ELLIOTSVILLE – A few miles south of Moosehead Lake, in a thick forest not far from the Appalachian Trail, there are trees that grow so large that two adults can barely wrap their arms around the trunks. These giants tower over a dense forest bounded… Read More
    Former Gov. Angus King is calling it a “catastrophe” and perhaps “the most serious crisis ever to face the state of Maine.” U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe warned recently that parts of Maine could “become uninhabitable” for some people this winter as the price of heating… Read More
    The wordsmiths at Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary have picked the new entries for their latest edition. So get your “air quotes” ready. On their list of some 100 words or phrases, “air quotes” is the phrase used to explain the gesture you make by raising and… Read More
    Congress is back in Washington this week after the Fourth of July recess, but members of Maine’s congressional delegation say they are concerned about how much will be accomplished before the monthlong recess for the national party conventions in August and September. “We have a… Read More
    Q: Why are public notices in newspapers (especially foreclosure notices) so detailed, complicated and difficult to read? – Bob Zimmerman of Guilford A: Even I find these notices difficult to read – and I’m a lawyer. The terrible language is the result of the writer… Read More
    Universities and colleges do research every day that leads to improvements in our lives. But occasionally there are studies that result in nothing more than a collective shrug, often because their results are so obvious. Here are a couple recent examples. A University of New… Read More
    When unemployment creeps up and finding another job is made more difficult by the high cost of gas, the balance of power in the worker-employer relationship tips toward the employer. Don’t like the dozen new tasks heaped onto your workday? There’s the door, the boss may say. Workers… Read More
    The spin battle over the new Dirigo taxes has begun. If the recent column by Sen. Elizabeth Mitchell left you confused, you’re not alone. I was there to vote against these new tax increases, and the story spun by Mitchell was more fiction than fact. Read More
    My husband Jack served in WWII as a B-24 pilot. He even flew his deceased brother’s missions. During the Korean conflict he piloted P-51 fighters. He was shot at 444 times and left the Air Force a major and the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, among many… Read More
    I’m glad to read that Rep. Tom Allen has a plan to fix our nation’s broken energy policies. However, it seems like he’s a little late to the party. Allen has served on the House Energy Committee for several years and only watched as the price of gas… Read More
    The timely OpEd about rules for drinking (BDN, July 1) was right on target. Summertime is a great time to have get-togethers with friends and family, but they can sometimes lead to injuries and tragedies, especially if underage drinking is involved. The juxtaposition of this… Read More
    The BDN’s July 2 editorial “School Smarts” endorses the concept of a regional high school for Orono and Old Town, citing two major factors: declining enrollments and increasing costs to maintain aging buildings. It asserts that education can be improved by offering a wider variety of courses and… Read More
    Have you ever heard of Lilly Ledbetter? She’s not a household name, but she probably should be. Lilly Ledbetter was a working woman at the Goodyear Tire plant in Gadsden, Ala., for almost 20 years. Late in her career, she got an anonymous tip that… Read More
    Responding to Gov. John Baldacci’s call for state government to actively address the needs of Maine’s expanding older population, the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation is stepping up its consumer protection efforts aimed at seniors. Staff members are working harder than ever to address the exploitation of… Read More
    NEWPORT – A Columbia Falls man was taken to Eastern Maine Medical Center on Sunday afternoon for treatment of injuries after crashing his vehicle into a house. Brendon Bubar, 20, was treated for abrasions and minor cuts after the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer he was driving… Read More
    BANGOR – A Standish man is facing a long list of serious charges after he reportedly led police on a high-speed chase near Bangor and then ditched the car with his girlfriend and her 18-month-old daughter still inside. The suspect then reportedly jumped into the… Read More
    PROSPECT – Three women who had just had psychic readings sat on the cool stones Saturday at Fort Knox and discussed what they heard. “That was so meaningful,” one said. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
    SANFORD – The State Fire Marshal’s Office says a fire that damaged a 10-apartment building in Sanford was caused by a man setting off fireworks indoors. Investigators tell WCSH-TV that 25-year-old Shawn Dennis was burned on his back and buttocks early Sunday and was treated… Read More
    CASTINE – Lynne Bassett, textile consultant, will give a talk on vintage garments and bedcovers of the late 18th century to the mid-20th century at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 10, at the Wilson Museum, 120 Perkins St. Bassett is an independent museum consultant and author… Read More
    BLUE HILL – The Friendship Cottage will offer tours of the new facility during an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at the cottage at 118 Ellsworth Road. Friendship Cottage is a day service program for adults coping with physical,… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – The Hancock County Planning Commission and Acadia Disposal District will hold two household hazardous waste collection events, one in August and one in October. The first collection, organized by Hancock County Planning Commission, is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. Read More
    ELLSWORTH – The Woodlawn Museum’s tradition of Wednesday Afternoon Teas and Tours continues this summer with events scheduled for 3 p.m. July 9 and 23 and Aug. 6 and 20. The cost is $20 a person, $18 for museum members, and includes a tour of the museum. Reservations… Read More
    ORONO – The Maine Land Use Regulation Commission is expected to give its approval this week to the final development plan for a proposed 44-turbine wind power project near the Canadian border in western Maine. LURC gave approval in January to TransCanada’s application to rezone… Read More
    LEWISTON- Police and Secret Service agents are investigating reports of counterfeit bills showing up at stores in Androscoggin County. Lewiston police Lt. Michael McGonagle said more than a dozen stores have contacted authorities since the end of May about getting phony $10, $20, $50 and… Read More
    BALTIMORE- For the first time in nearly a quarter-century, a major naval warship will be commissioned in Baltimore. The USS Sterett, a $1.3 billion destroyer, recently left Bath Iron Works in Maine for a month of testing at sea. The 510-foot ship was christened at… Read More
    BAR HARBOR – Despite continually steady attendance, organizers of the annual Native American Festival and Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance market fear the event could be in jeopardy. Molly Parker, a Passamaquoddy Indian and president of the basket makers alliance, said the event, which has been… Read More
    PHILLIPS – Residents of a Maine town who gave the heave-ho to their local government will revisit the issue this week. Voters in Phillips on June 28 rejected a proposal to raise more than $250,000 to cover the amount that had been exceeded in last… Read More
    LINNEUS – A Houlton couple were hospitalized over the weekend with injuries suffered in a single-vehicle motorcycle accident. Robert Moran, 40, was traveling north on Route 2A on his 1983 Honda Gold Wing motorcycle around 2 p.m. with a passenger, Crystal Hoskins, 36. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
    Rockland District Court Cases June 16-23 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
    MARS HILL – Maine State Police are investigating a stabbing this weekend stemming from a July Fourth incident that left one man injured. According to a report issued by the state police, who are terming the incident as “suspicious,” Brent Folsom, 39, told investigators he… Read More
    HAMPTON, N.H. – A 53-year-old Maine man faces a felony drug charge after police in New Hampshire reported finding a pound of cocaine hidden in his underwear. According to New Hampshire State Police, Ralph Belmont of Shapleigh was arrested Friday afternoon after a routine traffic… Read More
    Islesboro Central School Fourth 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
    PITTSFIELD – J. Kenton Wright, former owner of J.K. Wright Inc., a Chevrolet dealership and repair business on Somerset Avenue, is being sued by the state for his share of cleanup costs at a Plymouth Superfund site. The suit states that Wright was notified of… Read More
    BEALS – A nearly cloudless Saturday was the perfect day for a community fundraiser benefiting the local Gift of Sight Foundation, started in 2001 by Addison resident Phil Farren. Teenagers played basketball, younger children took to the seesaws at Beals Elementary School, and eight teams… Read More
    WATERVILLE – Police say a Waterville man faces felony charges after firing a pistol several times into the air as part of his Independence Day celebration. Police say they received a report about 4 a.m. Saturday of a man firing a handgun outside a Main… Read More
    BOOTHBAY HARBOR – A lobster boat caught fire and sank off the Maine coast, but the lone lobsterman on board jumped overboard in a survival suit and was rescued by another fishing boat. The Coast Guard said the 35-foot boat, Perry’s Pride III out of… Read More
    SOMERVILLE – A Somerville dog breeder accused of aggravated animal cruelty faced similar criminal charges 14 years ago, at a time when she was not licensed to breed or kennel animals. The Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel newspapers say Fern Clark was acquitted in 1994… Read More
    BANGOR – The Motor City American Legion baseball team featured nearly every aspect of the game – pitching, defense, plate discipline and timely hitting – in Saturday’s Zone 1 doubleheader with Lincoln. The hosts erupted for 13 runs and nine hits in a 13-5 romp… Read More
    WESTVILLE, Nova Scotia – Seven Maine boxers swept a set of fights against a Canadian team in a competition Friday. Dalton McGovern of Skowhegan won a split decision over Brandon Halef of Sackville, Nova Scotia, in the junior novice bantamweight category. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    HOLE-IN-ONE ERNIE HUTCHINS 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
    OMAHA, Neb. – Michael Phelps didn’t go out with a world record, but he still emerged Saturday night in position to make history. Phelps captured his fifth individual title of the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials by posting a surprisingly easy victory over rival Ian Crocker… Read More
    WINTERPORT – Bob Cote of Millinocket recorded a victory in the Super Pro/Pro at Winterport Dragway Saturday. Willy Larrabee of Stockton Springs finished second. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i… Read More
    A campaign to build public playgrounds for city children was sweeping the nation at the turn of the 20th century. Bangor became part of the movement on July 6, 1908, a century ago this week, when the city’s first public playground opened in Abbott Square on Harlow Street… Read More
    STONINGTON – Arlene Hutton’s play “As It Is In Heaven” lovingly brings to life a sliver of history from a Shaker community of the 19th century. That, however, is only what appears on the surface of this onionlike production to be performed tonight at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – It began as a final assignment for a creative writing class at Northern Maine Community College. It has ended with another venture, also titled Beginnings. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner =… Read More
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    In theaters HANCOCK, directed by Peter Berg, written by Vy Vincent Ngo and Vince Gilligan, 92 minutes, rated PG-13. 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;… Read More