CASTLE HILL – When family members talk about Cpl. Dustin J. Libby, they talk about the man he became. They say he went from teenage “hellion” to a man with a purpose in the U.S. Marine Corps, and now he has become a hero. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
BANGOR – A 1999 Bangor High School graduate who was a member of the school’s Junior ROTC program became the latest Iraq war casualty from Maine late last week when he was killed by a roadside bomb. Army Staff Sgt. James Kristofer Ciraso, 26, was… Read More
PORTLAND – The man charged with fatally shooting the 13-year-old son of his live-in girlfriend had experienced bouts of mental illness, leading to repeated hospital stays and a growing sense of delusion and paranoia. Todd Curry, 39, had an almost idyllic childhood, sailing and surfing… Read More
AUGUSTA – Programs affecting state government and individual Mainers are in legislative limbo with Congress adjourning and spending bills for most of government dying with the crack of the gavel ending the session. “The CR [continuing resolution] allows spending at last year’s levels, but that… Read More
The United States consumes about 150 billion gallons of gasoline per year and produces about 5 billion gallons of ethanol. It takes 1.5 gallons of ethanol to provide the energy in 1 gallon of gasoline. One ton of corn yields about 100 gallons of ethanol. Read More
Dear Jim: I stayed in a hotel that had warm-water radiant floor heating, and it was very comfortable. Is it possible to install this type of heating in my own home, and is it as energy-efficient as a furnace? – Josh T. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
The holiday season is fast upon us, be it Hanukkah, Christmas or Kwanzaa. It is a joyous time with family and friends and traditional ceremonies reaching far back in time. Sadly, the holidays bring out droves of scam artists, pickpockets, common thieves and shoplifters, too. Read More
AUGUSTA – The Maine Office of Energy Independence and Security’s most recent survey of home heating oil prices found the current statewide average cash price for No. 2 heating oil to be up $0.08 since last week at $2.28 per gallon and $0.01 higher than last year at… Read More
Regarding the story by Tom Groening about the liquid salt prematurely rusting out vehicles, “Auto shops say liquid salt hurts cars” (BDN, Nov. 27), I feel that the story raises more questions that need to be addressed. I work in a garage that has seen… Read More
Something drastically needs to be done about domestic violence in our society. We need better laws to protect victims and their children from the abuse at the hands of family members. I, myself, was able to escape from my home where I suffered from physical… Read More
I feel I must respond to Susan Lara’s letter, “A mother’s role” (BDN, Dec. 7). She mentioned a friend who suffered from abuse. She stated that her friend’s black eyes were the “norm” for her. That is the key issue right there. Most of these women and children… Read More
In his op-ed, “Global warming another fantasy” (BDN, Dec. 4), Doug Merrill claimed that global warming is a fantasy. He said that there were fewer hurricanes this year, that there is no link between hurricanes and global warming, and no global warming. This hurricane season… Read More
Now that the Allagash Waterway advisory panel has concluded its hearing process, it seems a good time to remind the governor, the so-called conservationists, and the panel members of a rarely mentioned fact. In the most recent “customer satisfaction” survey of people who actually use… Read More
An advisory committee has offered helpful suggestions for improving Maine’s conflict of interest rules and the process for investigating violations. Lawmakers should adopt their recommendations that would, among other things, broaden the conflict of interest standard and allow the public to file ethics complaints against lawmakers, to maintain… Read More
North Korea’s president soon will have to scrounge the black market to get toys such as the iPod that complement his luxurious lifestyle. That’s the main consequence of the reportedly latest Bush administration plan for coping with what is probably the most imminent threat of expanding nuclear weapons… Read More
Press bulletins following the death of former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko read like chapters from a Robert Ludlum novel. Death of a double agent, millions in Swiss bank accounts, smuggling an atomic weapon (polonium-210), complicit intelligence services, disinformation and provocateurs. The only thing lacking is a high-speed chase… Read More
Earlier this year as the last Legislative session ended, Maine hit a near-all-time low in its commitment to highway safety. Leaders in Maine’s transportation industry – the people who every day work to design, build and maintain safe roads and bridges for our state – were left wondering… Read More
“Although I wanted to leave my abusive husband for years, he made it clear that if I left he would hurt me. During one attempt to escape, he tried to run me off the road. Another time he threatened me with a gun. I knew that I had… Read More
BANGOR – As part of its effort to build a new $23.6 million Supercenter here, Wal-Mart will be required to make an estimated $3 million in improvements to Stillwater Avenue. But the work – which will be a requirement of the traffic movement permit the… Read More
MACHIAS – If you ask at the Machias town office who the most beloved man in town is, the staff quickly say “Henry.” If you ask folks at the local grocery store what they think of Henry, they get a soft, sappy look on their… Read More
Those less fortunate will be extremely grateful for the thoughtful contributions made this season. We are pleased to acknowledge the following contributors: Lamont Ouellette,East Millinocket $50 googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for… Read More
FORT KENT – The St. John Valley is overflowing with educational leadership as a university president, a school district superintendent and a high school principal in the region serve – between this year and next – as leaders of their state professional organizations. Richard Cost,… Read More
COLUMBIA FALLS – As another cranberry season in Down East Maine draws to a close, berry farmers are getting serious about looking for value-added products to boost what they get paid for those tart, ruby red berries. The industry in Maine is healthy, according to… Read More
HARRINGTON – It’s not often that Christmas decorations get an honor guard. But at noon Sunday, more than 20 vehicles formed a convoy with a tractor-trailer as it drove away from a small manufacturing facility on North Street and headed down Route 1 toward the… Read More
MILLINOCKET – Like so many manufacturers and businesspeople in Millinocket, Carla Portwine often has to travel hundreds of miles to get new customers. Fully half of her client accounts come from places like Orono and Portland or farther away, she said Saturday. That’s why Portwine… Read More
MILLINOCKET – As first-time efforts go, the mural covering an empty Penobscot Avenue storefront gets a good grade from Schenck High School freshman Coty Powers. “I think we did it all right,” Powers, 14, said during a recent interview. “I have been told by others… Read More
MACHIAS – Visitors who pass through Machias, whether they come as summer tourists, business travelers or visitors to the state university, may notice a bit of special decorating as they drive down U.S. Route 1. In the summer, blueberry banners wave from Main Street; in… Read More
BAR HARBOR – How does a planning board give its stamp of approval to a building proposal when it cannot see the plans? That’s a question local officials are dealing with as they review a developer’s application to widen a 175-foot pier at the Harborside… Read More
Belfast District Court Cases Nov. 27-Dec. 1, 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
WYOMISSING, Pa. – Penn National Gaming Inc. has named a new vice president of racing, subject to customary regulatory approvals. Christopher M. McErlean, 39, will be responsible for working with Penn National’s property level management in overseeing all racing operations at the company’s six racetracks… Read More
MOUNT DESERT – After more than 20 years of working for the town, Kim Parady has decided to move on. Parady, Mount Desert’s town clerk, on Dec. 5 submitted a letter to other town officials indicating her last day of work will be Jan. 2. Read More
LINCOLN – A police officer making a routine traffic stop on Frost Street late Wednesday came upon 5 pounds of marijuana worth as much as $9,500 on the street, police said Sunday. Officer Nelson Grant was on patrol at about 10:45 p.m. when he saw… Read More
Calais District Court Cases Nov. 3-16, 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
FORT FAIRFIELD – Two local residents recently were honored by the Fort Fairfield Rotary Club for their commitment and contributions to the community. Ethelyn “Effie” Murchie and Tony Levesque Jr. were honored as Paul Harris Fellows for their service, which included Murchie’s efforts to gather… Read More
Bucksport High School First quarter honor roll googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i < slot_sizes.length; i++) { if (isMobileDevice()) { if (slot_sizes[i][0]… Read More
BAR HARBOR – Elected school officials from Mount Desert Island have approved a new $1 million annual budget for School Union 98. The 2007-08 budget approved last week is $40,000, or about 4 percent, more expensive than the $972,000 union budget for the current academic… Read More
Following is a list of municipal meetings in Bangor for this week: . City Council, 6:45 p.m. Monday, City Hall, workshop to discuss city manager’s job-specific duties for coming year. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
ST. ALBANS – Selectmen have reached a new contract deal with Town Manager Larry Post – nearly 10 months after his last contract was not renewed. After 27 years as St. Albans’ manager, Post had been ousted in late 2005 by a previous Board of… Read More
PITTSFIELD – A Pittsfield woman was taken to Sebasticook Valley Hospital on Sunday morning complaining of neck pain after a single-vehicle crash. Earlene Robinson, 60, was driving a 1996 Oldsmobile when she lost control in slush at 10 a.m., Pittsfield police Sgt. Timothy Roussin said… Read More
WASHINGTON – President George W. Bush said Saturday the country is committed to ensuring strong commercial and recreational fishing, praising legislation that overhauls management of marine fisheries and strengthens protections against further depleting dwindling stocks. The measure passed early Saturday requires the use of annual… Read More
Wondering what changes you can make in your life next year that might also make a change in the lives of others? How about taking advantage of the opportunity to help someone improve his or her English language skills? googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
NEW CASTLE, N.H. – A replica of the Nobel Peace Prize was presented Sunday to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in recognition of the yard’s role in historic peace negotiations a century ago. Diplomats from Russia and Japan spent a month at the yard negotiating the… Read More
BUCKSPORT – Bri Kone made a pest out of herself Saturday afternoon, but her Bucksport girls basketball teammates had to have liked every minute of it. The senior guard led a stellar defensive effort and also paced Bucksport’s offense with 18 points as the Golden… Read More
BANGOR – Saturday afternoon’s basketball doubleheader between Husson College and Becker College featured two very different games. The opener was a suspenseful, back-and-forth affair in which fans, players and coaches alike had to wait out the final seconds before the winner was decided. The only… Read More
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Providence College men’s basketball team shot 59.4 percent from the field while holding the University of Maine to 31.4 percent in the second half to rally for a 94-79 victory Saturday at the Dunkin Donuts’ Center. Herbert Hill led the Friars… Read More
BOSTON – The University of Maine men’s hockey team had been limited to three goals or less in four consecutive games. But the Black Bears erupted Saturday night as Josh Soares collected three goals for his first career hat trick and added an assist and… Read More
GUILFORD – Roy Burdin presents opposing defenses with enough of a challenge based on his height and quickness around the basket alone. But in his 2006-07 debut Saturday night, the 6-foot-5 senior center showed off a more recently developed part of his game – the… Read More
COLLEGE At Brunswick, Saturday 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
COLLEGE At Bristol, R.I. 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
HIGH SCHOOL PVC Relay Carnival 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
COLLEGE At Husson pool, Bangor 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… Read More
College At Durham, N.H., Saturday 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
ORONO – Sabrina Harbeck scored the eventual game-winning goal as St. Lawrence defeated Maine 5-1 in women’s hockey action Saturday at Alfond Arena. Harbeck scored two goals. Annie Guay, Tara Akstull and Lisa Batchelor each chipped in with a goal and Maxie Weisz made 12… Read More
BRUNSWICK – Michael Westbrooks’ basket with one second left lifted the Colby College White Mules to a 68-67 men’s basketball victory over the Bowdoin College Polar Bears Saturday night. Mark Gaudet scored 21 points for Colby and Nick Farrell added 14 points and seven assists. Read More
CASTINE – The Maine Maritime Academy women’s basketball team improved to 8-0 over the weekend with two victories. On Saturday, Alyssa Burns pumped in 32 points on 11-for-12 shooting as the Mariners rolled past Elms 89-33 after beating Becker 71-42 Friday night. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
PHILADELPHIA – The Saint Joseph’s women’s basketball team used a 21-3 run midway in the second half and shot nearly 60 percent from the field after halftime to pull away to a 69-49 victory over Maine on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse. Ayahna Cornish… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Sarah Porter scored five of her 16 points in the final two minutes as the Presque Isle opened up defense of its 2006 Class B state championship with a 50-45 victory over John Bapst Saturday in high school action. Angela Norsworthy scored… Read More
WOODLAND – Rachel Torrey netted 18 points as the Woodland girls basketball team opened defense of its 2006 Class D state title with a 64-28 victory over Machias Saturday in high school action. Ariel Knights had 12 points and six assists for the Dragons. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
ELLSWORTH – Ashley Kelley scored 16 points to help the Hermon Hawks open with a 58-31 schoolgirl basketball victory over the Ellsworth Eagles Saturday. Erin Arnold added 14 points for Hermon and Katie Durgin put in 13 points. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
Coming in the darkest days of winter, sending twinkling lights and warmth into the cold, the winter holidays carry a quality of magic – miracles if you wish – into our lives. Maine authors and illustrators contribute to this magic with books that range from the deeply affecting… Read More
In recent years, members of the Brooksville Historical Society have been busy copying and compiling records into books that will surely be of interest to those with ancestors in that corner of Hancock County. And Christmas seems a great time to share information on how… Read More
Although he lives in Brooklin, Maine, Peter Behrens was in the other Brooklyn one recent day. The night before, he had been the guest of honor and had read from his new book “The Law of Dreams” at a party in New York City. “Dreams” came out in… Read More
In theaters BLOOD DIAMOND, directed by Edward Zwick, written by Charles Leavitt, 138 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… Read More
Editor’s Note: Maine Bound is a column featuring new books written by authors or set in the Pine Tree State. HEART SONG AND OTHER LEGACIES: POEMS by Linda Buckmaster, The Illuminated Sea Press, Belfast, Maine, 2006, 46 pages, trade paperback, $11. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
To the uninitiated, they were strange stories: Members of “fraternities” organized by Bangor High School boys were committing acts of violence and mayhem. “Members of a fraternity made up of Bangor High School students get initiates drunk and then give them severe beatings according to police reports,” the… Read More