A story on Page B4 of Tuesday’s paper about a Lincoln man who was indicted by a Penobscot County grand jury needs clarification. Local police said they had no reason to believe that Eric H. Merrill, 42, had been drinking when he fired several gunshots at his home… Read More
    Former Defense Secretary William Cohen will deliver the address at the University of Oklahoma’s spring commencement. The former Maine senator will speak May 9 and receive an honorary degree at the campus in Norman. Last year, about 20,000 people attended the graduation ceremony at which New York Mayor… Read More
    BAILEYVILLE – The proposal sounded just right for an economically depressed area – build manufactured structural insulated panels for commercial and residential buildings Down East. But the project remains on hold for Insulated Component Structures of Maine Inc., company spokesman Damar Dore said Tuesday. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    ROCKPORT – From shoes to banking and railroads to boating, more than 100 businesses set up exhibits to demonstrate hands-on technology Tuesday at the Samoset Resort for the 2008 Penobscot Bay Business Expo, sponsored by Staples and Bangor International Airport. Organized by the Penobscot Bay… Read More
    SOUTH PORTLAND – Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine, the state’s largest private health insurer, has a new president. Daniel Corcoran replaces Erin Hoeflinger, who earlier this year was named president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    I have spent my entire life living, fishing, camping, boating and even working on the Penobscot River. As a child, before the Clean Water Act of the 1960s, I was forbidden to play near the river because it was considered an open sewer. It wasn’t until the 1970s… Read More
    Last week Maine newspapers reported on Sen. Collins’ campaign trip to the Frankfort Fire Department where she took credit for getting it $328,000 for a new truck and other equipment. In campaigning she didn’t mention her votes to spend billions of dollars to continue Bush’s war, which a… Read More
    According to an April 2 BDN article, the state is sponsoring the 2008 Maine Lobster Chef of the Year contest. It is fitting because the Maine lobster is the backbone of the state fishing industry. It is also fitting that all recipes submitted should include the Maine lobster… Read More
    The recent Congressional hearing to which oil company executives were summoned to justify their profits should remind gas buyers that Congress hasn’t a clue about market forces as they affect the price of energy. By placing the executives in the spotlight and subjecting them to… Read More
    As a fan of the MythBusters show, I attended the event at the University of Maine last Sunday and enjoyed listening to Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, the hosts of the show. However, I found the opening routine by the two emcees from KISS 94.5, which involved a… Read More
    The point of school consolidation legislation, which strongly won legislative support last year, was to reduce administrative expenses for both property tax relief and to direct more money toward instruction. That goal was muddied, if not lost, as lawmakers wrestled with a bill meant to remove hurdles to… Read More
    When someone can list as their residence the address of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles office where they are applying for a license and be issued a driver’s license the system clearly is broken. This has happened nine times in recent years. More than 800 people have claimed… Read More
    It might be too late to admonish our fish and game department for the disappearance of our magnificent deer herds, but their indifferent and uninformed attitudes concerning this great natural resource deserves admonition. Snow be damned; if left alone, our deer would survive a bad… Read More
    I recently learned that funding for the Dirigo Health program is in trouble and that House Majority Leader Hannah Pingree has submitted a bill to stabilize funding and preserve the program. I fully support the Dirigo Health program and, frankly, need it to continue my way of life. Read More
    I nearly got into an accident the other day. I wanted to go forward and two cars – one in front of me and one beside me – were trying to turn and go around me. We were pretty close to each other; close enough for me to… Read More
    BANGOR – The city’s airport has received a $2.7 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to upgrade its terminal building and aviation equipment. Bangor International Airport has an estimated $2.9 million construction project pegged to begin in June and wrap up by December. The… Read More
    ORONO – The University of Maine is asking its faculty, staff and students what they think the smoking policy on campus should be with the intent of having a tobacco-free campus in the future. “This is happening at dozens, if not hundreds, of universities around… Read More
    BELFAST – Pilot Douglas Low was killed instantly when his single-engine SIAI Marchetti SF .260 crashed nose first into Belfast Bay on Sunday evening. Low’s body was recovered from the fuselage of the small plane late Monday afternoon. The state medical examiner determined that the… Read More
    STOCKTON SPRINGS – The Stockton Springs Community Church steeple may have survived being hit by lightning, but years of infiltrating moisture have rotted its support structure and it needs to be removed quickly before it collapses on its own. “It’s got to come down this… Read More
    MILLINOCKET – Town Manager Eugene Conlogue wants the town trails committee to find an equitable way to distribute some snowmobile trail maintenance costs among town businesses next year, officials said Tuesday. Conlogue has requested that the committee tackle this problem once the snowmobile season ends. Read More
    Belfast District Court Cases March 31-April 4 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
    SULLIVAN – Investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s Office were unable to determine the cause of a house fire over the weekend that left a couple homeless. The fire, which started about 2:30 p.m. Saturday, swept through the two-story home on Quarry Road, which was… Read More
    ROCKLAND – Donald Choquette of Spruce Head took the Knox County commissioners to task Tuesday for allegedly failing to disclose public information about the county’s lease-purchase agreement for the building on Old County Road that once was leased by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. Read More
    BAR HARBOR – Hunger and thirst appear to be the motivating factors in two burglaries that occurred at separate businesses late Monday or early Tuesday. According to Officer Thom Tardiff, someone entered two buildings at Atlantic Brewery Co. on Knox Road in the village of… Read More
    BANGOR – Lois Weeks knocked loudly on the apartment door a little after 11 a.m. Tuesday, shouted “Meals!” and identified herself to the woman inside. When Irma Mayhew, 94, opened her door, Weeks greeted her with a smile and a warm meal prepared by Meals… Read More
    TRENTON – Voters last weekend approved purchase of a $225,000 firetruck. About 80 people gathered Saturday at the local grammar school for Trenton’s annual town meeting, Administrative Assistant Janet Muise said Tuesday. There had been speculation about whether the firetruck purchase would be approved, but… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – A man suspected of shooting his wife’s lover and a woman charged with stabbing her boyfriend after a night of drinking were among 22 people indicted Tuesday by the Hancock County grand jury. Douglas J. Moore, 46, of Blue Hill was indicted on… Read More
    OLD TOWN – Retired biologist Jerry Longcore had some examples of white-tailed deer antlers on the hood of his truck to show people what they would be looking for. They were going on an antler hunt. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
    Wisdom High School, St. Agatha 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
    U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud and state Rep. John Piotti of Waldo County believe the time is long overdue to begin allowing heavy trucks on interstates in Maine. “The critical issue is that it’s a matter of federal policy that trucks weighing more than 80,000 pounds… Read More
    BREWER – The school committee approved a 3.5 percent pay raise for support staff Monday, and heard that a first-grade teacher was awarded a $2,000 science award. Laurie Richards, who has taught first-graders in Brewer for 17 years, was issued a $2,000 check to be… Read More
    GUILFORD – A 13-year-old girl admitted to police Tuesday night she had written a bomb threat on a girls restroom wall earlier in the day at Piscataquis Community Middle School. When the threat was discovered after school Tuesday, the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department was notified… Read More
    BREWER – The Hitching Post Lounge and Restaurant, which opened on Wilson Street in October, has earned itself a bad reputation with police, and city councilors took action Monday by warning the owner to clean up his act or lose his amusement license. “Our concern… Read More
    MEDWAY – The town has created a Public Works Department director position and filled it with department worker Greg Hale, the chairman of the Board of Selectmen said Monday. Board members voted 5-0 during a meeting Monday to promote Hale to the new position. He… Read More
    BANGOR – Two toys that were sold last fall at the Discovery Museum recently have been identified as posing risks: one for choking and the other for exposure to lead, the museum warned Tuesday. The first item is Tot Tower blocks from eeBoo. Isolated incidents… Read More
    CARMEL – SAD 23 directors will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at Caravel Middle School. Residents will vote April 23 whether to authorize a two-year contract with the town of Hermon for the secondary education of Carmel and Levant students… Read More
    AUGUSTA – State and local police are describing the death of a 60-year-old Augusta woman here as “suspicious.” The body of Naomi Buzzell was found by Augusta police about 4 p.m. inside her second-floor apartment in a four-unit building at 625 S. Belfast Ave., according… Read More
    Rockland District Court Cases March 31-April 4 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
    Although photographs are not part of this column, I do appreciate Phyllis Young including one with her e-mail about the Ellsworth High School International Club’s International Potluck Dinner: A Celebration of International Culture, which is 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, April 11, in the EHS cafeteria. From… Read More
    It appears that Internet users who have enjoyed watching a pair of bald eagles lay eggs and raise young in Hancock County on a Web camera might have to wait at least another year to observe their parenting skills. A month ago, the birds were… Read More
    PORTLAND – The Hannaford supermarket chain says it’s pulling advertising from WGME-TV. The Scarborough-based company said it’s doing that for what it calls “aggressive” reporting of a security breach that put the credit and debit card information of millions of consumers at risk. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    AUGUSTA – The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee has tentatively scheduled a public hearing Friday for a bill that would add 714 acres in Argyle to the Penobscot Nation reservation. “We have a substantial housing need within the reservation and we’re out of space,” Penobscot Nation Chief… Read More
    PORTLAND – Maine’s largest city is taking a pass on $19.6 million from the Maine Department of Education to build a new elementary school. The City Council stunned Superintendent Jeanne Whynot-Vickers by coming one vote short Monday night of what was needed to borrow money… Read More
    PORTLAND – Lawyers for Christian Nielsen told the Maine Supreme Judicial Court on Tuesday that Nielsen’s statements to police shouldn’t have been admissible in court because he was denied his right to a lawyer the day of his arrest. Nielsen last year entered a conditional… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Old Fort Western, in cooperation with the Oak Grove School Foundation, will hold a one-day workshop called “Teaching about Civics and Government” from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, May 9, in the fort’s Learning Gallery, 16 Cony St. The primary goal of… Read More
    PORTLAND – Former gubernatorial candidate Pat LaMarche has been named spokeswoman for a referendum campaign to bring a casino to western Maine. LaMarche, who has run for governor and U.S. vice president as a member of the Green Party, said Maine’s political leaders have gambled… Read More
    PORTLAND – A Portland woman was arrested Tuesday on a charge of murdering her 61-year-old husband in what police said was a case of domestic violence. Laureen Rugen, 50, called police at around 1:30 a.m. to report that her husband, Christian Rugen, was in need… Read More
    BANGOR – Former lawyer and City Council Chairman Nicholas P. Brountas was remembered Tuesday as a family man, talented lawyer and gentleman. Brountas, a second-generation Greek-American, died Monday at age 84 at a local health care facility. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
    UNITY – The second annual Unity College Sportsman’s Conference and Organic Wild Game and Local Foods dinner will be held 4-10 p.m. Monday, April 14, at the Unity Centre for the Performing Arts, 42 Depot St. An art show and appetizer will begin at 4… Read More
    AUGUSTA – The Maine Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction will hold Construction Expo of Maine, the state’s largest construction trade show, noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at the Augusta Civic Center. Read More
    PORTLAND – The Portland Music Foundation will hold a free session on the music business at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, at the St. Lawrence Arts Center, 76 Congress St. The discussion “Mistakes Were Made” will feature nine veteran music industry members recalling some of… Read More
    Bishop Richard J. Malone, head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, was recognized Monday in Houston, Texas, at the annual meeting of the National Conference of Catechetical Leadership for his contribution to religious education. Malone received the 2008 F. Sadlier Dinger Award for his… Read More
    Carlin Dubay had a season unmatched in Maine high school wrestling history this winter. The Caribou High School senior went 54-0, winning not only his third straight Class B state championship at 103 pounds but also a New England championship and All-American status. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    They fly under the radar just like the sport they play. With the exception of the Bobby Orr-Phil Esposito-Big Bad Bruins days, the Boston Bruins have always taken a back seat to the Red Sox and the Celtics. Now you can add the New England… Read More
    COLLEGE Todd Keneborus 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
    STANDISH – Pat Moran hit a solo home run, doubled twice, and singled for three RBIs in two games to help Saint Joseph’s sweep Bowdoin 12-3 and 10-0 in baseball action Tuesday. Dustin Spiller added four RBIs with a double and single in the first… Read More
    MAINE vs. BOSTON UNIVERSITY Time, site: Wednesday, 3 p.m. (2); BU softball field 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
    Navigating the aisles as if to avoid land mines, my resolve is fortified as I bypass an army of megamuffins, a coalition of bread and brie. My cart is stockpiled with weapons of mass reduction: lettuce, apples, broccoli, bananas. I’ve declared jihad on the enemy, 10 menacing pounds… Read More
    Are you game? Highlighting its commitment to the practice of safe, responsible hunting, Unity College will hold its second annual Sportsmen’s Conference 4-10 p.m. Monday, April 14, at the Unity Centre for the Performing Arts at 42 Depot St., Unity. The conference this year honors… Read More
    Some quotes from members of Maine’s congressional delegation regarding Tuesday’s Senate hearings on Iraq, which featured testimony from Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker: “You mentioned that the era of our paying for major reconstruction is over. But we’re continuing to pay the salaries… Read More