A story in the Coastal edition of Tuesday’s paper about the Rockland City Council incorrectly stated the donations of the Masonic lodge. The council unanimously approved two letters from the Aurora Lodge of Masons donating $5,000 to the Coast Guard City Designation Committee, and $4,000 for purchase, planting… Read More
    The following recalls have been announced: . About 6,000 Oceanic and AERIS SCUBA Regulator First Stages, manufactured in the U.S. and Taiwan by ROMI Enterprises, because a component that seals air between the first and second stages can fail, resulting in uncontrolled airflow. This puts… Read More
    The Maine Public Utilities Commission could decide as soon as Thursday whether to allow Verizon to sell its northern New England land lines to FairPoint Communications Inc., a deal that has provoked statewide controversy since its announcement in January. This week, the PUC will begin… Read More
    The proposed east-west highway, Plum Creek development, and other behind-the-scenes, hidden development projects deemed essential for economic well-being must be seen for what they are: environmental destruction, abandonment of life’s necessities for a continued plastic existence. In psychological terms: delusion. All such counterfeit growth, so long as it… Read More
    Today, legislators are slated to begin consideration of bills to revise the state’s school consolidation law. The standard for moving such legislation forward must be that it removes impediments or improves the process. Now is not the time for major changes to the law, especially ones that would… Read More
    The Bush administration has quietly redefined its goals for Iraq. The words “victory” and “winning” are no longer heard. It has begun speaking of “reconciliation” and now has shifted to “accommodation” among the warring religious and ethnic groups. This change in language reflects the conflicting… Read More
    I enjoyed the “Spirit of Bangor” concert on Saturday, Dec. 1. Your review indicated that the music had schmaltz. The Christmas season shares good news and love to all people. The daily news is full of bad news, and we can get smut on TV all day. Give… Read More
    I want to applaud and congratulate Sen. Douglas Smith of Dover-Foxcroft on submitting a bill that would require parental consent before birth control pills can be given to students who are basically still children. I am not surprised that Sen. Smith submitted this bill, as… Read More
    I was surprised and upset when American Airlines left and then Delta cut a flight, but an experience this month at Bangor International Airport was really eye-opening. I would like to go to New Jersey for the holidays, so I contacted Continental as they fly direct to Newark. Read More
    Professor Richard Hill seems to be complaining when he says that the Mars Hill wind farm produces such a small percentage of New England’s power “Wind power hot air” (BDN, Nov. 21). I’ll tell you right up, it produces a lower percentage of the United States power and… Read More
    I read the letter “A benefit earned” (BDN, Dec. 1-2) about state pensions and Social Security and I fully agree with it. I have been against it right from the start. I am a single, retired state employee with 30 years of service. I only… Read More
    Last Friday morning, despite a compelling need to change the direction of our energy policy and overwhelming public support for renewable energy, the Senate failed to pass a comprehensive energy bill that would have reduced our nation’s oil consumption, improved our energy efficiency and moved America toward a… Read More
    Recently we three law enforcement leaders joined statewide business, community, education and public policy leaders at the Governor’s Economic Summit on Early Childhood. As a group, we examined both science-based and economic frameworks for early childhood policy in Maine. Summit participants questioned why Maine spends the least state… Read More
    In the United States of America, at the holiest time of the year, a time marked by religious devotion and unapologetic consumerism, innocent people are being murdered in shopping malls and churches.” I made that quotation up. No matter how ironically true the facts are,… Read More
    MACHIAS – Over the next few days, Santa Claus needs your help. Downeast Community Hospital hopes to win a $1 million MRI machine from Siemens Medical Solutions of Malvern, Pa. The company is holding an online competition and one lucky winner will walk away with… Read More
    MILLINOCKET – Frustrated by a lack of response from the school committee, town teachers went public Tuesday with an unprecedented vote of no confidence in Superintendent Sara Alberts. “We have been, and still are, treated in an extremely unprofessional matter,” the Millinocket Education Association stated… Read More
    GUILFORD – Chelsea Hersey, 17, didn’t hesitate to take action when she heard a horrific squealing of tires last month while visiting her father’s Parkman home. The Piscataquis Community High School senior’s quick response to an accident and her compassionate efforts to comfort the victim… Read More
    SANGERVILLE – Selectmen met with the town’s attorney in closed session for more than an hour Tuesday to discuss two written complaints lodged against Town Manager Dick Drummond. Drummond was asked to leave the executive session, which reportedly centered on his alleged mistreatment of a… Read More
    BREWER – The city and the Brewer School Department are sponsoring a holiday food drive to benefit the Brewer Christian Food Cupboard and the Brewer Community Service Council. The food pantry helps to keep food on the table for families in Brewer, Eddington, Holden, Clifton,… Read More
    MILO – A book fair will be held for a week, starting today, at the Penquis Valley High School library. The fair will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Friday and Dec. 18, as well as from 8 a.m. to 3:30… Read More
    BREWER – Brewer High School students who take some multimedia classes can earn college credit from the New England School of Communications in Bangor at the same time, thanks to an agreement signed Monday between the two schools. Superintendent Daniel Lee said Tuesday the agreement… Read More
    BELFAST – With health care and fuel costs on the rise, City Manager Joseph Slocum will be looking for savings elsewhere as he begins work on the 2008 city budget. Slocum said Tuesday that he will hold individual meetings with all city department heads over… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – Commissioners in Hancock County have been notoriously diligent at keeping yearly budgets below the annual rate of inflation, but they outdid themselves this year. The three-member panel voted Tuesday to approve the 2008 fiscal year budget at a total that is actually 0.37… Read More
    BLUE HILL – Bangor Hydro-Electric Co. plans an interruption of service in the Surry-Blue Hill area from midnight to 3 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 13. Customers affected are west of Surry, Blue Hill, Brooksville, Brooklin, Sedgwick, Deer Isle and Stonington. Customers on the Surry Road, North… Read More
    HOULTON – It was characterized as an unforeseen, unavoidable problem, but town councilors took quick action to remedy the situation Monday evening. During their last meeting of the year, councilors opted to transfer $40,000 from the town’s surplus account to cover a shortfall in the… Read More
    Richard Collenburg Jr. of Eddington and Zachary Growe of Hampden were named Henry A. Scheel Scholars at Maine Maritime Academy. The honor is awarded to students who best exemplify intellectual curiosity and academic achievement. Collenburg is a graduate of John Bapst Memorial High School in… Read More
    HOULTON – With business winding down and a solid economic development strategy for the municipality in place, the board of Shiretown Development Corp. on Monday weighed the idea of restructuring or disbanding. No decision was made during the meeting, but directors will talk more about… Read More
    MADAWASKA – Two local men escaped serious injury when their snowmobiles collided on a darkened road over the weekend. Police Chief Ron Pelletier said Tuesday that James Dionne, 33, and Steven Dugal, 28, were snowmobiling together shortly before midnight Saturday. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
    CASTINE — Richard Collen-burg Jr. of Eddington and Zachary Growe of Hampden were named Henry A. Scheel Scholars at Maine Maritime Academy. The honor is awarded to students who best exemplify intellectual curiosity and academic achievement. Collenburg is a graduate of John Bapst Memorial High… Read More
    ARGYLE – An accident here Tuesday evening totaled one vehicle and sent its driver to the hospital. According to Maine State Police Trooper Christopher Hashey, a 1995 Dodge Neon driven by Michael Shahan, 20, of Veazie slid out of control on a curve about 6… Read More
    LINCOLN – An unidentified developer is starting plans to redevelop the crater that is the former Lake Mall property, destroyed by arson in 2002. The project would develop the land for retail space and possible municipal offices, town officials said Tuesday. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    LINCOLN – Townspeople will have a bona fide hockey rink to skate on this winter thanks to North Carolina donors who described themselves as “rabid hockey fans” who answered a challenge from Town Manager Glenn Aho, town officials said Tuesday. Aho wrote in the Nov. Read More
    BANGOR – The American Red Cross says it is offering several incentives to give blood this holiday season. It is raffling off 100 gallons of home heating fuel for donors who give blood in December. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
    INDIAN ISLAND – Pledge packets for the fifth annual Polar Bear Dip to benefit the Penobscot Nation Boys & Girls Club are available by calling Carla Fearon at 827-7776, ext. 7357. The dip will be held Saturday, Jan. 19, at Indian Island. Read More
    BANGOR – A Master Gardener training program has been announced by the Penobscot County Cooperative Extension office. The training will concentrate on food crops. Instruction will include information on basic soils, botany and pest management training. Master Gardeners receive a reference manual, opportunity to interact… Read More
    BANGOR – The 2007 Downtown Countdown Celebration will begin at 4 p.m. Dec. 31 until the ball drops at midnight. Following are events that will be open to the public that day: googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
    BREWER – The people who broke into Cowan’s Service Station on South Main Street late Saturday to steal cigarettes and beer did so in the same manner as those who took the same items from Roger’s Market in Hudson on Sunday. The similarities between the… Read More
    Penobscot County Superior Court 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 Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
    BANGOR – Brewer High School students got an unscheduled civics lesson when they arrived Tuesday morning for a tour of the Penobscot Regional Communications Center on the third floor of the Penobscot County Courthouse. Because of renovations, county commissioners held their monthly meeting in the… Read More
    Home Living of Hampden administrator Denise Dinsmore reports individuals served by that agency are in need of support this holiday season. Home Living has “three two-bed supported-living homes, which provide housing for adults with developmental disabilities who are clients of the state’s Department of Health… Read More
    TREMONT – If playwright Samuel Beckett had penned a drama about the administration of Acadia National Park, he might have called it “Waiting for the Dough.” Len Bobinchok, the park’s deputy superintendent, made no such comment Tuesday when he met with municipal officials from Mount… Read More
    BRUNSWICK – The Brunswick area has been hit by a small earthquake for the second time in less than three months. The Weston Observatory in Massachusetts reports that there was a magnitude 2.2 earthquake at 5:02 a.m. Tuesday about four miles northwest of Brunswick. Associate… Read More
    AUBURN – Lewiston City Councilor Stavros Mendros has pleaded guilty to three misdemeanors stemming from referendum petition drives. The former state lawmaker initially maintained his innocence, but he said Monday he wanted to take responsibility for failing to follow proper procedures as a notary public. Read More
    AUGUSTA – A judge has frozen the assets of a former teacher who pleaded guilty to having a sexual relationship with a female student. A judge granted a motion by the victim’s family to attach $800,000 of Christopher Dumaine’s assets pending the outcome of a… Read More
    BANGOR – Prosecutors have dropped felony charges against Michael B. Smart, 55, of LaGrange that stemmed from his arrest two months ago by Old Town police. Smart is the father of Kristen Smart Hart, 25, who was shot and killed Nov. 29 at her home… Read More
    CASTINE – Maine Maritime Academy has responded to the town’s suit requesting a declaratory judgment regarding the use of the Abbott House and has asked that the suit be dismissed. The academy purchased the historic building and the approximately 6 acres it sits on earlier… Read More
    ST. STEPHEN, New Brunswick – A local Canadian radio personality was killed Monday afternoon in a two-vehicle head-on crash on Highway One near St. George. Perry Vincent White, 43, of St. Stephen was the morning personality on 98.1 FM “The Tide” radio station. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    AUGUSTA – A follow-up report finding “control deficiencies” in four state cultural agencies was forwarded Tuesday from Maine’s state controller to Gov. John Baldacci’s finance chief. The new report – based on a review of the Maine State Library, the Maine Arts Commission, the Maine… Read More
    ACADIA NATIONAL PARK – Park rangers have been running radar on snowmobilers in the park recently in an effort to get them to slow down. At least one snowmobile driver was ticketed for speeding last weekend and rangers warned a number of others to slow… Read More
    NORRIDGEWOCK – An 85-year-old Norridgewock woman is counting her blessings after collapsing and spending six hours outside in 16-degree weather. Doctors initially gave little hope for survival to Ruth Adams, whose body temperature was down to 74.5 degrees when she arrived at Redington-Fairview Memorial Hospital… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Legislative budget writers reconvene at the State House on Wednesday and Thursday in hopes of reaching agreement on how to fill a $10.1 million hole in the $6.3 billion two-year General Fund budget enacted earlier this year. The Legislature’s Appropriations Committee is due… Read More
    LEWISTON – Police have concluded that a sex education book on the public library’s shelves doesn’t violate the city’s obscenity ordinance. JoAn Karkos lodged the complaint against the Lewiston Public Library over the book, “It’s Perfectly Normal.” googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
    The news that the University of Maine is going to get new artificial surfaces for football, field hockey and baseball is important. Football and baseball will get artificial grass-like surfaces (i.e., FieldTurf) while field hockey will get an AstroTurf-type surface. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
    EAST MILLINOCKET – Slowing the high-octane Schenck High School boys basketball team may be a goal of its opponents this winter. Doing it may be another matter. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false;… Read More
    ORRINGTON – An open house at Rocky Knoll Country Club will be Saturday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Two new indoor golf simulators will be at the open house with new leagues forming. Call 989-0109 for more information. Read More
    HIGH SCHOOL At Belfast, Saturday 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 Slot var… Read More
    COLLEGE Michael Russell 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 – Eric Weinrich, a former University of Maine All-American and long-time NHL defenseman who is currently playing for the AHL’s Portland Pirates, will be signing autographs in Bangor today. He will be at Maine Savings Bank on Broadway from 3:30-4:30 p.m. and at Sawyer Arena from 5-7… Read More
    BANGOR – C.J. Hodges paced a balanced attack with 15 points Tuesday night as the Husson College JVs edged Central Maine Community College of Auburn 78-72 at Newman Gym. Joe Kane and Matt Cummings scored 14 points each for the Eagles, who hit 10 3-pointers. Read More
    CORINTH – The Mattanawcook Academy Lynx took an eight-point lead at the end of the third quarter and then held off the Central Red Devils for a 54-48 schoolboy basketball win Tuesday night. Brady Vose scored 14 points to lead the Lynx, Jeremy Langevin added… Read More
    Just simmer Looking for a quick, all-natural dinner solution? Before you order pizza or Chinese, simmer down – literally – with Good Clean Food’s line of all-natural simmer sauces. Made in Portland with fresh ingredients such as shiitake mushrooms, capers and pure, slow-simmered stocks, the… Read More