Editor’s Note: Bangor Daily News reporter Eric Russell and photographer John Clarke Russ are aboard Maine Maritime Academy’s ship the State of Maine as it conducts its annual training cruise. Today marks their final daily stories and photos about the experiences of 250 students and crew. Read More
SPLIT, Croatia – By late Sunday night, most cadets and crew members aboard the State of Maine were back on the ship, shaking off the last remnants of the hot Mediterranean sun. All accounts indicated that this port, the third of four during Maine Maritime… Read More
Environmental and health groups say the presence of dozens of industrial chemicals in 13 Mainers who volunteered for a study underscores the need for new policies to protect the public from potential toxins found in everyday consumer products. In an analysis being released today, the… Read More
BANGOR – Michael Povich was as clear as he could be when he told jurors Monday how three women allegedly were raped two years ago in Hancock County. “The three women firmly believe they were drugged,” Povich told the jury in his opening statement. “It… Read More
WHITING – The man from Washington County who inspired a popular children’s book and whose efforts to receive a heart transplant never came to fruition, died Monday at a Boston hospital, according to his mother. Joshua Barker, 24, died around noon of kidney failure at… Read More
WASHINGTON – A majority of the Senate voted Monday to register “no confidence” in embattled Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, a rare rebuke for a Cabinet official. The 53-38 tally (with one senator voting “present”) came on a procedural vote that fell seven votes short of… Read More
MONTPELIER, Vt. – State regulators are raising questions about some of the details of Verizon’s bid to sell its operations to Fairpoint Communications. The Public Service Department, in its first official response to the $2.7 billion deal, raises issues about the financial viability of the… Read More
AUGUSTA – Gov. John Baldacci on Monday signed into law a bill to crack down on predatory mortgage lending practices, putting Maine among the first states to address a looming national crisis. The governor said the bill, LD 1869, which was co-sponsored by more than… Read More
OLD TOWN – A new tariff on Chinese imports may help Red Shield Environmental as it continues to start up and operate the pulp manufacturing operation at the former Georgia-Pacific Corp. mill, Ed Paslawski, Red Shield’s chairman and chief executive officer, said Monday. The pulp… Read More
Has anybody noticed that it’s business as usual in Augusta, after the great scare in the last election! No TABOR? I hope all those people that voted it down are happy now. Now we have a bond issue of $113 million, and federal funds of… Read More
I just got back from a trip to Ireland, a most beautiful island. May and June is crowded with so many tourists. I was surprised how many of my fellow American travelers were such heavy drinkers. Perhaps they were encouraged because the Irish have such a reputation for… Read More
Congressman Tom Allen, who wants to replace Susan Collins in the Senate next year, has declined to support an effort in the Maine Legislature to press for the impeachment of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, “Allen back in Portland for rally” (BDN, May 31). Read More
Recently, Waldo County’s Sen. Carol Weston and Reps. Jayne Crosby Giles, John Piotti, Michael Thibodeau, Robert Walker and Lance Weddell voted with the majority of the Maine Legislature to approve LD 1658, An Act to Protect Pregnant Women and Children from Toxic Chemicals in the Home. Read More
WZON, local, loyal, creative and intelligent, has won a pile of prizes for sports broadcasting. The recognition is well deserved! Good for them. Not so good for the University of Maine where Clear Channel, a right-wing soap box from Texas will now be the voice of Maine sports… Read More
I found the article “Baldacci forms panel to review slots revenues” (BDN, June 2-3) very interesting. Gov. John Baldacci is creating a committee to review tax structure for slot machine revenues. It’s about time! Don’t get me wrong, some of the distribution of the funds… Read More
With no races for governor or Congress, this off-year election is not likely to bring a lot of people to the polls. But the two bond questions on the statewide ballot will decide the fate of numerous road and water construction projects. Many municipalities have local offices and… Read More
By lowering the Maine income tax rate from 8.5 to 6 percent and expanding the reach of the state sales tax, the Legislature’s Taxation Committee would reduce the burden on Maine taxpayers by about $140 million a year, saving middle-income taxpayers about $200 each. But that is only… Read More
After months of hard work, a tax reform package was voted out of the Taxation Committee on Wednesday. While the package came out of the committee with a majority of members in support of the measure; I could not, with good conscience, vote in support of the package. Read More
I recently attended my Amherst College (’67) reunion. It was an occasion to catch up with old friends, but I was also saddened by a recitation of the names of too many classmates who had passed away before their time. This reunion, however, was notable for its distinctly… Read More
Since 1965, the people of Maine have witnessed a lot of changes in how they live and work. People 42 years ago probably would not believe that today they would be walking around with a cell phone or have the ability to communicate instantly via the Internet with… Read More
The following products have been recalled: . About 2,700 Vivre Royale Pine Cone Candles imported by Royal Products Inc., because the coating and beads on the candles’ exteriors can catch fire. No injuries have been reported. The company has received one report of a candle… Read More
State officials will hold two meetings Wednesday in Holden on the future of Atlantic salmon fishing in the Penobscot River. The first, a public hearing which begins at 6 p.m., is on a proposal to hold a monthlong fall fishing season for sea-run Atlantic salmon… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – The owners of two dogs that allegedly mauled a cat and lunged at the cat’s owner and a police officer Sunday afternoon have been summoned for keeping dangerous animals and for allowing the dogs to roam at large. Shawn Boelens was so upset… Read More
JONESPORT – On a warm, sunny day last week, diver Donny Engels dropped over the side of a fishing boat and into the cold, murky waters of Moosabec Reach near the bridge between Jonesport and Beals Island in search of scallops. Engels was not harvesting,… Read More
MACHIAS – The Attorney General’s Office has taken over the investigation into the missing guns from the evidence locker at the Washington County Sheriff’s Department. “Brian McMaster, the lead investigator for the Attorney General’s Office, came and he took all the inventory list that Chief… Read More
AUGUSTA – A debate over tax reform is still pending in the Legislature, where the Taxation Committee on Monday morning gave a revenue-neutral package of income, sales and property tax adjustments a final review. Consideration by the full Senate and House is expected later this… Read More
BELFAST – A former Camden Hills High School teacher faces a number of charges after he was arrested Sunday for hosting a drinking party for a group of underage boys that he prompted to make harassing phone calls to a juvenile girl. Brian Roberts, 41,… Read More
ELLSWORTH – The local University of Maine Cooperative Extension has scheduled a six-session course in ecological landscaping this summer. The classes, with the first starting at 9 a.m. Friday, June 29, will be available at the Hancock County Extension office. The other classes will meet… Read More
BAR HARBOR – The local YMCA has scheduled a 3-on-3 basketball tournament to benefit the Josh Sprague Scholarship Fund. The tournament will be held at the Y on Friday, June 15, and Saturday, June 16, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday. The cost is $75 per… Read More
BAR HARBOR – The head of College of the Atlantic has joined more than 280 other higher learning institution presidents by signing on to the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment. David F. Hales, president of COA, is in Washington, D.C., this week to… Read More
PITTSFIELD – The last time the Pittsfield Historical Society appealed for help to restore its museum’s caboose, volunteers showed up by the dozens and the project was quickly completed. But that effort was in 1997 and the past 10 years have taken a toll on the 87-year-old wooden… Read More
HAMPDEN – The town manager has been named a member of the state Board of Environmental Protection. Gov. John Baldacci nominated Susan Lessard for the position May 4, a selection that was affirmed by the Legislature’s Natural Resources Committee on May 22 and the state… Read More
PITTSFIELD – In central Maine, voters will be filling several selectmen’s seats and voting on proposed school budgets today. Newport has a single opening on its Board of Selectmen. John Michaud, a former St. Albans selectman and member of Newport’s budget committee, is a write-in… Read More
FORT FAIRFIELD – The search for a missing 3-year-old will hit the seven-week mark on Wednesday and while warden crews are no longer on the river every day, searchers say they are far from giving up. Sgt. Tom Ward of the Maine Warden Service said… Read More
LITTLETON – Maine State Police continue to investigate an accident that killed two motorcyclists on Saturday. Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety, said Monday afternoon that no decision had been made on whether charges would be filed in connection with the… Read More
STOCKTON SPRINGS – Patrolling the county with a drug-detecting dog paid off for Waldo County Deputy Sheriff Merl Reed on Friday night as a routine traffic stop led to a marijuana arrest. Reed said he was patrolling Route 1 at 11:15 p.m. Friday when he… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – This summer, the University of Maine at Presque Isle is looking for students who are interested in getting their feet wet with a new course in stream ecology. The three-credit course begins June 18 and meets weekdays from 8 a.m. to noon over a three-week… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – On April 16, tragedy struck the campus of Virginia Tech with the killing of 32 students and faculty. Though the shootings took place hundreds of miles away, students at the University of Maine at Presque Isle felt compelled to respond. “When the… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Team registrations are being accepted for the 11th annual TAMC Golf Classic to be held on Saturday, June 23, at the Presque Isle Country Club. The TAMC Golf Classic supports Children’s Miracle Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that children have access to specialized… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – The Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Strawberry Shortcake Sale on Thursday, June 21. The fundraiser, being offered to businesses and their employees, will provide shortcakes for $3 each. To place an order, a business must contact the… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – A Maine-based mutual insurance company with strong ties to Aroostook County has contributed $10,000 to the Campaign for the County’s College. The major gifts campaign is working to raise $2 million for Northern Maine Community College by next February. The money will… Read More
FORT KENT – Gardeners in Aroostook County are being asked to participate in the Plant-A-Row for the Hungry Project this summer. The project, an outreach effort of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, aims to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to needy individuals and families… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – SAD 68 directors and Foxcroft Academy trustees last week approved a two-year contract for educating the district’s students at the independent academy. “We signed a two-year contract rather than the usual three-year contract because school consolidation is looming on the horizon and we’re… Read More
BANGOR – City councilors heard presentations Monday concerning a contract for the city’s firefighters, the Bangor Land Trust’s latest acquisition, and a request to allow both nude dancing and alcohol at the city’s only gentlemen’s club. The Bangor firefighters, represented by the International Association of… Read More
BREWER – With the deadline to pass the city’s budget set for June 29 – just 17 days from now – Brewer officials are “feverishly” working to finish it and present it to residents and city councilors, City Manager Steve Bost said Monday. “We should… Read More
HOLDEN – Someone working on the Barrett Lane subdivision, known as the Little Stream subdivision when it was approved in August 2006, has cut and cleared trees in a restricted area set aside as deer wintering habitat. Town councilors on Monday voted to contact the… Read More
A Bangor woman fell asleep at the wheel of her car Monday afternoon and drove her vehicle into trees on Stillwater Avenue, police said. Paula Ashe, 48, fell asleep at the wheel of her maroon 1994 Oldsmobile at around 3 p.m., Sgt. Larry Weber of… Read More
LINCOLN – Efforts to create a town recreation center took a major leap forward when the Town Council gave tentative approval Monday night to buy 11 acres off Route 6 for an as-yet undisclosed price. With Councilor Jeff Gifford absent, the council voted 6-0 to… Read More
Sebastian R. Engles, a 2003 graduate of Caribou High School, has earned the rank of second lieutenant in the U.S. Army after successfully completing the Army ROTC program and graduating with a bachelor’s degree from Dickinson College, in Carlisle, Pa. He is the son of Richard and Carole… Read More
ROCKLAND – A local independent, not-for-profit organization helping senior citizens plans to participate in a worldwide event to raise awareness on preventing elder abuse. Senior Spectrum will host an open house celebrating the second annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day from 10 a.m. to noon… Read More
BAR HARBOR – Voters here today are expected to elect at least one new town councilor and to consider whether to ban smoking in cars when children are present. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Municipal Building on Cottage… Read More
BLUE HILL – June is a busy month at the Blue Hill Public Library, with many options for children. Regular story hours will continue through the summer, with ages 2-5 at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, and ages 4 and older at 11 a.m. Saturdays. Monday, June… Read More
The Waldo County Humane Society will conduct a low-cost neuter clinic for cats June 23. The clinic will be held at Aubuchon’s on Route 1 in Belfast and will be by appointment only. Applications are available at the municipal offices and must be completed and… Read More
BLUE HILL – Violinists Heidi Powell and Richard Hsu will perform at noon Monday, June 18, at the Blue Hill Public Library as part of the library’s Music Midday Series. The husband and wife duo will perform a fun and educational program in a variety of musical styles. Read More
The Midcoast Spinners will demonstrate hand-spinning at the Camden Farmers Market on Saturday, June 16. The Midcoast Spinners are local fiber artisans who meet regularly to share their enthusiasm for turning fiber into yarns and threads to be used in knitting, crocheting and weaving projects. Read More
CALAIS – Passamaquoddy storyteller, musician, and activist Allen Sockabasin will discuss and sign his new book, “Upriver Passamaquoddy” at the Calais Bookshop 4-7 p.m. Thursday, June 14. An accomplished musician, Sockabasin will also play music at the event. In the book, Sockabasin describes growing up… Read More
CALAIS – The classic, award-winning film “Genevieve,” a 1953 British comedy about the annual London-to-Brighton antique-car rally, will be presented at the The Holmestead, Calais Civic Center, 527 Main St., at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 16. The star, among other veteran automobiles built before 1905, is Genevieve, a… Read More
CALAIS – The film “Rififi” will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday, June 15, at The Holmestead, Calais Civic Center, 527 Main St. This is the original 1955 French heist movie, a black-and-white classic film noir directed by Jules Dassin. “Rififi” is based on a… Read More
HOULTON – Police were still gathering information on Monday about a case in which two suspects are believed to have broken into a private residence on Sunday evening. The pair made off with an undisclosed amount of cash after struggling with the homeowner. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
MACHIAS – Voters are at the polls today deciding the fate of the school budget, while the municipal budget will be voted on Wednesday night. This is Town Manager Betsy Fitzgerald’s first official budget. She has been on the job about a year. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
HOULTON – A flat-funded budget with little to no projected increases to the towns that contribute to the local share of education in the district will soon go before voters in SAD 29, Superintendent Steve Fitzpatrick said Monday. “I’m very happy with the projected budget… Read More
HOULTON – Keeping your eyes on the road – especially when driving on Bangor Street in this town – is essential. The heavily used stretch of roadway is so riddled with potholes and ruts that avoiding as many of them as possible is vital to… Read More
BELFAST – Fifteen hearty rowers from Come Boating! Belfast’s community boating organization, rowed the six oared gigs Selkie and Belle Fast to Sears Island on Saturday, June 9. All are invited to participate in regularly scheduled public rowing, which begins Tuesday, June 12. Sign up… Read More
This year, peony lovers will have not one but two dates to enjoy the Peony Society of Maine’s sixth annual Peony Garden Tour, reports Paula Boyer Rougny. The Peony Tour is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 16, and the same times Saturday, June… Read More
WASHINGTON – Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, has been given the Keystone Leadership in Government Award in recognition of her congressional achievements. She accepted the award Thursday night from the Keystone Center during a ceremony at Union Station. The Keystone Center is a nonprofit organization founded… Read More
PERRY – Quoddy Bay LNG announced Monday it has filed applications for a host of state permits for the 2-billion-cubic-foot liquefied natural gas facility it proposes to construct and operate on the Pleasant Point Reservation and in Perry. The state applications focus primarily upon the… Read More
FREDERICTON, New Brunswick – Even as Premier Shawn Graham kicks the tires on a possible French-made nuclear reactor for New Brunswick, at least one energy expert is skeptical a second nuclear generating station will ever see the light of day in the province. David Coon… Read More
WATERVILLE – The lines at Maine’s off-track betting parlors are getting shorter, and the customers are getting older. Officials say wagers at the state’s four off-track betting establishments in Waterville, Lewiston, Brunswick and Sanford are on the decline. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
AUGUSTA – Two Maine high school students soon will have the opportunity to make education policy from seats on the state Board of Education. Gov. John Baldacci last week signed into law a bill creating the opportunity for a high school senior and high school… Read More
TREMONT – Five teenagers were injured Monday afternoon in a single-car crash on Route 102. According to Deputy Jeff McFarland of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, the five teens were traveling on Route 102 in a Ford Explorer near the intersection of the Clark Point… Read More
LITCHFIELD – Officials closed down a 20-mile section of the Maine Turnpike for more than two hours Monday after a propane tank overturned and leaked at a turnpike maintenance facility. The north- and southbound lanes of the highway were shut down at about 6:20 a.m. Read More
Former Schenck of East Millinocket basketball standout Rachel Larlee will take over as coach of the Foxcroft Academy girls basketball team next winter. Larlee, a 2000 Schenck and 2004 UMaine-Presque Isle graduate, who is currently teaching and coaching in the Milo school system, was one… Read More
There has been a scheduling change for Wednesday’s Eastern Maine Class A baseball championship game between Bangor and Brewer. No, the game is not being moved from Morton Field in Augusta back to the Bangor area, but the starting time has been moved up a… Read More
I read the news today, oh boy. With apologies to John Lennon and the Beatles, it is the time of year again to discuss young people – who may be athletes or not – and the many pitfalls of consuming alcohol and driving drunk. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
While my Thursday jaunt on the Penobscot wasn’t too productive, anecdotal reports (and a recent drive-by check on one of the area’s most popular striped bass fishing spots) indicates that good times are indeed upon us … almost. The grassy park in South Brewer, home… Read More
PORTLAND – Paul Kariya doesn’t look like he has already put 12 National Hockey League seasons on his skates. The years have been good to the youthful-looking Kariya, who led the University of Maine to its first NCAA championship in 1992-93, becoming the first and… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL 2007 Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl 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
HOLE-IN-ONE Bob McMahon 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
Karlsson caseshows disparity of justice For those of us who follow current events and read our daily newspapers, we are cognizant of the disparity in the justice system which allows those with means one set of rules and the rest of us a different set,… Read More
An uplifting underdog of a summer movie had its start in a family with Maine ties. “Gracie” was a work of love for producer Andrew Shue and actress Elisabeth Shue, who spent summers in Maine with their dad Jim Shue, a Hampden resident. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
NEW YORK – A new Stephen King thriller will be published in its entirety in the July issue of Esquire. “The Gingerbread Girl,” a 21,000-word novella covering 23 pages, will arrive at newsstands today. “Over the last year, we’ve been trying to breathe life back… Read More
As knitters, we are accustomed to visiting a favorite yarn shop, or ordering yarn from a catalog or online. We pay with credit cards, checks or cash. We are many times removed from the pastures and barns where sheep, llamas and alpacas are raised, where these fibers, purchased… Read More