WARREN – William Flynn has a wife and teenage stepdaughter, is a member of the Jaycees and likes to play softball. He sounds like a good suburban neighbor. But Flynn’s home is a cell at the Maine State Prison, where he is serving a 28-years-to-life… Read More
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments this fall in a Maine lawsuit over light cigarettes that was filed more than two years ago in U.S. District Court in Bangor. The nation’s high court will not rule on the underlying merits of the case, Bangor… Read More
AMITY – The body of an Amity man was recovered Monday from the scene of a house fire that swept through his mobile home sometime last week, killing the man and a number of dogs that were in the home. The identity of the man,… Read More
ORONO – As people across the state and country on Monday celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day to honor the slain civil rights leader’s life and work, the Maine Community Foundation announced the creation of a $1 million People of Color Fund. University of Maine… Read More
Jay Muth recently joined Camden National Bank as a vice president and commercial loan officer. Based at Camden National’s branch in Bangor, Muth will be responsible for developing loans, deposits and other bank services with business clients in Greater Bangor. Muth has more than 20 years’ experience in… Read More
BANGOR – The owner of the Four Points Sheraton hotel at Bangor International Airport is gearing up for an $8 million overhaul during the first half of this year. New Castle Hotel Corp.’s extreme makeover plans, however, hinge in large part on the city’s willingness… Read More
I’m wondering why some people are so concerned about how much the inmates on death row are suffering when they are given the lethal injection. Did those inmates think about how much someone suffered by their hands? How long did they abuse and beat that… Read More
Wealthy universities, under pressure to spend more of their endowments and slow the upward course of tuition and fees, are shifting more of their resources to financial aid, a move that will help more middle-class families afford college. It is also a move that is likely to trickle… Read More
The latest set-to with Iran in the Strait of Hormuz has focused fresh attention on the Law of the Sea treaty, which urgently needs U.S. ratification by the Senate. Iran has been invoking a twisted interpretation of the treaty to justify repeated harassment of American… Read More
Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are front-runners for the Democratic nomination. I hope Obama wins, because he was against the war, and will probably be more likely than Clinton to change our national course. I confess I like third-place candidate John Edwards best, because he… Read More
Ernie Hilton’s piece, “Nuclear power not the solution” (BDN, Jan. 7), will not stand scrutiny. He uses Seabrook as a surrogate for all nuclear power. That plant was caught in the aftermath of the Three Mile Island failure. Regulatory agencies could not make up their minds on appropriate… Read More
I recommend Rep. Mike Michaud’s Dec. 21 letter to the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee to all students of political hokum. (I am a candidate for the 2nd Congressional District seat now held by Rep. Michaud.) This epistle, calling for impeachment proceedings against the vice president, is… Read More
I believe that the letter “Collins votes with big oil” (BDN, Jan. 5-6) is a political hit piece. If the senator had really sided with big oil her op-ed would have advocated exploiting our own oil reserves like our competition does. No solutions in this letter can significantly… Read More
The Legislature is tweaking the school consolidation law in response to widespread citizen dissatisfaction. Most of the debate in Augusta, though, is about money, power-sharing and timelines. It’s rarely, if ever, about whether district reorganization will improve the quality of learning for our kids. This… Read More
This is another winter of our heating discontent. Escalating oil prices hurt every time the oil delivery truck arrives. Nonetheless, we just keep on paying. Businesses and homeowners started to find a way out of this dilemma during an earlier oil price spike. In the… Read More
PORTLAND – Old Man Winter tightened his grip on Maine early Monday as subzero temperatures were recorded across much of the state. The National Weather Service reported overnight lows of minus 34 in Van Buren, minus 27 in Presque Isle, 26 below in Allagash and… Read More
A free, nutritious breakfast would be provided for public school students under the provisions of a bill scheduled for a public hearing this afternoon in Augusta. The measure would require the state to pay at least part of the cost of a healthful school breakfast for any student… Read More
AUGUSTA – Maine supreme court Chief Justice Leigh Saufley has told lawmakers she is running out of money to pay for the defense of poor Mainers charged with crimes, and members of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee are concerned that Gov. John Baldacci rejected her request for supplemental funding. Read More
Albert Raymond looks forward to seeing past today to what he hopes will be the first of several bills aimed at helping the state’s trucking industries combat the crushing burden of high diesel fuel prices. Founding members of the Coalition to Lower Fuel Prices in… Read More
It was the photo op of the year for local Red Sox fans. The 2007 World Series trophy stood on display at Harold Alfond Sports Arena at the University of Maine on Monday afternoon. Hundreds of fans, perhaps more than a thousand, came to view… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Approximately 70 people converged on the University of Maine at Presque Isle late last week to help the college celebrate its recent federal designation as a National Weather Service StormReady University. During the event, campus officials also talked about the latest developments… Read More
ELLSWORTH – A broad look at global climate change will be the topic of a one-day forum, “Hancock County Focuses on Global Climate Change,” that will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Ellsworth. The forum,… Read More
Tom Judge, executive director of LifeFlight of Maine, has been selected to serve a two-year appointment to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council. As a member of the council, Judge will be involved in developing recommendations regarding the provision of… Read More
SADs 31 and 41 might join to form a regional school unit of about 1,340 students if Education Commissioner Susan Gendron approves and talks slated to start within the next month end favorably. The SAD 41 board of directors voted unanimously on Jan. 9 to… Read More
EDDINGTON – A neighbor of Paul Doody’s was driving to work early Monday morning along the Bradley Road and noticed his garage was on fire. The unidentified man did two things – he called 911 and banged on Doody’s door to get the two homeowners… Read More
County event gets ’em outdoors Program held at state park encourages visitors to sled, ski, snowshoe
PRESQUE ISLE – The laughter of children, the crackling of a bonfire and the whisk of skis on freshly fallen snow sounded across the landscape of Aroostook State Park on Saturday as more than 100 people took part in the park’s Take It Outside events. Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – The bells of St. Mary Catholic Church will ring out at noon today as part of a national public remembrance of the more than 48 million lives ended through surgical abortions since the procedure was legalized 35 years ago. The bells will… Read More
Machias District Court Cases Nov. 27, 2007-Jan. 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 () { //… Read More
BREWER – A workshop to help small-business owners connect with resources available to them will be held Wednesday evening at the Muddy Rudder. “The Big Gig: A Small Business Forum,” will be held 6-8 p.m. and moderated by local businesswoman Deb Neuman. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
ELLSWORTH – Washington Hancock Community Agency has appointed Anne Ossanna, L.S.W., as program site manager for Friendship Cottage adult day service in Blue Hill. Ossanna is former director of social services at the Island Nursing Home in Deer Isle, and was a caseworker with the… Read More
BELFAST – Maine’s 2nd District U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud has announced community office hours for the Belfast region. Tim Trafford, Michaud’s constituent services representative, will be available 10-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, at the Belfast Town Office. For more information, contact Monica Castellanos at 782-3704. Read More
ROCKLAND – The Farnsworth Art Museum will hold a class for adults, “Continuously Blooming Perennial Garden,” 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26. This workshop will be led by local garden designer Lee Schneller. Attendees should bring a bag lunch and the measurements for a garden… Read More
BELFAST – The Eggs & Issues Business Breakfast sponsored by the University of Maine Hutchinson Center & Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce has been rescheduled for 8-9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, at the Hutchinson Center. The topic is “Group Effectiveness – the Magic at Meetings” presented by Extension… Read More
UNITY – Unity College’s Colleagues on a Mission awards were given by college President Mitchell Thomashow at a convocation of faculty and staff held earlier this month. Receiving awards were Mark Tardif of Waterville, director of college communications; Edith “Dede” Keach of Unity, admissions office… Read More
BAR HARBOR – A group with a goal of helping to protect Acadia National Park is looking for members of the public to participate in its Village Connector Trails program. Friends of Acadia already has created three village connector trails, one each in Bar Harbor,… Read More
BAR HARBOR – A section of Mount Desert Island shoreline has been closed to shellfish harvesting again after the Town Council was told the number of legally harvestable clams in the area is too low. The town’s Marine Resources Committee had recommended late last year… Read More
SKOWHEGAN – The grand jury of Somerset County deliberated for two days and returned 30 indictments Friday, Jan. 18, according to Evert N. Fowle, district attorney for Somerset and Kennebec counties. Twenty-nine individuals were charged with 91 counts. The following were summoned to appear for… Read More
ROCKLAND – The Historic Inns of Rockland raised $2,800 on Sunday for the annual Pies on Parade Inn to Inn tour to benefit Area Interfaith Outreach, a local food pantry. “We sold 215 tickets for a full house,” said Cheryl Michaelsen, co-owner of Berry Manor… Read More
THOMASTON – A bill designed to help the Many Flags-One Campus proposal that would situate many levels of education in one spot is scheduled to be heard in the Legislature this session. State Rep. Chris Rector, R-Thomaston, is sponsor of the bill, “An act to… Read More
BANGOR – The presidential race is now visibly under way in downtown Bangor, where Republican candidate Ron Paul has opened a headquarters office at 91 Main St. Amid red, white and blue balloons and signboards, the Paul campaign held an open house Monday night. About… Read More
The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety will offer a driver improvement course for drivers of all ages at several Maine adult education sites throughout February. The five-hour defensive driving class will address collision avoidance techniques, safety issues, driver habits and attitudes, and the basic elements… Read More
BIDDEFORD – The body of a Biddeford woman was recovered from a sport utility vehicle that plunged into the Saco River early Sunday and divers were searching for the driver and any other passengers who may have been in the SUV. The vehicle was headed… Read More
While outdoor winter enthusiasts may be enjoying our January weather, others might be wistfully daydreaming of the warmer months, so here is something for those folks “to put their minds to,” as the old saying goes. Valdine Atwood of Machias e-mailed that plans are well… Read More
AUGUSTA – The director of Maine’s animal welfare program says a Lincoln County prosecutor will decide whether to file criminal charges in connection with the seizure of 67 dogs, four cats and a cockatiel from what she called an unlicensed breeding kennel in Somerville. Norma… Read More
LEWISTON – A funeral service will be held this week in Lewiston for a 39-year-old climber who died in an avalanche on New Hampshire’s Mount Washington. Peter Roux of Bartlett, Tenn., was reported missing Friday while climbing a gully in Huntington Ravine. Rescue crews found… Read More
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program has allocated some $8.6 million in funding for projects in Maine, U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins announced. “The USDA Rural Development program is helping us upgrade Maine’s infrastructure, rebuild educational facilities, enhance public safety and… Read More
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – A Maine man who works at the Port of New Hampshire in Portsmouth has been cleared of threatening and harassing the harbor master in a case involving a fake tombstone. Christopher Garrity, 32, was accused of writing the initials of Harbor Master… Read More
KINGMAN – Belinda Raymond never planned to become a Web site manager, but she never thought she would become a political activist, either, so perhaps combining both was inevitable. Raymond’s Coalition to Lower Fuel Prices in Maine this week launched its new Web site: coalitiontolowerfuelprices.cfsites.org. Read More
YARMOUTH – About 150 people attended a gathering at Yarmouth High School to remember the founder of a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children whose families make their living scavenging in the Guatemala City garbage dump. The event Friday marked the first anniversary of the… Read More
AUBURN – Jurors in the murder trial of Scott Poirier heard a taped interview in which the Lewiston man confessed to police that he fatally shot his father as he sat at the head of his dining table during his 65th birthday party. On a… Read More
PORTLAND – Steve Roberts has returned home from a trip to Vietnam that included a visit to the village where his older brother was killed in action 40 years ago. Roberts said last month’s journey brought the closure he had sought for decades and left… Read More
NEW VINEYARD – A Massachusetts man is being sought by police after several large wooden beams fell from his trailer in Maine, killing a 55-year-old motorist. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department issued a warrant for 48-year-old Domingos Medeiros of Freetown. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
The Oak Grove School Foundation announced that it is soliciting applications for grants to support the educational and cultural needs of secondary students in central Maine, with first priority to applicants from the Waterville-Augusta area. Grant recipients must be educational, charitable or religious organizations that… Read More
TREMONT – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded a grant to permanently protect coastal wetland and upland buffer habitat off Ingalls Shore Road near Lopaus Point, according to a joint press release from Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins. The grant, part of… Read More
PORTLAND – The National Center for Research Resources, a component of the National Institutes of Health, has awarded a $270,000 grant to the University of Southern Maine for its micro- and nanospace explorations of health and disease project, U.S. Rep. Tom Allen announced. Allen said… Read More
PORTLAND – Peace Action Maine will screen the documentary film “Winter Soldier” at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31, at the Meg Perry Center to support the Maine members of Iraq Veterans Against the War who will participate in “Winter Soldier: Iraq & Afghanistan.” “Winter Soldier” chronicles the 1971 Winter… Read More
FORT KENT – Melanie Dorice Saucier was honored as winner of the State of Maine VFW Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest at an awards ceremony Jan. 12 in Waterville. Her essay will be submitted to compete at the national level. The Patriot’s Pen is a youth-essay… Read More
Last week I shared my view on a recently introduced bill that would require Mainers to eventually take a safety course before operating motorboats in the state. My take: The folks who are causing problems on our waters today wouldn’t be likely to change their… Read More
BANGOR – After consecutive games in which they lost to Mount Desert Island in overtime and to Presque Isle on a last-second 3-pointer, the John Bapst boys basketball team was in need of a victory to restore its self-confidence. The Crusaders got one the hard… Read More
ORONO – It was hard to tell which was colder Monday night: the temperature inside Alfond Arena or the Black Bears’ free-throw shooting. The University of Maine men’s basketball team hit just 19 of 36 foul shots against the University of Hartford and the Hawks… Read More
AUGUSTA – Bangor High School cheerleaders, welcome to the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference. Competing in their first-ever KVAC Class A competition, along with three other Class A squads, the Rams earned runner-up honors in Monday afternoon’s conference championships at the Augusta Civic Center. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
COLLEGE Carolyn Freeman 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
HIGH SCHOOL At Black Mountain, Rumford 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… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL Maine Amateur Wrestling Alliance 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… Read More
PORTLAND – Quarterback Jack Hersom of Lawrence High School of Fairfield has been selected from among three finalists as the winner of the 37th annual James J. Fitzpatrick Trophy, given to Maine’s top senior football player. Hersom, whose father and grandfather have each coached state… Read More
BOSTON – Mack Spellman scored 21 points and snatched 15 rebounds to power Emmanuel College to a 78-71 victory over Saint Joseph’s College of Standish Monday. Rob Williams-Hinton scored 15 points for the winners. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Nic Gallant scored 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds as Presque Isle outscored Mount Desert Island 20-7 in the fourth quarter to rally for a 54-49 boys basketball victory Monday. Adam Kingsbury chipped in 11 points for the Wildcats. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
WALDOBORO – Liz Blair scored eight of her 10 points in the fourth quarter to propel Belfast to a 40-39 victory over Medomak Valley in girls basketball action Monday. Brittany Dyer netted a game-high 12 points for the Lions. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
DEXTER – The Dexter Tigers outscored Orono 13-1 in the third quarter to snap a 13-13 halftime tie en route to a 38-34 schoolgirl basketball victory over the Red Riots Monday. Miranda Gove scored 14 points to lead Dexter, Michelle Chapman chipped in with eight… Read More
Those who know me best remember that I began all this basketball stuff in training to become a high school basketball referee. What may seem odd to some was a smooth transition in my opinion from playing the game I loved to officiating it like… Read More
Ask anyone involved in the Maine arts scene: Jesse Salisbury rocks. Literally. The Steuben sculptor was the brains and brawn behind the Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium, which drew artists of international repute to Winter Harbor last summer. The resulting sculptures have been placed in towns… Read More
As the end of December approached a few weeks ago, yarn ennui set in. I had sensed its approach throughout the fall in small ways – the three knitting projects that had become UFOs (unfinished objects), and the fact that I didn’t feel driven to knit mittens for… Read More
Shall we dance? In France? For the Bangor Ballet, the answer is a resounding “oui!” 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