Maine Women in History Rediscovering Their Lives and Legacies It is not unusual in 2008 to see women as corporate presidents, construction workers or high-profile politicians. The glass ceiling, for the most part, has been shattered. But how did we get here? Maine’s history is… Read More
WASHINGTON – In a letter Friday, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, urged Gov. John Baldacci to request an extension for the state’s complying with the federal Real ID Act, which establishes national standards for state-issued driver’s licenses. “Unless Maine requests this extension, thousands of Maine residents… Read More
FORT KENT – Ask musher Terry Adkins if being a retired veterinarian gives him any edge over the competition at this weekend’s Can Am International Sled Dog Race and he might just give a straight answer. Or not. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
VEAZIE – The owner of the State Street residence that was raided Thursday by drug agents said she was “totally floored” that a methamphetamine lab was found inside the two-unit apartment on State Street. A 17-year-old male who lives in the first-floor apartment with his… Read More
1996-98 . Aroostook County is inundated with methamphetamine from the western United States. 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
Fiscal years (FY) run from July 1 to June 30. In 2005 MDEA began reporting its numbers based on the calendar year (CY), so potentially there is a six-month overlap in the 2004 to 2005 numbers. FY 1998 – 21 googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
Maine Women in History Rediscovering Their Lives and Legacies Miss Clara Stimson was called the Lumber Queen of Maine a century ago. She owned sawmills in Smyrna Mills, New Limerick and Ashland. She managed timberlands. Her success enabled her to build one of the finest… Read More
ORONO – Is there a Jewish mother in Jewish folklore? Dan Ben-Amos, a professor of folklore and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, will discuss his recent publication “Folktales of the Jews” from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, in the Bangor Room… Read More
About the series Editor: Julie Murchison Harris 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
1. Fanny Hardy Eckstorm (with hat); circa 1900. Eckstorm (1865-1946); a Maine folklorist and writer; collected American Indian stories and legends and wrote about the Maine woods and woodsmen. One well-known work is “The Penobscot Man.” Courtesy of the Maine historical society googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
Molly Nelson Archambuad, better known by her stage name Molly Spotted Elk, was a famous dancer and vaudeville star in the early 20th century. She was born Molly Alice Nelson on Nov. 17, 1903, on Indian Island. As a Penobscot Indian performer, Spotted Elk achieved fame for her… Read More
Senate votes Republican Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins 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
I was pleased to see the BDN Feb. 26 editorial left the door ajar for a rebirth of nuclear power in Maine. Just like most other technologies in our lives – computers, cell phones and Internet – nuclear power technology has improved dramatically since Maine Yankee was commissioned… Read More
Kent Ward’s column “Oil profits boggle the mind” (BDN Feb. 9-10), is a great example of how large numbers cause a loss of perspective. Mr. Ward wrote that the New York Yankees should increase A-Rod’s annual pay of $27 million so he can make “a decent wage” compared… Read More
I congratulate the BDN on the Brady Gang supplement that ran in a recent issue of the newspaper. All of us who grew up in Bangor can remember hearing about that moment in Bangor history and it was interesting to read accounts of the actual event and, especially,… Read More
The front page of the Feb. 23-24 BDN contained an article about wood pellets being used as an alternative fuel. As a person who has been involved in the forest products industry in Maine for most of my life, I too feel that wood pellets can be used… Read More
I was appalled to learn that John McCain was the only senator who two weeks ago chose to skip a crucial vote on the future of clean energy in America, dooming the measure to fail by just a single vote. Now I am even more… Read More
Jon Reisman has fought against federal requirements for automobile safety inspections in Maine. He fought against designating the Atlantic salmon an endangered species. He fought for “freedom fries” and against local tourism to France at the start of the Iraq war. Now he’s fighting, among other things, an… Read More
One wonders what William F. Buckley Jr. thought of the bumper crop of shrill conservatives on talk radio and TV who became the leading voices of the movement as his star waned over the last 15 years. Mr. Buckley, widely credited with being the father of the modern… Read More
Measures of Growth, the Maine Development Foundation’s annual rating of Maine’s economic condition, is meant to assess “Maine’s progress towards long-term, sustainable economic growth.” With the majority of the measures negative or stagnant, progress is an overstatement this year. Aside from the environment, where the… Read More
With reference to the editorial “Spying changes on hold” (BDN, Feb. 16-17), the writer and the House Democrats could not be more wrong. On the Feb. 17 “Fox News Sunday,” Mike McConnell debunked the contents of the editorial and any logic for the lack of… Read More
A million dollars a day – that’s what Maine taxpayers are spending every day of the year, just to pay for the war in Iraq. While the state Legislature is grappling with a $100 million budget deficit, Maine taxpayers will pay $418 million for the… Read More
The letter to the editor in the Thursday morning newspaper was from Gregory A. Campbell of Eddington, an assistant district attorney for Penobscot and Piscataquis counties for more than 20 years. Because most anyone in the news business knows that the situation he described is not all that… Read More
BETHEL – The world’s tallest snowman is no man. The “snowwoman” towering over this village features eyelashes created from discarded skis and bright red lips made from painted car tires. She wears a giant red hat and a 100-foot-long scarf, and her blond tresses are… Read More
BANGOR – Gerald Nessmann wants to be a lawyer, but commuting to the University of Maine Law School in Portland from his home in Dover-Foxcroft does not make economic sense to the 39-year-old real estate investor. Nessmann told the Maine Supreme Judicial Court on Friday… Read More
Washington County Sheriff Donnie Smith started a bit of a firestorm this week when he announced that his deputies no longer would work with state agents from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency. He said a DVD sent to him anonymously showed an off-duty MDEA agent… Read More
All Maine children would have to have their blood tested for lead before being allowed to start school if a bill now before the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee is passed. But at a public hearing Friday, the proposal drew opposition from Maine’s top public health official. Read More
A DVD showing a Maine Drug Enforcement Agency agent engaged in behavior Washington County Sheriff Donnie Smith called “disturbing” shows the agent identifying himself by name, firing weapons, and encouraging at least one other person to swig alcohol at a party. The Bangor Daily News… Read More
CAMDEN – Several police agencies working together reportedly seized more than $45,000 worth of cocaine Thursday evening from a local residence and an additional $1,200 worth of cocaine from a South Thomaston home. Edward Spencer, 55, and Amy Calnan, 49, both of Camden, and Jarod… Read More
PITTSFIELD – During at least the past 12 months, Corey Williams, 32, of Hartland stole more than $6,000 from his employer, CarQuest, according to Pittsfield police. Williams, who had worked for the company for three years, when it was owned by CarQuest and earlier when… Read More
ROCKPORT – The Maine Lobstermen’s Association is running out of legal defense funds, but it will have some new help in fighting federal fishing gear requirements that are expected to take effect in October. The group has found a Washington, D.C., law firm willing to… Read More
FORT KENT – A judge Friday allowed 17-year-old Reid Francis of Madawaska to return to his home under 24-hour-a-day supervision until his initial appearance March 5 in District Court at Madawaska on charges of terrorizing. Francis is charged with making five telephone bomb threats Tuesday… Read More
Amanda, born in 1994, is an active, athletic girl who enjoys sports, hanging out with friends, and reading. She enjoys soccer, basketball and baseball and usually can be found playing one of these sports in her free time. Amanda also likes to skate. Ice-skating and roller-skating are two… Read More
PITTSFIELD – A controversial bill that would have penalized legitimate dog breeders for the actions of puppy mill operators was amended this week to address breeders’ concerns. Dog breeders were united in their support for the bill’s intent – safe, ethical breeding standards – but… Read More
AUGUSTA – With yet another major snowstorm bearing down on Maine, the state Department of Transportation is taking steps to preserve its shrinking salt stock. In a statement issued Friday, DOT officials said salt supplies throughout Maine are becoming “seriously low” and that drivers using… Read More
PORTLAND – A new report on jails and prisons says Maine had the nation’s lowest incarceration rate in 2005, continuing a multiyear trend. The study by the Pew Charitable Trust found that one of every 366 Maine adults was behind bars. That compares to the… Read More
AUGUSTA – A town manager, the head of a heating fuel company and the executive director of a nonprofit foundation have been nominated to serve on the state’s Board of Environmental Protection. Gov. John Baldacci announced Thursday his selection of Donald Guimond of Fort Kent… Read More
PITTSFIELD – SAD 53 Superintendent Michael Gallagher will share a presentation with the board of directors Monday night to help it understand new high school graduation requirements. Gallagher said a video would feature Maine Commissioner of Education Susan Gendron and focus on a shifting world… Read More
Ripley Residents will vote on 33 articles at 10 a.m. today during the annual town meeting at the Grange hall. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i… Read More
CARIBOU – It will be up to the audience to decide whether any of the three male vocalists who will perform in this weekend’s finale of the Aroostook Idol competition are good enough to outshine their female challengers and become the first male to hold the title. Read More
HOULTON – A Ludlow woman suffered only slight injuries Thursday evening when her sport utility vehicle spun out of control, jumped an embankment and crashed into a stream. The incident happened just before 6 p.m. on Ludlow Road, according to Officer Adam Lewis of the… Read More
Presque Isle High School Second quarter honor roll 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
FORT KENT – The University of Maine at Fort Kent will hold the Northern Regional Drama Festival on Friday and Saturday, March 7 and 8, in Fox Auditorium. Students from Brewer, Caribou, Easton, Fort Kent, Limestone, Old Town, Presque Isle and Van Buren will participate… Read More
FORT KENT – The University of Maine at Fort Kent will hold a workshop on all-hazards preparedness 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, in Nadeau Hall teleconference room. The program will be delivered by the Texas A&M University Engineering Extension and is certified by the… Read More
CARIBOU – The newly reorganized Power of Prevention, formerly known as the St. John Valley Partnership, has announced the addition of Kimberly Boucher to its staff as regional tobacco coordinator. Formerly of Canton, Mass., Boucher will work with various Maine regions to assess tobacco prevention,… Read More
HOULTON – While a petition effort to repeal the state school consolidation law fell short of its goal, town councilors said earlier this week they believe they still can have their voice heard on the school issue by sending a resolution to state officials supporting the petition and… Read More
EASTON – A fire Wednesday evening that destroyed a home on the Gray Road that had been up for sale was electrical in nature. The State Fire Marshal’s Office made the determination of the fire’s cause Thursday, Easton Fire Chief Kim White said Friday. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
EASTPORT – Mention a dentist and a lot of people frown, but there were big smiles in several schools this week as youngsters met a real dentist and had a chance to participate in the February 2008 National Children’s Dental Health Month. On Thursday, staff… Read More
. City Council’s finance committee, 5 p.m. Monday, City Hall, annual review of airport investment performance, update on early voting procedures, proposal to establish reserve account for employee benefits, executive session regarding hardship abatement application. . City Council’s transportation and infrastructure committee, 5 p.m. Tuesday,… Read More
MILO – Despite the poor economic conditions in the state, businesses elsewhere in the country are looking to relocate and Milo has them on its radar screen. Selectmen told residents Wednesday night they were courting three businesses that have expressed interest in the town’s industrial… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Town Manager Kathryn Ruth was notified Friday that the Pittsfield Public Library was awarded $150,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds to help restore some underpinnings and foundation areas of the antique structure that are crumbling. “We really have some momentum going now,”… Read More
MILLINOCKET – The Katahdin region can have $500,000 in federally earmarked funds if it uses the money for walking and biking trails, Town Manager Eugene Conlogue said Thursday. Conlogue told councilors during an unusually brief meeting Thursday that Dan Stewart, manager of the Maine Department… Read More
ORONO – Two University of Maine students were summoned Thursday by police for their alleged involvement in a fire at the recycled materials storage area dump near the Hilltop area of campus, UM spokesman Joe Carr said Friday. UM grounds staff was plowing snow early… Read More
Three women and two men were arrested Wednesday night when Bangor police responded to a report of a fight in progress at a party on Center Street and found that most of the people gathered were wanted for outstanding warrants. “Pretty much everyone there was… Read More
ROCKLAND – City Councilor James Thompson announced his resignation Friday by sending a letter to a local newspaper saying he was leaving the council for a “whole host of reasons.” Thompson confirmed by phone Friday night that he had sent a letter of resignation to… Read More
DAMARISCOTTA – Spectrum Generations Coastal Community Center has scheduled these programs, lunches and activities in March: Nutrition programs 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++)… Read More
ELLSWORTH – Hancock County’s largest city, and its literal center, covers more than 90 square miles, so there are plenty of potential areas for growth. One such area, Route 1 west extending toward Bucksport, has emerged as a prime spot for development, in large part… Read More
Knox County Superior Court Cases Feb. 18-25, 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
Camden Hills Regional High School, Rockport Second quarter honor roll 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
SANGERVILLE – The town’s auditor sought on Thursday to clarify the relationship the town has with its fire department based on a review of its operations. Town officials have been at odds on who controls the money raised by the Sangerville Fire Department Inc. and… Read More
Enthusiasm abounds among those preparing for the second annual Bangor Realtors’ Pot ‘O Gold Super Supper, which begins at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer, reports Bangor Realtor Jan Currier. “Here we are in the fund-raising season again,” Currier wrote, encouraging… Read More
“In the village of Bethel, Maine The world’s attention we did gain 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
AUGUSTA – Maine is joining three other states in a suit against the federal government over new Medicaid rules. Maine Attorney General Steven Rowe said Medicaid case management rules would harm Medicaid enrollees and cost Maine’s General Fund $16 million. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
BANGOR – An Augusta-based lawyer on Friday brought to the Penobscot County Courthouse a cherished family photo he hoped would illustrate Husson College’s argument that its proposed law school does not need to be accredited by the American Bar Association to graduate quality lawyers. “This… Read More
BREWER – Throughout the last two decades of ups and downs in this city’s manufacturing sector, Brewer Automotive Components has quietly thrived, holding its place as the sole supplier of steering and suspension parts for Toyota of North America. Inside the large warehouse-style factory at… Read More
Trucker Robert Griffith is on the road three weeks out of four, pulling oversize loads such as crane booms, railroad ties and air-conditioning ducts. One of his biggest worries: how he’ll find the money to buy his daughter a prom dress. As the cost of… Read More
AUGUSTA – Legislation under consideration in Maine would make it the latest state to entitle consumers to cash refunds on gift card balances. A bill before the Judiciary Committee would allow consumers to receive a refund on gift card balances of $5 or less. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
AUGUSTA – Verizon has completed work on a major infrastructure expansion that extends broadband Internet service to more than 30,000 customers in unserved or underserved portions of the state. The Public Utilities Commission said the work represents Verizon’s fulfillment of a plan approved by regulators… Read More
AUGUSTA – Central Maine Power Co. said Friday it will lower its prices for electric delivery service to residential, commercial and industrial customers starting today. Charges for residential and small-business customers will drop by about 10 percent. For an average residential customer using 550 kilowatt-hours… Read More
Lately, my mane has become my bane. At ShopGirl Jr.’s suggestion, I’m growing out my hair for Locks of Love, which means it’s incredibly long and even more annoying. My “chickens,” which is what I call those short pieces of hair that stick up… Read More
One of the consequences of the Bush presidency has been an explosion of writings by atheists intent on targeting right-wing politics by attacking the existence of God. These writers fuel a growing popular belief that if a man as shallow as the president espouses faith in God, then… Read More
March is the most fickle of months. You think you’re in the clear – a warm day and sunlight after 3 p.m. trick you into thinking spring is around the corner. Then you wake up to a foot of snow. It’s enough to make you… Read More
It’s a natural pairing. Start with the Farrelly brothers, creators of such rude and crude comedies as “Something About Mary” and “Dumb and Dumber.” googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i… Read More
It appears, judging by my “Sponging Across America” tour, that the world is going to the dogs. Everyone I know has a dog – and insists that I have one, too. Before I even left, Chief Al was bending my ear about getting a dog. Read More
“Best Actor Collection” – A varied mix of five excellent performances in five Academy Award-winning films. Included are 1928’s “In Old Arizona,” with Warner Baxter as The Cisco Kid; 1956’s “The King and I,” in which Yul Brynner took a shine to Deborah Kerr, danced her off her… Read More
Things were pretty desperate around here the other evening. I’d been immersed in a project all day, did nothing in the plan-ahead department, and so at 5:30 with a meeting to go to at 6:15, I looked in the fridge to see what I could find. Not much. Read More
Last week’s column focused on choosing the best onion varieties for Maine gardens, varieties that grow vegetatively until the long days of June initiate bulb formation. Now the rest of the story: how to plant, grow, harvest and store the bulbs. I stand by my… Read More
BANGOR – The pace of the game may have belonged to Cape Elizabeth, but the gold ball belongs to Maranacook. The Black Bears, held in check offensively for most of the night, made three key 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to take the lead for… Read More
BURLINGTON, Vt. – The University of Maine Black Bears were playing an efficient road game against the University of Vermont in their quest for a Hockey East Tournament berth. But a five-minute major and game misconduct on assistant captain Rob Bellamy for hitting from behind… Read More
The LTC Class C football ranks will grow to 12 teams next fall with the acceptance of Old Town and Calais-Woodland as new members. Conference officials met Thursday night in Bangor and voted to accept both teams into the league beginning with the 2008 season,… Read More
An impending snowstorm predicted to drop up to 12 inches on parts of Maine has forced the postponement of six basketball state championship games and eight high school ice hockey semifinals to different days next week. Maine Principals’ Association Executive Director Dick Durost said the… Read More
BANGOR – The Waterville girls basketball team knows what it takes to make a rally work. Last Saturday the Panthers rallied from a three-point halftime deficit in the Eastern Maine Class B final against Mattanawcook of Lincoln. Waterville also needed a comeback Friday night against… Read More
The Big East Conference honors banquet has been postponed to March 8 due to the expected snow storm today. The banquet will be held at 1 p.m. at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer. Read More
The Brewer High School Witches, the John Bapst High School Crusaders and the Houlton-Hodgdon Black Hawks are seeking Eastern Maine hockey championship game berths. But they will have their hands full with central Maine rivals Monday. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
Joe Torre sits in the Dodger dugout for his second spring game with his new club, trying to figure out who some of his players’ names. His move from the Yankees to the Dodgers as manager is one of the major transactions of the off-season. Read More
CASTLETON, Vt. – Maine Maritime Academy bolted to a 13-2 lead Friday night en route to a 57-43 victory over Husson College in the North Atlantic Conference semifinals at Castleton State College. Amethyst Cousins led a balanced offense for No. 2 seed Maine Maritime Academy… Read More
She played her high school hockey on the boys team at Bangor’s John Bapst High School and spent one season playing at Boston College before transferring to the University of Maine. Hampden native Kim Meagher is one of three Black Bears winding up their careers… 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
On Monday morning, a large crowd is expected in Augusta for a public hearing about a small fish that some love and others fear. Alewives are the order of the day, thanks to the debate that will rage on LD 1957, “An Act to Restore… Read More
The Maine Wildlife Park in Gray, which is owned and operated by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, enjoyed its best season ever in 2007, according to a DIF&W press release. More than 108,000 visits to the park were recorded, and the park… Read More
Elizabeth R. (Leila) Bright loved skiing on the carriage roads in Acadia National Park. She skied until late in her life and after she died her family gave a generous gift to the Friends of Acadia in 2005, to greatly expand the trail grooming capacity in the park. Read More
There are many good things to be said for working for a larger company. One is the opportunity to find folks within the walls with whom to take on new adventures. Too often we get roped into our own little circle and routine and don’t… Read More
FORT KENT – Rita Cannan, president of the Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Races, is overseeing the running of the 16th annual races this weekend for the last time. Only the second president of the 16-year-old classic, Cannan is turning over the reins to a… Read More