Electronic gadgets and technology are driving forces in today’s economy. There is an avalanche of products designed to simplify our lives, educate us, entertain us, and keep us better connected with our families, news and sports events, the world and universe (or at least this solar system). Read More
    Dear Jim: My house has old wood siding, which I am tired of repairing and painting. Also, the house could use some additional insulation. Other than installing ordinary vinyl siding, what attractive options do I have? – Don H. Dear Don: There are many new… Read More
    Maine’s vehicle excise tax has long been viewed as unfair, in large part because it is based solely on a vehicle’s sticker price. Basing the tax on the vehicle’s value and taking into account depreciation, as calculated by a nationally recognized source such as the National Automobile Dealers,… Read More
    What began as scattered reports of the firing of some top federal prosecutors has suddenly erupted into a full-blown scandal with Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on the defensive, scrambling to appease his critics and possibly even to hold onto his job. As recently as Wednesday,… Read More
    I should hope Mainers don’t fall for Roxanne Quimby’s hypocritical “responsible buying” blather (“The color of honey,” BDN, Feb. 27). This is nothing more than a self-serving sales pitch. Right along with statements about Americans’ buying decisions and fun products, please note that all the… Read More
    In reference to an article by staff writer Dawn Gagnon (BDN, Feb. 27) about the city of Bangor giving development status to John Sites to proceed with a condo development near the intersection of Summer and Railroad streets in Bangor. This area is adjacent to the shores of… Read More
    To George Smith’s mind, the proposed legislation, LD 307, allowing landowners to hunt on their own property on Sundays (BDN, March 2) “is really about landowner rights. It’s not about Sunday hunting.” OK. If such a bill passes, then I will exercise my right as a property owner… Read More
    The BDN’s recent article on SAD 1 and interview with Susan Gendron clearly show why Maine needs a new commissioner of education. The cooperative cost-saving measures going on in The County are evidence that the commissioner’s consolidation plan won’t save close to the $250 million she has predicted. Read More
    While the Medicaid billing fiasco continues to make headlines around the state, at least one Hancock County legislator with a direct hand in the mess has had little to say recently. Inquiring minds want to know: Where was Rep. Hannah Pingree, D-North Haven, for the past two years… Read More
    The chemical nicotine is an effective addicting agent. Once you become dependent, it is difficult to overcome the effects. The powerful international tobacco industry continues to spend billions of dollars to research, manufacture, advertise and promote the use of their product despite the fact that when used as… Read More
    If you want to know what distinguishes Maine’s economy from other states’, look in the mirror. Chances are you’re over age 40. That alone isn’t unique; it’s that so many other readers are, too. Maine has the nation’s highest median age and the lowest percentage… Read More
    BAR HARBOR – Three years ago, the enormous cruise ship Queen Mary 2 got a big reception when local officials set up a pedestrian-only zone on a downtown street, hundreds of sightseers flocked to the Shore Path to see the vessel ease into Frenchman Bay, and the governor… Read More
    PORTLAND – In his inaugural weekly radio address to Mainers, Gov. John Baldacci said Saturday it is imperative that the state’s public school system be restructured to improve education and provide tax relief. Baldacci’s comments were aired in a five-minute radio address that was recorded… Read More
    CARIBOU – A local man got more than he bargained for when he entered a trailer near his home and refused to leave. Rodney Saunders, 24, of Caribou was arrested and charged with burglary, criminal trespassing, criminal mischief and assault – and he received a… Read More
    LITTLETON – The state has registered its fourth snowmobile fatality this winter after a Lincolnville man died while riding on ITS 83 in southern Aroostook County, according to the Maine Warden Service. Michael Libby, 22, was pronounced dead at the scene of his accident after… Read More
    BELFAST – The Randall-Collins Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3108 has expanded its membership by establishing a Men’s Auxiliary and American-Veterans post. Officers from each entity, as well as the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, gathered at the post on Sunday for installation ceremony for the new… Read More
    CARIBOU – Seven-year-old Connor Hebert loves ski jumps. The Presque Isle resident was nearly in heaven on Saturday when he attended the Aroostook Youth Ski Festival. Approximately 300 children, parents and volunteers from around Aroostook County attended the event, held in Caribou. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    Bangor police arrested a Kenduskeag man late Saturday in the Diva’s Gentlemen’s Club parking lot after he yelled at officers who pulled over the vehicle in which he was a passenger. Police stopped the vehicle around 11:45 p.m. after the driver made an illegal turn… Read More
    CRANBERRY ISLES – Residents are expected to consider several measures brought to voters by petition in addition to a proposed $1.4 million budget, according to town officials. The items will be up for discussion and approval at the Cranberry Isles annual town meeting, which is… Read More
    PORTLAND – A growing number of Maine high school students are taking courses where their classmates – and their teachers – are in other states and countries. Hundreds of students across the state are taking courses over the Internet that range from Mandarin Chinese to… Read More
    SEARSPORT – The adage that every vote counts proved true at town meeting when residents approved a land use ordinance by a single vote. Proponents and opponents of the ordinance packed the Searsport District High School gymnasium Saturday. When the ballots were counted and recounted,… Read More
    Registration is open for Army Strong, a physical fitness challenge co-sponsored by the U.S. Army and Gold’s Gym that is planned for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 31, at Gold’s Gym, 424 Odlin Road in Bangor. Gold’s general manager Travis York said the… Read More
    Corinna Saturday’s annual town meeting approved a zoning change that will allow senior housing and create senior housing standards. 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
    AUGUSTA – The Republican State Committee on Saturday scheduled the party’s 2008 caucuses for next February that help choose the next Republican presidential nominee. The caucuses are scheduled for Feb. 1, 2 and 3, said Joe Bruno, chairman of the Maine Republican Party. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    WASHINGTON – The Bush administration wants to allow ocean farming for shellfish, salmon and saltwater species in federal waters for the first time, hoping to grab a greater share of the $70 billion aquaculture market. A plan being announced Monday by Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez… Read More
    BODY SPEC: BODY TEXT; COLW: 11P0; DEPTH:15.62 (IN.) AP PHOTO BY NANCY PALMIERI 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… Read More
    LEWISTON – Seventy-one seconds into Saturday’s Class B state championship game against Greely of Cumberland Center, Brewer’s Devin Fitzpatrick was sent to the penalty box to serve two minutes for tripping. Twenty-three seconds after Fitzpatrick’s penalty expired, the Witches’ John Ambrose was whistled for tripping. Read More
    SCRANTON, Pa. – Nearly a year ago to the day, the University of Mary Washington women’s basketball team was Bowdoin College’s steppingstone to the Elite 8 of the NCAA Division III tournament. Saturday night, with the top-ranked Polar Bears threatening to earn a spot in… Read More
    FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Senior Arel Gordon of the University of Maine set a school record en route to his seventh-place finish in the men’s 60-meter dash in the NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships. Gordon ran a time of 6.71 seconds, besting Joshua… Read More
    HIGH SCHOOL At Bristol, R.I. 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
    TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Colby College senior Karen Prisby finished sixth in the women’s 5,000-meter run to earn All-America honors in the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday. Prisby set a Colby indoor record with a time of 17:05.73. It’s her… Read More
    YMCA STATE MEET 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
    Old Town native Dick MacPherson, a former head football coach at the University of Massachusetts and Syracuse University as well as with the New England Patriots of the National Football League, is one of 75 players and eight coaches on the 2007 Football Bowl Subdivision Ballot for induction… Read More
    BRISTOL, R.I. – Brewer’s Jessica Hodsdon and Belfast’s Tyler Bowen successfully defended their individual New England titles and the MDI High School boys 400-yard freestyle relay team also won for the second straight year as Maine racked up 50 top-6 finishes Saturday in the New England Championships at… Read More
    When Galileo first laid eyes on Jupiter’s four largest moons in 1610, he did not know what he was seeing. He had built a telescope for himself that was blurrier and less powerful than the $30 binoculars you can buy at Kmart. He already suspected… Read More
    As spring approaches, we begin to talk about changes in the natural world. “Are those lilac buds swelling already?” “Isn’t the forsythia flowering earlier this year?” “Have maple trees down the road turned red yet?” Questions like these punctuate strolls around the garden, drives through the neighborhood. Read More
    Mainers loved ice a century ago. They loved to make money by cutting it up and selling it. They also enjoyed playing on it. Ice skating, iceboating and ice fishing were major pastimes. At the beginning of 1907, a new skating rink was opened on… Read More
    In theaters 300. Directed by Zack Snyder, written by Snyder, Kurt Johnstad and Michael B. Gordon, 117 minutes, rated R. 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
    The Malloys are clutching the American Dream by the throat and hanging on. The only trouble is it’s not their dream. It belongs to Doug and Cherien Rich. But stealing the couple’s identity, along with everything else they own, is the only chance the Malloy family has to… Read More