Canada’s ambassador to the United States told Sen. Olympia Snowe during the weekend that seven railcars of propane would soon arrive in Maine to help ease a statewide shortage caused, in part, by a strike at Canada’s largest railway. Snowe’s office said the information from… Read More
    Dear Jim: My present home has squeaky floors, especially during winter. How can I fix these annoying squeaks? Also I am planning to build an energy-efficient home in two years. How can I avoid squeaks there? – Edward K. Dear Edward: Squeaky floors can be… Read More
    This letter is directed to the many people who are skeptical about the wind farms such as the one at Mars Hill and others that are being proposed. Several years ago I was driving from Los Angeles to Phoenix, when we came across a large… Read More
    It is not surprising that hard-liners are upset about an agreement that North Korea will end its nuclear activities in exchange for food and energy assistance. The agreement, and the talks that made it possible, are a large and positive change in posture and approach for the Bush… Read More
    Ellsworth and the Maine Department of Transportation have come up with a traffic plan that nobody seems to like very much and some actually hate. It calls for one-way southbound traffic on the Bar Harbor Road from McDonald’s to Myrick Street, the new route that serves Home Depot. Read More
    How quickly the U.S. Congress forgets the mandate of the American electorate that attempted to change from the status quo produced by the Bush administration and its Republican majorities in the House and Senate causing the Iraq invasion. Can they not remember the lies we… Read More
    Robert Fulghum’s book, “It was on Fire When I Lay Down on it,” brings to mind the decision of George Bush to add more than 20,000 new troops to those already in Iraq. Poor decisions made around the invasion and pursuit of this illegal war do not seem… Read More
    Thank you for having given Richard Sprague’s letter, “To A U.S. Hero, With Reverence,” guest billing in the February 14, BDN. In this emotive piece, Mr. Sprague not only beautifully eulogizes a dear friend, but, in his vivid description of Willard Buxton, he also offers… Read More
    It puzzled me to hear Gov. Baldacci’s repeated praising of the Brookings Report that was bought and paid for by the GrowSmart Maine group this past fall. While it seems most Democrats running for the Legislature were quiet about the report when it came out… Read More
    Regarding the editorial, “Town, Gown and Ballot,” (BDN Feb. 2), this bill was not a bill to “restrict the voting rights of college students.” What it was rightly attempting to do was to get college students to comply with the same residency requirements that I have to comply… Read More
    Now that the election is over and the Taxpayer Bill of Rights has been defeated, legislators, the governor and special interest groups are rushing forward to offer their own versions of tax relief. The governor’s tax relief message is particularly confusing. Maine voters were recently… Read More
    Legislative bills that affect agriculture this session range from slaughterhouse construction to moose worrying cattle to empowering animal control officers to report child abuse. And Julie Bickford, executive director of the Maine Dairy Industry Association, said Sunday that Maine’s dairy farmers are watching several bills… Read More
    LINCOLN – Jordan Taylor had his race won. The 15-year-old snowmobile racer from Norridgewock was entering what he thought was the final turn of one heat of the Lincoln Snowhounds Snowmobile Club’s eighth annual Sno-Cross Races on Sunday when he saw an opening, and victory,… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Gov. John Baldacci’s plan to reduce school administrative districts from 296 to 26 does not have the political support to pass as is, but there is strong and bipartisan support to reduce the costs of school administration. Both Baldacci and Education Commissioner Susan… Read More
    BAR HARBOR – The Planet Pan Steel Band will offer a night of Latin calypso music at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, at the College of the Atlantic, Gates Center. Tickets are $10 at the door. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
    Members of Maine’s Rwandan population will protest statements made by Paul Rusesabagina, the man featured in the movie “Hotel Rwanda,” at 5 p.m. today at the Maine Center for the Arts in Orono where Rusesabagina is scheduled to speak at 7:30 p.m. “Hotel Rwanda” tells… Read More
    BANGOR – For its monthly meeting, the Penobscot County Genealogical Society will have an open research night at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, at the LDS Family History Center, located at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, corner of Essex Street and Grandview Avenue. Read More
    MILLINOCKET – Jordan Harding of East Millinocket ice fishes most every weekend, but the 4-year-old caught his best fish ever when it counted the most. Jordan hooked an 181/2-inch brook trout on Saturday to claim a second prize in the Family Day fishing competition at… Read More
    ST. STEPHEN, New Brunswick – The Yankees were on the ice, but they were trailing. In a weekend of competitive curling designed to raise money for the fight against cancer, some U.S. participants found themselves overwhelmed by their Canadian neighbors. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
    Army Pvt. Issac Staples graduated from basic combat training at Fort Knox, Ky. Staples is the son of Susan Staples of Belfast. Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Corey Lewis has re-enlisted in the Connecticut Army National Guard. Lewis graduated from Rockland District High School. Read More
    CALAIS – The Blue Devil boys basketball team is undefeated again this season, so proud parents and friends wanted to show their appreciation Sunday. The Class C defending state champion dominated its field during the regular season, extending its winning streak to 40 games. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – Faith in Action Community Connection will hold a fundraising auction of 25 benches that will be in the streets of Ellsworth from June through November. Artists are needed to decorate the 5-foot cedar garden benches. Artists whose work focuses on nature are preferred. Read More
    ROCKLAND – The Rockland Public Library will host an evening of poetry by Linda Buckmaster and Karin Spitfire at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, in the Friends Community Room. Admission is free. For information, call 594-0310. Read More
    CAMDEN – Printmaker Kathleen Walsh Buchanan of Thomaston will give an illustrated talk about her work at the Camden Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27. For information, call 236-3440. Read More
    BAR HARBOR – The George B. Dorr Museum, College of the Atlantic, will host a “floor opening” at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, to celebrate its new hemlock tile floor. The floor was donated by the Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine. Wood for the… Read More
    TENANTS HARBOR – Jackson Memorial Library will host a presentation by Antarctic adventurer Paul Dalrymple at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25. His talk will focus on history, geography and famous explorers. He will also bring a collection of books for audience members. A question-and-answer period will follow the… Read More
    MACHIAS – Maine’s former poet laureate Baron Wormser of Hallowell will read from his works at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, at the University of Maine at Machias in the Clipper Lounge, Sennett Hall. Wormser also will conduct a writing discussion at 10 a.m. Thursday,… Read More
    TENANTS HARBOR – Jackson Memorial Library will offer a workshop, “Vacation Adventure: Using the Sun to Make Photographs,” for children in grades one through four from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, in the Children’s Room. Antonia Small will teach the children to make… Read More
    MACHIAS – Free workshops on use taxation programs and other tools for preserving working waterfronts will be held in the following locations. Food and refreshments will be provided. . Machias – 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, Machias Savings Bank, Community Room. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    PENOBSCOT – The Bagaduce Watershed Association will present a program on “Creating a Backyard Habit” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, at the town hall. President of Downeast Audubon Leslie Clapp will give a slide show on the countless ways to make yards friendlier toward… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – To have a real community impact, you have to know what the real problems are. United Way of Aroostook recently completed a yearlong community needs assessment that is designed to make sure officials are delivering help and financial support to the local… Read More
    Officials with Caribou-based Professional Home Nursing knew they were good, but they didn’t expect to be ranked one of the top home health providers in the country. Katherine Anderson, co-owner of the organization, confirmed Friday that the agency was named among the top 500 out… Read More
    Police seized more than 3 pounds of marijuana from a house in Bangor early Saturday morning. Lt. Jeff Millard and the Special Response Team of the Bangor Police Department were acting on a search warrant when they entered Apt. 2 at 18 Willow St. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    Etna resident Christina Mills, 22, asked her aunt for a ride. When the aunt refused, Mills decided to take the woman’s 1996 Ford Taurus, according to Maine State Police. Since Mills has a suspended driver’s license for multiple operating after suspension charges, she was charged… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Two students have been named Maine’s top youth volunteers for 2007 by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. Kelly Davis, 17, of West Bath was nominated by Morse High School, and Stephanie Dunton, 13, of Winterport was nominated by Samuel L. Wagner Middle School. Read More
    CALAIS – Bowlers tossed the ball Sunday at the seventh annual Bowl Down Drugs competition, and at the same time helped raise money for the Police Department in its anti-drug battles. Most of the team members didn’t even know how to bowl. That was evident… Read More
    ORLAND – H.O.M.E. Inc. is taking applications for its annual mission trips to Guatemala in late March and October. Participants will stay with a host family in the village of San Juan Comalapa. Travelers will help at the Emmaus Center, work with the villagers and… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – Grant proposals are being accepted by the Healthy Hancock Coalition for Community Health. It will provide grants up to $1,000 to community organizations within Hancock County. If the organization is not 501(c) (3) exempt, it must have a fiscal agent with this status. Read More
    JEFFERSON – The town will celebrate its bicentennial beginning Saturday, Feb. 24, with a tolling of local church bells at noon. Registration for snowmobile races will be held 8-9:30 a.m. with races from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Damariscotta Lake State Park. There will… Read More
    CHERRYFIELD – The Down East RC&D council will hold its February meeting at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 22. A light lunch will conclude the meeting. To attend, contact Barbara Maurer at 546-2368. Read More
    WHITING – The school board of directors has announced its opposition to the governor’s legislation to replace Maine’s existing school units with 26 regions. The reasons cited were: . Educational quality may be adversely effected. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
    MACHIAS – Sunrise Opportunities will hold its annual Mardi Gras pancake supper 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, at the Kay Parker Building, 66 Hadley Lake Road. Coffee and juice will be available. A handmade quilt will be given away as a door prize. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    MACHIAS – A workshop and luncheon to review progress of the “Washington County: One Community” project will be held noon-5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, at Clipper Lounge, Senate Hall, University of Maine at Machias. The workshop is open to the public, but reservations are required. Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – SAD 1 officials are taking a wait-and-see position on proposed school redistricting plans after considering late last week a resolution to oppose the governor’s consolidation initiative. Superintendent Gehrig Johnson said Saturday that the board took no action on the resolution during its… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – For the seventh year in a row, the city’s finance director has been honored with the highest state award he can receive in his field of work. Donald A. Savage, who has worked as Presque Isle’s finance director since 1991, was presented… Read More
    Veteran photographer Lee Sirabella of Brewer recently had some of his photographs on display at the Bangor Public Library, and he had offered to give unframed prints to the subjects of the photographs or to their family members. However, Sirabella wrote me, “there are still… Read More
    LAMBERT – Last week’s snowfall may have been a boon for the industry, but snowmobilers could find the new snow more of a bump on the nose – or worse – if they don’t ride safely. After two minor snowmobile accidents over the weekend, the… Read More
    ORONO – Lauren Dwyer started off the morning preliminary heats of Saturday’s Class B girls state swimming championships with two strong individual performances. Still, the Orono High freshman wanted to make sure she had enough left to race in the evening final of the 100-yard… Read More
    AUGUSTA – One challenge of a deep basketball team is how best to capitalize on that depth. For the Bangor High boys basketball team, the answer availed itself just in time Saturday, as the Rams focused on inside play after intermission to subdue Leavitt of… Read More
    BOSTON – University of Maine junior Jessie Ellis-Alcaide became the first Black Bear to win an ECAC Swimming and Diving Championships title after taking first in both the 50 and 100 freestyle. Ellis-Alcaide of Harpswell finished with a time of 23.91 seconds in the 50… Read More
    HIGH SCHOOL Leavitt Invitational 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
    CARIBOU BOG RACE At Bangor, 19K 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 Boston 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
    BOSTON – University of Maine senior Arel Gordon set an America East and University of Maine record with a run of 6.19 seconds in the 55-meter dash in the preliminary round Saturday. Gordon then won the final with a time of 6.25 seconds. In the… Read More
    ORONO – It was Seniors Day at the Alfond Arena on Sunday and four seniors figured prominently in leading the University of Maine to a 3-2 come-from-behind win over Boston University. BU had triumphed 2-1 on Saturday afternoon. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
    BANGOR – The Washburn High School girls basketball team has played plenty of basketball lately and it seems to have helped them. Due to a rash that closed school and postponed games, Washburn’s girls had to squeeze their final four regular season games into five… Read More
    BOSTON – The outcome of tight games hinges on a team’s ability to execute in the final minutes. The University of Maine couldn’t make enough key plays to pull out Saturday’s women’s basketball contest against Boston University. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
    BOSTON – The Northeastern University Huskies shot an impressive 45.6 percent from the field Saturday afternoon to hand the University of Maine men their fourth straight loss, 71-61, in an ESPN Bracketbusters non-conference game. Guard Bobby Kelly led the shooting blitz with 17 points on… Read More
    HIGH SCHOOL At Wallace Pool, 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 – A surprise celebratory streamer and confetti shower at center court wasn’t just a surprise to fans at the Bangor Auditorium Saturday afternoon. As fans, players, coaches and officials alike awaited the start of the national anthem before the Eastern Maine Class B boys… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Glen Kendrick scored nine of his game-high 20 points in the third quarter Saturday as top seed Richmond outscored No. 8 Rangeley 24-6 en route to a 61-44 win in their Western Maine Class D quarterfinal at the Augusta Civic Center. Brandon Lancaster… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Adam Gilbert led a balanced attack with 14 points as No. 3 Mt. Blue of Farmington topped No. 6 Gardiner 69-48 in an Eastern Maine Class A boys basketball quarterfinal at the Augusta Civic Center on Saturday afternoon. The win advances the Cougars… Read More
    The University of Maine and Bowdoin College played the first intercollegiate hockey game in the Pine Tree State on Saturday, Feb. 16, 1907. Hockey was still something of a novelty, and this first primitive game received close attention in the Bangor newspapers. UM and Bowdoin were the only… Read More
    It was Kaye Sakahara who several years ago wrote to tell me that Nov. 22, 1943, had been Abbot’s “day” in the Bangor Daily News. My dad was among the 44 servicemen from that town honored with Abbot in the newspaper. Sangerville’s day, I knew… Read More
    We thought and thought about the sights to show our visitors. 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
    In theaters GHOST RIDER, written and directed by Mark Steven Johnson, based on the Marvel comic book, 110 minutes, rated PG-13. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i… Read More
    Maine is home to several kinds of owls. Some of them are the barred owl, the great horned owl and, in winter, the snowy owl. Other kinds of owls are seen less frequently in Maine, and among these is the short-eared owl. The short-eared owl… Read More