A federal rule change is pushing Maine legislators to make improvements to the state’s sex offender registry that they have so far been unable to do on their own. Differentiating between the most dangerous offenders and those less likely to commit another crime will make this information more… Read More
    Money from Maine’s conservation license plates, commonly called loon plates, is an important source of revenue for state wildlife and land management agencies. With declining sales of the plates, however, there is less money to fund repairs and upgrades at state parks and to monitor endangered species. The… Read More
    Are you ready to help pay for some of your father or mother’s nursing home care? As the state and federal governments continue to pay less and less for nursing home care, nursing homes will have no alternative but to look to their residents’ families to help them… Read More
    Jack Gray of Ellsworth, you are not alone, “Bad gas cans” (BDN, July 6). I too detest this new trend in so-called “safety nozzles” on gas cans. The lousy things are awkward, needlessly complicated, and irritatingly slow to dispense the can’s contents: once you get the thing positioned… Read More
    The passage of LD 472 sponsored by Sen. Peter Mills and subsequently signed by Gov. John Baldacci now requires the Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) to hold public meetings for “residents and property owners of the jurisdiction and other interested parties” on the revision of the Comprehensive Land… Read More
    In her well-written letter, “Spay and neuter” (BDN, July 7), Julie Gallagher of PAWS spoke for all of us who deal with the never-ending flow of unwanted felines in this state. I, too, never cease to be amazed at the cruelty and irresponsibility of people. Read More
    A new study reportedly shows that, despite popular belief, women are not using up the world’s supply of words at a faster rate than men. It just seems that way. The common misconception that women are far more talkative than men is simply one of… Read More
    Last month, I had the rare privilege of spending five days in Canada with a group of legal and policy scholars from around the world. Our formal duty was to complete work on a book on the topic of “Moving Beyond the Carbon Economy” – what roles should… Read More
    Like thousands of others, I’m looking forward to visiting some of the most beautiful places in Maine this summer and fall. But although I plan to put hundreds of miles on my car and make at least 16 stops, many of the places I’m going are less well… Read More
    Ocean Properties Ltd., a New Hampshire-based development and hospitality company, has sold partial interest in 18 of its hotels in a joint venture with a private investment firm in New York. The Portland Marriott at Sable Oaks is the only Maine hotel affected by the… Read More
    MANCHESTER, N.H. – The union representing Verizon employees has gone to arbitration over its claim that Verizon’s agreement to sell its landlines in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont violates its contract. Spokesman Rand Wilson, from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, says if the arbitrator… Read More
    Thirty-five years ago today, Cindy and Rick Simpson walked into Boyd & Noyes Jewelers in downtown Bangor and picked out a small solitary diamond and became officially engaged. Most likely the couple will spend the day celebrating and reliving memories they have made together over… Read More
    PALERMO – All four people involved in an unusual motorcycle-car-deer collision Friday morning on Route 3 escaped serious injury, but the animal’s death left a gruesome mark on the occupants of the car. Bob Keating, chief deputy of the Waldo County Sheriff’s Department, said Friday… Read More
    The 2008 election face-off between Republican Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Tom Allen for the U.S. Senate seat is 16 months away, but the money race is well under way, and Collins holds the lead. Already, the campaign is shaping up to be the most… Read More
    LINCOLNVILLE – Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center, a program of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, will present “Sustainable Transportation,” the second topic in the summer series “Living Sustainably: Moving from ‘I Can’ to ‘I Will'” 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, at the Hutchinson Center in Belfast. Read More
    SKOWHEGAN – Town Manager Philip Tarr released his proposed budget changes Friday, and along with specific cuts, he suggests redefining the town’s planning department. When voters slashed a half-million dollars from the town’s proposed budget at a June town meeting, every expense and revenue came… Read More
    HOULTON – Although town officials did not get as much money as they hoped for, they say that a $136,000 allocation from the Maine Department of Transportation will help the town take a giant step forward in its efforts to make the town more pedestrian-friendly. Read More
    UNION – A possible moratorium on cellular telephone towers is the subject of a public hearing at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the municipal building on Route 17. Town Manager Andrew Hart said Friday Verizon proposed leasing a portion of the town’s public works property on… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – Town councilors are expected to agree Tuesday to put a contract out to bid for work on the Pinnacle ski facility, a small clubhouse at the foot of Pinnacle Hill where generations of area children have learned to ski. Roof reconstruction will head… Read More
    Desiree, born in 1992, is involved in so many activities and has so many interests that it’s difficult to list them all. She is full of energy and enthusiasm and is extremely polite and easy to talk to. Desiree enjoys swimming, dancing, cheerleading and going… Read More
    Waldo County Superior Court Cases through July 10, 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]… Read More
    MILLINOCKET – Look out, you hot dog thieves. The town of Millinocket is on the case. Or at least that was the message Town Manager Eugene Conlogue delivered straight into the local-access television camera during a Town Council meeting Thursday night. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    HERMON – Town recreational fields have been home to countless sporting competitions over the years, so after vandals caused about $12,000 in damage this week, town officials are focused on making them safe. The vandals used at least one stolen vehicle to smash a field… Read More
    Mount Desert Island High School, Bar Harbor 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
    LUBEC – A local man was arrested Friday morning after he allegedly assaulted a woman and tried to prevent her from contacting police. Donald Farrell, 33, faces charges of terrorizing, assault, and obstructing the report of a crime, according to Trooper Kimberly Janes of the… Read More
    BANGOR – The following are city government meetings planned the week of July 16-20. . City Council finance committee, 5 p.m. Monday, City Hall, review of bids for paving, Penjajawoc watershed management plan, city cellular telephone service and arena site location study update contracts, Club… Read More
    BETHEL – Gov. John Baldacci on Friday declared a state of emergency for Oxford County, a move intended to free up state and federal resources to help repair damage to roads and water infrastructure from flash flooding caused by this week’s heavy rains. “Severe weather… Read More
    HOULTON – Two motorists walked away from a crash scene uninjured after a two-car accident on Smyrna Street in Houlton on Friday. Officer Jared Sylvia of the Houlton Police Department said the accident occurred about noon. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
    PORTLAND – A homeless man is not mentally competent to stand trial on a manslaughter charge in the beating death of another homeless man last fall, a judge ruled. Larry Sauve, 47, suffers from a mental illness that interferes with his reasoning skills and ability… Read More
    Another opportunity to enjoy music outdoors is being offered through the Summer Concerts in the Park series, reports Old Town Public Library director Cynthia Jennings. The first concert features the Dave Wooley Band at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, at Riverfront Park in Old Town. Read More
    A Limestone woman accused of causing the death of a toddler she was baby-sitting last month was one of 64 people indicted by the Aroostook County grand jury on Friday. Heather Fortin, 23, of Huggard Avenue, was indicted on a charge of manslaughter stemming from… Read More
    Maine’s Bureau of Pesticides Control will determine next month whether to approve the registration of a type of genetically modified corn in Maine. Maine is the only state in the country where the corn, known as Bt, for Bacillus thuringiensis, corn cannot be grown or… Read More
    OGUNQUIT – The Maine Turnpike Authority will commission a study later this summer to determine if turnpike travelers are turning to Route 1 to avoid paying the $1.75 toll at the southern end of the turnpike. The authority last October paid for a study that… Read More
    BAR HARBOR – A long-running feud between two local athletic organizations is expected to hit a low point next week when a member of one of the groups appears in court on criminal charges. Mary P. Ropp, 23, of Bar Harbor is a recent graduate… Read More
    The majority does not rule regarding religion As in her past communications, I have again admired the enthusiasm with which Brenda Norris approaches her religious faith (“One Nation, Under God or Gone Under,” Voices column, June 30). I share her appreciation of being able to… Read More
    At just after 5 p.m. EDT on June 14, 2007, Ruth Bell Graham died at her home in Montreat, N.C. Ruth was born in Kiangsu, China, where her parents were serving as medical missionaries. She was a mother of five, an author and poet, had founded a children’s… Read More
    Not so long ago, “bass” was a four-letter word among more than a few Maine outdoors enthusiasts whose piscatorial tastes ran more toward salmon and trout. Tournament bass fisherman Ken Hoehlein of Trenton chuckles when he recalls one such story. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
    The Major League Baseball All-Star game is about show and entertainment. The home field advantage may rest on the outcome, but that does not take the game above the glitz that surrounds the week. Barry Bonds was the obvious center of attention. The game was… Read More
    Eastern Maine’s harness racing community lost a valued member, significant contributor, and loyal friend last week when Doug Clendenning died at the age of 87. The World War II veteran had many different work experiences. He worked for Bath Iron Works before joining the U.S. Read More
    HOLES-IN-ONE JOHN CLARK 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
    Recently I received an e-mail from Mr. Sam Garwood of Old Town. He’d been birding on Poplar Street, which includes the causeway that passes near Mud Pond on the way to Pushaw Lake. This road and the causeway is a wonderful place to bird, as… Read More
    The Greenland Point Center in Princeton will host an open house and day of family fun on Aug. 25. The day begins with a 5-kilometer race and mile fun walk and run. Registration starts at 9 a.m., the mile event starts at 9:30 and the… Read More
    “The Hills Have Eyes II” Well, no, they don’t. If they did and if they could see, they would have read the script, passed on it, and we all would have been better for it. This sequel to Alexandre Aja’s 2006 remake of the 1977 Wes Craven classic… Read More
    This is the summer of my discontent. First, it was Don Imus who drowned, then disappeared in a sea of well-deserved criticism. Then it was Tony Soprano who may or may not have been “whacked” while eating his onion rings. We will never know. Now,… Read More
    Before there were gardens, there was Dr. Bill Lenoir, my undergraduate botany professor. His classes kindled a lifelong passion for plants. He inspired desire to work beyond the syllabus, to explore questions that began in the lecture hall and ended with late night hours in the laboratory. I… Read More
    Believe it or not, we still had carrots in storage from last year’s garden only two weeks ago. There weren’t many, and I had to put them in the refrigerator because the cellar was warming up enough to encourage magnificent sprouting. At this season, they are a tad… Read More