WASHINGTON – After some initial success containing drug prices, private insurers in the new Medicare prescription drug program may be losing their leverage over drug manufacturers as they try to hold down medicine costs for seniors and the federal government, House investigators have found. Prices… Read More
MEDWAY – A section of Interstate 95 was closed to traffic for much of Sunday after a spectacular car-truck crash in which the trucker was rescued after his tractor broke free and plunged off a bridge into the Penobscot River. The driver of the car… Read More
In northern New England, Internet access is sometimes scarce – and for some, inadequate where it does exist. “You can’t really take online courses,” said Canaan, Vt., high school sophomore Adam Cruz, whose dial-up modem is so slow, he rarely uses it for research or… Read More
BANGOR – Penn National Gaming Inc. and state officials may be close to a deal for getting construction crews back to the site of a $131 million gambling and hotel complex across Main Street from Bass Park. City officials meeting Saturday were told that Gov. Read More
ORONO – He told the impatient graduates to be wary of careless talk. She told them to think like patient gardeners. Two commencement ceremonies and two speakers were the order of the day Saturday as the University of Maine awarded 1,950 degrees in Alfond Arena. Read More
ORONO – Politics, women and the price of gas. Those were the topics Abdullah Alqahntani’s fellow students at the University of Maine most often asked the 23-year-old Saudi about during his four years in the chemical engineering department. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
A story that ran Friday in the State section about the sentencing of the former manager of the Bangor Savings Bank branch in Bucksport in federal court for embezzlement and credit card fraud contained an error. Wendy Dunlea, 34, of Carmel was sentenced to 63 months in federal… Read More
RUMFORD – The Androscoggin River’s heavy springtime flow cascades down falls at the side of a brick hydroelectric plant not far from the middle of this western Maine papermaking city. The view from below is more than scenic. You might say it’s electrifying, considering the… Read More
The following recalls have been announced: . About 97,000 halogen table lamps, sold by Lowe’s, because the lamps can short-circuit. This can pose a fire hazard. The company has received one report of a fire and no reports of injuries. Customers should return the lamps… Read More
Have you noticed the increasing volume of junk mail in your mailbox these days? Our postal carriers can probably avoid the gym thanks to the great workout they get carrying pounds of annoying literature to our homes. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
Dear Jim: I want more natural lighting with fewer lamps to save electricity, so I want to install skylights in several rooms. What are the most efficient skylight designs and materials to save the most energy? – Jon B. Dear Jon: Most often, people install… Read More
Forsythia and daffodils at last are giving us bursts of yellow to relieve the somber grays left over from winter. But another visitor is about to appear on the scene, a small black pest: the black fly. Most Mainers know from bitter experience that these… Read More
The Army Corps of Engineers, the country’s construction branch, is known for dredging and dam projects that serve political needs rather than public safety or environmental needs. A reform bill now before the Senate would change this by requiring independent review of Corps projects and, if an amendment… Read More
The question about gas prices isn’t how high they will go, but who is getting the profit. The price of gas isn’t going up because the oil companies are losing money. The price of gas is going up because our corrupt government is conspiring with… Read More
I feel the need to respond to Sally Weiss’s letter “Not a simple problem” (BDN, May 4) in which she cautions against gun control in response to the shootings in Virginia. We are in agreement that this is not a simple problem, but surely Dr. Weiss must realize… Read More
What a refreshing letter from Michael Rossignol, “Teach Respect” (BDN, May 3). He wrote about compassion and teaching our children to be kind to others who may be “different.” He touched on the fact that people are inured “to seeing people pick on others, that … we either… Read More
The struggle in Augusta to pass a balanced budget seems to be exceedingly difficult, sometimes almost impossible. This state of affairs is inevitable, given that large, well-organized constituencies oppose all significant program reductions or tax increases. It brings to mind the immortal words of the… Read More
The editorial “A Matter of Fairness” (BDN, May 4) was outrageous to compare objecting to paying for abortions to objecting to paying for the lottery, hunting related activities or the Department of Defense. Prolife people believe it is a baby in the womb. I do… Read More
That was a tragic story about Chris Richmeier (BDN May 1) and his battle for Medicare. The story relates to his having to wait two years after he got on SSI disability. There is more to the story than is released by the insert on Medicare Disability Waiting… Read More
The evidence for the impeachment of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney under Article 11, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution is strong and compelling, ranging from multiple deceptions and falsehoods to take the country to war in Iraq to their authorization of domestic wiretaps in violation of… Read More
Some time ago, the powers-that-be decided to de-institutionalize psychiatric hospitals; as a result, the mentally ill were simply discharged into the community. Was this a well-thought-out plan? Not really. Did the system and the powers-that-be provide adequate housing, shelter and crisis-support services for these people? Not really. A… Read More
In a May 8 OpEd, John Dieffenbacher-Krall laments the fact that disputes about the scope of the Maine tribes’ authority have resulted in litigation that is a “zero-sum, winner-take-all approach.” Mr. Dieffenbacher-Krall attributes that litigation, in part, to the inability of the Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission, or MITSC,… Read More
The proposed sale by Verizon Communications of its business in northern New England to FairPoint Communications is being reviewed by utility commissions and has drawn criticism from lawmakers in all three states. Here’s an update: Maine: Parties including Verizon, FairPoint, smaller local phone companies, labor… Read More
BAR HARBOR – Summer is not yet here, and Memorial Day isn’t for another two weeks, but there were two signs Saturday that tourist season has arrived on Mount Desert Island. First, the weather was sunny and pleasant, enabling many people to get out to… Read More
BANGOR – A man released on bail Friday morning after being charged with two burglaries was back in a jail cell 15 hours later when police said he broke windows in two downtown storefronts and fled with nearly $7,000 in jewelry. Edward W. Turner, 23,… Read More
AUGUSTA – Maine is one of 22 states with legislation authorizing creation of a state guard, or militia, an option Gov. John Baldacci and his top military adviser say is something they have been reviewing. The issue has drawn attention as the Maine National Guard… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Stretched out in his navy blue recliner, Daryl Wilcox was wearing his navy blue bathrobe watching television Sunday evening at his Main Street home. His wife, Corinne, was nearby on the couch, drinking a ginger ale. Across the street, Carmen Lessard, 35, was… Read More
Thousands of well-wishers from every corner of the state turned out Saturday for graduation ceremonies at every institution in the University of Maine System as well as several private colleges. Photos were snapped, tassels turned and mortarboards tossed at commencements from Fort Kent to Machias… Read More
NEWPORT – Despite a court ruling last month that puts its actions in limbo, the Newport Board of Selectmen will meet Wednesday to handle several licenses and permits. Newport was one of dozens of towns affected by a Maine supreme court ruling April 26 that… Read More
ORRINGTON – Thirteen months and 28 days. That’s how long Fred Hardin, 74, fought in the Korean War during the early 1950s. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0;… Read More
PITTSFIELD – It pays to think and plan ahead, Town Manager Kathryn Ruth said Friday, after it was announced that seven state Department of Transportation paving and improvement projects have been proposed for Pittsfield for 2008-09. “Isn’t this wonderful?” Ruth asked as she reviewed the… Read More
DEXTER – The Tri-County Technical Center has proposed a program that could reduce dropout rates by offering younger high school students who founder more of a hands-on education. The latest state data on dropout rates available to local officials showed that the center’s sending school… Read More
BELFAST – The Waldo County grand jury on Friday indicted Michael Nickerson, 50, of Searsport on a charge of elevated aggravated assault. In February, a grand jury indicted Nickerson on a charge of manslaughter. Prosecutors typically add a charge such as elevated aggravated assault so… Read More
LINCOLN – Firefighters did double duty, handling back-to-back incidents of a brush fire and car accident, that had them running continuously for about two hours Thursday. The brush fire scorched about half an acre between a garage and excavation area owned by Gardiner & Sons… Read More
HOULTON – The lesson learned as part of the Every 15 Minutes program was a tough one, but it was communicated successfully, SAD 29 officials said. During a school board meeting last week, Houlton High School Principal Marty Bouchard told the panel that high school… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Northern Maine Community College says it is making progress in its $2 million major-gifts campaign, including a recent $25,000 pledge from a banking company with nine branches in Aroostook County. Jason Parent, NMCC’s director of development and college relations, said in a… Read More
ST. AGATHA – Some $26,000 in federal money will help buy what organizers of the brand-new Long Lake Public Library need most: books. St. Agatha Town Manager Ryan Pelletier said last week that the fledgling library’s board of directors had received word of the $26,250… Read More
Jenna Beaulieu, a senior English major at the University of Maine at Fort Kent, has been named Student Employee of the Year. Beaulieu was nominated by Lisa Ornstein, her supervisor at the university’s Acadian Archives. Students are selected based on their initiative, reliability, disposition, quality… Read More
ROCKPORT – The Center for Maine Contemporary Art will host a screening of “Alan Magee: Maine Master,” one of the documentaries in the Maine Masters series, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, in the Main Gallery. Magee’s art will be featured in an exhibition, “From… Read More
Penobscot County Superior Court, Bangor 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
ABBOT – Drivers using Route 6-15 may want to allow themselves extra travel time this week, according to the state Department of Transportation. DOT will be repairing an automated traffic data collection station a half-mile west of the Abbot-Guilford line, said Pete Pelletier of DOT’s… Read More
GLENBURN – Nomination papers are available for two positions on the Town Council. One is for Kevin Paschal’s expired three-year term and the other for a two-year term due to the resignation of Mark Lagasse. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
A woman headed to a church event Saturday in Hampden may have hit the gas pedal rather than the brake while in the church driveway, causing her car to become airborne briefly over a small stream. Hampden police Officer Ben Eyles said the four-door Buick… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Town councilors will hear two bits of good news Tuesday night. SAD 53 Superintendent Michael Gallagher will outline a proposed budget that represents a decrease for Pittsfield. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
TREMONT – Voters will consider a total municipal and school budget of $3.6 million and choose a new selectman when they hold their annual town meeting tonight. Elections will be held 1-8 p.m. at the Tremont Community Center, adjacent to the elementary school. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
BELFAST – The fifth annual Festival of Art will collaborate with the University of Maine to present “Ten Great Topics of Conversation” from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, May 18, at the UMaine Hutchinson Center on Route 3. Participants will join two of the 10… Read More
DEER ISLE – The Deer Isle-Sedgwick Bridge project has flaggers directing traffic 24 hours a day to alleviate recent delays. The travel lane is still one lane and is 9 feet wide. Drivers are asked to proceed with caution. Read More
A man charged with raping an underage female relative several times over at least four years was free on $10,000 cash bail shortly after his arrest last week. Kevin J. Cobb, 47, of Lamoine was arrested Thursday by Maine State Police Detective Darren Crane, who… Read More
CALAIS – The state Department of Transportation wants to fix the state’s roads. In an effort to do that, DOT officials were at the Calais Motor Inn on Thursday night to explain their new 20-year plan. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
CALAIS – The city has approved a zone change so that the federal government can build a new U.S. Customs House near the city’s Industrial Park and the new bridge. The City Council made the change Thursday night, acting on the planning board’s recommendation that… Read More
MACHIAS – The Washington County Local Emergency Planning Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 17, at the emergency management office at 34 Center St. The committee is responsible for implementing the provisions of the Federal Chemical Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know… Read More
EDMUNSTON, New Brunswick – A U.S. resident from Maine was sentenced Thursday to six months in a Canadian jail after attempting to smuggle 15 handguns into New Brunswick. Mitchell Bubar, a criminal investigator with the Canada Border Services Agency, said this is one of the… Read More
BANGOR – Sellers, beware. The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department has noted a rash of fraud complaints about people supposedly wanting to send more money than sellers are seeking when they list items on the Web or in print. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
Recently I heard from Janet Varnum, vice president of the board of directors of Island Connections in Bar Harbor. She wants readers to know that this “nonprofit organization and network of volunteers on Mount Desert Island is dedicated to providing free transportation to seniors and… Read More
BRUNSWICK – An animal shelter and a transition facility for women getting out of prison are among the proposals put forth for reuse of the Brunswick Naval Air Station after it closes in 2011. Other ideas already trickling in to the Brunswick Local Redevelopment Authority… Read More
UNITY – Clinton’s Tim Robinson thought he was having another frustrating afternoon at Unity Raceway on Saturday. After winning the pole and leading the Monster-Minis feature for three laps, he lost power and went to the pits. His 1976 Ford Mustang had broken down last… Read More
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Greg Norton was working on a no-hitter in the fifth inning of Sunday’s second game when an error and Hartford’s first hit quickly tied the score. He and the Black Bears remained unfazed. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
HERMON – Corinna’s Paul White knew he had a good race car. So he waited for the right time to forge to the front and then he never looked back. White passed Winterport’s Ryan Deane on the slower inside groove on a lap 26 restart… Read More
BREWER – The Deer Isle-Stonington baseball team always gets psyched up for its annual battles with Down East rivals George Stevens Academy of Blue Hill and Searsport. But perhaps the Mariners’ most important regular-season victories of the 2007 season came against a northern foe Saturday… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL East Region 2 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… Read More
Hole-in-one Stephen Geel 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
LOCAL At Bangor 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 NEICAAA New England Finals 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… Read More
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – Nate Bankoff doubled and singled to drive in three runs and help Tufts University eliminate Bowdoin College 11-6 in the NESCAC baseball tourney Saturday. Kevin Casey had a double and three singles for Tufts. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Angela Norsworthy and Krista Coffin combined to pitch a one-hit shutout with no walks and nine strikeouts to lead Presque Isle to the 12-0 Class B softball victory over Foxcroft Academy in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday. The Wildcats also won the second… Read More
HODGDON – Sean Stevenson doubled and singled and drove in three runs to help the East Grand Vikings beat the Hodgdon Hawks 12-9 in high school baseball action Saturday. Harvey Britian had a single with two RBIs while Josh Barnes added a double for the… Read More
DYER BROOK – Monica Alexander pitched a two-hit shutout and Christin Pelletier tripled and singled to lead the Bangor Christian Patriots to a 4-0 high school softball victory over the Southern Aroostook Warriors Saturday. Jillian French added a single for Bangor Christian. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
WINTERPORT – Mac Beckwith of Hermon defeated Bangor’s Mike Reynolds to win the Super Pro/Pro Final on Sunday at Winterport Dragway. OTHER WINTERPORT RESULTS googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i =… Read More
Reports of the death of Bangor’s lumber port a century ago were greatly exaggerated. “The last days of Bangor’s lumber trade are a long way off. The Panama Canal will be in need of repairs several times before those ‘last days,'” wrote an exasperated Bangor Daily News reporter… Read More
University of Maine physics and astronomy professor Neil Comins has found a niche for himself not only as a high-level star researcher, but also as an authoritative respondent to the age-old question: What if? His first book, “What If the Moon Didn’t Exist?” (published in… Read More
“CANUCK & OTHER STORIES,” edited by Rhea Cote Robbins. Translated by Sylvie Charron, Ph.D.; Sue Huseman, Ph.D.; Jeannine Bacon Roy and Madeleine C. Pare Roy. 2006, Rheta Press. $18.99 Stories by Charlotte and Emily Bronte, Virginia Woolf, Sarah Orne Jewett and other English-speaking women writers… Read More
28 WEEKS LATER directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, written by Rowan Joffe, E.L. Lavigne, Jesus Olmo and Fresnadillo, 91 minutes, rated R. For horror buffs, the new Juan Carlos Fresnadillo film, “28 Weeks Later,” is the movie to see now. This tense sequel to Danny… Read More
The last week of June, one of the most beautiful places in the country must be the St. John Valley. Need an excuse to head for the top of Maine on June 24-July 1? Try the 30th annual Madawaska Acadian Festival. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
Compiled by Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office, Public Information Office 1950 to 1959 – 484 deaths 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… Read More
Compiled by the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Public Information Office May – 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())… Read More