WASHINGTON – The Senate voted unanimously on Thursday to tighten security at U.S. seaports by scanning nearly all incoming cargo for nuclear weapons or “dirty bombs.” The bill, approved 98-0 in a pre-election push on national defense, would increase safeguards on the rail systems that… Read More
AUGUSTA – While Maine is doing more to invest in research and development to bolster its economy, members of a legislative committee were told the state is still well short of a goal set a decade ago. “We wanted to move Maine to somewhere in… Read More
PORTLAND – Maine’s major gubernatorial candidates agreed Thursday that global warming is a problem and that the state needs more diverse energy sources in the future. But in a departure from his rivals, Republican Chandler Woodcock said he isn’t supportive of wind energy projects in… Read More
A misty rain added bite to the morning air as fish biologist Fred Trasko, standing on the muddy banks of the Penobscot River in Bradley, watched some of his hard work fly away in the talons of a hungry osprey. Maine’s two federal fish hatcheries… Read More
WASHINGTON – A rebellious Senate committee defied President Bush on Thursday and approved terror-detainee legislation he has vowed to block, deepening Republican conflict over terrorism and national security in the middle of the election season. Republican Sen. John Warner of Virginia, normally a Bush supporter,… Read More
In the Well-Being section Thursday, columnist Katherine Heidinger transposed the first names of television newsmen Chet Huntley and David Brinkley. Read More
WASHINGTON – An outbreak of E. coli in eight states has left at least one person dead and 50 others sick, federal health officials said Thursday in warning consumers not to eat bagged fresh spinach. The death occurred in Wisconsin, where 20 others were also… Read More
PORTLAND – A federal judge Thursday denied a gubernatorial candidate’s request that he be placed on the ballot with the moniker “People’s Hero” in front of his name. Phillip Morris NaPier of Windham argued before District Judge Brock Hornby on Wednesday that he legally changed… Read More
BATH – Bath Iron Works broke with the past practice of consulting with the machinist union beforehand when it announced the layoffs of 30 workers, the union president said. The union is disappointed that it was not consulted, Local S6 President Mike Keenan said. In… Read More
Thank you so much for your “Recovery Works” series. It is important for people to realize that anyone can become chemically dependent. The pathways to recovery are as varied and unique as the individuals who follow them. There is no right or wrong way to recover. Read More
Getting people interested in storm water is draining. Several communities in the Bangor area have teamed up to educate people about storm water and the pollution it carries to rivers, lakes and oceans to get homeowners and others to think of the consequences before using pesticides on their… Read More
Because the Small Business Administration loaned money to ineligible companies and kept poor records for a special disaster loan program set up to help businesses hurt by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Sen. Olympia Snowe has proposed creation of a private disaster loan program run by banks to… Read More
I am responding to Tarren Bragdon’s Aug. 30 commentary on Maine’s health care, and to the Sept. 2 response by Ana Hicks. I am a retired general surgeon who practiced community surgery in Plymouth Mass., for 32 years. As you might expect, I have some… Read More
When suggesting that readers go to look up information for themselves to prove the truth of assertions the writer makes in a letter to the editor, it would be prudent to make sure the information to be found actually supports the assertions made. Ron J. Stauble Sr. of… Read More
Maine residents: Beware! Your land is not yours to do with as you want. If a municipality wants it, they can take it by eminent domain. According to state statutes, Title 23, Section 3023, certain conditions must exist before taking; but apparently the town of… Read More
AUGUSTA – Republican candidates for the Maine House of Representatives, in a biennial rite of autumn, gathered at the State House on Thursday to assert that it is time to change the balance of power in the 151-member House chamber. Current leaders of the minority… Read More
NEWPORT – James Seward, 51, of Exeter pleaded not guilty on Wednesday in 3rd District Court to a driving to endanger charge after a nine-month investigation into a fatal accident in Corinth. Penobscot County District Attorney Christopher Almy said Thursday that the charge stemmed from… Read More
In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Week, the Maine Youth Suicide Prevention Program was honored at a special Blaine House Tea on Wednesday in Augusta. Program officials used the event to introduce a new Internet resource and to present information about a three-year suicide prevention… Read More
MOUNT DESERT – A court-appointed guardian of Brooke Astor, who with her late husband’s family wealth donated hundreds of millions of dollars to organizations she believed in and became the grand dame of New York high society, is questioning the process by which her daughter-in-law acquired Astor’s former… Read More
ST. ANDREWS, New Brunswick – U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard boats, helicopters and airplanes, along with emergency personnel from both sides of the international border, took part in a disaster exercise Wednesday involving some 150 people. The “injured” were ferried to boat landings in Robbinston… Read More
Hancock County District Attorney Michael Povich certainly has his role to play as he begins the process of deciding what charges if any to file against a Franklin man alleged to have assaulted a pregnant black woman last weekend. Tom Harnett, assistant attorney general in… Read More
LIMESTONE – The annual meeting of the Loring Area J Workforce Investment Board has been rescheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Loring Job Corps ballroom. There will be a welcome and introduction of members and guests, several presentations by guest speakers, and… Read More
CORINTH – A state fire investigator concluded Thursday that a fire that destroyed a farm storage barn was accidental and most likely was caused by an electrical malfunction. “The building’s electrical system cannot be ruled out as the cause of the fire,” Sgt. Tim York… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – County, town and police officials are expected to discuss ways in which law enforcement coverage can be shared in a cost-effective manner among local resources when Piscataquis County commissioners next week hold their annual meeting on protection. Each year, the commissioners moderate a… Read More
Penobscot County Superior Court 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
Rockland District Court Cases Aug. 21-27, 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
MEDWAY – An informant’s last-minute tip led police to seize more than 10 pounds of largely unprocessed marijuana, 621/2 80-milligram OxyContin pills, and a shotgun. They also arrested five men in connection with drug trafficking late Tuesday, police said Thursday. Delbert Harding, 29, of Medway… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Husson College is getting a new home in northern Maine after the presidents of Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle and the Bangor college signed a partnership agreement Thursday afternoon at NMCC. The “precedent-setting” agreement – the first of its kind… Read More
MILO – Much has changed since 1995 when Milo residents voted down an offer extended by Hospital Administrative District 4 to join the district that operates Mayo Regional Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft. The opportunity once again will be presented to local residents at a special town… Read More
MADAWASKA – Residents approved changes to the Madawaska zoning code Tuesday night at a 90-minute special town meeting. Nearly 200 residents attended the session at Madawaska High School. Four proposed changes were scrutinized before the meeting ended. A large number of people had also attended… Read More
BANGOR – Bail was set Thursday for the second of three suspects in Monday’s armed robbery of an Enfield couple, while the search for the third man continued. Scott Lord, 41, of Enfield has been charged with robbery. After his appearance in 3rd District Court… Read More
The crisis in the Middle East will be the topic discussed by three panelists at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, at the Peace & Justice Center of Eastern Maine, 170 Park St. in Bangor. Panelists will be Imad Durra and Wassim Mazraany, who were born… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – The Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the second in a series of meetings titled “Coffee With the Candidates” at 7 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, at Mayo Regional Hospital in the conference room. The guest speaker will be state Senate candidate Sharon Libby-Jones of Greenville. Read More
The Maine Highlands Guild will sponsor a workshop on promoting businesses through media and advertising 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, at the Penquis Higher Education Center. Ben Bragdon, editor of the Moosehead Messenger weekly newspaper and staff member of Up North magazine, will present the… Read More
BREWER – The Brewer Senior Citizens Club meets 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursdays at Brewer Auditorium. The club gatherings are free. Members play bridge, dominoes and other games. The group also holds a pot-luck lunch monthly. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
HUDSON – Hudson Grange 457 will celebrate its 100th birthday at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Town Hall. Guests will include Steve Verrill, master of the Maine State Grange, state Rep. Bob Duchesne, D-Hudson, and state Sen. Elizabeth Schneider, D-Orono. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
BUCKSPORT – The nonprofit corporation formed to convert the Gardner Middle School building to elderly housing will pay the town an annual fee in lieu of taxes. Town councilors recently approved an agreement with Gardner Commons under which the housing project will pay an annual… Read More
Rockland District Court Cases Aug. 28-Sept. 11, 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
ELLSWORTH – At least 15 retail buildings, including a 200,000-square-foot anchor store, are planned for the city’s Myrick triangle district, and the developers are primed to dive head first into the project next week. Project manager Jeff Curley of W/S Development Associates admitted he doesn’t… Read More
BELFAST – Medical thriller author Tess Gerritsen will be at the Fertile Mind Bookshop today to sign her latest novel, “Mephisto Club.” The signing will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15. Mephisto Club is the sixth in the popular Jane Rizzoli… Read More
CAMDEN – The kayaker who drowned in Megunticook Lake on Wednesday was identified by police Thursday as Paul Thorndike, 77, of Camden. Camden police Lt. Randy Gagne said Thorndike lived during the summer months in a camp on the lake, which has been in the… Read More
Rockport and Camden are once again exploring merging police departments. The issue has been on and off the table since as far back as 1997. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var… Read More
WINTERVILLE – The results of a special election for a selectman’s seat Tuesday remained in limbo Thursday awaiting information from the secretary of state on absentee ballots. The preliminary results – J. David Sullivan with 47 votes and Tanya Soucy with 38 – could change. Read More
Two northern Maine natives, one from Caribou, the other from Madawaska, have been named interns in Sen. Susan Collins’ office in Washington this fall. Katherine Gerard of Madawaska and Ian S. Swanberg of Caribou will be working in Washington, D.C. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
LIMESTONE – The Loring Development Authority signed a new lease with a company operating on the Loring Commerce Centre, said goodbye to a trustee, welcomed a new trustee, and elected officers Wednesday. Hydroblend Inc., a maker of dry-blended food ingredients used by McCain Foods Inc. Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Enrollment is up by seven students in SAD 1, and while that contributes to a slight upward trend in the last three years, officials said the numbers they’re keeping a close eye on are at the elementary school level. Superintendent Gehrig Johnson… Read More
BANGOR – If the June primaries were the dress rehearsal, the November elections will be the actual show. Though almost two months remain before Election Day, staff from the city clerk’s office already is at work on helping to prepare voters for the first big… Read More
Dover-Foxcroft District Court 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
The following names will appear on the Nov. 7 municipal election ballot. For the City Council, the seats of Lisa Morin and Donna Ketchen are open, both three-year terms. Neither councilor decided to run for re-election. The council candidates are: Valerie Carr-Winocour, Warren Morgan, James Dufour, Alan Stormann… Read More
The selectman candidate who contested last Friday’s special election results has dropped his dispute. Wayne Allard said he originally contested the election because write-in candidate Don Carroll won the election, and he did not think all voters completed the requirements for a write-in vote. Many voters did not… Read More
An Air France plane flying from Paris to New York was diverted Thursday morning to Bangor International Airport when a pregnant woman on board began experiencing labor pains, Tony Caruso, BIA assistant director, said Thursday. The plane was parked on the international flight pad, and rescue workers removed… Read More
An appropriation and a housekeeping matter will need voter attention at a special town meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, in the town hall. Residents will be asked to appropriate up to $20,500 from surplus to pay for unanticipated training and equipment costs for the Police Department,… Read More
A Bangor man was arrested for operating under the influence of intoxicants and operating after suspension when he allegedly hit a box truck near Bangor International Airport and fled the scene just before 6 p.m. Wednesday. No one was hurt in the crash, but Bangor… Read More
BANGOR – A city advisory group charged with balancing environmental and economic interests near the Bangor Mall and Penjajawoc watershed issued some initial recommendations Thursday regarding Wal-Mart’s plans to build a Supercenter off Stillwater Avenue. The recommendations, which address traffic movement and environmental considerations, came… Read More
BANGOR – It’s time for older Mainers and others at increased risk for developing pneumonia to get their annual vaccine, and on Monday morning, they can get it for free. The Penobscot Community Health Center on Union Street will host a drive-through pneumonia vaccine clinic… Read More
MACHIAS – Constitution Day – initiated 10 years ago as a way to refamiliarize the public with the U.S. Constitution – will be celebrated across the country on Monday, Sept. 18. The University of Maine at Machias will present its program the evening before, on… Read More
ROCKLAND – Allegations that two city councilors questioned nonmanagement workers at the local rail station have stirred up a ruckus. It began Sept. 3 when Councilors Hal Perry and Adele Faber allegedly showed up at the station and started asking nonmanagement workers “probing and accusatory”… Read More
Taxing Maine, the traveling theatrical performance backed by the Maine Humanities Council, will have four free shows Down East this month and next. Through different historical characters, humor, facts and thought-provoking stories, Taxing Maine explores what taxes mean for Maine communities, the state government, the… Read More
BELFAST – Spanning 1,000 feet of the Passagassawaukeag River, a restored version of the bridge that carried U.S. Route 1 traffic from the 1920s to the 1960s will be celebrated this weekend. For the past 40 years, tourists and townspeople have zoomed across a vastly… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – The community has reaped its first benefit from the town’s designation as one of three Preserve America Communities in the state. A $50,000 grant request from the Center Theatre for the Performing Arts, in the pipeline since last year to fund a light… Read More
WHITNEYVILLE – Residents of this Washington County town voted 52 to 46 Thursday to halt the process of deorganizing and becoming a township. The vote was held at the Hillgrove Community Building. It began at 6 p.m. and ended at 7:20 p.m., according to Town… Read More
BANGOR – Bill Ames, chairman of the history department at Bangor High School, was put on the spot last year when he attended a meeting of Latin American educators in Colombia. “Why is it that the only thing Americans think about us is that we’re… Read More
CAPE ELIZABETH – The Coast Guard ended its search for a missing lobsterman Thursday, but state and local agencies continued the recovery effort. The decision was made to end the search and rescue operation at 11:14 a.m. pending further developments, said Paul Conner, a Coast… Read More
HARTLAND – No further information will be provided about the deaths of two people on Sunday morning in a Hartland fire until positive identifications are made, Maine Department of Public Safety spokesman Stephen McCausland said Thursday. “That could be Friday or Monday,” he said. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
Mainers affected by substance abuse or addiction may want to participate in the second annual Maine Walks for Recovery celebration in Augusta on Saturday. The event coincides with similar public awareness campaigns across the country, reflecting a growing trend to bring the traditionally hushed-up issues… Read More
GREENVILLE – The Department of Environmental Protection has given municipal officials three years in which to file a landfill closure plan. Groundwater contamination is the crux for the push to close the grandfathered landfill, which has an estimated life of 30 more years. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
Seventeen Maine Army National Guard soldiers took their oath of enlistment while standing Sunday on the 50-yard line of Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., during half-time of the New England Patriots game, Capt. Shanon Cotta, public affairs officer for the Maine Army National Guard, said Thursday. Maine’s soldiers… Read More
Two local women were injured Thursday in a rear-end collision on Route 15. Wanda Weymouth, 52, of Abbot had slowed down to turn into a driveway near the Guilford-Abbot town line at about 8 a.m. when a vehicle driven by Ramona Smith, 33, of Abbot collided with the… Read More
EASTPORT- The first Eastport Fly-In will begin at 10 a.m. and continue throughout the day Saturday at Flagg Field at the Eastport Municipal Airport. There will be airplane rides, a visit by a Coast Guard helicopter, Civil Air Patrol planes will fly in, a surf… Read More
BELFAST – A microenterprise training course, “Incubator Without Walls,” will be offered 6-9 p.m. every other Wednesday beginning Oct. 4 at Belfast Area High School. MaineStream Finance, in cooperation with WEB, Belfast Adult and Community Education and Waldo Community Action Partners, is sponsoring the course. Read More
JONESBORO – The Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District will present “Ag in the Classroom” training from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Blueberry Experimental Station on Route 1. Training is open to any interested teachers and participants will receive a… Read More
MACHIAS – Maine Attorney General Steven Rowe will be the keynote speaker for the annual meeting of The Next Step Domestic Violence Project at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 27, at Helen’s Restaurant in Machias. He will be speaking on the topic of “A Community Response to Domestic Violence.”… Read More
The Maine Coastal Program at the State Planning Office has announced that the 20th annual Coastweek will be held Sept. 16 – Sept. 23. Coastweek 2006 will start with the Coastal Cleanup Sept. 16, at several locations along the coast. Every year, more than 2,000… Read More
HARRINGTON – A meeting of anyone interested in the continued maintenance and preservation of Rock Maple Cemetery will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Narraguagus High School. Read More
The news this week that the SAD 3 board of directors has approved football as a school-sponsored activity at Mount View High School in Thorndike represents the latest step in the growth spurt the sport is experiencing throughout Maine. Mount View is unlikely to field… Read More
Barring a two-minute drill that would impress even Tom Brady, former Adelphia and Comcast cable television subscribers will be tackled for a loss this weekend. Today is the Federal Communications Commission-imposed deadline for both the NFL Network and Time Warner Inc., to negotiate a deal… Read More
Week 3 of the high school football season features another test for Bangor and a big game on Mount Desert Island. Brunswick Dragons (1-0) vs. Bangor Rams (2-0), 7 p.m. Friday, Cameron Stadium, Bangor: This game matches two strong front lines working in front of… Read More
DEXTER – For undefeated teams, there’s nothing sweeter than adding another win to your record. And when the win comes against your rival, which was also undefeated coming into the game? Well, that’s just the tops. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
ORONO – Early on during his freshman season in high school, Mike DeVito wasn’t sure he wanted to play football. Nauset Regional High School, on the lower end of Cape Cod, had recently brought back its football program and DeVito didn’t sense much enthusiasm for… Read More
The Pro All-Stars Series’ Super Late Models Northern Division will be racing Saturday at the White Mountain Motorsports Park in North Woodstock, N.H. The heat races leading up to the 150-lap feature will begin at 5:30 p.m. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL At Katahdin CC, Milo, par 36 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
Ryan Moore of Scarborough is used to contending for victories on the racetrack. He won two races and had eight top-five finishes in 12 starts in the Busch North Series a year ago and wound up fifth in points despite missing one race due to… Read More
CALAIS – Nathan O’Neil scored three goals to lead the undefeated Calais Blue Devils to an 8-1 high school boys soccer victory over the Jonesport-Beals Royals Thursday. John Deacon added a goal and two assists while Jeremy Carr had one goal and one assist. Corey… Read More
FORT FAIRFIELD – Sadie Ayoob scored the game-winning goal with 1:09 left in the second overtime to lift the Fort Fairfield Tigers to a 3-2 high school girls soccer victory over the Hodgdon Hawks Thursday. Caitlyn Esancy scored a goal and grabbed an assist while… Read More
NEWPORT – Andrew Richardson scored two first-half goals to lead the Brewer Witches to a 5-1 schoolboy soccer victory over the Nokomis Warriors Thursday. Aaron Saunders, Shun Sasaki and Danny Neil each scored a goal. Marc Relford recorded two assists while Lucas Simmons had one. Read More
FARMINGTON – The University of Southern Maine rallied for two unanswered goals in the second half en route to a 3-2 men’s soccer victory over the University of Maine at Farmington on Thursday. Chris Lapointe scored off a cross from David Rowe at 77:31 to… Read More
ORONO – Some of the greatest players and coaches ever to wear a Black Bears baseball uniform will gather in the Bangor area beginning today as part of the University of Maine Baseball Weekend. The event will feature a Saturday morning ceremony to retire the… Read More
Editor’s Note: In Sound Advice, veteran BDN entertainment writer Dale McGarrigle, rock columnist Emily Burnham, former British music writer Adam Corrigan and a revolving stable of BDN writers review new albums from across the musical spectrum. “Return to Cookie Mountain” (Interscope) – TV on the… Read More
The traveling part of America’s pop-cultural phenomenon comes to Maine next week, when the “American Idols Live” tour arrives in Portland for a 7 p.m. show Thursday, Sept. 21, at the Cumberland County Civic Center. Taylor Hicks, the 2006 “American Idol” winner, and runner-up Katharine… Read More
Liza Minnelli, star of stage and screen, will perform 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Maine Center for the Arts. NEWS reporter Alicia Anstead chatted with her this week about music, marriage and hats. Minnelli’s voice was breathy and cheerful. 1. What are your… Read More
When a band is named after the horn that the Norse god Heimdall blows to announce the apocalyptic battle Ragnarok, it’s best not to expect them to play lighthearted pop music. Far from it: Gjallarhorn (pronounced “ya-lare-horn”) is a Finnish quartet that plays modernized versions… Read More
In theaters HOLLYWOODLAND, directed by Allen Coulter, written by Paul Bernbaum, 126 minutes, rated R. 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
Rocking for a good cause. Now that sounds like something we can all get behind. There are two great showcases this month benefiting two very worthy organizations in the area – the Maine affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the R.E.A.C.H. Read More