SKOWHEGAN – Frequently closing his eyes and hanging his head, which bobbed occasionally from side to side, Richard Reynolds of Waterville made his first appearance in Somerset County Superior Court on Tuesday, facing a new charge of murdering his estranged wife, Rhonda Wakefield-Reynolds, 37, of Fairfield. Read More
Locking your doors won’t help when it comes to the latest item that thieves want from your car or truck. Across the country and into Canada, the trend is to steal catalytic converters by cutting them out from beneath vehicles. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
Verizon Communications Inc. is selling its residential telephone business in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont to FairPoint Communications Inc. in a deal worth $2.72 billion in cash and stocks. FairPoint, which now has only about 55,000 customers in the three states, will take over Verizon… Read More
AUGUSTA – Under a proposal discussed by legislative panelists Tuesday, a board of experts would be established to determine whether certain sex offenders should be kept in jail even after they have completed a minimum sentence. “We have high-risk sex offenders that are the most… Read More
In a historic interview, ABC’s Diane Sawyer will sit down with all 16 female members of the U.S. Senate, including Sens. Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine. The interview will air in two parts, the first between 7 and 7:30 a.m. today on ABC affiliates WVII-TV… Read More
AUGUSTA – Efforts to restrict the movements or housing options of convicted sex offenders have shifted from the local level to the Legislature, setting the stage for a battle between civil libertarians and those who say protecting children should be the top priority. New legislation… Read More
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Disability insurer UnumProvident Corp. is changing its name to resemble one it had before: Unum Group. UnumProvident, which insures more than 21 million people and paid $6 billion in benefits last year, was created through the 1999 merger of Provident Cos. of… Read More
BATH – Bath Iron Works is not affected by a stop-work order on the Navy’s program to build a new generation of speedy and maneuverable warships. The Navy ordered defense contractor Lockheed Martin to stop work for three months on its second ship in the… Read More
The company that intends to buy Verizon’s holdings in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont said Tuesday it would boost the availability of high-speed Internet service, an area in which the rural region has lagged. FairPoint Communications Inc. said it plans to “significantly increase broadband availability… Read More
Your editorial “Climate Change Bearometer” (BDN, Jan. 10) lays the responsibility for the planet’s apparent warming squarely in the lap of the Bush administration. In the first sentence, no less! As a retired Air Force meteorologist, I have more than a passing acquaintance with climatology. Read More
No one should doubt the determination of the “Bangor Eleven,” the anti-war activists who staged a sit down last September in Sen. Olympia Snowe’s Bangor office. The last six of the group now have chosen 24 hours in jail instead of a $200 fine. But… Read More
When the Environmental Protection Agency adopted a rule last year that aimed to reduce mercury pollution through a cap and trade system, the agency downplayed the idea that the toxic metal is often deposited – in high concentrations – near its source. A study, published in the current… Read More
I just watched my only child, Robert “Bobby” Dow, die a horrific, painful death. No mother should have to witness such a day. Could you imagine my shock when I read the article (BDN, Jan. 4) restating the charges against Robert the day after his… Read More
With the uproar of hunting rights around Katahdin Lake, T3R8, you may find statistics from the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife interesting. The total number of deer tagged for T3R8 for three consecutive years was five deer. Theodore Roosevelt was a role model for… Read More
An Associated Press article on Jan. 8 described a bill to mandate a waiting period for young gun buyers. The stated reason for the bill was an emotional response to a tragic suicide, but it’s important to realize that emotion isn’t a reliable part of judgment. Read More
If the new city ordinance prohibiting smoking in vehicles in which minors are present is enforced with the same level of enforcement as the “wipers on, lights on” law, smokers in Bangor have nothing to worry about. How about an ordinance or law which prohibits… Read More
Regarding the president’s most recent announcement about the war, pouring more water into a bucket with holes is neither a new nor particularly effective strategy. Bud Walkup googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false;… Read More
In response to “With LNG, Maine ought to fight for fishermen’s rights” by Mark Wren (Jan. 11): Mr. Wren comes to many conclusions concerning LNG in our area based on inaccurate facts. Perhaps, if he was aware of the correct information, he might come to… Read More
DEER ISLE – As one wind power project in Hancock County comes to an end, another is beginning. After operating for about six years on the Route 15 property owned by blueberry processor G.M. Allen & Sons, the wind turbine in Orland is now up… Read More
AUGUSTA – The Land for Maine’s Future board voted Tuesday to spend $1.25 million to conserve more than 37,000 acres near Moosehead Lake despite access concerns raised by some snowmobilers and professional guides. The LMF money will be combined with more than $4 million in… Read More
AUGUSTA – A 33-year-old native of Fort Kent may become the youngest District Court judge in Maine if his nomination is confirmed next week by the Senate after the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee voted 9-3 on Tuesday to recommend him. The nomination of Charles A. Dow… Read More
AUGUSTA – Hunters want more land but fewer coyotes. Environmental groups are hoping to clear the air about outdoor wood boilers and chemical flame retardants. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var… Read More
HOULTON – The chairman of the SAD 29 board confirmed Monday that district Superintendent Steve Fitzpatrick had been charged with operating under the influence after a Nov. 19 incident on Interstate 95 just north of Millinocket. Chairman Brian McGuire said the board had consulted with… Read More
BANGOR – Though an implosion isn’t part of the game plan, the Holiday Inn that has stood across Main Street from Bass Park for more than three decades is coming down soon. “It could be a wrecking ball or an excavator – or a combination… Read More
When a Bangor woman tried to buy cigarettes at a local convenience store Monday, the clerk suspected the cash was counterfeit and alerted police. When Bangor police arrived, they discovered that Tonya Ashe, 45, had a car that wasn’t registered, and after removing the car’s… Read More
Downeast Sexual Assault Services is looking for volunteers to staff its 24-hour crisis and support hot line. A 40-hour training program will begin Monday, Feb. 19, and will continue from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday and Thursday evenings at the Downeast Health Services office in Ellsworth. Read More
ROCKLAND – As part of its effort to become an official Coast Guard City, the town of Rockland will host a spaghetti supper 5:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, at the Winslow-Holbrook-Merrit American Legion. All Coast Guard personnel and their families are invited to the supper… Read More
BUCKSPORT – A trapper safety program will be offered 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at the Bucks Mills R&G Clubhouse on Outer Central Street. Authorized instructors will be donating their time to teach the course, which is required for anyone applying for a trapper… Read More
CAMDEN – Aldermere Farm director Ron Howard will give a presentation on the first five years of the farm’s merger with the Maine Coast Heritage Trust at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, at Merryspring’s Ross Center. Admission is free for Merryspring members and $5 for… Read More
MACHIAS – A benefit lasagna supper will be held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Centre Street Congregational Church for 26 volunteers who are traveling to Biloxi, Miss., to help rebuild homes severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The crew will address structural, electrical and contamination issues… Read More
UNITY – Unity Barn Raisers, along with Waldo County Healthy Community Coalition, will hold a pizza party for community members and organizations from the towns of Burnham, Freedom, Knox, Montville, Thorndike, Troy and Unity. The event is 4:30-6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at the Unity Community Center. Read More
PEMBROKE – “Cobscook Fisheries: How Cobscook Fishermen Protected the Last Good Scallop Grounds in Maine” will be the subject of a public event 6:30-8 p.m. tonight in the Pembroke Elementary School library. This is the third in a series of public events featuring stories and information about Cobscook… Read More
BUCKSPORT – A local man remained in custody Tuesday charged with aggravated assault and as a fugitive from justice. Bucksport police officers arrested Keith Alan Ayotte, 34, on Sunday evening after he allegedly assaulted a 43-year-old woman at an apartment on First Street earlier in… Read More
ORLAND – The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an apparent burglary over the weekend during which someone stole a safe containing $3,000 from a business in Orland. The business, which was not identified, had been broken into sometime over the weekend, according to police… Read More
BRADFORD – A local man who was riding on a car hood that was being towed by a snowmobile was injured Tuesday. Warden Michael Morrison said Eric Collins, 20, suffered a broken femur and hip and was taken by Mayo Regional ambulance to Eastern Maine… Read More
LINCOLN – Like small pieces to a big puzzle, a $150,000 state grant, a long-dormant airport revitalization plan and tax breaks given to a new $40 million tissue mill will start melding slowly over 2007. Eventually they will create a new transportation center and 60-acre… Read More
GUILFORD – It took only three weeks for SAD 4 directors and the district’s educational support staff to agree on a three-year contract for 2008 through 2010. “It was a very efficient negotiation,” SAD 4 Superintendent Paul Stearns said Tuesday. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
ELLSWORTH – A local police officer answering a report of a car off the road early Tuesday morning encountered a suspected illegal immigrant and turned him over to customs officials. Sergio Rodrigues, no age given, was driving a 1997 Chevy Cavalier north on Route 1A… Read More
DEDHAM – Ask junior high school pupils to list their favorite classes and most would put physical education at least in the top three. Pupils at the Dedham school are no exception. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – After almost 100 years in the business, the local library has achieved an important first. The Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library made one of the Maine State Library’s top 10 lists for public libraries in 2005, Library Director Sonja Plummer-Morgan confirmed… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – The following divorces were granted September through December by Judge Bernard O’Mara in District Court on grounds of irreconcilable marital differences: Michael A. Hanning, Presque Isle, and Amanda L. Hanning, Caribou, married July 15, 1996, at Monticello; shared custody of one minor… Read More
FORT KENT – Two staff members of the Genesis Fund are working with the town to explore the possibility of converting a manufactured housing park from a privately owned property to a resident-owned cooperative. The staffers, Beth McPherson and Liza Fleming-Ives, completed training at the… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Town councilors shook their heads in disbelief Tuesday night after learning that a mortgage company had tried to take possession of one of Pittsfield’s tax-acquired properties. Town Manager Kathryn Ruth said the town had attempted to work with Myron McNally of Carriage Estates… Read More
MILO – More than 250 communities have adopted a comprehensive plan and many more are working to develop one, according to the state planning office. “Thousands of Mainers have engaged in planning for local concerns as divergent as protecting rare animal species to encouraging economic… Read More
BREWER – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is expected to give Lowe’s Home Centers Inc. a wetlands permit for its planned Wilson Street retail store this week or next, project manager Jay Clement said Tuesday. “Based on receipt of additional information and negotiation with… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Authorization for the construction of a $9.5 million courthouse will be sought from the Legislature this session. The Dover-Foxcroft court project will be submitted for funding under the Maine Governmental Facilities Authority. As such, the project will go out to bond without a… Read More
MILLINOCKET – Its new roof is finished, inside walls are roughed in, and a fiberglass pool is installed, so it looks like Millinocket Regional Hospital’s $1.15 million wellness and physical therapy center will be open by April 1, officials said Tuesday. Construction on the White… Read More
BELFAST – The stalled redevelopment of the former Stinson Seafood plant on the city’s waterfront may have gotten a jumpstart. City Planner Wayne Marshall reported Tuesday he has been meeting over the last six weeks with a new group that wants to take over the… Read More
JONESPORT – Community of Christ Church will host a baked bean supper to benefit Hattie Beal, who recently has been diagnosed with cancer, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1. Cost is $6 per adult or $10 per couple and $3 for children. For… Read More
EAST ORLAND – Scholarships for women from Hancock County are being offered by Theta Chapter of Alpha Psi State-Maine, of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. The recipients of the scholarship must reside in Hancock County or be graduates of a high school in Hancock County. Read More
CAMDEN – Two sessions of a garden design workshop led by local designer Lee Schneller will be offered Jan. 27 in Camden and Feb. 9 in Tenants Harbor. The workshops will teach gardeners of all levels how to design continuously blooming perennial gardens. The method… Read More
ORLAND – The results of a 2006 natural resource inventory of the Great Pond Mountain Wildlands will be presented by ecologists Alison C. Dibble and Catherine Rees at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, at Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery. With help from subcontractors and volunteers… Read More
BAR HARBOR – Acadia National Park is accepting applications for internships in education and raptor interpretation. Education interns work with park staff to prepare and present curriculum-based programs for third- through eighth-grade pupils in their classrooms and in the park. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
ELLSWORTH – Trained volunteers from the Eastern Maine Tax Coalition will be available in select libraries, town halls and agencies in Down East Maine to offer free tax preparation services to low-income residence from Feb. 1 through April 15. Volunteers will be available in Ellsworth,… Read More
ROCKLAND – A Rockland couple was arrested on drug charges late last week, Rockland Deputy Police Chief Wally Tower reported Tuesday. Arrested Thursday on a warrant was Judy Randall, 44, on five counts of acquiring drugs by deception and possession of hydrocodone. Arrested Friday was… Read More
BROOKS – Firefighters were able to contain the damage from a fire Monday night to about half the house, Brooks Fire Chief Harold Saucier said Tuesday. The fire at Bob and Joanne Anderson’s residence on Route 139 west of the village was reported at about… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Kids from all over central Aroostook County were playing in the snow Tuesday and not because school was canceled. Students from SAD 1 had the day off due to a teacher in-service day. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
The Maine Educational Opportunity Center will sponsor Essentials of College Planning Workshops on the following dates: . 9-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, at the Madawaska CareerCenter googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for… Read More
Last month, Nicholas Wainer of Orrington applied for and was named a student ambassador with the People to People Program, established in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Wainer, 15, is a sophomore at John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
AUGUSTA – Former House Speaker John Richardson was routinely confirmed Tuesday by the Senate to head Maine’s Department of Economic and Community Development, which would grow substantially if a proposal by Gov. John Baldacci wins legislative approval. Several other prominent Baldacci nominees, meanwhile, won strong… Read More
ETNA – A local woman has been charged with aggravated forgery, a Class B felony, for allegedly stealing vehicle registration stickers from the town office. Tara Madore, 23, a custodian who cleaned the town office two hours a week, was arrested last week in connection… Read More
BRENTWOOD, N.H. – A former Massachusetts medical examiner accused of having an illegal side business going when he signed cremation certificates for Bayview Crematory was convicted Tuesday of nine felonies. Putnam Breed of Hampton Falls was charged with taking money for signing the certificates without… Read More
BANGOR – In an attempt to learn what their viewers and listeners view as priorities, officials from Maine Public Broadcasting Network held a town meeting-type discussion Tuesday night in Bangor. The meeting is one of a series being held around the state to obtain feedback… Read More
FREDERICTON, New Brunswick – U.S. border officers are telling a New Brunswick murder trial that although accused killer Gregory Despres tried to pass himself off as a member of the American military, he couldn’t answer simple questions about the U.S. forces. Customs agent John Sermersheim… Read More
AUGUSTA – Maine lawmakers seemed ready Tuesday, at least for now, to settle for an across-the-board pledge to abide by a state spending cap in lieu of more binding restrictions. Maine Attorney General Steven Rowe had told state lawmakers his office believes a proposed rule… Read More
‘Twas a week before Christmas and all through the kitchen, not a crumb went uneaten – not even a smidgen. Shortbread lobsters were set on the counter with care, in hopes that red icing soon would be there. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
A Fare to remember It always feels good to support a worthy cause, but at Midcoast Children’s Services’ Fabulous Food Fare, it tastes good, too. Offerings from 30 area restaurants will tempt the taste buds as guests wander through the ballrooms of the Samoset Resort… Read More
ORONO – They made it look easy Tuesday night, and that’s something the 2006-07 basketball season has been anything but for the Black Bears in their first 17 games. The University of Maine men put it all together at Alfond Arena and rode hot shooting,… Read More
ORONO – Locked in a tight battle at halftime Tuesday night, the red-hot Schenck Wolverines didn’t get frustrated. They got more intense, and that enabled them to break the game open en route to a 60-37 boys basketball victory over the Orono Red Riots. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
Veazie’s Nick Payson made a difficult decision a year and a half ago. He passed up his senior year at Bangor High School to play for the Portland Junior Pirates in the Atlantic Junior A Hockey League. He has always aspired to play for the… Read More
During his first three years of high school basketball, Daniel McCue played a crucial support role as Hampden Academy emerged among the elite teams in the state, winning the Maine Class A championship in 2005 and retaining the Eastern A title last winter. McCue, the… Read More
Consistency has been hard to come by this season for the University of Maine women’s basketball team, but that doesn’t mean the Black Bears won’t have something to say about who represents America East in the NCAA Tournament. With UMaine having passed the halfway point,… Read More
BANGOR – The Boston Red Sox’s off-season acquisitions are cause for optimism, according to Sox radio play-by-play man Joe Castiglione and Boston Globe senior sportswriter Gordon Edes. Castiglione, who will be starting his 25th season behind the microphone, and Edes, who has covered the team… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL Official standings for boys and girls basketball and hockey as reported by the Maine Principals’ Association for games through Jan. 13 googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i =… Read More
MAINE vs. STONY BROOK Time, site: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., Alfond Arena, Orono 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
The University of Maine men’s hockey program has landed an instate recruit for the 2008-2009 or 2009-2010 season. Lewiston’s Mark Anthoine, the second leading scorer for the Portland Junior Pirates’ A team, has verbally committed to attend Maine on a scholarship. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
BANGOR – Kyle Bradford scored 23 points and Josh Madden added 20 as Eastern Maine Community College earned an 87-68 men’s basketball win over Unity College Tuesday night. Eddie Carey contributed 19 points and Doug Robinson 10 for the Golden Eagles. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
BINGHAM – The Greenville Lakers jumped out to a 17-2 first-quarter lead en route to a 54-27 schoolgirl basketball victory over the Valley Cavaliers Tuesday night. Hannah Breton scored 14 points to lead the Lakers and Susan Muzzy added 10. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
EASTPORT – Brittney Alley saved her best for last when she sank two free throws, her only points in the game, with 16 seconds left to lift the Jonesport-Beals Royalettes to a 48-46 high school girls basketball victory over the Shead Tigerettes Tuesday night. Tina… Read More
LIMESTONE – Three players scored in double figures as Limestone Community School/Maine School of Science and Mathematics won its seventh straight game, 49-41 over Fort Fairfield in high school boys basketball action Tuesday. Steve Giangiordano, Danny Hayes and Chris Kirchner netted 12 points apiece for… Read More
Under the typical method of accumulating high school wrestling victories, Tysen Ober of George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill would have eclipsed the 100-win milestone long ago, probably last season given the recent dearth of middle-weight competitors. But Ober is not one to take something… Read More