MILLINOCKET – State officials are pursuing three options to maintain the Katahdin Paper Co. LLC mill and create an independent energy production facility on the Katahdin Avenue campus, Gov. John Baldacci said Monday. While indicating it still was far too early to get into any… Read More
First in a series When Rep. Tom Allen, a Democrat, decided to mount a challenge against incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins after having served more than a decade in Congress, six candidates jumped at the opportunity to fill his open seat in Maine’s 1st… Read More
SKOWHEGAN – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has sent a proposal to the Somerset County commissioners to lease their jail for the world’s first Lobster Empathy Center. The central Maine county is constructing a new jail and has put the century-old jail in… Read More
For the past seven years, the Pentagoet Inn in Castine has relied on five temporary foreign workers to take jobs local people aren’t interested in – washing dishes, cleaning rooms, changing beds and cooking. This year, changes to the H-2B visa program will make it even more difficult… Read More
A photo caption on Page B2 in Monday’s paper incorrectly identified a girl helping to plant a memorial tree. She is Adrienne Tucker, according to her father, Randy Tucker. Read More
PORTLAND – Up to 35 full- and part-time positions are being cut at the Portland Press Herald and MaineToday.com in the latest response to the weakening economy. An internal communication obtained by WGME-TV indicates efforts to cut operating costs have failed to make up for… Read More
The following petitions for bankruptcy were filed at U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Bangor during January 2008: Timothy Arruda, no employment given, and Glorie Arruda, no employment given, no dependents, Corinna: assets, $15,753; debts, $77,399. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
Bangor Hydro-Electric Co. has promoted five of its managers to positions of senior leadership. Kathy Billings is now vice president of corporate relations. She joined Bangor Hydro in 1985 and has been director of environmental services, director of economic development, and director of public affairs and human resources. Read More
As LURC reviews its Comprehensive Land Use Plan, it should not forget the many people who make their living working in the forest products industry. Small, isolated communities such as the Jackman-Moose River area would be devastated without a sawmill and the related jobs in logging and trucking. Read More
This week’s ClickBack, the BDN’s interactive opinion feature, takes on the fate of Hillary Clinton’s campaign, the possible demise of a paper mill in Millinocket, and the “Sex and the City” phenomenon. To participate, visit www.bangordailynews.com and click on the ClickBack logo to post your comment. Readers are… Read More
Early in its handling of an application from Plum Creek Timber Co. to rezone much of its land for development, the Land Use Regulation Commission sought to make a clear distinction between the development proposal and an agreement between the company and conservation groups to protect nearby land… Read More
The letter “Downtown challenge” by Tom Cavanaugh on Monday’s Editorials page should have noted that he owns and operates Best Bib & Tucker clothiers in Bangor. Read More
Though I have learned to accept the left-leaning opinions on the BDN Editorials page, I find it unacceptable to find an editorial cartoon which completely misrepresents the Bush administration as the one from May 26 did. Many do not read letters to the editor but… Read More
In the May 28 BDN, columnist Pat LaMarche charges that “John McCain knows he has jeopardized that government which our Constitution’s framers so skillfully crafted when he pleaded for support from religious leaders.” We will probably always debate the role that religion has and should… Read More
It’s happening again: Millinocket is going to lose its major employer. One Bangor morning talk show host said, “Don’t dwell on it, look ahead.” Yes, look ahead, but don’t ignore the reason for this happening. If you ignore the cause of the problem, it will continue to grow… Read More
Thank you for publishing the Op-Ed by James Howard Kunstler, “Fueling disaster with confused thinking” (BDN, May 29). Since he addresses peak oil clearly and succinctly, I hope that government officials from Baldacci on down, and especially David Cole of the Department of Transportation read the article closely. Read More
Bob Dylan famously sang that “you don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.” Well, if you’re living in America in 2008, you don’t need a political candidate to tell you which way the economy is going. In this political season, voters… Read More
In the next six weeks you are not going to be able to kick a pile of moose poop in Maine without some of it hitting a person on the street asking if you are fed up with high taxes. When you answer, “Hell, yes,” they will then… Read More
BANGOR – City Councilor Richard Greene is scheduled to go on trial at 8:30 a.m. today before Judge Jessie Gunther in 3rd District Court for submitting to the city a document on which he allegedly forged City Manager Edward Barrett’s signature. Greene, 52, also is… Read More
ROCKLAND – A Waldoboro woman was arrested on charges of felony theft and forgery after an investigation by the Rockland Police Department’s Detectives Division. Sandra J. Cole, 54, of 39 Sara Lane was arrested at her home Friday morning by the Waldoboro Police Department and… Read More
LEE – An Arab Road man suffered second-degree burns before he was saved by his quick-thinking daughter when an explosion and subsequent fire leveled his repair garage on Monday. Mark Stevens Sr., 45, was underneath a junk car trying to remove its gasoline tank at… Read More
BANGOR – An empty dump truck struck a highway overpass early Monday morning, causing the vehicle to roll over several times before coming to rest in the northbound lane of Interstate 95. The truck’s driver, Benjamin Lamb, 24, of Brewer, was trapped inside the vehicle… Read More
AUGUSTA – Maine State Police were investigating whether an Augusta man intentionally drove his car the wrong way on Interstate 95 early Monday and crashed head-on into another vehicle. Jeffrey Blais, 53, was killed instantly when his car collided with a vehicle driven by Shannon… Read More
HANCOCK – Driver inattention was the cause of a two-car accident Monday afternoon that injured a local woman and tied up traffic on Route 1 for about a half-hour. According to Trooper Cliff Peterson of the Maine State Police, Jane Piper, 57, of Hancock was… Read More
BANGOR – The Penobscot County grand jury Monday indicted a Bangor man previously charged with elevated aggravated assault for attempted murder. David Archer, 33, allegedly stabbed his former girlfriend twice in the stomach with a knife on April 26 outside a Hudson Street house in… Read More
WINTERPORT – Winterport Dragway will hold its eighth annual Spring Car Show, Drag Race and Swap Meet beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, June 7. The event will feature a Street Night and Camp-Out Weekend with a Gassa Guys Nostalgia Reunion, Gamblers Race, ATV Challenge and… Read More
OLD TOWN – The City Council gave final approval Monday night to proposed city and school budgets that will mean a mill rate increase for residents, who will vote June 10 on the budget proposals. The council voted 6-1 on the proposed increases of 6.29… Read More
Millinocket District Court Cases May 1-15 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
BANGOR – In a series of eight consecutive unanimous votes Monday, city councilors approved a $41.5 million school budget for the fiscal year ahead during a special meeting at City Hall. The school budget now goes to city voters, who for the first time are… Read More
HINKLEY -The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries has awarded a $3,900 Grant to Good Will-Hinckley to purchase school library books. The funds will purchase 270 new books representing a variety of interest areas and will further the foundation’s goal to provide books most needed… Read More
HAMPDEN – A group of four students from Reeds Brook Middle School is looking for any form of volunteer work to help out the community. Although they are open to suggestions, the group would enjoy spending time with the elderly, helping out with small tasks… Read More
BANGOR – The Bangor Garden Club will host a bus trip to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay Harbor Tuesday, July 15. The trip will be a fundraiser to support the Garden Club’s civic plantings and scholarship at UMO. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
ROCKLAND – Police broke up an underage drinking party Saturday and took one man to jail. Rockland police Officers William Smith and Larry Muldoon at about 11:20 p.m. discovered the party at 20 Rockland St. and seized alcohol, citing underage drinkers. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
BELFAST – Following are divorces granted in 5th District Court during May on grounds of irreconcilable marital differences. Jack G. Larrabee, of Knox and Jennifer A. Larrabee, of Swanville; married at Knox on Aug. 14, 1993; shared parental responsibility for five children. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
CALAIS – The City Council is taking a hard look at the city’s ambulance service, something it hasn’t done in a while. The council is concerned that the city is carrying a lot of the financial burden for Downeast EMS and maybe should go it… Read More
GUILFORD – A Piscataquis Community High School teacher was one of two Maine educators who spent a week in China in April investigating the educational system, and another week working at a Chinese school for migrant children. Jeanne Griffin of PCHS and Sarah Winne of… Read More
HAMPDEN – An inattentive pickup driver collided with a motorcycle early Monday morning at the intersection of Route 69 and Meadow Road, sending the motorcycle driver to the hospital. Hampden police Sgt. Dan Stewart said the call came in at about 6:45 a.m. Christopher Decker,… Read More
BELFAST – “Mind the Gap,” an installation by Anna Strickland, opens at Waterfall Arts Clifford Gallery with a reception from 5-7 p.m. Friday June 6. “Mind the Gap” is an ongoing mixed media installation work dealing generally with humans’ relationship with the natural world. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
BLUE HILL – More than 60 people attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Friendship Cottage Adult Day Service program on May 27. The event culminated a two-year effort to create a facility for adults coping with physical, mental or memory disabilities. Friendship Cottage, administered by Washington… Read More
BELFAST – The Belfast Bay Watershed Coalition will lead a paddle expedition along the Passagassawakeag River, past the Goose River and Wescott Stream on Saturday, June 14. This is a leisurely four- to five-hour trip ending at the Belfast Boathouse. Participants should meet at 9… Read More
BELFAST – The downtown Friday Gallery Walk gets off to a strong early summer start 5-8 p.m. Friday, June 6. Participating downtown art galleries will open their doors to art enthusiasts and feature artwork by artists from midcoast Maine and beyond. There will be sculpture,… Read More
SEARSPORT – This week’s featured garden on the Belfast Garden Club’s annual tour will be at the 16 Birch Lane home of Sharon Walsh. The tour will take place 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, June 6. Walsh’s gardens are right on the bay and always breezy. Read More
LIBERTY – Autumn G. Smith is the winner of the 2008 Liberty Graphics $1,000 Mount View High School Art Contest. His painting “Dream,” incorporating the likeness of Martin Luther King Jr. was the winning entry. This is the sixth year Liberty Graphics has given an… Read More
BANGOR – A Milo man who took the unusual step of withdrawing his guilty plea and proceeding to trial on drug charges last year was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court to nearly 10 years in prison. Winslow Newbert, 39, was sentenced to 115 months… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – The USDA Farm Service Agency has announced that livestock producers have until July 18 to enroll in the 2005-07 Livestock Compensation Program and Livestock Indemnity Program. Sign-up began Sept. 10, 2007, for the two programs that provide aid to livestock producers who… Read More
ASHLAND – The American Red Cross will be holding blood drives 2-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, at the Center Street School. All donors may enter a raffle for Red Sox tickets and while supplies last, donors receive a Red Sox T-shirt, sponsored by St. Marks… Read More
HERMON – When town and school officials sat down to draft the 2008-2009 budget, they had one common goal – tax rate stability. The proposed 2008-2009 school and municipal budget came in at $17.5 million, a nearly $1.3 million increase. Despite the 7.9 percent increase,… Read More
ETNA – There are few surprises in the proposed SAD 38 2008-2009 budget, according to a school official. The proposed $3.57 million budget is an increase of nearly $250,000, or almost 7.5 percent, when compared to last year, said Superintendent John Backus. Residents of Etna… Read More
DIXMONT – The town now boasts a new Eagle Scout. Andrew Braley was awarded his Eagle Scout rank on May 17 at the Etna-Dixmont School in front of his family, friends and fellow Scouts. He is the son of Karl and Carolyn Munster. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
Deputies from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department continued Monday to investigate the cause of a single-vehicle crash over the weekend in Eddington. Alcohol is suspected to be a contributing factor in the accident early Saturday morning which snapped a power pole and sent two people… Read More
BANGOR – Brendan Murphy of John Bapst Memorial High School has been honored by President George W. Bush with the 2007 Presidential Award for Excellence in mathematics and science teaching, the nation’s higher honor for teaching in these fields. Murphy is the only math winner… Read More
ELLSWORTH – Next year’s school budget was approved unanimously by the City Council last week and awaits confirmation from the voters on June 10. The $14,307,003 budget is a 2.8 percent increase from last year, which is an accomplishment, according to council members. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
LUBEC – The school board has cut its total budget, but there still will be an increase in the share paid by taxpayers. A town meeting to vote on the 2008-09 budget will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 5, in the school cafeteria. Read More
BAR HARBOR – Voters are expected to consider on overall proposed municipal budget of $15.75 million when they meet tonight for the open session of the annual town meeting. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in the gym of Conners-Emerson School on… Read More
ELLSWORTH – The school building committee voted unanimously to approve a bid for a multimillion-dollar elementary school project on Monday. JCN Construction Co. Inc. of Manchester, N.H., submitted a bid of $29,584,000 last week and was awarded the contract. The bid came in under the… Read More
BELFAST – Now that next year’s $23 million SAD 34 budget has received initial approval from residents, Superintendent of Schools Bruce Mailloux hopes voters will grant their stamp of approval at next week’s primary election. Under the state’s new system, all school budgets must undergo… Read More
CALAIS – Like other communities in the state, this border community will have to come up with more money for the local share of the school budget as a result of state education funding cuts. But even with an 11 percent increase in the local… Read More
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND – The Garden Club of Mount Desert will hold Open Garden Day on Saturday, July 26. Three gardens in Northeast Harbor and three in Seal Harbor will be shown. Tickets are $30 and can be ordered through www.gcmdgardenday.com. For information, call 276-0745. Read More
WARREN – The next meeting of the Knox-Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 12, at the USDA Field Office, 191 Camden Road (Route 90). District meetings are open to the public. If special accommodations are required, contact the district office at… Read More
CAMDEN – A public bean supper will be held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at John Street Methodist Church at the corner of John Street and Simonton Road. The menu will be baked beans, casseroles, salads and pies. The cost is $7 for adults and $3 for… Read More
WALDOBORO – The high school closing ceremony will be held 7:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, June 20, at A.D. Gray Jr. High. Alumni and friends are invited and encouraged to bring old pictures and yearbooks. For information, call Ben Vail at 832-2106. Read More
CRYSTAL – Rep. Henry Joy, R-Crystal, is a candidate for re-election in Maine House District 9. Joy is a retired educator who served as a teacher, junior high baseball, basketball and softball coach, an assistant superintendent and a superintendent. He also served a term on… Read More
HOULTON – The Police Department is investigating the theft of approximately $5,000 worth of metal from an outside storage area at Ward Cedar Log Homes. The metal was reported stolen on May 30 but could have been missing for at least a week, Police Chief… Read More
HOULTON – Although no one is sure what the future will look like, Aroostook County commissioners recently said they will do the best they can to work within the confines of the new jail consolidation law. The commissioners spent more than an hour during their… Read More
DANFORTH – The Danforth East Grand High School Alumni Association will hold a banquet at 6 p.m. Friday, June 6, at the Wyman Gymnasium. Roll call will be held at 5:30 p.m. and a dance will follow the banquet 9 p.m.-1 a.m. at the Danforth town hall. Read More
FORT KENT – The Parks and Recreation Department will be holding summer swimming registrations today at the Municipal Center, 416 West Main St. Fort Kent residents may register 6-7:30 a.m. and nonresidents may register 7:30-8:30 a.m. The fee is $15 for Fort Kent residents and… Read More
AUGUSTA – The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Maine Emergency Management Agency say more than $1 million has been paid to individuals after May flooding. President Bush issued a major disaster declaration for Aroostook and Penobscot counties. That means individuals are eligible for help… Read More
Community liaison-outreach coordinator Cheryl Daigle of Penobscot River Restoration Trust e-mailed recently that the organization “has two AmeriCorps volunteers working with us this summer, on community outreach, focused on the effort to restore sea-run fish to the river, while rebalancing energy production.” The volunteers are… Read More
BANGOR – Two men were indicted Monday by the Penobscot County grand jury in connection with the April 17 beating of a Virginia man with a hammer and a baseball bat in an apparent case of mistaken identity. Christopher Brown, 31, of Brewer and Edward… Read More
SKOWHEGAN – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has authorized some acreage enrolled under the conservation reserve program to be available for hay and forage after the primary nesting season ends for grass-nesting birds. Valerie L. Porter, Somerset County executive director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency,… Read More
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Navy has committed to sending the USS Whidbey Island (LSD-41) to pay a port visit to Rockland during the 61st Maine Lobster Festival to be held July 30-Aug. 4. U.S. Sens. Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins, R-Maine, said in a… Read More
BOSTON – A firetruck restoration expert in rural Maine is growing tired of baby-sitting a mighty contraption once used to battle blazes in Boston’s tallest buildings. Andy Swift says he saved the wagon-mounted 65-foot tower from the scrapyard in 1998. But he was told a… Read More
TOWNSHIP 11 RANGE 4 – A 43-year-old woman escaped serious injury on Sunday evening after striking a moose. Maine State Police Sgt. Thomas Pelletier said the accident happened just after 11 p.m. about three-quarters of a mile past Haystack Mountain. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
The Dirigo Health Agency announced Monday that it saved the Maine health care system $190.2 million during 2007, the fourth year of Gov. John Baldacci’s multifaceted Dirigo Health initiatives. The figure represents a significant increase over previous years. The agency faces stiff opposition from Maine… Read More
MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – Call it poetic justice: More than two dozen young people who broke into Robert Frost’s former home for a beer party and trashed the place are being required to take classes in his poetry as part of their punishment. Using “The Road… Read More
PORTLAND – Grammy Award winner Bonnie Raitt will perform a concert this summer for Tom Allen’s Senate campaign. The singer and musician will play on Aug. 11 at Portland’s Merrill Auditorium. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
PORTLAND – Newly filed campaign finance reports in Maine’s U.S. Senate race show that Sen. Susan Collins has extended her cash-on-hand advantage over Rep. Tom Allen to more than $2 million. The latest figures are contained in “pre-primary” reports filed with the Federal Election Commission… Read More
PORTLAND – Financial disclosure reports show that Sen. Olympia Snowe is the wealthiest member of Maine’s congressional delegation. The Portland Press Herald reported that Snowe and her husband, former Maine Gov. John McKernan, are worth between $8.7 million and $26.9 million, mostly through McKernan’s investments… Read More
Glenburn’s Jordan Pearson was planning to take this year off from racing at Hermon’s Speedway 95. “I’m building a car for the road so I was going to take some time to get that done,” explained Pearson. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
LEWISTON – Erin Flynn has been an accomplished high school tennis player throughout her career at John Bapst of Bangor, her baseline-oriented game strong enough for to her to rank among the top competitors statewide for the last four years. But Christine Ordway of Portland’s… Read More
The Lee Academy softball team stumbled out of the gate in the Eastern Maine Class C ranks, but a 1-3 start didn’t deter a veteran team led by five seniors. “They were very positive, they didn’t get down on each other,” said Pandas coach Ron… Read More
Each summer, thousands of Mainers head to their seasonal camps, where they’ll eventually be joined by friends and relatives eager to have a bit of fun in the sun. Eventually. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
One of the finest teachers and coaches I had the pleasure to know and compete against has died. We were sorry to learn of the recent death of Niles Nelson III of Bangor, who for many years, was the boys varsity basketball coach at Hermon… Read More
HIGH SCHOOL Class C Prelim 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 NESCAC Spring All-Academic 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
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Jamie Nason’s third single of the game, coming with one out in the bottom of the seventh, drove in the winning run as Foxcroft rallied for a 15-14 high school baseball victory over Dexter Monday. Ian Champeon’s two-run single had keyed a five-run… Read More
BLUE HILL – Lucas Marks hit an RBI double in the fifth inning to give George Stevens Academy the lead for good as they went on to a 5-2 high school baseball victory over Mount Desert Island Monday. Peter Dickinson allowed two runs on six… Read More
HOULTON – Brittany Guiod belted a solo home run to key a three-run second inning to lead the Houlton softball team to a 7-6 high school victory over Stearns Monday. Lainey Herring had a triple and two singles with two RBIs for the Shiretowners. Nikki… Read More
The fairgrounds will echo with the pitter-patter of llama feet, the bleating of sheep and goats, and the great enduring silence of rabbits. In other words, the fur will fly at the 8th annual Maine Fiber Frolic 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 7-8, at the Windsor… Read More