PORTLAND – A tentative agreement to end a strike against Canada’s largest railroad is good news for Mainers who heat their homes with propane, but it won’t bring an immediate end to tight propane supplies, officials said Sunday. The United Transportation Union encouraged its 2,800… Read More
AUGUSTA – With cold weather straining everyone’s pocketbook, members of the state’s congressional delegation are pushing for additional funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, both for immediate relief and for the next heating season. “It is cold, very cold,” 1st District Rep. Read More
LOS ANGELES – The family of a Maine woman who founded an organization that helps impoverished children in Guatemala is grateful for the attention brought to her life’s work thanks to an Oscar nomination. Safe Passage founder Hanley Denning, who died in January at age… Read More
PORTLAND – Maine’s Sugarloaf/USA and Sunday River ski areas could be the next resorts that American Skiing Co. unloads following its announcement that it’s selling its other New England properties. That’s according to ski industry observers who say they wouldn’t be surprised if financially troubled… Read More
For many Mainers, the only thing worse than mud season is tax season. And right now many of us are in the middle of preparing our federal and state income taxes. Many filers agree to refund anticipation loans – RALs – offered by tax preparers… Read More
The University of Maine received on Friday a $50,000 incentive from the Public Utilities Commission and its Efficiency Maine program for energy-saving improvements to the campus. A second $8,400 cash incentive is expected to be presented to UM in the near future. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
Dear Jim: Last time my furnace was serviced, the technician asked if I had ever had the ducts cleaned, and I see ads on television about it. How can I tell if they need to be cleaned and how do I select a company? – Sean N. Read More
I have been following the papers on the truck driver from Caribou with 63 violations and more than 20 license suspensions – also driving on a suspended license at the time of Tina Turcotte’s death, along with having tested positive for drugs. At 33 years of age, and… Read More
Maine voters have long been frustrated by confusing, and sometimes deceptive, wording of ballot questions. A bill that a legislative committee will consider this week could help by seeking more public comment before a ballot initiative is finalized. Ensuring questions are straightforward and accurate will benefit everyone. Read More
Leaders in Canada’s capital, who have threatened legal action to stop proposed liquefied natural gas facilities in Washington County, should take a cue from the premier of Maine’s neighbor New Brunswick. Instead of threats, Premier Shawn Graham has said he opposes the projects but is prepared to allow… Read More
On Tuesday the Natural Resources Committee will have another opportunity to consider a bill, LD 637, that is calling for a ban on mercury amalgam dental fillings. The committee, in keeping with that virtual elimination strategy of the New England governors and eastern Canadian premiers,… Read More
We both are guilty of the crime of feeding wildlife. We believe, however, that a more important issue is long overdue to be addressed, and that is the loss of winterizing habitat. Deer yards have been completely cut and this practice continues. There need to… Read More
The letter “Get out of Iraq” (BDN, Feb. 20) by Nat Crowley Sr. of Stockton Springs, speaks volumes. Nat speaks with an open-eyed wisdom! It’s inspirational to say the least and prophetic in the fact that it does point out the obvious. It speaks the… Read More
The public school consolidation effort is very worthwhile and necessary at this time in our state. Everyone agrees that with declining population and high property taxes, change is in order. Why would Commissioner Susan Gendron and Gov. John Baldacci muddy these understandings by initiating ridiculous and dangerous proposals… Read More
For women who have struggled with the symptoms of menopause but are fearful of taking risky hormone pills, there is at last a bit of hope. Hormone skin patches and gels, it seems, are far less likely than pills to cause dangerous blood clots. At… Read More
ROCKPORT – The United States government may believe it is the “world’s boss,” but the reality is that the country’s hold on world power is slipping and it needs to put more focus on European alliances to maintain its influence. That was the observation of… Read More
WINSLOW – Two teenagers who were delivering newspapers are being credited with saving the life of an elderly woman who was discovered in a snowbank outside her home. Luke Vashon, 16, of Vassalboro and Caleb Byron, 18, of Benton were delivering the Morning Sentinel around… Read More
ALFRED – Marijuana growers used to set up large plots deep in Maine’s wilderness and let Mother Nature do the work until harvest time. The recent arrests of two men in York County underscores a trend toward more sophisticated indoor operations. Modern growers are investing… Read More
BREWER – Chris Florey is a self-proclaimed comic book geek who is trying to live out a childhood dream. Next month, the 35-year-old Brewer man is heading to Washington, D.C., to audition for the cable network SciFi’s second season of “Who Wants To Be a… Read More
Head Style: head36 – 36 Point, 3 deck, Minion-SemiboldBDN95, Plain; 111; 1 col Body Spec: Body Text; colw: 16p11; depth:4.32 (in.) 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
BANGOR – Artisans displaying various handicrafts, from intricately beaded historic doll clothes to braided rugs and carefully crocheted hats, were scattered Saturday throughout three floors of the Bangor Public Library for the second annual Fiber Art Exhibition. More than 1,300 people attended last year’s event,… Read More
Following are kindergarten registration dates by community. Children who will be 5 by Oct. 15 are eligible to be registered. Parents should bring the child’s state-issued birth certificate and immunization records. In most cases, a small photograph of the child is also needed, but the… Read More
MILO – A local man who witnesses say was playing “chicken” with Elm Street traffic was injured Sunday when he was struck by the mirror of a passing vehicle, police said. Jeffrey Chase, 25, was taken by ambulance to Mayo Regional Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft after… Read More
Nokomis Regional High School, Newport 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
EXETER – Although the town has been budgeting $20,000 a year for paving, it has not been nearly enough to keep pace with escalating asphalt prices. The town has only six miles of paved roads, but the condition of those six miles is not very… Read More
MONSON – The vapor from the mouths of giggling children, talkative adults and yipping dogs filled the crisp winter air Saturday during Monson’s annual Snow Roller Day. The event, which celebrates winter, promotes local artisans and highlights the community’s past, drew young and old in… Read More
UNITY – Wednesday will mark the 140th anniversary of the founding of the Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad. On Feb. 28, 1867, Gov. Joshua L. Chamberlain signed the charter for the newly formed B&ML Railroad. Chamberlain was a proponent of railroads and helped save the… Read More
GOULDSBORO – After nearly five years, the town manager in this Schoodic Peninsula town is stepping down, but he said he’s confident the community is headed in the right direction. Brad Vassey, 61, an attorney, said he’ll likely take some time off and do some… Read More
BELFAST – The Troy Howard Middle School drama club is preparing to stage the musical “Dear Edwina,” an off-Broadway piece dealing with teenagers. The story focuses on Edwina, a teenage “Dear Abby” who performs her advice responses to letters in song and dance. With a… Read More
MARS HILL – A Presque Isle woman escaped serious injury Saturday after her vehicle struck an embankment and rolled onto its roof. Jacquelyne Morrow, 24, was southbound on U.S. Route 1A when the tires on her vehicle got caught up in the slush near a… Read More
HOULTON – Several hundred dollars’ worth of computers and computer-related equipment was stolen over the weekend from Netherland Typewriter, police said. A window was kicked out to gain entry into the Main Street business, according to Houlton Patrol Officer Carolyn Crandall. The break-in was discovered… Read More
ELLSWORTH – A Hancock man pleaded not guilty Friday in Hancock County Superior Court to multiple charges related to a violent relationship with his former girlfriend. Travis Battis, 26, faces charges of kidnapping, burglary, assault, criminal mischief and violating bail conditions in connection with an… Read More
ROCKLAND – More than a century ago a group of stonecutters gathered in a Main Street hotel to form the Granite Cutters International Union and influenced the Maine labor movement in a way that is still felt today. In recognition of that milestone, the Rockland… Read More
BELFAST – Betty Seeley has been volunteering for Special Olympics Maine for decades, and though the work gets harder each year, the rewards make it all worthwhile. “The work is hard, but the enjoyment is worth it when you see these Olympians’ faces when they… Read More
MARS HILL – Four families in an apartment building on Main Street were left homeless Saturday after a fire demolished one apartment and smoke and water damaged the others. The State Fire Marshal’s Office was called in to help local firefighters pinpoint the origin of… Read More
ELLSWORTH – The second statewide workshop on tools for preserving working waterfronts will be held 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, at the Ellsworth Town Hall auditorium. The workshop is open to the public. Property owners, tax assessors, harbor masters and town managers are encouraged to attend. Read More
BELFAST – The Belfast Flying Shoes Dance Series will start at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 2, with a community dance with Chrissy Fowler calling, as well as the All Comers Band. There will be a potluck dinner at 7:30 p.m. and a contradance at 8… Read More
BANGOR – On one of the nicest days of the winter, about 30 parents and children took to Pickering Square behind the Maine Discovery Museum on Sunday afternoon to learn about and crawl around inside a “quinzy.” A quinzy? googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
PARKMAN – Snow that had blown over a patch of ice contributed to an accident involving four juveniles Saturday afternoon on Route 150 in Parkman. No one was seriously hurt. The driver was headed north when he struck a patch of ice, and the vehicle… Read More
A Bangor man was charged with assault twice Sunday for allegedly assaulting a roommate and later a corrections officer at Penobscot County Jail. Police say Zane Schmauderer, 47, repeatedly kicked his roommate Stephen Marshall, 53, in the head while Marshall was on the floor. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
CONCORD, N.H. – Maintaining and improving the world’s working forests is key to slowing global warming, but climate change will accelerate if the current rate of forest loss continues, according to scientists and policy experts who will speak at a conference in Concord this week. Read More
Mid-winter always finds local chapters of the American Red Cross extremely busy, meeting the needs of individuals and families suffering from a variety of disasters. From her Bangor office, Suzan Bell, executive director of the Pine Tree Chapter of the American Red Cross, has asked… Read More
AUBURN – Closing arguments are expected Monday in the murder trial of a Sabattus man charged with fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend in the back of the head during a dispute over custody of their 2-year-old daughter. Both the defense and prosecutors rested their cases Friday… Read More
CASCO – Game wardens planned Monday to resume searching with planes, boats and divers for a Massachusetts man whose snowmobile plunged into Sebago Lake over the weekend. Paul Blanco of Carlisle, Mass., and two other men were riding across the frozen lake when they encountered… Read More
ORONO – It was Seniors Night at the Alfond Arena and the University of Maine’s six seniors provided several of the highlights in the Bears’ 5-1 win over the undermanned but tenacious Merrimack College Warriors. Five of the seniors registered at least a point and… Read More
BANGOR – In the moments before they took the floor for Saturday afternoon’s Eastern Maine Class B championship pregame warmups, the members of the Waterville girls basketball team gathered for a pep talk in a hallway off the Bangor Auditorium floor. “Last year [in the… Read More
BANGOR – Free-throw shooting success – or lack thereof – can be contagious. Fortunately for the Camden Hills of Rockport boys basketball team, Paul Campbell was having none of it late Saturday afternoon, and because of that the Windjammers are the Eastern Maine Class B… Read More
BANGOR – One of the biggest challenges facing the Calais boys basketball team has been the expectation that the Blue Devils would roll to another berth in the Class C state final. Perhaps it wasn’t as easy as expectations suggested, but top-ranked and undefeated Calais… Read More
BANGOR – The Dexter girls basketball team heard it all season. This was the year the Tigers would finally get knocked off in the Eastern Maine Class C tournament. With a new group of players starting in the backcourt and returning players in different roles,… Read More
ORONO – University of Maine men’s basketball coach Ted Woodward issued a challenge to his team during halftime of Sunday afternoon’s regular-season finale: Rebound from a sub-par first half and, above all, take care of the ball. The Black Bears, who turned the ball over… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL At Black Mountain, Rumford 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
COLLEGE Sunrise Conference 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 – The Lee Academy girls went out with an exclamation point Saturday morning. No, they weren’t eliminated from the Eastern Maine Class D tournament. The top-seeded Pandas actually won it with a lopsided win over No. 2 Washburn, but they won’t get a chance… Read More
BANGOR – In the end – actually, in the beginning – the pressure, specifically Lee Academy’s, was just too much for the Washburn girls. The top-seeded Pandas harassed the Beavers unmercifully with a full-court trap and man-to-man defensive pressure, then put on a ball movement… Read More
BANGOR – While Camden Hills of Rockport made only six of its 18 free-throw tries during its 61-60 win over Mattanawcook Academy in Saturday’s Eastern Maine Class B boys final, MA coach Rick Sinclair was left after the game to lament one of the free throws the Windjammers… Read More
BANGOR – In a game that resembled a classic Larry Bird-Magic Johnson, Lakers-Celtics duel, it appeared for a while that neither No. 2 Deer Isle-Stonington nor top-seeded Schenck could throw a knockout punch. With 8.7 seconds left in Saturday morning’s Eastern Maine Class D title… Read More
AUGUSTA – Matt Sceviour led a balanced scoring attack with 13 points as the No. 2 Boothbay boys basketball team defeated No. 1 Dirigo of Dixfield 52-45 for the Western Maine Class C championship Saturday at the Augusta Civic Center. The Gould of Bethel boys… Read More
BANGOR – When Dexter girls basketball coach Jody Grant wanted to give his Tigers some inspiration this season, he used a few examples from professional and college sports. Although Grant was likely met with blank stares at the mention of the Jack Del Rio, head… Read More
ORONO – There was a lot at stake Saturday afternoon for the University of Maine women’s basketball team. The Black Bears needed a victory, and a boost of confidence, as they fight for tournament seeding heading into the last two regular season games. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Ashley Waters had two singles and three RBIs to help the University of Maine softball team earn a 12-3 victory Sunday over Saint Francis (Pa.) in the final day of the Panera Bread Challenge. Maine also picked up a 5-3 win over… Read More
BANGOR – A little too much Juan Galdon and too little fundamental execution by Husson College combined to give Elms College its third straight North Atlantic Conference championship. Tournament MVP Galdon scored 20 points and helped his Blazers hold a tenuous lead for the entire… Read More
Several Maine collegiate athletes enjoyed successful postseason performances this weekend at regional and invitational meets in New England. The University of Maine men finished seventh and the women ninth at the New England Indoor Championships in Boston Friday and Saturday googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
Bowdoin College, the University of Southern Maine, the University of Maine-Farmington and Maine Maritime Academy will represent the state of Maine later this week in the first round of the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Tournament. All four teams have earned their way into the… Read More
The University of Maine on Sunday announced Tal Shpaizer and Matt McGraw as the recipients of the 2007 M Club Dean Smith Award. The award is presented to the male and female student-athlete with outstanding academic and athletic achievement along with citizenship and community service. Read More
An exciting social event of the long Maine winter was the Portland Automobile and Power Boat Show. The second annual show was held in 1907, a century ago this week. If you were dreaming of sitting behind the wheel of a brand-new REO Runabout or perhaps a Pierce… Read More
The three phases (or states) of matter are solid, liquid and gas, a physics lesson that children learn early in their elementary science education. For water, we call these phases ice, water and water vapor. When matter changes its state, it either loses or absorbs… Read More
As captain of the Orono High School football team, senior Michael Zhang was not the usual teen sport icon. Sure, he could run the ball, follow the coach’s directions, and he never missed a game. But he wasn’t exactly what you’d call a natural. Still, he may go… Read More
One cold December night, I woke up to a rumbling. I swore about noisy plow trucks and rolled over. But the rumbling went on way longer than it takes to block off the driveway. Man, this is a loud snowplow, I grumbled. The bedroom walls… Read More
It has been more than two centuries since my Bennetts left Gloucester, Mass., where they’d been for some 150 years. The houses I see from a particular view of the sand dunes in Gloucester weren’t there then, but this postcard fascinates me nonetheless. Another postcard… Read More
In theaters BREACH, directed by Billy Ray, written by Adam Mazer, William Rotko and Ray, 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 < slot_sizes.length;… Read More
When in doubt, go with what works. Aaron Sorkin’s admirable failure “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” proved too insider for many in the flyover states. So NBC returns to the focus of many network shows: crime. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More