BANGOR – City government is not foreign to Navy Capt. Bob McLaughlin. When he was a child, his father served as Southwest Harbor’s city manager for several years. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner =… Read More
CARMEL – The ring of Mike Dunton’s cell phone was barely audible as his plow truck’s engine droned and heat blew into the cab so fiercely it muffled most conversation. The call was from the town office: A car had slid off Fuller Road and… Read More
Maybe it just wanted a Happy Meal. Longtime harness racing trainers and drivers Shawn Thayer and Greg Bowden can joke about it now, but the escape of a Maine Standardbred from the back of a horse trailer could have ended badly if not for Rebecca… Read More
A story in some editions of Tuesday’s paper about donations to the children’s area at Down East Community Hospital incorrectly listed Dawn Wright and Diane Hunnewell as donors. The donors were Haley Wright and Savings Bank of Maine. Read More
BUCKSPORT – The town has come up with an innovative way to attract and keep customers in town – lure them in with cheaper gas. In a program funded in part by the town and the local credit union, the town plans to work with… Read More
AUGUSTA – Prospective developers of a wind farm near the Canadian border in western Maine said Tuesday they hope to begin construction this summer and have all 44 turbines running by 2010. TransCanada Maine Wind Development needs all permits to be approved in time to… Read More
All the money and all the hype being put into this presidential campaign is going for no change if the powers of the presidency and vice presidency continue as they have been under George W. Bush. Yet no one seems to be addressing this. It’s… Read More
President Bush Tuesday asked the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to release more oil onto the market to lower prices. Before looking for international solutions, the president should ensure his policies aren’t driving up costs. Immediately, he should ask the Department of Energy to reassess its ongoing purchases… Read More
January might seem an odd time to think about Maine’s tourism promotion, but it is now that promotion schemes are planned, markets targeted and advertising buys negotiated. The Maine Office of Tourism traditionally unveils its latest advertising campaign at the annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism, Feb. 12 at… Read More
BANGOR – The Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce announced Tuesday that its annual dinner Wednesday evening has been sold out. This year’s dinner at the Bangor Civic Center will host more than 720 people, the largest number of attendees in the event’s history, the Chamber… Read More
We are only days into 2008 and Sen. Susan Collins’ opponents have already resumed their harsh negative attacks against her. The latest allegations appeared in a letter charging that Collins is, in effect, a stooge for big oil companies at the expense of Maine’s small business and families,… Read More
I appreciated Meg Haskell’s article about foreign-born doctors in Maine (BDN, Dec. 22-23). In a letter of response, “Americans First” (BDN, Dec. 31), Doris T. Watkins expressed concern about the U.S. “stealing” educated professionals from poorer countries and referred to “brain drain” as the greatest… Read More
Can anyone tell me why Bangor High School, one of the largest if not the largest high school in Maine, does not yet have a Civil Rights Team? Michael W. Grondin googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe miscalculated when they voted for the Peru Free Trade Agreement during the holiday season and thought the public wouldn’t notice. Current free-trade policies, modeled after the North American Free Trade Agreement, are far from free. These top-down trade agreements… Read More
So George Bush wants a legacy. Maybe precipitous economic decline, the widest gulf between the poor and the rich since the Great Depression and war without end don’t feel like a legacy to him. But his term as president didn’t just involve destroying our economy and waging unwinnable… Read More
In late January, the Bangor City Council will begin interviewing candidates for positions on 17 different committees that oversee various aspects of our civic life. Applications from interested citizens are needed. Our city is literally what we make it – and “we” means you. Bangor… Read More
BANGOR – Penobscot County commissioners on Tuesday described the governor’s proposal to combine the state and county jail systems under one umbrella as “troubling” and “dishonest” and as a “cash cow” for the state. Penobscot County Sheriff Glenn Ross echoed the comments and added that… Read More
BANGOR – In an effort to prevent accidents at the Hollywood Slots at Bangor construction site on Main Street, Pittsfield-based Cianbro Corp. has entered into an official safety partnership with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Maine Department of Labor. The safety… Read More
BANGOR – When the site for a proposed arena to replace the aging Bangor Auditorium last was discussed in November, it was clear that people in the community, including city officials, strongly favored a location at Bass Park. The idea was that Bass Park offered… Read More
PORT CLYDE – More than three dozen local commercial fishermen and lobstermen have been working together for a year to preserve a small parcel as working waterfront at the harbor. As a result, the Port Clyde Fishermen’s Co-Op recently was awarded a $340,000 grant from… Read More
Emergency legislation that aims to give state logging truckers some temporary relief from high diesel prices by increasing the amount of wood they can haul should be ready for Gov. John Baldacci’s signature early next week. LD 2155 passed the House with all but final… Read More
LINCOLN – Following their Bangor neighbors’ example, Lincoln is starting a free home heating oil assistance program targeting residents who fail to qualify for other programs but are in dire need of help. The Town Council voted 5-0 at a meeting held during a nor’easter… Read More
ADDISON – Charges have been filed against a local man in connection with an accident on Basin Road in which the driver fled the scene, according to Maine State Police. Frank Cirone, whose age was unavailable, has been summoned on charges of failure to report… Read More
Belfast District Court Cases Jan. 7-11, 2008 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
GUILFORD – The Guilford Memorial Library has selected “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver as February’s book of the month. The story is of one family’s journey as they moved from the industrial-food pipeline to a rural life in which… Read More
GREENVILLE – The school committee voted last week to take a neutral position on Plum Creek’s proposed development and conservation plan for the Moosehead Lake region. In 2003, the committee had taken a supportive vote regarding the proposal but since the composition of the board… Read More
Dover-Foxcroft District 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 = [[300,250]];… Read More
BREWER – The smokestacks at the century-old Eastern Fine Paper Co. mill came down on Saturday after decades of use, and the final demolition work to change the old South Brewer mill into the Eastern Manufacturing Facility is under way. “We’ve actually started constructing instead… Read More
INDIAN ISLAND – The Penobscot Nation Boys and Girls Club will hold its fifth annual Polar Bear Dip at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Penobscot Nation Police Department. Last year, participants raised $5,000, which enabled the club to receive a matching challenge grant… Read More
ORONO – Nomination papers for the March 11 municipal election still are available at the town office. Expired terms on the Town Council include two three-year terms now held by Geoffrey Gordon and John Bradson. On the school committee is the three-year term of Frances Mary Neubauer. Read More
INDIAN ISLAND – The Penobscot Nation Boys and Girls Club has received funding from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to establish a mentoring program. The National Congress of American Indians is providing program awards to 15 American Indian Boys and Girls… Read More
BANGOR – The Pine Tree Chapter of the American Red Cross will offer a free, one-day “Foundations of Disaster Mental Health” training course from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, at Community Health and Counseling, 26 Cedar St. The course, which trains providers to identify the… Read More
EAST ORRINGTON – A Russian tea and concert by the Singing Hearts will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at the East Orrington Congregational Church, 38 Johnson Mill Road. Tickets are $10 and will be sold in advance at the church office. Tea and desserts will… Read More
BANGOR – Classes to help students prepare for the SAT will begin at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27, at Husson College, 1 College Circle. Sessions will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday and Wednesday evenings until Feb. 27 to prepare students for the SAT exam on… Read More
FORT KENT – The French Heritage Council of the University of Maine at Fort Kent will offer a cultural-historical outing to the Musie culturel du Mont-Carmel in Lille on Saturday, Feb. 9, as the first in a series of cultural-historic outings scheduled to be offered by the council… Read More
Rockland District Court Cases Jan. 7-14, 2008 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
PRESQUE ISLE – Northern Maine Community College is partnering with adult education centers across Aroostook County to provide a college transition program to County residents that will offer classes to prepare individuals for college at a substantially reduced price. An informational meeting will be held at 5 p.m. Read More
PATTEN – A meeting about Celebrate Recovery sponsored by the Patten United Methodist Church will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, at the Patten Recreation Center. For more information, call Ellen Dickinson at 528-2684 or Lynn Rush at 528-2350. Read More
WINTERVILLE PLANTATION – The annual election will be held Friday, March 21, at the Winterville Plantation Building. Nomination papers are available during office hours at the town office for the following positions: clerk, one-year term; tax collector, one-year term; treasurer, one-year term; assessor, three-year term. Read More
FORT KENT – Northern Maine Medical Center will hold a diabetes class from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, at the hospital. To register, call 834-3195, ext. 3624. There also will be a cancer support group meeting at 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28, at… Read More
FORT KENT – Search and Rescue Fundamentals will be offered at the University of Maine at Fort Kent this spring as part of the Rural Public Safety program in cooperation with the Academic Outreach office. It will be held from 6:30 to 9:20 p.m. Tuesdays, March 18-April 29,… Read More
FORT KENT – The University of Maine at Fort Kent will offer a 16-hour wilderness first aid course from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 5 and 6. Participants will learn how to deal with medical emergencies when they are miles from help and will… Read More
FORT KENT – The University of Maine at Fort Kent will hold a free specialized training session titled “Senior Officials Workshop for All Hazards Preparedness” from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, at the Nadeau Hall Teleconference Center on campus. The program will… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Business was brief at Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting, but it was good news that occupied most of the discussion. Town Manager Kathryn Ruth announced that the town had been approved for a $25,000 Land and Water Conservation grant for the Pittsfield pool… Read More
There are about 850 licensed lobstermen in Maine who have to do something this year they’ve never done before. The group, representing 10 percent of all lobster fishermen in the state, will have to file a detailed activity report about their fishing trips each month… Read More
LINCOLN – The planning board will begin reviewing one of the largest new buildings proposed to line the sky along West Broadway in 2009 at a special meeting tonight. Health Access Network will offer for review its plan to build a $4.8 million office structure… Read More
ROCKLAND – The adult education department of the Mid-Coast School of Technology will offer a tractor-trailer driving course beginning Jan. 28. Course tuition includes costs of texts, permit fee, instruction and road exam. Applicants must hold a valid Maine driver’s license and be physically fit. Read More
CASTINE – The Wilson Museum and the Bagaduce Watershed Association will offer an afternoon of reminiscing about food at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20, at Emerson Hall, Court Street. Community members who have lived in the Bagaduce watershed area (Brooksville, Castine, Blue Hill, Sedgwick and… Read More
EAST BOOTHBAY – Mid-Coast Audubon Society is offering scholarship opportunities for summer 2008 to residents of the midcoast, including Boothbay to Belfast and inland from Whitefield to China. Adult scholarships are available for Field Ornithology (June 22-28), Educators Workshop Week (July 13-19), and Island Discovery… Read More
CARIBOU – A Limestone man was summoned Tuesday for operating after suspension after an accident on Route 89. Caribou police Officer Keith Ouellette said the accident, which took place at the intersection of Route 89 and Sawyer Road, happened at 10:40 a.m. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
Fort Kent District Court Cases Nov. 9, 2007-Jan. 7, 2008 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
CARIBOU – Although police have received some tips, the information has not yet helped them recover a car that was believed to have been stolen in Caribou on Monday afternoon. Caribou police Officer Keith Ouellette said Tuesday afternoon that police received information that the missing… Read More
HOULTON – There were no surprises at the Town Council meeting Monday evening, as all seven of the department heads who were up for reappointment secured their positions. Councilors reappointed Bernard Reece to serve as Parks and Recreation director for the town. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
CARIBOU – Residents who stayed home and motorists who used caution on slick roadways helped lessen the number of accidents and vehicles off the road after a winter storm moved through the area on Monday and early Tuesday. Light snow continued to fall sporadically in… Read More
Maine Forest and Logging Museum executive director Cathy Goslin reports that “if the snow cover stays,” the museum will host horse-drawn sled rides on various Sundays through March. The rides will be offered from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 20, Feb. 3, Feb. 17… Read More
A federal judge has given the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service one month to release a new proposal for critical habitat for the Canada lynx. In November 2006, Fish and Wildlife officials released a controversial decision to exempt about 10,600 square miles in northern Maine… Read More
AUGUSTA – Members of recognized political parties in Maine who want to switch registrations so they can vote in another party’s caucus face deadlines starting Wednesday. State law says that to change party affiliation, an application must be filed in the town where a voter… Read More
AUGUSTA – Hundreds of farmers on Tuesday eyed the latest farming equipment and technology, networked with one another, and attended meetings and seminars to become more efficient and productive, during the annual Agricultural Trade Show. But one of the topics garnering the most discussion was… Read More
BANGOR – U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe says the Air Force is reviewing a plan to replace the Maine Air National Guard’s KC-135 air refueling tankers with the next generation of tankers called the “KC-X.” The proposal to consider locating the KC-X at Bangor is one… Read More
PORTLAND – Two lawsuits alleging that the brains of deceased spouses were taken for medical research without proper consent can go to trial, Maine’s highest court ruled Tuesday. The Supreme Judicial Court denied an appeal by the Stanley Medical Research Institute and co-defendants, who argued… Read More
AUGUSTA – A 25-year-old man from Alna is going to prison for eight years for his role in a home robbery in which a 64-year-old man in a wheelchair was gagged and tied to a refrigerator. Joshua McInnis was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to… Read More
JACKMAN – A Manchester, N.H., contractor has been awarded a federal contract totaling nearly $26 million to build a new border checkpoint near Jackman. The U.S. General Services Administration says J.C.N. Construction Co. will begin work in March at the port of entry along U.S. Read More
AUGUSTA – Proponents of an Oxford County slot machine facility have delivered signatures to the secretary of state in Augusta. Supporters claim they have submitted in excess of 76,000 signatures. A total of 55,087 valid signatures are required in order to place a question about… Read More
YORK – Authorities say a trucker whose rig crashed into a Connecticut State Police cruiser at the York tollbooth has been cited for falsifying his logbook and operating a vehicle with numerous safety violations. The truck driver, 43-year-old Brian Stitham of Clifton, told Maine state… Read More
WORCESTER, Mass. – Aleutian Island World War II veterans will hold a reunion March 14, in Worcester, Mass. Members from all branches of the service are welcome. For information or registration forms, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to P.O. Box 19186, Plantation, Fla. 33318 or… Read More
PORTLAND – Shipmates and crew members of all U.S. Navy ships named Boston are planning a reunion July 10-13 in Portland for all USS Boston officers, crew, U.S. Marine Corps and flag personnel. The name Boston represents a line of seven ships with a rich… Read More
WINTER HARBOR – Acadia National Park and Acadia Partners for Science and Learning will hold a hands-on Wilderness First Responder course April 14-21, at the Schoodic Education and Research Center. The intensive backcountry medical training course will show students how to deal with medical emergencies… Read More
Saturday’s schoolboy basketball game between Lee Academy and Houlton not only matched two of the top six teams in Eastern Maine Class C rankings but also probably the teams with the toughest schedules in the division. Lee Academy’s 65-53 victory left the Pandas with a… Read More
For four years, Todd Jenkins electrified the Alfond Arena faithful. The Michigan speedster had a fifth gear very few possess. The last thing opposing defensemen wanted to see was Jenkins with the puck and a full head of steam motoring through the neutral zone. “It… Read More
CASTINE – Bowdoin College of Brunswick has been among the premier Division III women’s basketball programs in the country for several years. Coach Stefanie Pemper has effectively recruited some of the best players from Maine to be part of that success. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
BANGOR – Leading by a point entering the fourth quarter of Tuesday night’s Class B boys basketball game against John Bapst, Mount Desert Island made just one field goal and shot 50 percent from the free-throw line the rest of the way – including overtime. Read More
HIGH SCHOOL Official standings as reported by the Maine Principals’ Association, through January 12. 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()) {… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL at Caribou 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
COLLEGE Elbie Murphy 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
Men’s basketball MAINE vs. VERMONT 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
FORT KENT – The Fort Kent girls basketball team outscored visiting Caribou 18-8 in the third quarter to erase a five-point halftime deficit and earn a 57-48 victory Tuesday night. Taylor Boucher connected for 22 points and Marissa Albert 20 for the Warriors, while Katie… Read More
JONESPORT – Wayne Clossey scored 35 points and Dana Mitchell added 26 as Shead of Eastport used its inside strength to emerge with a 91-83 boys basketball victory over Jonesport-Beals Tuesday night. Tommy Pottle added 14 points for the Tigers. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
LEE – Hakeem Rodriguez scored 28 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Lee Academy boys basketball team handed Deer Isle-Stonington its first loss of the season, an 85-69 verdict Tuesday night. Jarred Bingham and Luis Medina each posted 16 points for Lee Academy, which… Read More
BRUNSWICK – Mike Hauser and Paul Sellew nailed 3-pointers during a 12-2 run in the second half that snapped a 47-47 tie and enabled Bowdoin College to equal its best start in school history at 12-2 with a 72-55 men’s basketball win over Husson College Tuesday night. Read More
The University of Maine men’s hockey program has landed a prolific center who plays for the Compuware Midget Minor Elite Under-16 team in Plymouth, Mich. Stuart Higgins, the third-leading scorer in the Midwest Elite League with 15 goals and 18 assists in 21 games, has… Read More
Souper bowl Sundays Cinephiles can warm their tummy – and their spirits – during Souper Sundays at Stonington Opera House. Throughout the winter, Opera House Arts will screen first-run, independent and foreign films, but on Sundays, soup from nearby Lily’s Cafe is on the menu,… Read More
Two years ago, Bangor writer Annaliese Jakimides was listening to “This I Believe,” National Public Radio’s semiregular program offering people the chance to speak their minds about their personal beliefs. Inspired by the words she heard, she decided to compose her own essay, more as an exercise in… Read More
Cynthia Finnemore Simonds might just be the queen of warm welcomes. When you walk into her cozy kitchen in Newcastle, near Damariscotta, she greets you with a hug like you’re old friends. Her golden retriever, Ginger, follows with a wagging tail and a stuffed toy… Read More
Howling and wild-eyed, January kicked down the door, a trail of sooty snow behind him. He opened the freezer, gulped Stoli straight from the bottle, and grumbled that he’s not leaving anytime soon. Yet like most misanthropes, January hides a few soft spots. Did you… Read More