LIMESTONE – Teairra Leathers shouldn’t have died. The 20-month-old child with curly, blond hair and big, blue eyes was healthy and alert on Monday evening a week ago when her mother dropped her off at Heather Fortin’s house. Fifteen minutes later, the little girl was… Read More
    A Page 1 story on Monday about dog rescue groups gave the wrong state Department of Agriculture unit proposing new animal importation rules. The new rules are being proposed by the department’s Division of Animal Health and Industry. Read More
    WASHINGTON – Farmed seafood has joined tires, toothpaste and toy trains on the list of tainted and defective products from China that could be hazardous to a person’s health. Federal health officials said Thursday they were detaining three types of Chinese fish – catfish, basa… Read More
    WASHINGTON – A popular snack food sold nationwide is being recalled because of concerns about contamination. All lots and sizes of Veggie Booty Snack Food are being recalled, the company said, following a report of 51 cases of salmonella poisoning that may be associated with… Read More
    The following petitions for bankruptcy were filed at U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Bangor during December 2006: Rhonda L. Carr, aka Rhonda L. Brown, no employment given, no dependents, Pittston: assets, $56,921, debts, $30,328. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
    AUGUSTA – With the announcement this week of layoffs at Fraser Paper in Madawaska, Maine Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman has announced that the Department of Labor is preparing to assist the affected workers. “Our primary concern right now is connecting with workers impacted by this… Read More
    The letter from Ken Johnson from Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, “Medicare Part D” (BDN, June 18), has some curious logic in it. He claims the Congressional Budget Office has stated repeatedly to Congress that “government likely could not force lower costs than those already negotiated by… Read More
    Changes proposed by the Department of Agriculture appropriately add pet adoption services to rules governing the importation of dogs and cats to Maine. Pet adoption agencies are concerned that a quarantine provision – which has applied to pet shops and breeders for nearly a decade – is too… Read More
    The Vatican, in a departure from theological matters, has issued a “Ten Commandments” for drivers. It tells them not to kill, not to drink and drive and to avoid road rage. It even seems to warn against tailgating. The new papal rules are as concise… Read More
    I find it ironic that President Bush vetoed the stem cell bill, citing his commitment to preserving the sanctity of life, yet he has no qualms about sacrificing our servicemen and women to the civil war in Iraq. Sara Hessler googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
    The Maine Legislature’s hostility towards Maine voters is once again unmistakable. Now, they want to effectively get rid of term limits that the voters put in place in 1993 by giving us a choice of approving term limits to be increased from four terms (eight… Read More
    I always enjoy reading columns by Richard Hill, “Unplugging the myths of our energy future” (BDN, June 16) being the latest. His seemingly incontrovertible arithmetic dismissing alternate energy sources as viable for our future as a civilization is surely chilling to any sanguinity. He is… Read More
    Imagine my surprise when I picked up the BDN on June 22 to read that our state Legislature has failed to move on any real tax reform. They had no trouble passing a budget that takes from the most vulnerable of its citizens, $33 million from behavioral health. Read More
    As the Maine state director of the Cold War Veterans Association, I am pleased and proud to announce that the Maine Legislature has passed LD 111, an act to name May 1 every year as Cold War Victory Day. The bill, introduced by Rep. Brian Duprey, will make… Read More
    Concerning “Troop greeters banned from handing out food” (BDN, June 20), I doubt a single soldier headed over to Iraq or coming home thinks, “Man, I can’t believe I didn’t get a piece of Debbie Bickford’s fudge!” No, that soldier leaves Bangor International Airport thinking, “Wow, Debbie Bickford… Read More
    Independence Day is when we celebrate the birth of the United States. But it’s also a good time to reflect on the nation’s character. We Americans are motivated by two sometimes contradictory impulses: one towards individualism and the other towards community. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    I have not been this upset and angry since about 1969 or 1970. I am in this state of turmoil because the same thing is happening all over again that happened then. The media has convinced the American people that the war in Iraq is lost and not… Read More
    Add “irritable larynx syndrome” to the litany of ills related to Americans’ poor health habits. Characterized by an ongoing cough, frequent throat-clearing and vocal hoarseness, the condition is on the rise throughout the country, including in Maine, and is in many cases directly related to our fatty diets… Read More
    BAR HARBOR – So just how much carbon is released into the atmosphere each Fourth of July when fireworks are shot off over the local harbor? One ton, according to officials with the local Chamber of Commerce. The vehicles that travel to Bar Harbor that… Read More
    The quality and quantity of local news reporting, as presented by Maine’s newspapers, television and radio stations, was the topic of a seven-hour public discussion Thursday night in Portland, where the Federal Communications Commission held its fifth of six nationwide public hearings. Virtually everyone agreed… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – Susan Gendron, commissioner of Maine’s Department of Education, repeatedly heard the same criticism of the state’s school administration consolidation plan when she hosted a meeting Thursday night at the local Holiday Inn. Not all of the people in the crowd of more than… Read More
    Aroostook County Superior Court, Caribou Cases April 1-30, 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
    ROCKPORT – Growing up on a Maine island is surprisingly good preparation for success in college, students winning Island Institute scholarships said Thursday. The Rockland-based nonprofit organization hosted an awards banquet at the Samoset Resort, giving out scholarships to 57 island students worth a total… Read More
    BLUE HILL – Voters will have the chance Monday to weigh in on whether the town should become the latest community to join the state’s Downeast Pine Tree Zone. The selectmen will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Monday at the Town Hall to… Read More
    A discarded cigarette caused a late Thursday morning fire at Pat’s Pizza in Hampden, leading to an evacuation and closing the restaurant for the day. Officials said someone in the building’s upstairs apartment threw a cigarette down onto the pine mulch below, igniting the fire. Read More
    John Bapst Memorial High School, 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
    BANGOR – Nearly 800 walking sticks have been given to Vietnam veterans in Maine, according to Galen Cole of the Cole Land Transportation Museum. However, due to a shortage of supply, approximately 100 veterans did not receive Vietnam stickers for their walking sticks, Cole said. Read More
    BUCKSPORT – Five members of the Penobscot Nation helped bless the new Penobscot Narrows Bridge during Bridgefest celebration Saturday, June 23. Ann Pardilla, Debbie Kondilis and the Penobscot Ceremonial Team performed a ceremony invoking good luck and blessing the bridge and observatory. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    Millinocket District Court Cases May 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 () { // Define… Read More
    LUBEC – About 25 voters Wednesday night approved a 2007-08 budget for the superintendent’s office of $218,415. It was the second time around for that particular budget item. At the June primary, Lubec voters considered a $2.1 million school budget. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
    BUCKSPORT – The town and the local arts society are set to kick off a series of Saturday evening performances designed to give an economic boost to the downtown area. The first performance of the “Saturdays of Summer Performances Series” will run from 5 to… Read More
    Brewer High School Fourth 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
    PORTLAND – A lawyer from York Beach has been acquitted in a criminal case for the second time this year. After more than three hours of deliberation Wednesday, a Cumberland County Superior Court jury found Stephen Brett, 47, not guilty of theft. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    BINGHAM – A local man was killed Thursday when his vehicle crashed into the side of an oncoming pulp truck. Albert Lopez, 82, died at the scene of the crash on Route 201, Somerset County sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Knight said. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
    Recently, Maureen Rawding wrote to ask that I remind readers the community of Blue Hill has something special in store for you for the coming holiday. As a member of Blue Hill’s “A Fourth to Remember” committee, Rawding wants you to know a Family Day… Read More
    VERONA ISLAND – The Bucksport High School Class of 1967 will hold its 40th reunion at the Verona Town Hall from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 7. Current address information is not available for the following class members: Sandra Hunt Ackley, Stanley Bennett, Jr.,… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Wary state fiscal officials are watching revenue collections closely this week as the end of the fiscal year approaches. At one point there were concerns that both the General Fund and Highway Fund would finish in the red. On Thursday, worries remained that… Read More
    PORTLAND – Maine’s highest court Thursday threw out a 19-year-old Somali immigrant’s terrorizing conviction for phoning in a bomb threat to Portland High School, saying police failed to read him his Miranda rights. The Supreme Judicial Court concluded that a detective’s 45-minute interview with Hamza… Read More
    AUGUSTA – A Waterville man accused of shooting his estranged wife in front of their two sons last January pleaded not guilty this week. Richard Reynolds, 41, was supposed to be arraigned in March but the hearing was delayed until Wednesday in Kennebec County Superior… Read More
    NEWPORT – Two people were seriously injured Wednesday night when their vehicles collided in a severe rainstorm. Gillian Hartsgrove, 23, was driving a 2001 Chevrolet sedan and Winston McTague, 42, was driving a 1992 Harley-Davidson motorcycle when they crashed on U.S. Route 2 in front… Read More
    BREWER – A few dozen Brewer residents got a first look Thursday evening at Cianbro Corp.’s plan to clean up the former Eastern Fine factory site to make room for a major manufacturing facility. Within several weeks, Cianbro plans to file applications with the Maine… Read More
    SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. – The Vermont Air National Guard is canceling a series of July Fourth flyovers in Vermont and Maine because the pilots and support personnel are preparing for another overseas deployment. In a letter to the seven Vermont communities and one in Maine… Read More
    Sean Caisse can’t wait for tonight’s New England 125 Busch East race at New Hampshire International Speedway. The native of Pelham, N.H., who drives for the Andy Santerre Motorsports team, figures his luck has to change and this would be the perfect time for it. Read More
    As a native of the Saint John Valley, Andrew Clavette appreciates the love of basketball in the region. As the new boys varsity basketball coach at Fort Kent Community High School, he hopes to build upon it. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
    Think about cooking a thick, juicy steak on the grill on the Fourth of July, then having young and impish Chuckie notice a fly hovering nearby and address the issue by coating the steak with the spray of bug repellent. The steak still looks good,… Read More
    NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Predators forward Paul Kariya plans to enter free agency, the latest loss for a team “fighting for its life,” general manager David Poile said Thursday. Poile said Kariya, a former University of Maine star, decided to become a free agent because the… Read More
    SEARSPORT – Miles Davee tripled, doubled and singled, drove in two runs and scored four times to lead Waldo to a 14-0 American Legion baseball victory over Calais Thursday. Josh Nickerson and Ricky Bernosky both had two singles and two RBIs for Waldo. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    Former Bangor High School soccer and hockey star Dylan George said he watched a lot of University of Maine soccer games growing up. Next fall, he will be playing against the Black Bears. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
    It’s summer, finally, and our thoughts have turned to outdoor activities. So why not combine sports with a little romance? If you like baseball, specifically the Red Sox, and golf, you’re in luck. Romance seems to be in the air at the ballpark and on the links this… Read More
    According to Merriam-webster.com, “climactic” means “of, relating to, or constituting a climax.” With that definition, the Ellsworth-based band the Climactics sure do have a lot to live up to. They may not have reached that creative zenith quite yet, but if things keep going the way they’re going,… Read More