FORT KENT – Bernard Caron was eager to return home Thursday even though his one-story apartment still sat under several feet of water. The 68-year-old has been living with relatives since Tuesday night when he was evacuated from his Dufour Street home with just the… Read More
AUGUSTA – Maine Republicans will gather at the Augusta Civic Center this weekend for the party’s 2008 state convention. More than 2,400 delegates and alternates are expected to attend the two-day affair, which gets under way this morning and wraps up Saturday evening. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
LINCOLN – Firefighters were credited Thursday with saving two young boys’ lives after their paddle boat was almost swept into the Penobscot River at the height of flooding. With firefighter Ken Lovdahl standing by and other firefighters holding his safety line, firefighter Rick Smart waded… Read More
AUGUSTA – Over the last few years, past due balances owed to Maine utilities have grown dramatically. Bangor Hydro-Electric Co., for example, went from $5.8 million in overdue bills in March 2006 to $8.4 million in March of this year. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
VEAZIE – As the opening day of the Penobscot River’s first spring Atlantic salmon season since 1999 dawned, Beau Peavey was exactly where you’d expect him to be. High water? Cold water? Slim chance to actually hook a fish? googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
A story on Page B1 of Friday’s [sic] paper misstated the number of kilowatts of electricity a program is designed to assess for wind turbine projects. The story should have said that the Public Utilities Commission’s Efficiency Maine Program and University of Maine representatives announced that “they will… Read More
WASHINGTON – Congress sent President Bush a bill Thursday forbidding employers and insurance companies from using genetic tests showing people are at risk of developing cancer, heart disease or other ailments to reject their job applications, promotions or health care coverage, or in setting premiums. Read More
WASHINGTON – A Senate panel has agreed unanimously to block the Defense Department from funding Iraq reconstruction projects worth more than $2 million and to begin to force Baghdad to cover the costs of training and equipping its security forces. The provision, included in a… Read More
FORT KENT – As bad as things are along East Main Street, it could be a lot worse. When the Fish River flowed over its banks and joined with the St. John River down Church, Martin and St. John streets, it covered some roads, playground… Read More
The Maine Emergency Management Agency on its Web site urged flood victims to use caution when returning to their homes as water recedes. The potential dangers include electrical hazards, gas leaks, structural damage and unsafe drinking water. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
Record snowfall, a few warm days, plus several inches of rain have resulted in high river flows on most of Maine’s rivers, which are expected to crest today. Five of the rivers monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey have exceeded the calculated 100-year peak flow. Read More
ATLANTA – The Home Depot put the brakes Thursday on some of its expansion plans and said it would do what was previously unthinkable – close 15 of its underperforming flagship stores. It is the first time the world’s largest home improvement store chain has… Read More
BANGOR – Bangor Hydro-Electric Co. has redesigned the bills it sends to customers. The new design, based on customer feedback and unveiled Thursday, is much easier to understand than the current bill, the company said. It clearly separates Bangor Hydro delivery charges from third-party supply… Read More
KENNEBUNKPORT – A new company headed by two veteran Maine broadcasters said Thursday it has agreed to buy all 17 Maine radio stations owned by national media giant Clear Channel Communications. Blueberry Broadcasting, based in Kennebunkport, has signed a contract to buy the stations for… Read More
Regarding “Tribe looks to sever ties with state after slots veto” (BDN, April 17): News accounts have not mentioned the revenue sharing to which the Penobscots had agreed. The tribe was willing to be good and generous neighbors. The Maine legislative Web site has details. Read More
Many questions remained after the Bush administration released what it called photographic evidence that North Korea had been helping Syria build a nuclear reactor. But one thing is clear: President Bush is staying the course with his effort to complete a nuclear agreement with North Korea. Read More
Although considered a city in Maine, in most other states Bangor would qualify as a small town. It has much to recommend it: a vibrant commercial life as a regional service center; historic ties to natural resources like the Penobscot River and the woods and fields in outlying… Read More
In response to Alex Shapero’s column (BDN, April 22): Mr. Shapero called Bill Slavick’s BDN April 14 column in regard to the Israeli attack on the USS Liberty a “misstatement.” Mr. Shapero failed to mention that when the Israeli pilots in jets blasted the American flag off the… Read More
Two articles caught my eye pertaining to motorcycle accidents (BDN, April 22). The newspaper made it a clear point, in each case, to point out whether the operator was, or was not, wearing a helmet. As a motorcycle rider myself, I choose to wear a helmet. It is… Read More
It’s downright embarrassing to call yourself a Christian when so-called Christians give us all a bad name with their gay bashing and their anti-Muslim, pro-military rhetoric. It’s a relief, though, to go to the source of Jesus’ philosophy and reaffirm what you already knew: Jesus taught a gospel… Read More
As I read Diana Bowley’s article on state Conservation Commissioner Patrick McGowan, I was dismayed at this poor attempt to tarnish Pat’s fine reputation. Pat’s only involvement in my moose hunt was to make arrangement for a place for us to stay, as any good… Read More
On March 29, a distant echo of the American Revolution’s idealism and independence reverberated through the rolling, wooded hills of Montville. Warmed by a woodstove and sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with their neighbors in the town’s 200-year-old meetinghouse, members of the community came together to exercise their… Read More
This week, ClickBack sought reader comment on the Penobscot Nation’s threat to sever ties with the state, the increase in drink taxes and oil prices. Penobscot Indians consider defying state – is that an appropriate response? googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
AUGUSTA – Chairman Kurt Adams of the Maine Public Utilities Commission is stepping down to work for a national wind development company. Adams will leave the state’s utility regulatory panel on May 16. He’s to become senior vice president for transmission development at First Wind,… Read More
PROSPECT – Last year, more than 72,000 people took the 50-second elevator ride to the observatory atop the Penobscot Narrows Bridge, which offers unmatched panoramic views of eastern Maine. Those involved with managing one of the state’s newest tourist attractions think that’s just the beginning. Read More
CALAIS – Billy Townsend faces the biggest battle of his life, but he has two staunch champions on his side – family members Pam Landry and Kim McVicar. Townsend, 26, suffers from acute lymphocytic leukemia, a type of blood cancer, for which he needs a… Read More
The photo of Meg Adams is just to get your attention to deliver some good news. Meg is safely back from Antarctica and is in Maine, where she continues to enjoy sun, rain, green grass, and fresh fruit and vegetables. More good news is that beginning May 16,… Read More
GUILFORD – A Dover-Foxcroft man has bequeathed $500,000 to Piscataquis Community High School, the largest amount ever given to the district by an individual. Charles E. Foss, 67, a former Parkman resident who graduated from Piscataquis Community High School in 1959, made the announcement on… Read More
AUGUSTA – Documents released under a freedom of access request reflect frustration with the federal government and a high degree of tension as a deadline closed in for Maine to accept Homeland Security Department demands to tighten its driver’s license standards. A 14-inch stack of… Read More
ELLSWORTH – The 53rd annual Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce dinner on Thursday recognized area businesses, old and new, who have had a front row seat to tremendous growth in Hancock County’s hub. The Top Drawer Award, a sort of business-of-the-year honor, went to Morrison… Read More
PITTSFIELD – The process to approve a school budget has changed this year with two votes now necessary, Superintendent Michael Gallagher explained this week to town councilors. Gallagher outlined the factors that affected the budget, including nearly a half million dollar decrease in state funding. Read More
GUILFORD- All pre-kindergarten through grade five children in SAD 4 are invited to a Wellness Carnival from 5 to 7:30 tonight at Piscataquis Community Middle School. Admission is $2 for 10 tickets that enable children to participate in a variety of games, and when those… Read More
GUILFORD – A proposed 2008-2009 budget of $7,219,748 for the operation of SAD 4 schools will be up for adoption by directors at their May 13 meeting. Locally, the district will need to raise $2,100,912 to receive $4,054,075 in state subsidy. The latter reflects an… Read More
BANGOR – Anyone driving recently along Interstate 95 between Hampden and Alton has probably experienced traffic delays associated with the ongoing road construction projects. The good news is that most, but not all, of the highway projects are expected to be completed by the end… Read More
PRINCETON – First lady Karen Baldacci was up to her elbows in youngsters Thursday at the Lots of Tots Child Care facility where she was presented with the “Champion for Children” award in honor of Worthy Wage Day. Penni Theriault has owned Lots of Tots… Read More
AUBURN – A judge has ruled that a Lewiston woman who allegedly hit her elderly mother on the head with a hatchet is competent to stand trial on charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault. Nancy Jean, 55, pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Androscoggin County… Read More
SOUTHWEST HARBOR – A proposal to build a new police station next to the year-old fire station on Main Street will be on the ballot when local voters hold their annual town meeting next week. The open floor session of annual town meeting will begin… Read More
BAR HARBOR – There is a history of rival businesses antagonizing one another as they compete for customers in this scenic coastal town, where the relatively short tourist season forces many businesses to make most of their annual income during the fleeting summer months. Within… Read More
CONCORD, N.H. – A former accountant at the Concord Monitor is accused of stealing as much as $150,000 from the newspaper over four years. Lisa Grass, 45, who now lives in the Washington County town of Lambert Lake, Maine, was indicted six months ago, but… Read More
MOUNT DESERT – Local voters will decide whether to approve a new, multi-million-dollar wastewater treatment plant in the local village of Somesville when they gather next week for their annual town meeting. Mount Desert will hold ballot elections from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday,… Read More
HOWLAND – Town Manager Glenna Armour toured the former Howland Tannery building on Wednesday with officials from a Massachusetts firm who are working to estimate costs associated with razing the contaminated, decrepit building. The tour with Costello Dismantling Co. officials is one of many steps… Read More
Two University of Maine students thought they had a bright idea Tuesday, but it ended up earning each of them a summons for reckless conduct. Police were called to Androscoggin Hall by a resident who reported a fire in the microwave in the common area… Read More
Katahdin High School, Stacyville 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 – State officials are busy finalizing the rules that will allow Maine to participate in a first-in-the-nation approach to combating global warming. Later this year, a coalition of northeastern states, including Maine, will formally launch a regional cap-and-trade program that aims to reduce emissions… Read More
AUGUSTA – The Maine Board of Environmental Protection on Thursday approved a series of fines against central Maine companies for violations of environmental regulations. A Pittsfield company, Associated Health Resources, has agreed to pay a $17,000 fine and has stopped treating biomedical waste on site… Read More
AUBURN – A former Auburn elementary school teacher who was charged last fall with unlawful sexual contact is back in jail after police say he was “cruising” a Wal-Mart store to ogle children. James Raymond, 27, was charged Tuesday with violating his bail conditions for… Read More
The other day I received a lovely e-mail from Lindsay Beauregard relating what she and four friends are doing to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine. Beauregard, Victoria Gower, John Wilson, Emily Gower and Jen Wilson, students of Hampden Academy and Reeds Brook… Read More
CASTINE – Maine Maritime Academy will hold its 65th commencement ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 3, at the Alexander Fieldhouse. Gov. John Baldacci will be the commencement speaker. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
ELLSWORTH – More than 120 potential jurors lined the benches inside the Hancock County Superior Court early Thursday morning. By lunch, that number had been whittled down substantially by Assistant Attorney General Andrew Benson and defense attorney Jeffrey Toothaker. By early afternoon, only a dozen jurors, plus alternates,… Read More
AUGUSTA – Trade associations whose representatives met Thursday are expected to go ahead with a referendum challenge to new taxes for Maine’s Dirigo Health program. “I don’t think there’s any question they’re going to do it,” said Maine State Chamber of Commerce President Dana Connors. Read More
BANGOR – The Harrison D. Barrett Spiritualist Church at 514 Broadway will hold special services and workshops today and this weekend. The Revs. Elizabeth and Bradley Gosselin of Danvers, Mass., will give spirit greetings at an all-message circle at 7 p.m. today. A $10 donation… Read More
BANGOR – Congregation Beth El at 183 French St. will hold a rededication ceremony and open house at 3 p.m. Sunday. The ceremony will mark extensive renovations to the building that has been home to the Reform synagogue for 13 years. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
PORTLAND – In a split decision Thursday, Maine’s highest court upheld the conviction of a 46-year-old transient from Florida for sexually assaulting and beating a Portland woman nearly four years ago and then leaving her for dead. Brandon Drewry was handed a 30-year sentence after… Read More
The 30th annual Living with Cancer conference will take place next Wednesday at the Augusta Civic Center. The all-day event brings together current cancer patients from around the state – both men and women – and their caregivers, along with cancer survivors and health care providers for a… Read More
ORONO – Curt Smith knows what he wants – and aggressively pursues his goals. That is obvious when the University of Maine senior stands in the batter’s box and tees off on opposing pitchers. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
Many high school student-athletes dream of competing at the next level. Quinn Dillon had planned to follow the same game plan and, in fact, landed a prominent role in a Division III college program. But now, less than a year removed from graduation day at… Read More
The Pro All-Stars Series will visit Hermon’s Speedway 95 Saturday for the only time this season and all four northern classes will be involved. Heat races will begin at 3 p.m. as the PASS North Super Late Models, Modifieds, Sportsmen and Outlaw divisions will race… Read More
OLD TOWN – The prevailing parity within the Penobscot Valley Conference Class B baseball ranks early this season means that minimizing mistakes is a pivotal element in virtually every game. The Old Town Coyotes not only limited their mistakes Thursday, but also made some crucial… Read More
ELLSWORTH – So far this season, the Bucksport softball team has had some trouble scoring runs and stringing together big innings. The Golden Bucks broke through Thursday afternoon, pushing across four runs in the top of the fifth and riding the pitching of senior Keely… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL At Bangor Indoor Tennis 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 At Belfast 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
HIGH SCHOOL At Bangor Indoor Tennis 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
COLLEGE North Atlantic Conference 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
MAINE vs. HARTFORD Time, site: Friday, 5 p.m.; Saturday (2), 1 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m.; Mahaney Diamond, Orono 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
WILLIMANTIC, Conn. – The University of Southern Maine dropped games to Rhode Island College and Plymouth State on Friday and was eliminated in the first round of the Little East Conference tournament. Rhode Island College won the first game 6-3 and Plymouth State took the… Read More
HOULTON – Ryan Hill recorded two singles, a triple and an RBI to help lead the Houlton Shiretowners to a 15-2 schoolboy baseball victory over the Hodgdon Hawks Thursday. Porter Gervais chipped in with a double and a single with two RBIs for Houlton and… Read More
ELLSWORTH – Pat Kelley fashioned a one-hitter, striking out seven along the way, to lead Bucksport to a 3-0 high school baseball victory over Ellsworth on Thursday afternoon. Adam Kaspala tallied two singles, a double and an RBI for Ellsworth while Andrew Hodge added a… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Sophomore Ian Champeon pitched a four-hitter, stroked two singles and scored three runs Thursday to lead Foxcroft Academy to a 9-3 high school baseball victory over Central of Corinth. Tony Gabarro also singled twice and scored three runs for Foxcroft, while Jamie Nason… Read More
This weekend’s America East track and field championships at the University of Maine in Orono will be a homecoming for Casey Quaglia. The former Bangor High School running standout will return to his native Maine for the Saturday-Sunday competition at the Beckett Family Track Complex,… Read More
Both the University of Maine and Husson College varsity softball teams will be involved in their most crucial weekend series of the season. The Husson Eagles are hosting the semifinal and final rounds of the North Atlantic Conference tournament and the Black Bears are fighting… Read More
As if we didn’t already hear enough about Lindsay Lohan, now her mother and the whole Lohan brood is stepping into the spotlight in their own reality show, according to E! Online. The saddest part – I can’t wait. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
Between scoring goals and making chest bumps, the Mighty Cheetahs put on quite a display when they’re playing their best soccer. It’s a display that looks a bit unusual coming from a soccer team of sweet-faced third-grade girls, especially when the Cheetahs are playing against… Read More
I had a media colleague say to me the other day, “Man, I wish I got to write about rock stars for work!” While I cover more than straight-up rock ‘n’ roll in my position as a reporter here at the good ship BDN, I have to say,… Read More