A story published in some editions of the State section Tuesday about the Bangor School Department’s preliminary gross budget for 2007-08 should have said that the year-to-year increase was calculated to be 4.53 percent. In captions under two photographs that ran in the Lifestyle section… Read More
    BIDDEFORD – A military optics maker plans to set up shop in a city industrial plaza and is expected to create 20 to 40 jobs in its first two years of operation. In a statement distributed by the office of Sen. Susan Collins, Chief Executive… Read More
    SOUTH PORTLAND – Maine’s largest health insurer announced Tuesday an incentive program intended to encourage the use of generic drugs in place of their more expensive brand-name counterparts. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield said its GenericSelect program will provide eligible members with up to… Read More
    Langostino? Kristen Millar knows what it is. 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
    The following recalls have been announced: . About 12,000 electronic musical keyboards, imported by Casio Inc. and manufactured by Casio Computer Co. Ltd., because they can overheat and pose a fire hazard. The company has received five reports of overheating keyboards, including two that caused… Read More
    Red Shield spews toxic ash over the community which has tested positive for toxic levels of lead, but Maine Department of Environmental Protection officials recently said there is no threat to the public’s health at this time. How is it on one hand toxic and on the other… Read More
    U.S. senators this week will be offered the chance to take one of the least-glamorous step any politician can: self-imposed fiscal discipline that will earn one day of praise and a whole year’s worth of hard choices. They should take it, and begin explaining to the public some… Read More
    Allowing voters at the polls to rank their choice of candidates rather than simply voting for one person sounds like an easy way to empower third-party candidates without putting them in a spoiler role. What hasn’t been answered, however, is how instant runoff voting would work in Maine. Read More
    I note with a grin that Reps. Mike Michaud and Tom Allen are embarking on yet another government boondoggle in creating a Northern Border Economic Development Commission to complement the manifold other bureaucratic “development agencies” populating Maine. I’m sure the Piscataquis County, Eastern Maine, Kennebec County and who… Read More
    During World War II, all over the Pacific theater, there were American ships and military stations where a paymaster accompanied by a pistol-carrying guard issued cash payments to each serviceman. This happened without fail wherever possible on a monthly basis. In every case, the recipient was required to… Read More
    Recently our troops deployed in Iraq returned to Bangor with full coverage from the local media. One thing bothers me. These patriots, after serving one year in Iraq were bussed from Fort Dix to Bangor. As one who drives to South Jersey annually to visit family I can… Read More
    Fire safety pays off In the six days between Feb. 6 and Feb. 11, there were six fires that killed 19 children and nine adults across the nation. This seems to be an increase in fires that have claimed the lives of three or more… Read More
    It is said that the sign of a good compromise is that all the parties involved have something about the final product that they dislike. The fact that the Education Committee’s alternative to Gov. Baldacci’s school district consolidation plan has been roundly criticized, however, should not be taken… Read More
    This year the British Medical Journal cited the 10 most important medical breakthroughs of the last quarter decade. Surprising, number six on their list was the movement for evidence based medicine or EBM. For those unfamiliar with this concept, EBM preaches that decisions about treatments or interventions must… Read More
    AUGUSTA – A former member of the rock ‘n’ roll revival group Sha Na Na had three words Tuesday for “impostor” bands who lift the names of real groups to give their own acts undeserved authenticity: “Get a job.” In his trademark bass voice, Jon… Read More
    BANGOR – A five-story hotel and a retail shopping center featuring a mystery big-box store were among the projects the city’s planning board approved Tuesday night. Both projects are slated for the Bangor Mall area, with the hotel proposed for the Hogan Road side and… Read More
    AUGUSTA – While everyone involved believes Maine’s subsidy program for dairy farmers has kept many farms operating that were in danger of closing, it needs more cash to keep the assistance flowing. In 2005, the total cost of the subsidy program was $418,000. The cost… Read More
    AUGUSTA – In remembrance and honor of Marine Lance Cpl. Angel Rosa of South Portland, Gov. John Baldacci directed Tuesday that American and the state of Maine flags throughout the state be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset today. Rosa, 21, died in Al… Read More
    AUGUSTA – The Golden Road is indeed valuable to Maine economic and recreational interests both proponents and opponents of a proposal to study a possible state purchase of the road said Tuesday. LD 625, a legislative resolve that would form a commission to study possible… Read More
    The federal government has awarded more than $4 million to projects that will help protect the largest unfragmented forest in central Maine as well as a popular recreation spot in the Western Mountains. The U.S. Forest Service recently approved $2.2 million for the Lower Penobscot… Read More
    CARIBOU – Slippery roads and near whiteout conditions combined to spark a series of accidents throughout central and northern Aroostook County on Tuesday afternoon and into the evening. The most serious accident took place on U.S. Route 1 in Caribou, where police said drifting snow… Read More
    CAMDEN – Voters will be able to have their say on a proposal to eliminate local police dispatching services in a nonbinding advisory referendum. At its meeting Monday night, the Select Board voted to include a question on the dispatch proposal on the June 12… Read More
    LINCOLN – The planning board is researching banning methadone clinics from town or restricting where they could be located in response to Town Councilor Bruce Albert’s suggestion. Albert doesn’t want Lincoln to fall into the same hole as Ellsworth, whose city councilors decided Monday to… Read More
    CRYSTAL – Road conditions were cited as the cause of an early morning accident on Route 159. Deputy Larry Goff of the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department said Tuesday that the accident occurred just after 7 a.m., when roads in the area were snow-covered after a… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – The library at Northern Maine Community College recently received a donation of 30 children and family videos from 9-year-old Matthew Beckwith. Beckwith is the son of Lori Keith of Presque Isle who used to work at the library. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    FORT KENT – The University of Maine at Fort Kent will be celebrating Women’s History Month with “Six Special Women,” a presentation by Linda Huff at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 22, in the Nadeau Hall Teleconference Room. The event is free and open to the… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – A sculpture exhibition using stone as a primary material combined with wood and metal, “Homage to a Stone” will go on display in the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Reed Art Gallery beginning March 20. The display was created by Leo-Paul… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – The Miss Presque Isle scholarship pageant will be held 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 28, at the Presque Isle High School Auditorium. Tickets are $8 per person and can be purchased from any of the Miss Presque Isle contestants and at the Presque… Read More
    MARS HILL- Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten registration will be held Monday, April 9, by appointment both in Mars Hill and Blaine. Pre-kindergarten students must be 4 years old on or before Oct. 15, 2007. Students who will be 5 years old on or before Oct. 15… Read More
    ALLAGASH – Voters at the annual town meeting held March 16 and 17 elected three selectmen, a clerk and a treasurer. Daniel Pelletier won 118 votes for first selectmen while Joel Jackson earned 58 votes. Joseph Hafford was elected second selectman with 94 votes, while… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – The Portland String Quartet will perform 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 23, in Wieden Auditorium, University of Maine at Presque Isle. Quartet members are Julie Adams, violist; Paul Ross, cellist; Ronald Lantz, violinist; and Stephen Kecskemethy, violinist. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
    FORT KENT – The University of Maine at Fort Kent will hold a business breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 3, in Nadeau Hall teleconference room for a presentation on the Brookings-GrowSmart Maine report, “Charting Maine’s Future: A Plan of Action for Sustainable Prosperity.” The… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – KeyBank business banking and cash management teams will host a Key Solutions Seminar on “Payment Fraud: Managing Risk in an Evolving Industry” Wednesday, April 4 in the Aroostook and Allagash Rooms of the Campus Center at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Read More
    CARIBOU – Beach Blast 2 has been postponed until March 31 at the Caribou High School cafeteria and gym. Supper will be from 6 to 7 p.m. and will include hamburgers, hot dogs, coleslaw, beans, drinks and desserts. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
    HOULTON – Although the crowd was small, the handful of parents and community members who came together to brainstorm with an education consultant Monday evening generated some powerful ideas about how the region can better collaborate and work together to save money and increase efficiency in its schools. Read More
    PERRY – A tri-town manager may be the answer to all the complexities of local government and may make it just a bit more efficient. At least that’s what Perry, Pembroke and Charlotte are hoping. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
    HERMON – A pamphlet distributed to residents about a controversial tennis project voters rejected in January has prompted the Town Council to move toward creation of an ethics policy. Two people who favored the proposal for a $1.3 million outdoor tennis complex asked the council… Read More
    BREWER – Local construction firm Nickerson & O’Day has been selected to build the new public safety building, and WBRC Architects-Engineers of Bangor will design it. City leaders hired the two local firms Tuesday as the design-build team, over four others who submitted proposals. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – A bill making its way through Augusta could provide some funding to help Piscataquis County diversify its tourism-related economy, commissioners were told Tuesday. Under a measure before the Legislature’s Business Committee, the state Office of Tourism would be directed to develop a nature-based… Read More
    BANGOR – Regional transportation planners wrestled Tuesday with options for summer road projects after learning that the $4 million they had expected from the state will be closer to $1.1 million through the end of this year. The steep drop in anticipated state transportation funding… Read More
    BANGOR – The John Bapst Memorial High School board of trustees has selected its next head of school. Melvill G. MacKay III was the board’s unanimous choice, according to board Chairman Andrew Hamilton’s letter to the school community. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
    SEDGWICK – There will be a concert and dessert buffet 6:30-9 p.m. Friday, March 23, at the Sedgwick Elementary School to benefit the Nancy and Ray Gale family of Sedgwick as they deal with extensive medical treatments. Musicians Wade Dow, Dick Philbrook and the Higgins… Read More
    CALAIS – Two years ago an emergency room nurse at a Bangor hospital placed a teddy bear in the arms of a sick child. Evan Weston of Eastport later died, but his family wants other sick kids to know the comfort of cuddling a stuffed… Read More
    KNOX COUNTY – Road crews were still responding Tuesday to damage caused by last Friday’s snowstorm and Saturday’s rains. Frozen culverts and ditches clogged with large chunks of snow and ice could not handle the heavy flow of rainwater, which instead found alternate routes, carving… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – A master plan for the city’s waterfront shows scenic pathways along the Union River, a pedestrian mall linking the eclectic shops of Main Street to Water Street and a mixed-use building with endless possibilities. But, as with any large-scale development project, cost is… Read More
    BLUE HILL – Selectmen will continue to look for ways to control speeding within the town after voters cast their ballots at the annual town meeting last Saturday, but they probably will not keep the town’s cruiser. Residents at the annual town meeting voted to… Read More
    BLUE HILL – The Community Health Education Services department of Blue Hill Memorial Hospital is holding its annual Getaway Dinner Program at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, in the cafeteria. There will be a Caribbean banquet-style menu. Registered nurse Susan Young will speak on diabetes. Read More
    BLUE HILL – People diagnosed with diabetes wanting to learn about more about how to control it can attend diabetes education classes, the first one slated 4-6 p.m. Thursday, April 12, at Blue Hill Memorial Hospital’s Brownlow Room. The next four sessions are 4-6 p.m. Read More
    MACHIAS – The peace walk for Iraq has been rescheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, March 24. Participants should gather at Centre Street Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, 7 Center St. For information, call 255-6665. Read More
    MACHIAS – Two University of Maine at Machias professors who used their sabbatical semesters last fall to work off campus, will talk about their research projects at 4 p.m. Thursday, March 22, in UMM’s Portside room. On Thursday, April 19, two more UMM professors who… Read More
    BAR HARBOR – Kindergarten registration for children entering Conners Elementary School in September will be 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, March 21-22. Parents need to bring their child’s immunization records and birth certificate. Children must be 5 years old by Oct. Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – One teen was charged with criminal mischief and more teens were expected to be charged after police received several complaints about broken windows, Sgt. Mark Barnes of the Presque Isle Police Department said Monday. A 16-year-old boy from Presque Isle was summoned… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – Northern Maine Community College recently received a $12,500 contribution to its “Campaign for the County’s College” from Machias Savings Bank. The contribution will establish an endowed scholarship fund with the NMCC foundation to benefit students from Aroostook, Penobscot, Washington or Hancock county… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – Work to reconstruct the local airport’s main runway is scheduled to begin next month after city councilors approved the low bid of $4.3 million for the project. The Presque Isle City Council approved a $4,270,979 bid from H.E. Sargent Inc., of Stillwater,… Read More
    For the young, and young-at-heart, the Bangor Garden Show, with its fairy tale theme, should be an absolute delight. The 17th annual event begins with the Preview Night Gala 6-9 p.m. Thursday, March 22, at Bangor Auditorium and Civic Center. Admission is $35 for one… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – A mattress that caught fire, then was discarded, wound up igniting the wall of a barn on North Street. Fire Chief Joseph Guyotte said Tuesday that an electric heater being used in a home owned by Terry Perkins ignited a mattress late Monday… Read More
    WASHINGTON – Sen. Susan Collins announced her support Tuesday for legislation that would double Alzheimer’s disease research funds and ease medical costs for families. “It’s an agonizing experience to look into the eyes of a loved one and to receive only a confused look in… Read More
    ALFRED – A judge declared a mistrial Tuesday in the case of a 59-year-old convicted sex offender charged with failing to notify the state of his change of address. After deliberating for about half a day, jurors in York County Superior Court said they were… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Bishop Richard Malone is calling on Maine’s Roman Catholics to join him in opposition to legislation that would provide funding for stem cell research and abortions. Malone drew attention to the bills in a letter read at Masses during the weekend. Two bills… Read More
    For the fifth consecutive year, enrollment in the University of Maine System has increased, this year exceeding 32,000 students for the spring semester, UMS Chancellor Terrence MacTaggart reported earlier this week. Some campuses have seen growth, while others a slight decrease in student population. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    AUGUSTA – The Maine Senate on Tuesday made final two appointments to the University of Maine System board of trustees, including Wayne Newell of Princeton, the first American Indian to serve on the panel. Newell, a member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, has administered the Native… Read More
    The annual Maine McDonald’s Senior All-Star Basketball Games traditionally are a celebration of some of the state’s top high school athletes. But the weekend of events at Husson College in Bangor also features recognition for some of the state’s top coaches. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    When he first stepped foot on the University of Maine campus, Michel Leveille knew just “basic English. “I had to learn how to interact with people [in English],” said the Levis, Quebec, native Tuesday as the Black Bear hockey team continued preparation for its NCAA… Read More
    FORT MYERS, Fla. – Covelli Loyce Crisp was having a bad day. Then again, the entire spring training season has been bad for the man who goes by Coco. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
    COLLEGE Katie Morin 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 U.S. Track/Field & Cross Country Association NCAA Division III All-Academic Honors 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
    Coach Jones: great coach, great person I was sorry to see the story of Wilton Jones’ coaching resignation from boys varsity basketball at Mount Desert Island High School (BDN, March 10-11). I knew it was probably coming but hoped that he would coach another few… Read More
    Best Bundts On the surface, the Bundt doesn’t seem like a dessert with staying power. You have to buy a special pan to make one. It has a hole in the middle. And there’s no frosting (though icing is OK). Yet, the Bundt endures. To… Read More
    “Slot machines are the crack cocaine of gambling,” says Lee Thompson, president of the Maine Council on Problem Gambling. The combination of relatively small stakes, immediate gratification and an insular environment – no windows, no clocks – is extremely seductive, she said. And because they… Read More