POLAND – Mary Clemons had no intention of going to college after completing high school last year, and she was not pleased when her high school told her she had to complete a college application and submit it. Currently enrolled in Central Maine Community College,… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – The Aroostook River gave up no secrets Friday as crews wrapped up their third day of searching for a missing 3-year-old. Police believe Alexandria Lynn Winship-Wright may have drowned in the fast-moving river after wandering away from home Wednesday afternoon, but they’re… Read More
ELLSWORTH – A Gouldsboro man accused of forcing his wife to engage in a sex act was charged with rape Friday in Hancock County Superior Court. The charge of Class A gross sexual assault against Vladek Filler, 39, stems from an incident that allegedly occurred… Read More
Plum Creek’s revised development plan for the Moosehead Lake region contains fewer shorefront houses but larger resorts and more development near the town of Rockwood, company officials said Friday. In the second major revision to the company’s two-year-old development plan, Plum Creek officials kept the… Read More
Information in a photo caption on Page A4 tied to a Page 1 story about serial arsonist Ashton Moores that ran in Thursday’s paper was incorrect. The home on Church Street was never occupied by relatives of Moores, but he did set fire to it. The house that… Read More
House votes Democratic Reps. Michael Michaud (2nd District) and Tom Allen (1st District) 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
GREENVILLE – State Attorney General Steven Rowe lifted a small plastic brain from a brown box and launched into a story about some little electricians who work inside the brains of children. Rowe told a group gathered Thursday for a panel discussion on domestic violence… Read More
The air waves have had days and days of the gruesome reporting of the “massacre” at Virginia Tech. Every few hours such gruesome massacres occur in Iraq. What’s the difference? Americans seem to feel that “they are used to it, we aren’t.” It works for… Read More
The Legislature’s Appropriations Committee has the near-impossible job of making the state budget balance while meeting the many obligations Maine has imposed on itself. The committee is wondering whether the state’s publicly funded gubernatorial campaign, approved by voters through referendum, really needs the money allocated to it. That… Read More
As members of the Legislature’s Criminal Justice Committee turn their attention to the perennial issue of dealing with sex offenders, they should define the scope of the problem and decide what solutions work and are available in Maine before voting for tougher sentences or housing restrictions that could… Read More
Democrats who are insisting on leaving Iraq are guilty of the same error that they claim Bush made. They have no plan for what to do after they achieve their goal. If we quit Iraq, we will see huge rallies of radical Muslims who claim… Read More
Like anyone, I am appalled by the deaths of 32 Virginia Tech University students. However, I am even more appalled by the reaction from certain activists in the aftermath. Immediately following this tragedy, we began to hear constant cries from the gun abolitionists, blaming firearms… Read More
Now Bangor is one of the best cities in the country in which to live. The appointment of Ron Gastia as police chief is positively brilliant. His professional and personal integrity are of the highest degree. He has many years of law enforcement experience and… Read More
With all the publicity about veterans’ health care, you would think that the VA Hospital at Togus would make more of an effort from its pharmacy to fill and mail prescriptions. Call the VA pharmacy like I did April 9 and you will get a message that your… Read More
As an owner of a 150-year-old manufacturing company in Eddington, I have seen firsthand the impact legislation can have on my business and the well-being of my customers. Bills in the Legislature to limit the use, the sale and the installation of wood boilers in… Read More
Rural Maine, from Oxford County in the west, north to Aroostook and “down east” to Washington County, faces several economic challenges. Incomes are lower and unemployment and poverty rates higher than in prosperous southern Maine. These gaps have perpetuated a decades-long exodus of rural youth, leaving behind a… Read More
Those who profess to know about such things claim that the kinds of jokes a person laughs at and the way he or she laughs at them can tell you about all you need to know about that person – whether loosely wound or habitually all drove up,… Read More
Dear Chick, You and your teammate Henny Penny are stirring things up quite a bit lately. Ever since you quit screaming about the sky falling and switched to global warming, we now have children crying themselves to sleep over the fate of drowning polar bears,… Read More
Cedar planks on oak frames – those were the materials used in boat building back before Maine was a state and before the United States was even a country. It’s a combination of materials that has spawned a tradition of strong, seaworthy and often beautiful… Read More
BANGOR – Not one of the four Circuit City employees laid off in March as a result of the company’s controversial move to reduce wages was present among the protesters who gathered outside the store Friday afternoon, but the crowd chanted with enthusiasm nonetheless. “We’re… Read More
. Vi-Jon Inc. is recalling 28-fluid-ounce bottles of Alpine Xtreme Evergreen Forest Body Wash after samples showed the presence of a bacteria, Enterobacter gergoviae. This could increase the risk of more serious infections to individuals with cuts, rashes or other compromised skin conditions or weakened or suppressed immune… Read More
CAMDEN – IntriCon Corp., a designer, developer, manufacturer and distributor of miniature and micro-miniature medical and electronics products, has entered into an agreement to acquire the assets (other than real estate) of privately held Tibbetts Industries Inc., a Camden designer and manufacturer of components used in hearing aids… Read More
AUGUSTA – Officials of the University of Maine System and the state’s community colleges were peppered with questions by members of the Legislature’s Criminal Justice Committee on Friday as the panel considers legislation to clarify the ability of the campuses to set gun policies. “We… Read More
Awhile back I wrote about the surge of energy behind the annual Hike for the Homeless that is scheduled for Saturday, May 5. In that column I promised to be among walkers converging on the Bangor Waterfront to raise funds and education about the plight of the homeless… Read More
HOULTON – Over a four-day span, the Houlton Regional Task Force of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency arrested 14 individuals in Aroostook County who are suspected of drug trafficking. The charges against those who are allegedly involved include trafficking in methamphetamine and oxycodone, trafficking in… Read More
BANGOR – For the first time in 10 years, Chopstix was not among the clowns who turned out this weekend for the annual visit of the Anah Shrine Circus. That’s because the second-generation Shrine clown is in the middle of a four-month deployment to Iraq,… Read More
SEARSPORT – A yearlong process aimed at finding consensus on future uses of state-owned Sears Island failed to reconcile the visions of two groups, which split over how much acreage would be set aside for conservation, and how much would be reserved for a possible port. Read More
BREWER – At his self-declared “coming out party” Friday morning, the soon-to-be chancellor of the University of Maine System encouraged members of the local business community to remember that higher education is an important sector of the Bangor economy. “Higher education is a good business… Read More
ELLSWORTH – The Hancock County Branch of the American Association of University Women will hold its Spring Yard Sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Bucksport Road. Household goods, linens, furniture, costume jewelry, puzzles, books, snacks,… Read More
GREENVILLE – It was no small feat but Greenville school officials have proposed a 2007-08 budget that essentially requires the same amount from taxation for education as this year. The $3,415,851 total budget came as a result of several changes. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
SANGERVILLE – A local man charged Wednesday with domestic assault will face additional charges after police found marijuana in the home he shares with his mother. Sheriff John Goggin said a woman called the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department on Tuesday and reported that James Spears,… Read More
SKOWHEGAN – Maine has many advantages over other areas in the country when it comes to recruiting new businesses, including Yankee ingenuity and a remarkable work force. But without cutting-edge information technology, economic development simply will not flourish, a top state official told community leaders Friday. Read More
At least $10,000 worth of multiconductor electric wiring was cut from the Penobscot River’s heavy portable docks, which were stored on the Bangor Waterfront during the winter, according to police reports. An employee of the Electrical Division of Bangor Public Works reported the theft at… Read More
SOUTHWEST HARBOR – Local voters are expected to elect a new selectman and to consider a proposed total budget of $6.9 million when they meet next month for their annual town meeting. The local open town meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, May… Read More
PITTSFIELD – A Unity man who tried to enter a Fairview Street home Thursday night led police on a short chase at Sebasticook Valley Hospital property before he was wrestled to the ground and arrested. Dwayne A. Shaw, 36, was charged with operating after suspension,… Read More
DEDHAM – Kindergarten screening for children who will turn 5 on or before Oct. 15 will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, May 17. Call 843-6498 to register. Read More
MACHIAS – The 32nd Machias Wild Blueberry Festival is scheduled for the weekend of Aug. 17-19. The banner contest will be held the week before. Children, adults, families, organizations and businesses are welcome to participate. The banner should feature blueberries or other symbols of Washington… Read More
MACHIAS – The University of Maine at Machias will welcome Micah Pawling, a University of Maine doctoral candidate in ethnohistory on Tuesday, May 1. His presentation is titled “The Reconfiguration of Passamaquoddy Homeland: The Origins of Native Petitions to Maine and New Brunswick 1794-1879.” The… Read More
BENEDICTA – Three years ago, when the state Department of Education threatened to close the Benedicta Elementary School, approximately 50 residents showed up at a public hearing to fight for, and eventually save, the school from being shuttered. Now, an ominous cloud of closure is… Read More
HOULTON – Most people go about the annual spring cleaning of their homes and yards to beautify the space for themselves and for any guests who might visit. Over the next four months, Houlton is expecting a lot of company to drop by, and the… Read More
MACHIAS – As Autism Awareness Month finishes out, an Edmunds man with autism will represent Washington County in the Walk for Autism in Bangor on Sunday. Jesse Bell, 26, has raised more than $100 in cash from his friends. He will bring his donation to… Read More
MOUNT DESERT – A local police officer is doing OK after allegedly having been head butted in the face by a man he pulled over on suspicion of speeding, according to Police Chief James Willis. Officer Dan Owens received treatment for minor injuries at a… Read More
ST. AGATHA – The town’s Shoreland Zoning Ordinance has been approved by officials with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection in Augusta. In an order dated April 17, Maine DEP Commissioner David Littell found the St. Agatha Shoreland Zoning Ordinance consistent with the requirements of… Read More
Ten-year-old Tony is a funny, inquisitive boy who loves to make others laugh. He likes to help clean house, especially vacuuming. He enjoys participating in activities and is good with his hands. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
Aroostook County Superior Court, Caribou Cases Jan. 1-31, 2007 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
CARIBOU – The Caribou Choral Society will present its annual spring concerts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 5, at the Caribou Performing Arts Center, and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 6, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Presque Isle. The event is open to the public. Read More
FORT FAIRFIELD – Tri-Community Recycling and Sanitary Landfill has received a $12 million loan from USDA Rural Development to fund improvements and expansion. TCL will use the funding to install a barrier over two old cells and an active gas extraction and dispersal system for… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – A candle-lantern ceremony to recognize cancer victims will be held during the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Aroostook County on Friday, June 1, at Northern Maine Community College. To purchase a candle lantern, or luminaria, call (800) 227-2345. For more… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – A free pediatric orthopedic screening clinic will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 12, at Horizons Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Center at A.R. Gould Memorial Hospital. The clinic is meant for children under age 18 who have bone,… Read More
MILLINOCKET – A call for more cooperation among East Millinocket, Medway and Millinocket public schools came to the Town Council on Thursday night from some students themselves: the combined show choir of both towns’ high schools. Invited to the council meeting to receive a resolve… Read More
MILLINOCKET – A Millinocket Middle School pupil will be charged with terrorizing and criminal mischief for writing an oblique threat on a restroom wall that forced his school and adjoining Stearns High School into lockdown, police said Friday. The lockdowns occurred late Wednesday and Thursday. Read More
SKOWHEGAN – A Canaan man already jailed in the slayings of his estranged wife and a roommate was indicted Friday by the Somerset County grand jury. Shannon Atwood, 37, is accused of the murders of Shirley Moon Atwood, 35, and a roommate, Cheryl Murdoch, 37,… Read More
Madawaska High School Third 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
Waldo County Superior Court Cases April 19-23, 2007 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
Blue Hill Memorial Hospital has named Helen Burnett, health education coordinator, as the first-quarter winner of the Gold Standards Employee of the Quarter at Blue Hill Memorial Hospital. Burnett has worked at BHMH since 2005. She coordinates patient activities and organizes health and wellness programs,… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Town councilors will have to delete some roads from the 2007 planned paving list as bids for the projects came in too high. According to Town Manager Kathryn Ruth, the budget for the 2007 plan was $92,000, and the lowest bid came in… Read More
AUGUSTA – The Maine Emergency Management Agency is asking home and business owners whose property sustained uninsured damage during the Patriot’s Day storm to report that damage if they haven’t done so already. The state is assessing damage to report to the Federal Emergency Management… Read More
What fun awaits all who participate in the 10th annual Spring-O-Rama 10 a.m.-2 p.m. today, rain or shine, at Sprague’s Nursery, outer Union Street in Bangor. Admission is $2, and food, sun catchers, tickets for raffles and Ducks in the Pond can be purchased. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
To help recoup a recent blood donor deficit, the Portland Red Cross will be open for donations 8 a.m.-2 p.m. today at 524 Forest Ave. in Portland. During the week, normal Portland donor center hours are noon-7 p.m. Thursday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, and 8… Read More
AUGUSTA – A new report by the state ethics commission gives Maine’s Clean Election Act generally high marks while pointing to a few troublesome areas and proposing a variety of technical and more substantial changes. Overall, according to the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election… Read More
BANGOR – A statewide lawyers group is teaming up with the Maine Campaign to Impeach in an effort to oust President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney for their handling of the war in Iraq. Maine Lawyers for Democracy, which has 65 members, has reviewed… Read More
MECHANIC FALLS – The eighth annual Pine Tree State Country Music Association Award Show will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 20, at the Silver Spur, Route 121. Admission is $10 for adults, $3 for children under 12, $6 for competitors. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
AUGUSTA – George Richardson, CPA of Austin Associates, will give a presentation about estate planning at a workshop hosted by the Maine Farm Bureau Women’s Agricultural Education Committee, 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, at the Maine Farm Bureau Office, 4 Gabriel Drive in Augusta. Registration… Read More
Youth from two Belfast churches participated last week in a 30-hour “famine,” or series of events designed to raise awareness of hunger problems. Youth from First Baptist Church, High Street, began to fast after a meal together at noon April 20 and completed their fast at 6 p.m. Read More
Orrington Center Church will hold an installation service for its new pastor, the Rev. Daniel Packer, at 6 p.m. Sunday, May 6. After spending 12 years managing credit unions in Michigan and New York, Packer felt called to pastoral ministry. He has served as pastor of churches in… Read More
Brooksville artist Robert Shetterly will be among the participants in a May 5 benefit called Voices for Peace. Shetterly is the creator of the Americans Who Tell the Truth series of paintings. He will join the Voices for Peace choir and others in an event at 7 p.m. Read More
Have you heard any stories about the “old country”? Why did your family come to the Rockland-Camden area? What was it like growing up Jewish in this area? If you are intrigued by any of these questions, you are invited to participate in a meeting at 7 p.m. Read More
Just a year ago, a devastating fire devoured the historic St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, which had stood tall on a knoll in Palmyra since 1839. It’s a landmark to many Route 2 travelers and a sanctuary for those within this small community. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
According to the anthropological timeline, we did the hunter-gatherer thing long before we did the agriculture thing. Those old hunter-gatherers lived awful, violent, short lives. They were what we call simple people. They didn’t have huge, complex economic systems with paper money and stocks and… Read More
The lights were dimmed, a button pushed, and a hush fell over the crowded TV studio at Bangor’s New England School of Communications. The occasion: The preview screening of “Irrevocable Decisions,” a cooperative effort of NESCOM and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. Read More
BANGOR – While spectators huddled under blankets and players on the field covered themselves in sweats and knit caps, Sam Besse did her work on the Bangor High softball field Friday afternoon wearing a sleeveless uniform. The chilly drizzle didn’t faze Besse, who tossed a… Read More
The position has only been advertised for a week, but already the University of Maine is compiling an impressive list of candidates for its women’s basketball head coaching job. Candidates will need to demonstrate a commitment to the academic excellence of the student-athletes, put them… Read More
BANGOR – While most of the other Penobscot Valley Conference track and field teams opened their seasons in beautiful, spring-like conditions this week, the weather gods were not nice to the Bangor High School teams Friday. “It wasn’t that bad, it was just really cold,”… Read More
CAPE ELIZABETH – Registration for the 10th annual TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K road race is now closed. More than 4,700 runners signed up online in the first 10 days of registration and the field is set at 5,500 runners. The race is scheduled… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL At Bangor Indoor Tennis 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
HIGH SCHOOL Bangor boys 197, Nokomis 62, Hermon 15, Bangor Christian 1 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
HOLE-IN-ONE Colt Kwiatkowsky 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
MAINE vs. ALBANY Time, site: Saturday (2), noon, Sunday, noon; Kessock Field, 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… Read More
LIMESTONE – Matt Enman walked with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning, scoring Danny Cote, to lift the Limestone Community School/Maine School or Science and Mathematics past Fort Kent 10-9 in baseball action Friday. Chris Parent doubled twice and added an… Read More
CALAIS – Senior righthander Stephanie Perry allowed two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out 17 to lead the Calais Blue Devils to a 12-2 high school softball victory over the Woodland Dragons Friday. Lindsey Mingo hit a double and two singles… Read More
HAMPDEN – Lacey Littlefield and Michelle Wells combined to allow no runs on two hits and two walks while striking out 12 to lift Hampden Academy to an 8-0 high school softball victory over the Old Town Coyotes Friday. Ashley Gott hit a solo home… Read More
When Tara MacDonald of Corinth first heard about the job of grand marshal at Bangor Raceway, she thought it was a paid position. After checking into it, she found out it not only wasn’t a paid position, it didn’t even technically exist. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
CASTINE – Maine Maritime Academy scored six runs in the fifth inning to defeat Lesley University 10-9 in softball action Friday. Nicole Poland had four hits and scored three runs for the 4-13 Lady Mariners. Kristen Gaylord also scored three times. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
For many, the pronouncement this week by baseball commissioner Bud Selig that he favors the admission of Marvin Miller into the Hall of Fame came as a shock. Miller is the former head of the Major League Baseball Players’ Association from 1966 to 1982. During… Read More
ALBANY, N.Y. – John Naples fashioned a four-hit shutout Friday afternoon as the University at Albany opened its America East baseball series against UMaine with a 7-0 victory at in a scheduled nine-inning game at Varsity Field. Naples, a senior righthander, struck out four, walked… Read More
Throughout the years, on many occasions I’ve either overheard or been among a group of sportsmen when the subject of fly fishing vs. worm fishing has come front and center. Often there is a general consensus that selecting the correct pattern, precision casting, and presenting a fly with… Read More
WINSLOW – For the past 26 years, Neal Wykes has joined his fellow Maine Game Wardens at a yearly event that holds special significance. At that annual awards banquet, wardens get the chance to catch up with old friends, listen to old stories, and recognize… Read More
BREWER – Bill Krohn, author and professor of wildlife ecology at the University of Maine, will give a slide presentation about Manly Hardy during the meeting of the Brewer Historical Society at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Brewer Auditorium. Krohn, a resident of Brewer like… Read More
As we await the salt-water paddling season to get into full swing, it’s a good time to take stock of our equipment and brush up on paddling etiquette. Dive into the equipment piles you’ve managed to bury over the winter. Drag out all your gear,… Read More
Recently, I received an e-mail from Kathryn McCatherin in Hermon. She recalled bluebirds had occupied nest boxes she had on her property some years back; but, year after year they seemed to be increasingly driven out by other birds. “Bluebirds used to make their summer… Read More
AUGUSTA – The moose hunt is coming to southern Maine. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Department’s Advisory Council on Thursday approved an experimental hunt featuring a limited number of permits for two seasons, starting in the fall of next year. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
As expected, University of Maine right winger Teddy Purcell, the Hockey East Rookie of the Year, has signed a multi-year, entry-level pro contract. The undrafted free agent, who was also Inside College Hockey’s Rookie of the Year, signed with the Los Angeles Kings. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
“Wife Swap” wants to come to Maine and the show’s casting producer is looking for local families to feature on upcoming episodes of the ABC hit. Each week, two families with very different values are chosen to take part in a two-week long challenge in… Read More
Chances are you may not know that in Maine’s midcoast waters, out where breaking seas shush to the shouting winds, there are several islands that have recovering populations of Atlantic puffins. The significance of that information can’t be appreciated, however, without realizing that by the early 1900s Maine’s… Read More
I’m a little embarrassed to admit this, but I’m currently obsessed with Fergie. Last week it was Justin Timberlake. Who knows? I might download some Pussycat Dolls for the iPod before the month is over. Or not. But back to Fergie: Anyone who calls herself… Read More
The buttercup squashes that we grew last summer kept awfully well this winter, no soft spots and their flavor was still very good until last week when I used the last of them in a casserole that we love. Now if you don’t happen to have buttercups (a… Read More
There are people, very special people, who can transform a neighborhood by their very presence. Susan Drawbridge was one of those. She died at age 74 on April 9 at her Searsmont home. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
“D?j? Vu” DVD and Blu-ray: From director Tony Scott and producer Jerry Bruckheimer, this silly, high-concept thriller begins with an impressive display of pyrotechnics aboard a New Orleans ferry, which blows up and kills 543 people after a terrorist attack before its script sinks along with them. It’s… Read More
On the first blue-sky Saturday morning of spring, I said to Marjorie, “What I want is to take the first cup of coffee into the garden, walk around, talk about the coming year.” It seemed like a month of Sundays since we had done this. She said yes… Read More