EAST MILLINOCKET – Toronto-based Fraser Papers Co. announced Tuesday evening it plans to buy the former Great Northern Paper mills in Millinocket and East Millinocket. Fraser Papers, which already operates the mills on behalf of Katahdin Paper Co. LLC, has been in discussions for months… Read More
AUGUSTA – The Department of Education has recommended scrapping the local assessment testing program and replacing it with a state-mandated requirement that every high school student be eligible for college acceptance upon graduation. Commissioner of Education Susan Gendron outlined the recommendations Tuesday during a press… Read More
PORTLAND – Brenda Gay-Barker of Whiting didn’t need to say a word Monday afternoon as she walked into the cardiac care waiting room at Maine Medical Center after spending hours with a heart transplant team that was evaluating her son. Barker’s smile said it all. Read More
MARS HILL – Residents say the wind turbines atop Mars Hill Mountain are making noise and they want it fixed, but town officials aren’t sure whether anyone can do anything about it. More than 40 residents who live around the mountain crammed into the town… Read More
BANGOR – Though he was in front of his hometown crowd Tuesday night, Gov. John Baldacci found himself defending his plan to save Maine taxpayers tens of millions of dollars by consolidating school units at the administrative level. Several of those who attended the packed… Read More
LUCERNE – As the governor continues his efforts to administer recommendations put forth by the Brookings Institution report “Charting Maine’s Future,” the Economic Development Council of Maine hosted a series of discussions of the report Tuesday and today at the Lucerne Inn. One speaker, David… Read More
AUGUSTA – The two judges who head Maine’s district and superior courts will take on additional duties March 1 as part of the state’s new Business and Consumer Court, Chief Justice Leigh I. Saufley told legislators Tuesday. During her annual address to the Legislature, Saufley… Read More
I support any legislation banning the use of cell phones while driving. However, the use of all cell phones needs to be banned, not just hand-held phones. The biggest problem is the lack of concentration during use, not the fact that your hands are occupied. Read More
An optimistic report on wind power by the Public Utilities Commission addresses potential sites for placing turbines. It observes that while mountain ridges traditionally have been seen as optimal places for wind-power development, large areas of flat ground – blueberry or potato fields – “are also considered by… Read More
With military officials warning of a resurgence of the Taliban this spring, President Bush is seeking an additional $10 billion for Afghanistan. More money and more troops won’t root out the Taliban without neighboring Pakistan ending its support, tacit or otherwise, for the militant religious group. U.S. lawmakers… Read More
A few weeks ago, former Rep. John Churchill from Washburn posed the question, “Just who is the real winner for District 7?” After a long race, a lengthy and mandatory recount, and a unanimous ruling by the Democrats and Republicans on the Legislature’s Election Committee, it appears as… Read More
I recently viewed a message that read “the current highway bill, known as SAFETEA-LU provides guaranteed highway funding through FY 2009.” However, Congress must pass a spending bill each year to fund this federal program. Before adjourning last fall, Congress enacted a spending bill to… Read More
As I was reading the Jan. 25 Bangor Daily News I came across an article about the new $1 coin to be released soon. Didn’t someone get the message that Americans are not receptive to a $1 coin? Haven’t we had at least two of those coins tried… Read More
Regarding the new interest in the alternative bridge locations across the St. Croix River in Washington County, I could not resist, as a former timber and woods road surveyor, walking from the Airline Motel on the corner of Routes 1 and 9 to the St. Croix River. Following… Read More
“Studies? Gotta get away from studies. Gotta get away from delays. … Our people are demanding action,” the governor said last week as he opened his road show in Lewiston promoting a plan to dramatically reduce Maine’s school districts from 152 to 26. Employing at… Read More
More than a year ago, the committee formed by Bob Cobb, chairman of the College of Education at the University of Maine, issued a report called “Sports Done Right,” on its findings concerning issues and solutions involving high school athletics in Maine. I found that… Read More
EAST MILLINOCKET – The closing of Jim’s Dry Cleaners in nearby Millinocket within the past week leaves town police with a dirty – and potentially smelly – problem: Where do they get their uniforms dry-cleaned? The next nearest dry cleaning service is in Lincoln, about… Read More
Maine’s two U.S. senators hope the federal government will pick up 65 percent of the $25 million price tag to remove and bypass three Penobscot River dams if and when the ambitious habitat restoration project is fully funded. Late last week, the Bush administration announced… Read More
AUGUSTA – Some are concerned that the voting rights of Mainers who attend college in-state are being threatened by Rep. L. Gary Knight, R-Livermore Falls, in a bill he has sponsored titled “An Act Concerning Student Voter Registration.” The proposed legislation would prohibit a student… Read More
VERONA ISLAND – And MDOT said: “Let there be lights.” And there were lights. 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
AUGUSTA – Maine’s chief judge Tuesday warned the Legislature that all the progress the judiciary has seen over the past few years in making the state’s courts more efficient “will be overshadowed if we fail to make the courthouses safe.” Leigh I. Saufley, chief justice… Read More
ORONO – The second of three candidates hoping to become the next University of Maine System chancellor visited the Orono campus Tuesday to take part in an open discussion with students, staff and community members. Richard Pattenaude, president of the University of Southern Maine, previously… Read More
CAMDEN – The 50-year link between the U.S. and Europe changed forever when the Cold War ended, but policymakers here would do well to renew the relationship, one of the speakers at next month’s Camden Conference believes. Robert Hutchings, diplomat in residence at the Woodrow… Read More
ROCKPORT – An elderly Rockport man took his life by starting a fire in his parked car Tuesday morning, state police said. Spokesman Steve McCausland reported that Paul Lavoie, 86, committed suicide a day after his wife of 65 years died at Penobscot Bay Medical… Read More
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK – A proposal to build a new visitor’s center and regional transportation hub for Acadia National Park on an undeveloped parcel of land in Trenton has passed an important milestone in the planning process, according to officials connected with the project. Both… Read More
WINTERPORT – A local man was hospitalized after his delivery van hit a patch of ice and skidded out of control on the Lebanon Road Monday morning. Rodney Wells, 48, of Winterport was taken by ambulance to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor after complaining… Read More
HOLDEN – Skid marks at the scene of a two-car collision on U.S. Route 1A that sent two women to the hospital Tuesday show that one driver apparently crossed the centerline and tried to correct her position just before the crash, police said. “For some… Read More
WINTERPORT – A Bangor man under investigation for allegedly trashing a rental property on the Baker Road was arrested on a number of outstanding warrants Monday afternoon. Dino C. Merritt, 45, of Bangor was arrested on five failure-to-appear warrants and was also charged with failing… Read More
CAMDEN – The Camden Conference on Foreign Relations will hold the following events: . A talk to illustrate the reasons behind the slow food movement in Europe, given by Nancy Harmon Jenkins, food writer, 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4, at Penobscot School, 10 Gay Street,… Read More
WARREN – The USDA will begin allocating funds under the Emergency Conservation Program caused by excessive wind, hail and rain in Lincoln on July 18, 2006. Additional resources will be provided to remove debris from cropland and to grade and shape land damaged by the… Read More
Fourth-graders at the Perry Elementary School are excited about fish eggs And not just any fish eggs, but salmon eggs from the nearby Dennys River. Soon the 200 salmon eggs the pupils helped plant in their classroom fish tank will develop and grow. Then, dressed in hip waders… Read More
WASHBURN – The Katahdin Trust Co. donated more than 20 computer monitors valued at about $2,000 to the Washburn District High School. The monitors will be used to replace broken equipment and to allow the school to participate in the proposed Free and Reduced technology… Read More
HOULTON – Councilors opted not to pump an additional $33,000 into the fiscal year 2007 budget to maintain and repair local roads at their meeting Monday night. The decision came during a nearly two-hour public hearing held to adopt the municipality’s more than $8.1 million… Read More
HOULTON – A committee that was organized late last fall to find a new chief for the Police Department will soon hold extensive interviews with four candidates who are in the running for the position. The eight-member selection committee has whittled down a list of… Read More
ST. AGATHA – Town officials will move forward with a plan that they believe will provide property tax relief to a segment of taxpayers that they consider to be some of the most vulnerable, Town Manager Ryan Pelletier said Tuesday. During a Board of Selectmen’s… Read More
AUGUSTA – The Maine Pilotage Commission will hold its regular meeting at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, at the Transportation Building on Child Street in Augusta. Items on the agenda include the election of officers, a financial report, presentation of new applicants, and updates on… Read More
LINCOLNVILLE – The monthly meeting of the Waldo County Democratic Committee will be held 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4, at the Lincolnville Improvement Association Building at 33 Beach Road. The agenda includes the election of three committee chairmen and a representative to the State Democratic… Read More
DAMARISCOTTA – A managing and living with arthritis seminar will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 5, at the Senior Spectrum’s Coastal Community Center. The presentation will be given by Jessica Slade and Kristine Shackferfor. Call 563-1363 to attend. Read More
ELLSWORTH – The Ellsworth Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 5, at Meadowview dining room. The society will discuss the grants and capital campaign and future of Old Hancock County Jail. Read More
MACHIAS – Down East Community Hospital will present “Can’t Sleep? … Don’t Take It Laying Down,” a seminar on the causes and treatment for excessive daytime sleepiness or nighttime sleeplessness, at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Bluebird Ranch Restaurant. Dinner will be included. For… Read More
After interviewing an internal candidate from the Bangor Police Department to replace retiring Chief Don Winslow, city leaders have decided to expand the search, City Manager Edward Barrett announced Tuesday. “We think it’s appropriate to have a broader field to choose from before choosing our next chief,” he… Read More
GREENVILLE – The Greenville School Committee will hold an informational meeting for School Union 60 on the governor’s school district consolidation proposal at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, in the Lois Oakes Auditorium There will also be a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7,… Read More
ORONO – The Orono Water District recently received $2.425 million in loans and grants from the United States Department of Agriculture for the renovation of the town’s Pollution Control Facility. A loan of $1.82 million and a $605,000 grant will provide funding for the 37-year-old… Read More
HAMPDEN – The Hampden Academy sophomore class is sponsoring a Valentine’s Day parent-child dance for all children of SAD 22 in grades three to five from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12, in the academy cafeteria. The cost is $5 per person or $12… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – It’s all about bringing artists together and giving them a greater visibility in their communities, as well as raising money for scholarships for Center Theatre’s summer drama camp for children. It’s called Mudseason, a community arts celebration. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
A Chrysler PT Cruiser landed on its side Tuesday after a collision with another vehicle at the intersection of Pine and Garland streets in Bangor. According to police, Tia Poulin, 24, of Kingfield was at the stop sign on Pine Street in her red Grand… Read More
MILLINOCKET – Buoyed by a positive response to their plans to revitalize Peddler’s Hill, the leaders of the Millinocket Community Action Committee will hold their first meeting next week, they said Tuesday. The new citizens economic and community development effort will hold an organizational meeting… Read More
MACHIAS – She types correspondence, arrests bad guys and tests drug addicts – so it’s no wonder Paula Johnson, 43, recently was named the Maine Sheriffs’ Association’s Employee of the Year. Johnson said Tuesday she was unaware that her former boss, Sheriff Joseph Tibbetts, now… Read More
ELLSWORTH – School Superintendent Frank Hackett has been pleading for public input on a new kindergarten through fifth-grade elementary school project for several months now, and Tuesday he finally got his wish. Nearly 100 people turned out at a public hearing in the Ellsworth Middle… Read More
ELLSWORTH – A woman once linked to one of Hancock County’s most notorious drug dealers will spend six months in jail for dealing cocaine, her third drug conviction in as many years. Amanda O’Rourke, 24, of Trenton was sentenced Monday in Hancock County Superior Court… Read More
DAMARISCOTTA – The Coastal Community Center will hold a 65th birthday clinic from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Feb. 9. The clinic is designed to help individuals approaching age 65 understand Medicare programs, forms and deadlines. The clinic will be led by Corrina Farrell, consumer information specialist. Read More
ROCKLAND – MaineStream Finance will offer a free 12-hour certified training course to help home buyers make prudent home-purchasing decisions. Classes will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 and 17, at Penquis CAP, 170 Pleasant St. The course is free,… Read More
AUGUSTA – Common Cause President Chellie Pingree said Tuesday she plans to leave the Washington-based national watchdog group after four years as its president to “consider political opportunities back in Maine.” Pingree, a former Democratic state legislator from North Haven who unsuccessfully sought to unseat… Read More
AUGUSTA – Wary of lobbyists calling signals from the sidelines, a Maine legislator is calling for a ban on text messages and e-mails to members of the House of Representatives while they are in session. Issues rising from the ever-expanding use of electronic communications have… Read More
PLEASANT POINT – Quiche, cheesecake, scallops swimming in a wine yogurt sauce and 200 freezing people will be part of the seventh annual Polar Bear Dip to benefit the Ronald McDonald House in Bangor. For the first time, the Culinary Arts students at the Washington… Read More
PORTLAND – Maine’s highest court was evenly divided on a key issue Tuesday as it upheld a Lewiston man’s conviction and sentence in the knife slaying of a Bates College student during a street brawl a few blocks from campus nearly five years ago. The… Read More
ORONO – Last year, the top scholastic chess teams came from Deer Isle-Stonington, John Bapst Memorial High School and Airline Community School. Who will take home the trophies this year? Hundreds of students in kindergarten through grade 12 will be making the trek to Memorial… Read More
AUGUSTA – The former head of Maine’s English-as-a-second-language program is to be sentenced Thursday for sexual assaults that happened in Massachusetts in the mid-1970s. Bernard “Barney” Berube pleaded guilty in a Berkshire, Mass., court to two counts of assault and battery on a child younger… Read More
Cris Fernandez opened the rime-coated glass door of People’s Soup in Blue Hill and walked inside with his 3-year-old daughter, Nadya, in tow. They were bundled against the weather on this nostril-freezing day, and every time the door opened, a puff of steam escaped into the frigid, dry… Read More
Market watch People tend to think of farmers’ markets as a summer-only phenomenon, but this winter, the State of Maine Cheese Co. in Rockport holds an open market each Saturday, featuring winter wares from some of the region’s finest food producers. State of Maine Cheese… Read More
CASTINE – Trying to defend Maine Maritime Academy’s arsenal of offensive weapons takes a toll on any team. Tuesday night, an undermanned Thomas College squad had neither the talent nor the depth to deal with the Mariners’ well-balanced lineup. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
HAMPDEN – The Bangor boys basketball team began play Tuesday night much in the manner in which it defeated Hampden Academy by 40 points on Dec. 12. But a near-perfect start required a breathtaking finish for the Rams to finish off the Broncos in the… Read More
Andy Meucci is celebrating his 40th year working at the Family Fun Bowling Center in Bangor, the 10-pin facility his parents (William and Betty) have owned since 1967. He began managing it after he graduated from Bangor High School in 1972. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
Newly appointed University of Maine men’s soccer coach Pat Laughlin said he is “really excited” about returning to his alma mater despite the fact he is inheriting a 22-game losing streak. “Not many people get the chance to coach where they went to school,” said… Read More
BANGOR – Kayla Webb heard two words coming from coach Ben Greenlaw on the sideline, and that was all she needed as the Hampden Academy girls basketball point guard launched her third 3-pointer of Tuesday evening’s matchup against Bangor. It was a wide-open shot from… Read More
The Deer Isle-Stonington boys basketball team compiled a season of memories last winter, finishing 17-3 and reaching the Eastern Maine Class D championship game. But the memory that lingered throughout the off-season wasn’t so pleasant – the 80-52 loss to Central Aroostook of Mars Hill… Read More
MARTELL, Italy – Madawaska’s Meagan Toussaint anchored the U.S. junior women’s 3×6 kilometer relay team to a 13th-place finish at the biathlon World Junior Championships Monday. The juniors were 9 minutes, 45.9 seconds behind winner Germany. There were 15 teams in the race. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL At Belfast 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
HIGH SCHOOL At Fort Kent 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
HIGH SCHOOL Official standings for boys and girls basketball and hockey as reported by the Maine Principals’ Association for games through Jan. 27 googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i =… Read More
NEWCASTLE – Jesse Bagley scored 16 points as Lincoln Academy sent Maranacook of Readfield to its second loss of the season, 54-50 in high school boys basketball action Tuesday. Stephen Coopersmith added nine points and eight rebounds for the Eagles, while Devon Peaslee had eight… Read More
CARIBOU – Angela Northworsy connected on 13 of 19 free throws en route to 21 points for Presque Isle in a 43-40 high school girls basketball victory over rival Caribou Tuesday. Sarah Porter chipped in with 13 points for the Wildcats. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
LEWISTON – Senior Eileen Flaherty set the Bowdoin College career scoring record and helped lead the Bowdoin College Polar Bears to a 58-50 women’s basketball win over the Bates College Bobcats Tuesday night. Flaherty finished with 17 points and passed the previous career record held… Read More
MAINE vs. BOSTON UNIVERSITY Time, site: 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
Bangor Daily News sportswriter Ernie Clark has been named the Maine sportswriter of the year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. Clark, who won the award based on a vote by his peers, covers high school sports, youth baseball and America Legion baseball for… Read More
CHULA VISTA, Calif. – Farmington native Kevin Eastler, now an Air Force captain living in Aurora, Colo., has earned his sixth racewalking national title at the USTAF 50-kilometer championship. The Mt. Blue High School graduate was one of four walkers who took off from the… Read More
BANGOR – Jason Smith tallied two goals and two assists to lead the Old Town Coyotes to a 6-3 high school hockey win over the Foxcroft Academy Ponies Tuesday night at Sawyer Arena. Josh Hesseltine and Tyler Van Dez added a goal apiece for the… Read More
BREWER – The Brewer Witches outscored Skowhegan 15-7 in the fourth quarter behind six Coby Hutchins points and then outscored the Indians 7-0 in overtime to record a 51-44 schoolboy basketball win Tuesday night. Brad Libby hit three free throws in the overtime for Brewer… Read More