Rep. Tom Allen must immediately stop tracking Sen. Susan Collins. Anyone who wishes to have a private conversation with Sen. Collins must feel free to do so without fear of being videotaped, recorded and their car license plate photographed by Rep. Allen’s employee. Allen has… Read More
    Members of the Legislature’s Criminal Justice Committee are wisely, if belatedly, meeting this summer to consider how more than a dozen bills that call for longer sentences would affect the state’s already overcrowded prisons. If lawmakers are serious about the consequences of mandatory sentences and other measure that… Read More
    The manager of New England’s electricity system predicts high energy prices and tight supply will remain problems for years to come. It offers seven ways to ease both, but only one is immediately available. Using less electricity doesn’t require new power lines or generating plants, both of which… Read More
    The other day your paper included comments of mine, made as a scholar of American politics, on the Collins’ campaign’s complaints with the Allen campaign. Today I write as an expert and citizen in response to your editorial on the subject. Filming should demonstrate respect for personal space… Read More
    Last week I bought a fan in southern Maine. After putting it together, I went to plug it in and noticed a warning sticker on the cord up near the housing. In small black print the label said: “Handling the cord on this product will expose you to… Read More
    I am sure that the Hampden town manager has a very strong reason for not accepting the generous donation of the Cole family of 24 flags to be flown in their town. The Friends of Hamlin had also raised enough money for 75 flags. Does that not show… Read More
    In a recent University of Maine class, statistics from Marcella Sorg from Maine’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner were cited: “90 percent of Maine’s drug-related deaths are caused by prescription drugs licit and illicit, alone or in combination.” As a 56-year-old Maine resident, a… Read More
    More than 14 months to go before the November 2008 election, and already Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Rep. Tom Allen – the six-term 1st District congressman who presumably will be her Democratic opponent – are at each other’s throats. The issue du jour concerns… Read More
    For three weeks this summer I stepped out of my comfort zone. It taught me a lesson about teaching. Leaving one’s comfort zone is not something that happens very often to most adults. Instead of feeling powerful, in control, full of answers, I felt the… Read More
    DES MOINES, Iowa – Prosecutors dropped charges Friday against the couple accused of abducting two children from their father in Oakland and driving to Maine. Brandi Harris, the children’s noncustodial mother, and her boyfriend, Vince Hatch, were charged Tuesday with violating a custodial order, but… Read More
    School systems across Maine are about to undergo massive transitions that will change the landscape of many of the state’s smallest communities. As consolidation plans pull school buildings farther from small communities, residents are going to have to find ways to ensure those communities remain an essential part… Read More
    TRENTON – What started out as a boardroom disagreement at a local Christian school has become a full-fledged legal dispute. Life Christian Academy, which has not been able to renew its lease on its Route 3 home, filed a civil lawsuit Wednesday in Ellsworth District… Read More
    HUDSON – Area senior citizens could be eligible for free farm-fresh produce. About 1,300 farm shares that were made available for low-income seniors statewide through the Maine Senior FarmShare program have gone unused. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
    YORK – A motorist was killed Friday morning when he drove his car into a tree while being pursued by police, officials said. Police in Wells received a call about 9:30 a.m. from a store operator who said the man had come into the store… Read More
    BAILEYVILLE – The U.S. Department of Labor has approved federal Trade Adjustment Assistance for 150 workers who lost their jobs in July when Domtar shut down the papermaking machine at its Woodland mill. The displaced workers are now eligible for employment retraining in another job… Read More
    Kyle, who was born in 1999, is a sweet, engaging child. He is a bit shy, polite, kind and has a very quiet disposition. He says he likes to go to school and look at picture books in his classroom. Kyle also enjoys reading. Kyle… Read More
    ROCKLAND – A national magazine has selected the city as one of the top 50 adventure towns in the United States. The September issue of National Geographic Adventure, one of the publication’s three magazines, ranks communities in four categories: Best Small Towns, Wilderness Towns, Mountain… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – The +man who bought Wednesday’s winning $9.875 million Megabucks lottery ticket has come forward, but he asked the owners of the store where he purchased the ticket to keep his name a secret, at least for the time being. Raylene Shaw who,… Read More
    The Dikricher Solschlesselcher Luxembourg Children’s Choir will return to Maine this month to perform in Bangor and Washington County. The choir, composed of multicultural members ages 8 to 35, has performed throughout Europe. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Ten area employees were among those honored Thursday at the fifth annual Excellence in Long Term Care Conference. The conference was sponsored by Maine’s Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, the Maine Health Care Association and First Atlantic Corp. and is designed to “educate… Read More
    BREWER – Some nonresident students who have applied for admission to Brewer High School under a new policy that screens them for behavior, academics and attendance have been turned away, Superintendent Daniel Lee said this week. However, all incoming freshmen have been accepted, so far,… Read More
    OLD TOWN – Area middle-schoolers are showing significant signs of improvement when it comes to reducing binge drinking and increasing their commitment to school, according to the coordinator of Greater Old Town Communities That Care. “Binge drinking has gone down incredibly,” said coordinator Diane Vatne. Read More
    DIXMONT – The town will begin celebrating its bicentennial Sunday, and events will run through Aug. 25. The Historical Society and selectmen will start the celebration at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 19, at the Town Hall, and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Dixmont Volunteer Fire… Read More
    BREWER – A Back to School Celebration hosted by Penquis CAP will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at the Brewer Auditorium. It’s a health and safety fair designed to provide children and their parents with information and tools to… Read More
    NEWINGTON, N.H. – A sailboat from which a Seacoast lawyer fell overboard almost two years ago after setting sail from Maine will be auctioned off to settle a legal dispute between his widow and the fishing boat crew that rescued their son. The 41-foot Niobe… Read More
    ROCKLAND – After more than 20 years in nearby Thomaston, University College will open its fall semester Sept. 4 in its new home at Breakwater Marketplace on U.S. Route 1. Beverly Bayer, coordinator of student services, said the newly renamed University College of Rockland is… Read More
    Warm up your vocal chords and get those feet a-movin’ to be prepared for Bangor Community Theatre auditions for “Annie Get Your Gun.” Stephanie Erb, the group’s vice president, announced auditions for this Broadway favorite will be held 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29, and Thursday,… Read More
    KITTERY – Two Massachusetts men were charged Thursday in connection with a $500,000 outlet mall jewelry store robbery after police cracked the case using a fingerprint left on a plastic bag. Police arrested Kalvin Morales, 21, of Lawrence, Mass., and Sam Rodriguez, 21, of Methuen,… Read More
    NEW YORK – New York’s power brokers united in mourning with its working-class residents Friday as the city that Brooke Astor loved so dearly bid a bittersweet farewell to the philanthropist and society fixture. Astor’s wooden casket sat on the altar inside St. Thomas Church… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Republican Sen. Susan Collins’ campaign on Friday proposed that supporters of Democratic Rep. Tom Allen enter into negotiations to develop ground rules for a me-and-my-shadow campaign trail practice known as tracking that is common elsewhere but unusual in Maine. Several days of dispute… Read More
    BANGOR – Maine tradition took center stage Friday afternoon at the Bangor Civic Center as two competitors raced to be named the fastest wreath maker at the National Christmas Tree Association Convention and Trade Show. More than 50 Christmas tree growers, retailers and vendors from… Read More
    NEWARK, N.J. – Toys “R” Us Inc. on Friday said it was removing all vinyl baby bibs from its Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us stores as a precaution after two bibs made in China for one supplier showed lead levels that exceeded Toys “R” Us standards. Read More
    I love words. As a writer, that’s a good thing, right? But, as a writer, I’m also aware of the power of words. My sister and I have been writing together for nearly 20 years. Before the advent of e-submissions (and rejections), I’d say we’re… Read More
    “Charlie Chan, Vol. 3” In his 16 films as Charlie Chan, Warner Oland played the Chinese sleuth as a man you could have over for dinner or a murder, preferably the latter, though his manners (not to mention his wit) certainly were good enough for… Read More
    It never stops. I buy the low-fat milk but put half-and-half in my coffee. I buy I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter instead of the real thing. I eat red meat maybe three times a year. Even cheeseburgers are a no-no. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    Fourteen recipes for blueberry cake arrived on my desk in response to my query for a well-flavored, not-too-sweet sort. I wish I could report that there were a couple basic versions of the cake, but no, the proportions of flour, sugar, butter, and even the amount of blueberries… Read More
    BANGOR – Village Harmony, an acclaimed teen world music ensemble, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Monday at St. John’s Episcopal, 225 French St. The 24-member group, made up of young people from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, will perform American shape-note and… Read More
    A tiny church on Orr’s Island is the only one in Maine that is part of the Adopt-a-Chaplain program. The group’s founder would like there to be more. The organization, based in San Jose, Calif., was started in 2005 by Daniel Hoebeke, who summers on… Read More
    MILLINOCKET – The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland will hold a Green Mass for environmental workers at 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 26, at St. Martin of Tours. Bishop Richard J. Malone will preside at the event, the first of its kind in Maine. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    I want it fall. I want it fall. 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
    BANGOR – Jose Gonzalez knew as soon as the ball left his bat that his hit would at least move a baserunner. There was just one question going through his mind as the standout from the Falcon, Venezuela, team chugged around the bases in the… Read More
    Whether you hunt or fish, or even spend much time in the Maine woods, it’s easy to find chances to appreciate our abundant wildlife. At certain times of the year, many of our wild critters are quite apparent and put on an impressive show for… Read More
    JERICHO, Vt. – Russell Currier of Stockholm placed second in a men’s 10-kilometer roller-ski sprint competition Friday in the U.S. Summer Biathlon Festival at Camp Ethan Allen. Currier, a 2006 Caribou High graduate and biathlon junior world championship team member, hit eight of 10 targets. Read More
    MADAWASKA – Susan Lavertu scored three times to lead the Madawaska girls soccer team to a 4-3 victory over Houlton in its home opener Friday. Kallie Pelletier added a goal for the 2-0 Owls. Audrey Bergeron, Jamie Nadeau and Ashley Cyr provided assists. Stephanie Nadeau… Read More
    This is going to be a year with one of the best finishes in major league baseball – if you like lots of teams in the running. Since the creation of division play, there have never been this many teams this close to a playoff spot in every… Read More
    Over the last month or so, the tempo of bird life has changed and undergone a fundamental shift. The advent of spring brought with it the rush of returning migrants. Neotropical songbirds filled the woods and fields with color and song, and all bird life… Read More