and the team on recording the first… Read More
BANGOR – The Bucksport High football team is a work in progress, according to its coach, and on Monday night the Golden Bucks made progress – eventually. Bucksport shook off four lost fumbles during the first half to pull away from John Bapst of Bangor… Read More
ORONO – Entering the off-season, Michel Leveille felt his chances of returning to Orono for a fifth year were “50-50.” The University of Maine men’s hockey center had earned his degree in communications, with a minor in public relations. He planned to wait and see… Read More
As the seasons change from spring to summer to fall, so do the tactics Dan Legere uses to tempt the Moosehead Lake region’s trout and salmon. During the peak of the early season, Legere scans the horizon from the middle seat of his drift boat,… Read More
I’ve been giving a lot of thought to heroes lately, more than usual, actually. In our society, especially, athletic heroes abound. Some assume these roles well, while others shy away from the attention. They wish to only live their lives, play the games they love,… Read More
Rudy Reuttiger, whose struggles to realize his dream of playing football at the University of Notre Dame were the inspiration for the 1993 movie “Rudy,” will give an inspirational and motivational speech next week at the University of Maine. Admission is free to hear Reuttiger,… Read More
HERMON – Bob Denner of Bangor rolled a 300 game at the Sports Arena in Hermon Monday night. Denner, 70, scored 704 for the series in the Monday Late Comers League. Read More
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Beautiful fall is here and the football season that comes with it, especially the joy of a Saturday afternoon at a college game. With tongue in cheek, but not by much, my favorite top 10 college football sayings that will be repeated often this season. Read More
Ask Portland Sea Dogs manager Todd Claus what the turning point in the 2006 season was for his club, and he’ll have a surprising answer. “It was after our 10-game losing streak,” Claus said without hesitation Monday afternoon, while waiting for the team’s air flight… Read More
The University of Maine football team experienced highs and lows in its season-opening 34-14 loss to No. 8 Youngstown State but came out of the contest believing it has the potential to be successful. “This football team competed real hard,” said UMaine head coach Jack… Read More
BAILEYVILLE – Chad James scored three goals and assisted on two to lead the Woodland boys soccer team to a 5-0 high school victory over Narraguagus Monday. Jeremy Burke tallied a goal and an assist, Cody Sappier added a goal, and Matt Smith chipped in… Read More
EAST MILLINOCKET – Emily Bartlett scored the game-winning goal on a Keegan Hovey assist to lead the Houlton girls soccer team to a 1-0 high school victory over Schenck Monday. Bethany Targonski made five saves on six shots for the 3-4-1 Shiretowners. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
DEXTER – Meagan Curtis scored with 1:06 remaining in the first overtime to lift Orono to a 3-2 high school girls soccer victory over Dexter on Monday. Emily Balaban-Garber scored a goal and assisted on Wesley Osterhout’s goal for the 2-1-1 Red Riots. Brittany Pinkham… Read More