AUGUSTA – A Caribou trucker with a lengthy record of driving offenses who has been jailed since shortly after a fatal crash on the Maine Turnpike in Hallowell pleaded guilty to manslaughter Friday as part of an agreement with prosecutors. Scott Hewitt, who also pleaded… Read More
Forget the roses and chocolates. Snowmobilers and the Maine businesses that depend on them are genuinely smitten by the dozen or so inches of sparkling white stuff that St. Valentine delivered to much of the state this past week. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
All around Maine, business operators who rely on propane were wondering Friday whether enough of the liquefied petroleum gas will be available for them now that a rail strike in Canada has nearly halted the incoming supply from the north. A storm-delayed tanker that arrived… Read More
Interactive and multimedia displays, climate-controlled storage and display areas for some of its most delicate treasures, and secure space for permanent and visiting exhibits are just part of a $2.9 million plan for the Bangor Museum and Center for History. Though the museum and center’s… Read More
A story about prison crowding on page B1 of the State section Friday gave wrong figures for Maine’s incarceration rate. Maine incarcerates 144 inmates per 100,000 residents, much lower than the national average of 481 per 100,000 residents. Read More
One way to support the Bangor Museum and History Center’s fundraising campaign is to sponsor an artifact through the museum’s artifact exhibit leadership naming opportunities. That’s what museum President Jean Deighan did when she decided to sponsor the museum’s silver cornet, a musical instrument. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
House votes Democratic Reps. Michael Michaud and Tom Allen 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
Michaud, Allen vote against surge Maine congressmen urge diplomacy to shift responsibility to Iraqis
Maine’s two congressmen joined their Democratic colleagues Friday in pushing through a resolution opposing the Bush administration’s decision to increase troop levels in Iraq. Reps. Michael Michaud and Tom Allen criticized the escalation and instead called on President Bush to pursue diplomatic and political avenues… Read More
The Legislature would have a fine year if it balanced the budget honestly and came to an effective conclusion on school district consolidation. But it has set out a much more ambitious schedule that in the next several weeks will focus on a panel called the Prosperity Committee. Read More
The usual response to any extremely unacceptable behavior – a 12th drunken driving conviction, a fatal accident caused by a driver whose license has been suspended numerous times, sexual abuse of a child, drug possession – is to put the person in jail, preferably for a long time. Read More
The television and newspaper reports referring to Wednesday’s “intense holiday storm” that blasted Maine had me wondering, “Holiday? What holiday?” It soon became apparent that the “holiday” alluded to was Valentine’s Day, which, unless you are presently living in ancient Rome and got the day off from work… Read More
State general fund spending is a popular target. But few people have taken the time to understand where the state actually spends the tax dollars it collects. Fully 80 percent of the state budget is spent on education, health and welfare. The rest covers everything… Read More
Consider Rep. Tom Allen’s pleasant new location. After five terms as a member of the House Democratic minority, from which it is difficult to be heard, never mind enact anything substantial, he’s finally made it to the sunny side of the street. He’s in the majority and has… Read More
People ask me, just about daily, when I’m going to run again. My response at first was just one word: never. I don’t answer that way anymore. Now I respond with six words: “When are you going to run?” They smile and literally back up… Read More
A recent article (BDN, Jan. 23) featured Allen’s Coffee Brandy as a Maine favorite drink, but one that often was mentioned in alcohol-related accidents or in disturbances investigated by police. The acceptance of this popular beverage by women has another serious consequence. It seems to be the drink… Read More
As history gets rewritten, let’s take a peek at how the war in Iraq will be reviewed. The end, like the present, will undoubtedly be a chaotic bloody tragedy. Our troops will be hurried out of whatever dangers they can avoid. The people of Iraq will suffer deeply. Read More
“State-owned companies lead to privatization of power,” says Nikolay Bogachev, chairman of Russia’s Yamal LNG. They also lead to “national pride and arrogance” and will not make their energy resources available on the market. What has he been smoking? Let’s take a quick look at… Read More
Anyone watching the TV news or reading the Bangor Daily News articles would think some Stetson residents did not know if they were coming or going, and they may be right. What may have started as merely a clash of personalities has now turned into a vile and… Read More
SALT LAKE CITY – American Skiing Co. said Friday it agreed to sell Vermont’s Mount Snow and New Hampshire’s Attitash ski areas to Peak Resorts Inc. of Missouri. American Skiing will sell the two resorts along with Grand Summit Hotels at both locations for $73.5… Read More
The Finance Authority of Maine is planning to have the final terms of the $1 million loan to Red Shield Environmental LLC completed by the end of the month. The loan to Red Shield, a private group of investors who now own the former Georgia-Pacific… Read More
Low-income and middle-income households in Maine and across New England are finding it more expensive to own a home than to rent, according to a new study from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Just ask Stephen Bickford, a 53-year-old Bangor resident who teaches a… Read More
Though incomes in Maine as a whole may make the rental market more affordable for many Mainers, rental and home prices in Hancock County are high compared to the incomes of Hancock County residents, who face the highest housing costs in eastern and northern Maine. Read More
WASHINGTON – The Dole Fresh Fruit Co. recalled several thousand cartons of imported cantaloupes Friday after the fruit tested positive for salmonella. The recall, which covers the eastern United States and the Canadian province of Quebec, is the second sparked by salmonella fears this week. Read More
CALAIS – Sweethearts who recently retired within a month of each other learned on Valentine’s Day that their fixed income became a whole lot sweeter. Friends who live in this community say it couldn’t have happened to a nicer couple. George “Bud” Barnard, 72, and… Read More
The Patient Navigator Program, a relatively new service in Maine that links trained volunteers to cancer patients undergoing treatment, will be funded for another three years thanks to a recent and generous donation. A $200,000 planned gift from Otis and Ruth Albee of Rockland was… Read More
Humble. Remarkable. Inspiring. These words have been used to describe hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina, who was portrayed in the movie “Hotel Rwanda” and now is traveling the world to spread a message of hope and peace. His goal is to raise awareness and ensure that… Read More
The Department of Justice’s lawsuit over the Maine Public Utilities Commission’s attempt to force Verizon to say whether it has cooperated with the government’s warrantless wiretap program will be heard in California, not Maine. The Maine case is one of six pending lawsuits a panel… Read More
HERMON – The town is negotiating with a Rockland-based Internet company to provide low-cost wireless service to everyone in the community. Councilors approved signing a letter of intent with RedZone Wireless on Thursday night, the first step in what could be a network partnership between… Read More
I’m not easily fooled. I’m raising two teenage girls and a 10-year-old boy and I have to be on my toes at all times. So I knew something wasn’t right when the woman on the other end of the phone last week told me to… Read More
An Abbot man was found guilty Friday of Class E theft and Class D criminal mischief during a jury-waived trial in a case involving granite taken from a house foundation. The decision came in Piscataquis County Superior Court in Dover-Foxcroft. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
CALAIS – Heeja O’Leary needs your help. O’Leary lost her dog Mindy last year. 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
ST. AGATHA – Officials in St. Agatha were ecstatic earlier this week when they received news that the town had received a $136,000 grant from the Maine Department of Economic Development. Ryan Pelletier, the town manager for St. Agatha, said in a written statement that… Read More
HOULTON – Shortly after 8 a.m. Tuesday, a group of eighth-grade pupils at Houlton High School found themselves in the Aroostook County Jail. Later that afternoon, they were standing in the drab mug shot room at Houlton Police Department, looking at a camera and an… Read More
Nathan is an active 12-year-old boy who enjoys fishing, swimming and being outdoors. He lives in a residential facility and is eager for a family where he can belong. Nathan wants a family to know he is “a great kid” who knows how to follow… Read More
SOUTHWEST HARBOR – A local man hired to be executive director of a local nonprofit organization has been ousted from his job 18 months into his tenure. Peter Homer said that the most curious aspect of losing his job is that the board of trustees… Read More
ORLAND – Declining enrollments and dwindling state funding continue to bedevil school officials, and this has forced them to eliminate teaching positions at the elementary school and to reduce funds for other programs. Earlier this week, the school committee voted to cut approximately $181,000 from… Read More
HOULTON – Three local women received more than chocolate and flowers this Valentine’s Day after emerging victorious in the Houlton Regional Health Services Foundation’s sixth annual diamond ring raffle. Elizabeth Dulin, the foundation’s executive director, said Friday that New Limerick resident Jennifer Sylvester was the… Read More
BELFAST – A local mother of three has been indicted for having sex with a 13-year-old boy. Heidi Emmerton, 26, of Belfast was indicted by the Waldo County grand jury on Monday on a charge of gross sexual assault. She was arraigned in 5th District… Read More
CARIBOU – In honor of Library Lovers Month, the Aroostook Center Mall is offering space for area libraries to promote reading and their many activities for the community. Magic shows, story hours, entertainers, games, movies, drawings for free gifts and visits with story book characters are among the… Read More
CARIBOU – The Caribou Parks and Recreation Department will hold its 32nd annual Henry Anderson Memorial Ski Dag on Sunday, Feb. 18, at the Caribou Ski Trails. Registration will be at 11 a.m. at the trails off Route 161, approximately three miles north of Caribou,… Read More
HOULTON – The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Seniors Achieving Greater Education will start its spring semester in Houlton with a luncheon beginning at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Houlton Higher Education Center. SAGE class meetings last about two hours and are… Read More
ST. GEORGE – A 52-year-old local man was killed Friday afternoon when he reportedly lost control of his car on Route 131 and struck a commercial flatbed truck. The accident, which occurred at 1:45 p.m., blocked traffic to most of the St. George peninsula for… Read More
MILBRIDGE – Marine contractors for Prock Marine have completed the second stage of work on the Narraguagus River dredging project. Project manager Steve Durrell of Prock Marine in Rockland said crews worked around the clock from Nov. 1, 2006, until the middle of January to… Read More
ORONO – Police want drivers who use Forest Avenue today to slow down as they approach Taylor Road and be on the lookout for cross-country skiers on the road. The Caribou Bog Race is planned today, and racers are expected to be crossing Forest Avenue… Read More
Central Aroostook High School, Mars Hill Second 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
Schenck High School, East Millinocket Second 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
HOLDEN – A Brewer woman was brought to Eastern Maine Medical Center with a sliced ear after her car spun out of control and hit a telephone pole. Carrie Kemp, 22, of Brewer was driving north on Eastern Avenue with her 6-year-old son when she… Read More
AUGUSTA – A woman who drove a truck for the Department of Transportation likely was forced out of her job for reporting a leaky exhaust system in a vehicle she was forced to use, according to an investigator for the Maine Human Rights Commission. The… Read More
A Winthrop man who claims he was illegally fired as executive director of the Maine State Troopers Association and its foundation has filed complaints with the Maine Human Rights Commission and the Attorney General’s Office. Stephen Beal, 57, alleges he was terminated three months after… Read More
Bates college senior Erin Bougie of New Sweden turns 21 next week, and you can help make this an extra-special birthday with a donation in her name to the Habitat for Humanity Bicycle Challenge. Erin’s mom, Judy Bougie, told me that her daughter will be… Read More
The Maine Department of Conservation will present a movie premiere in Fort Kent on Thursday for a new documentary celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. The film, titled “Northrunner – The Allagash Wilderness Waterway,” is intended to capture the history of the… Read More
DOVER, N.H. – A well-known auctioneer from Lyman, Maine, who disappeared nearly five years ago after telling his wife that he was going to get a cup of coffee has been located in Pennsylvania. Claude Van Tassel, a 71-year-old father of 12, apparently has no… Read More
BRUNSWICK – The main U.S. envoy at the North Korea disarmament agreement said Friday that critics should put forth their own plan rather than simply criticize the one that was hammered out in Beijing this week. Christopher Hill, an assistant secretary of state who headed… Read More
DUMMERSTON, Vt. – Alan D. Eames, a beer historian and author whose globe-trotting research into exotic brews and their origins earned him the nickname “The Beer King,” has died. He was 59. Eames, author of “Secret Life of Beer” and “A Beer Drinker’s Companion,” died… Read More
PORTLAND – An advertisement that was criticized as anti-Semitic has prompted apologies from the credit union that placed the ad and the newspaper that published it. The quarter-page ad for PeoplesChoice Credit Union featured an Old West-style “Wanted” poster with a photo of a man… Read More
PORTLAND – State officials have agreed to let the owner of a Freeport restaurant publicly display his ornamental fish that were seized last summer by state fisheries agents. Cuong Ly, owner of the China Rose restaurant, said he plans to put the koi back in… Read More
BANGOR – The details of an encounter between a prominent Queen City couple and a famous American painter 184 years ago have become clearer since last month’s sale of a historic homestead in Torrington, Conn., uncovered two long-forgotten portraits. The couple, the Rev. Harvey Loomis… Read More
We will tell the next generation the praise worthy deeds of the Lord, His power and the wonders he has done. PSALM 78:4, TODAY’S NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false;… Read More
BANGOR – It was a game and an individual performance for the ages, but all Corey DeWitt cared about was the victory. The senior guard from Ellsworth High School bested Van Buren legend Matt Rossignol’s 22-year-old record for points scored in an Eastern Maine Class… Read More
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Often a terrific save at one end of the ice will set in motion a play that results in a goal at the other end. Boston College junior goalie Cory Schneider robbed Bret Tyler of a potential game-tying goal with 5:30… Read More
BANGOR – After splitting in the regular season with Winslow, No. 3 Camden Hills could have been a bit worried coming into Friday’s Eastern Maine Class B boys quarterfinal against the No. 11 Black Raiders. Instead, the Windjammers were confident. And it showed all night… Read More
BANGOR – John Bapst girls basketball coach Mike Webb admitted he didn’t hold out much hope for his Crusaders with three minutes left in Friday afternoon’s Eastern Maine Class B quarterfinal at the Bangor Auditorium. His best player had just fouled out of the game,… Read More
BANGOR – Mingled in with the excitement of winning an Eastern Maine Class B quarterfinal and the anticipation of a semifinal matchup, Mount Desert Island senior Susan Falt was feeling a lot of relief. A 6-foot forward for the No. 6 Trojans, Falt had struggled… Read More
BANGOR – Messalonskee of Oakland boasts a veteran, guard-oriented girls basketball team that feeds off opponents’ turnovers. Presented the opportunity to cash in on takeaways early in their Eastern Maine Class A quarterfinal Friday night, the top-seeded Eagles built a big early lead and cruised… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL PVC Eastern Maine Indoor Track 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
ORONO – Police want drivers who use Forest Avenue today to slow down as they approach Taylor Road and be on the lookout for cross country skiers on the road. The Caribou Bog Race is planned today, and racers are expected to be crossing Forest… Read More
The Waterville girls indoor track and field team is going into Monday’s Class B state championships at the University of Southern Maine on a mission. That mission: End a dynasty. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
The Mount Desert Island boys and Bangor girls will try to defend their state swimming championships when the state meets get under way today. The three days of competition open with the Class B girls meet at the University of Maine’s Wallace Pool. The preliminary… Read More
CASTINE – Alyssa Burns recorded 18 points, nine rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals as Maine Maritime Academy cruised to a 91-50 women’s basketball victory over Bay Path College Friday. Michelle Gott-Stilwell led all scorers with 20 points and Julia Knights added 14… Read More
BREWER – Dylan Fitzpatrick netted four goals and Reid McLaughlin notched a goal and two assists as Brewer thumped Winslow 9-3 in high school hockey action at T.J. Ryan Arena Friday. John Ambrose and Mike Kotredes each tallied a goal and an assist, and Davis… Read More
Women’s basketball MAINE vs. BOSTON UNIVERSITY 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… Read More
The 2006 season ended a lot earlier than the University of Maine softball team would have liked. After earning the America East conference regular-season title and the right to host the conference tournament, the Black Bears bowed out with two tourney losses and little to show for a… Read More
ORONO – Twenty-seven years after he walked off the basketball court wearing a University of Maine uniform for the last time, Rufus Harris was reunited with his familiar No. 20 jersey. A dream Harris never really dared to have came true Wednesday night as he… Read More
My dear departed Dad was the consummate outdoorsman. Throughout his life he traveled far and wide to angle for freshwater and saltwater fish and to hunt a wide variety of furred and feathered game animals. I saw him cast flies to spring salmon when huge chunks of ice… Read More
Eyes wide, 14 second-graders sat in front of musher Doug Bruner on Friday morning as he told them everything they could possibly want to know about the sport of dog sledding … not that some of them needed much teaching. This crew, you see, isn’t… Read More
Cold and snow, cold and snow! It’s a perfect time to head to your local lake and participate in one of the many ice fishing derbies on tap over the next couple of weeks. Here are a few offerings: googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
Usually, people ask me how to better attract birds to their yards, or how to discourage squirrels from robbing the birdseed. This is the first time someone has asked me how to discourage birds from their yard. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
Warm up your keyboard and get your typing fingers ready because I have good news. As the Bangor Daily News works to enhance its Web site, we’re adding some new features. Bangor Daily rocker Emily Burnham and bargain shopper extraordinaire Kristen Andresen already have their… Read More
When Cathy Anderson sat down to plan a game night for Bangor’s 2006 New Year’s Eve festivities, she didn’t know what to expect. Her store, The Briar Patch, is small, and she was worried that there wouldn’t be enough room. That afternoon, she and employee Louise Jolliffe set… Read More
When kids hear the words “snow day,” visions of sledding hills dance in their heads. Say the same words to an adult, and the visions aren’t so sweet – thoughts of messy commutes and last-minute babysitters edge out those of inner tubes and flexible… Read More
“Babel”: If you know and love the work of Mexican-born director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, you understand going into his films that you must do so armed with a good deal of trust. He is a director devoted to developing complex characters and dense story lines around a convoluted… Read More
Writing best-selling mystery novels is not always all it is cracked up to be. Certainly the working conditions are fine and the money can be fabulous. But the pitfalls can be cruel, according to Camden’s Tess Gerritsen, who spoke at a Sunday “Globe Talks” session at the posh… Read More
Speaking of interplanting to achieve diversity in the vegetable garden ecosystem, what about mixing in a few annuals that attract native pollinators? The idea is appealing: a vision of orange calendula blooms poking through the dark green leaves of winter squash, bees and beetles swarming over the blossoms… Read More
After a couple of weeks off healthful eating, we need to get back to eating cabbage, kale and other more serious greens. There are two cabbage recipes in the queue: One is a genuine casserole from Martha Wolford, and the other would qualify, I think, as a stir… Read More