PORTLAND – The head of Maine’s Roman Catholic diocese is expressing shock at the Portland School Committee’s decision to make prescription contraceptives available to middle school students without parental permission. The Christian Civic League also announced plans Friday to ask the state to consider a criminal investigation into… Read More
ORONO – Two of the most prestigious awards in the wood products industry were presented Thursday to the University of Maine Advanced Engineered Wood Composites Center during a conference in Florida. “It’s really exciting for the university and for the state as a whole,” AEWC… Read More
A Canadian couple filed a discrimination charge with the Maine Human Rights Commission on Friday and plans to sue five car companies for refusing to sell the pair a new vehicle in the United States. In order to maximize their profits, General Motors, Ford, Chrysler,… Read More
CALAIS – An economic stranglehold has gripped this Washington County city for more than a decade. In August, the Domtar paper mill in neighboring Baileyville announced 150 workers would lose their jobs. That layoff came on top of another 150 jobs lost over the past… Read More
BALTIMORE – While a Maine school board vote to allow school-based clinics to dispense contraceptives without parental consent created headlines nationwide, middle school students across Maryland have had access to contraceptives for years. Girls in Baltimore middle schools have had access to birth control pills… Read More
Question One: Citizen Initiative Do you want to allow a Maine tribe to run a harness racing track with slot machines and high-stakes beano games in Washington County? googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner =… Read More
BALTIMORE – A gasoline tanker truck with a Maine license plate was taken at gunpoint from a gas station but found later Friday in Washington, police said. Police spokesman Troy Harris said the truck was found in the District of Columbia, but didn’t have further… Read More
House votes Democratic Reps. Michael Michaud (2nd District) and Tom Allen (1st District) 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… Read More
I enjoyed your article about the copper weather vanes created by a California company in the Oct. 16 Bangor Daily News. But why didn’t you feature the company in Searsport that is creating this same product with a great variety of beautiful and interesting artwork. Read More
Despite well-reasoned opposition, the Federal Communications Commission appears to be committed to reforming the way mobile communications in rural areas are subsidized. Unfortunately, the fix it is likely to choose penalizes rural areas without addressing real problems with the fund. The Universal Service Charge, usually… Read More
Just a decade ago, Maine’s public schools had among the highest scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, commonly known as the nation’s report card. Since then, however, the state’s ranking has slipped toward the middle, not necessarily because Maine students aren’t performing as well as they… Read More
We have a “charter” that was voted in by the people of Millinocket and adopted by the Legislature on March 14, 1969. We also have a group of people running for council who should get a copy of this document and read it. It’s only 34 pages. Read More
In an Oct. 16 Bangor Daily News letter to the editor, Donna Runnels wrote that she was appalled at someone stripping his clothes off, running down a pier, going into the water and then climbing out, being handed some towels as a way to earn a free meal… Read More
The underlying reason for McCain-Feingold finance “reform” was purportedly to take money out of politics so as to eliminate its corrupting influence. So why is it that we are kept apprised by a periodic scorecard which details the comparative amounts the candidates have raked in? Is the amount… Read More
The Oct. 10 Bangor Daily News reported that an innocent German man was abducted, terribly treated, and tortured by the CIA as part of their “extraordinary anti-terrorism rendition program,” which permits suspects to be “captured and taken to foreign countries for interrogation,” interrogation which now includes torture. Read More
It was with a great deal of anger and disappointment that Majority Leader Harry Reid, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the progressives received Gen. David Petraeus’ report that the recent troop reinforcement in Iraq did not result in the coalition military defeat that they had hoped for because such… Read More
I have been watching the American League Championship Series between the Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians. I have been a Sox fan all my life. My sister and I used to watch the Sox and Yankees play quite frequently. I was such an avid fan that… Read More
Many thanks for your editorial of Oct. 3, “If the Shot Fits,” reporting that increasing use of the flu vaccine has not reduced the death rate. Because of the pharmaceutical industry’s hard-sell approach together with the cooperation of federal agencies, vaccination coverage has risen from 15 percent in… Read More
When the Dalai Lama met privately with President Bush at the White House earlier this week, seriously ticking off the Chinese government in the process, he may have unwittingly given America’s politicians a swell new idea on how to deal with the news media. Speaking… Read More
To be perfectly honest, I’d be happy if this week ended with no more visualizations of 11-year-olds having sex. That certainly is the image that is being cast since the Portland School Committee’s 7-2 vote to allow the nurse at the public health center at… Read More
PERRY – A fire of suspicious origin destroyed a single-family home Thursday night. The home belonged to Greg Hastings and Sandi Yarmal. No one was home at the time. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
DEXTER – Chances are if there is a function that involves Dexter Regional High School students, you’ll find Richard “Rick” Whitney either spearheading it or supporting it. Whitney’s love for his students, teaching and his school was returned Friday when he was recognized by his… Read More
ORONO – The Winters family is far from typical, but it’s exactly what The Learning Channel wanted for its new season of “Kids by the Dozen.” “They found us. We didn’t find them,” mother Laura Winters said Friday. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
HAMPDEN – The nine robed justices of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court stood shoulder to shoulder Friday and posed for pictures. It’s a ritual they repeat three or four times a year. What made this event different was that they were standing in a locker… Read More
BANGOR – The descendants of a central figure in the Brady Gang shoot-out in downtown are publicly criticizing the organizers of a high-profile re-enactment of the event for the way their family member was portrayed. Among the thousands of people who attended the Oct. 7… Read More
GUILFORD – The SAD 4 middle and high school campus will be expanded thanks to a decision during a districtwide meeting Thursday. Voting 29-10, residents of Guilford, Sangerville, Abbot, Cambridge, Parkman and Wellington authorized the district to buy the Haley property at the campus entrance. Read More
HERMON – Residents of Pine Tree Road attended Thursday night’s council meeting, citing road improvements required near the road’s intersection with Summer Lane, where a 23-lot subdivision is under construction. In order to move forward with the subdivision, developers Libby Brothers Inc. and Balarode LLC… Read More
BANGOR – The Maine chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association will hold its statewide educational conference from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at the Spectacular Event Center in Bangor. The conference theme is “Preserving Cognitive Function in the Early Stages.” The featured speaker… Read More
BAR HARBOR – After souring somewhat during the summer, relations between the town and the hotel company Ocean Properties may be on the mend. Robert Baldacci, vice president of development for the company, said in a letter to the town last week that Ocean Properties… Read More
ROCKLAND – Three City Council candidates stressed fiscal responsibility as they answered questions from the audience Thursday night in an untelevised debate at City Hall. Candidates Edward Luchetti, Thomas Molloy and James Thompson debated for more than an hour at a forum sponsored by the… Read More
NORTHPORT – A Belfast woman was charged with operating while under the influence of intoxicants after she crashed her pickup Thursday night into guardrails on U.S. Route 1, rolling her truck over multiple times. Waldo County sheriff’s Chief Deputy Robert Keating said Deputy James Greeley… Read More
SEARSMONT – Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline warned the public Friday that the company plans two controlled natural gas releases on Monday and Tuesday in western Waldo County. But people should not be alarmed by the noise or the smell during the releases, planned for Searsmont… Read More
Robbie, born in 1992, is a highly engaging boy with many interests. He likes to play sports and video games and has a passion for history. Robbie is a loving boy who tries very hard to please adults. He is looking for highly skilled, patient parents who would… Read More
HOULTON – She thought he was “the perfect guy.” When she met him, he was “considerate” and “charming.” And he “always knew exactly what to say.” googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for… Read More
BLUE HILL – Cindy Beske is the new nurse midwife at Blue Hill Women’s Health Care. A certified midwife, Beske joins Jeff Held, Robert Walker and Henrietta Clews at the clinic and will begin seeing patients Oct. 22. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
HOULTON – A fundraising walk will take place at Riverfront Park on Saturday. The “Do A Loop For Lupus” walk will raise money for the Lupus Foundation of America. There is no cost to participate, but donations will be accepted. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – The Aroostook Medical Center will hold its annual free adult flu shot clinic and fall health fair from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 3, at Gentile Hall on the University of Maine at Presque Isle campus. The health fair will feature… Read More
FORT KENT – The University of Maine at Fort Kent will host noted Irish folk singer and comedian Seamus Kennedy at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, in the Fox Auditorium. General admission is $5 per person. The event will be free to UMFK students. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
GREENVILLE – Officials closed two schools as a precaution Friday after being notified that a community member had a confirmed case of a drug-resistant staph germ making headlines across the country. School officials received a telephone call late Thursday afternoon from a resident who said… Read More
CALAIS – Two Eastport teenagers who built a bridge out of Popsicle sticks that withstood 220 pounds of pressure took first place Friday in the morning session of the Totally Trades Conference bridge-building workshop. And their competition wasn’t even close. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud endorsed former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards in his run to be the Democratic presidential nominee in next year’s elections. The Maine Democrat said Edwards is the only candidate who has offered real plans to help struggling rural communities and to… Read More
LINCOLN – A hardware store destroyed by fire Thursday night will reopen on West Broadway as soon as possible, one of its owners said Friday. “Oh, yeah, we definitely are,” Rebecca Robinson said. “This is our business. We have built our home and our life… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – The insurance carrier that covered the town’s losses from a February 2005 fire at the recycling center caused by a waste oil furnace lost its lawsuit this week against the firm that sold and installed the furnace. Massamont Insurance Co., through the town… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – The possibility of establishing a lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in the Dover-Foxcroft area will be explored at a meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, at the Penquis Higher Education Center gymnasium. The public meeting has been organized… Read More
BRADFORD – Maine Search and Rescue dogs and members of the Maine Warden Service were looking for a missing local man late Friday night. Sgt. Kevin Adam of the warden service said a relative of Alfred Thomas Hall III, 34, called the Bradford Fire Department… Read More
STEUBEN – A film and discussion on “The Way of Peace – Belfast 2000” a documentary of the Dalai Lama in Belfast, Northern Ireland, will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, at the Henry D. Moore Parish House on the triangle. Admission is free. Read More
CASTINE – The town’s lighthouse, perched on the heights of Dice Head, may once again become a beacon to mariners navigating the waters of Penobscot Bay. Voters at a special town meeting on Monday will decide whether to allow the U.S. Coast Guard to place… Read More
HOULTON – The turnout at the public hearing was sparse and the questions asked by those in attendance were even fewer. But SAD 29 officials will hear the voice of the voters when they go to the polls on Election Day to decide whether to approve a bond… Read More
ROCKLAND – The Knox County administrator has given the county’s commissioners and budget committee their first look at a $6.6 million budget for 2008. The plan would be a 4.93 percent net increase, or $311,976, over the 2007 budget. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
After a decade of enjoying success with its annual scholarship auction, the Eastern Maine Community College Foundation came up with a new event to raise money for EMCC endowments, annual scholarships and named scholarships. This year, you are invited to attend the EMCC Grange Gala,… Read More
AUGUSTA – So far this year, most states have seen the weak dollar help them boost exports, but Maine’s export growth is far slower this year than last, when exports were up nearly 14 percent over 2005. “We, of course, only have part of the… Read More
NEW YORK – Jim Ammons grumbles to himself every time he fills up his Ford Expedition, but he says gas prices would have to almost quadruple to $10 a gallon before he would ditch his SUV. Still, paying $55 to fill his 20-gallon tank isn’t… Read More
Rep. Jayne Crosby Giles, R-Belfast, has submitted legislation that would provide a tax credit to Maine employers who establish workplace wellness programs for their employees. The bill will go before the Legislative Council, a panel composed of legislative leaders, for consideration in the Legislature’s second regular session, which… Read More
John Pepin of Pepin Associates Inc. in Greenville has been known to dress up in a white disco outfit and grind his hips John Travolta-style to promote his product called DiscoTex. While Pepin is making a name for himself with his snappy dance routine, it… Read More
PORTLAND – FairPoint Communications announced Friday it has reached agreements with 38 independent phone companies in northern New England regarding network management issues if FairPoint’s proposed acquisition of Verizon’s landline operations goes through. FairPoint reached agreements with 22 independent exchange carriers in Maine, eight in… Read More
It’s not just the damned Red Sox. You can’t blame everything in life on those pitiful losers who crush us every September and October. No, it’s SAD. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false;… Read More
‘I just went where my needle took me,” said Iva Grant, 97, of her masterpiece quilt depicting the history of Machias. Iva, as she likes to be called, stitched the quilt in 1977, the year after the Bicentennial of the United States, when she was in her late… Read More
Happy birthday to The Bab. Mirza Ali-Muhammed (1819-1850) was born in Persia (modern-day Iran) on Oct. 20. In 1844, he assumed the title of The Bab, founded the Babi faith, and went on to become known as the Herald of Baha’u’llah. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
Cauliflower Chowder can be a great way to use cauliflower or a handy recipe for any vegetarians among your collection of friends and relatives. I first had this in Nova Scotia. I wasn’t looking for a vegetarian chowder among the choices offered at a box… Read More
Of all the changes I have seen in horticulture over the past 35 years, none is as severe as what we have done to the watermelon. You would not recognize the sweet summer fruit of my youth in varieties offered up today. I speak with bias, as my… Read More
“Eyes Wide Shut,” Blu-ray, HD DVD: Stanley Kubrick’s last comment on the world takes place in the bedroom of “Eyes Wide Shut,” a film that stars the then-married Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise as a married couple struggling with the ramifications of sexual fantasy. The movie is about… Read More
BREWER – David Rossignol had been around the ball for much of the game, maddeningly close to several breakaways that always seemed to be cut short by a bad bounce or a slightly off-the-mark pass. The all-time leading career scorer for the Messalonskee boys soccer… Read More
BREWER – In a century-long high school football rivalry that has featured its share of stellar running backs, it was a pass play – a flea-flicker, no less – that set the tone for the 100th meeting between Bangor and Brewer. And by the time… Read More
ORONO – A stick save changed the complexion of Friday night’s 4-2 University of Maine men’s hockey victory over Mercyhurst College at Alfond Arena. But there was nobody attached to the stick at the time. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
BANGOR – It’s what the Hampden Academy boys soccer team has been working toward all season. Not only did the No. 7 Broncos finally get a win against defending Class A state champion Bangor, but Hampden accomplished its goal at a most opportune time –… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL Terrence Jones 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 – Rod Haney of Brewer recorded his eighth career perfect game when he rolled a 300 during the Pine Tree Men’s League at Family Fun Bowling Center Thursday night. Haney, 40, rolled the 300 in the second game of a series. He posted a… Read More
ORONO – The 11th annual Lobster Pot Fencing Tournament hosted by the Downeast School of Fencing is at Orono Middle School with the first event starting at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. Sunday opens with mixed veteran events starting at 10 a.m. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
This is now a series about momentum: And the Red Sox have it. There is no way the Indians would trade places and be down in the series. However, the fact Cleveland needs only one win in the next two at Fenway does not take… Read More
ORONO – Kelly McClintock scored the winning goal off of a Danielle Collins assist at 47:50 in the second half to break the 1-1 tie and lead the University of Vermont to a 2-1 field hockey victory over the University of Maine Friday. Collins tied… Read More
A year ago, Bangor television station WABI (Channel 5) scheduled a record number of University of Maine men’s hockey game broadcasts. Another year, another record. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var… Read More
The University of Maine football team continues to make progress as it moves into the second half of the season. Even so, the Black Bears know they have to make their move now if they want to salvage a respectable season and finish around the… Read More
BANGOR – Phil Dougherty had a goal and an assist as No. 3 Bangor Christian ousted No. 11 Van Buren 3-1 in an Eastern Maine Class D schoolboy soccer quarterfinal Friday. This marked the fourth consecutive year these teams have met in the regional playoffs,… Read More
MILLINOCKET – Charlie Osborne rushed for 119 yards on 20 carries, scored a touchdown and converted a pair of two-point conversions to lead Stearns past Maine Central Institute 16-13 in high school football action Friday night. It was the Minutemen’s first home win since September… Read More
Seven ducks materialized over the tree line at the far end of the remote pond, winging down the far shoreline, inspecting our decoy spread. When they swung around for a closer pass, the sunlight gleamed off the green heads of mature male mallards and I lifted my call… Read More
Hunting season’s nearly upon us – or directly upon us, if you’re between the ages of 10 and 15 – and it’s time to make one of the biggest decisions you’ll make all year. Where to eat? googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
Christmas did not come early for deer hunters, no matter what some of you were thinking a couple of weeks back. Yes, it may have seemed so. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false;… Read More
Upset was the word of the day at Scarborough Downs Sunday as all the big-money races were won by less heralded entries in the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes 3-year-old division championships. Leading off the string was Waldo, who won the 3-year-old colt trotting title in… Read More
As anticipated, a lack of numbers resulting from the elimination of their youth programs has cost Stearns High School of Millinocket and Foxcroft Academy of Dover-Foxcroft their ice hockey programs. Stearns began its hockey program in the 1984-85 season and Foxcroft started a year later. Read More
Cormorants often work cooperatively to catch fish Lack of body oils means easier underwater swimming
A strong onshore breeze ruffled the sea’s surface as I walked along the beach late one recent afternoon. The partly overcast sky colored the ocean a gun-metal gray, a reminder that fall really is here to stay, a few 80-degree days notwithstanding. The tide was… Read More