AUGUSTA – A defense industry publication is reporting that Navy brass have decided to limit the new Zumwalt class of destroyers to just the two under construction, and instead build 11 more of the Burke class that has been the mainstay of the Bath Iron Works workload for… Read More
The announcement over the weekend that a New Hampshire man had been arrested for killing Mary Kelley of Portland 22 years ago brought hope to Rosemary Driggers of Bangor. Driggers and her family have been waiting 21 years for someone to be arrested for killing… Read More
A federal judge has approved the details of a study that will examine whether it would be better to remove toxic mercury downstream from the former HoltraChem factory or to allow the Penobscot River to flush the pollution naturally. Earlier this year, Senior U.S. District… Read More
BUCKSPORT – Verso Paper Corp. was recently awarded the 2008 Environmental and Energy Achievement Award from the American Forest and Paper Association for its work with the Bucksport Environmental Innovation Partnership. BEIP is a collaboration among Verso’s Bucksport Mill, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection,… Read More
BANGOR – The continued rise of fuel costs will affect smaller airports at a disproportionate rate, according to a local representative who was invited recently to join a federal task force created to address the problem. Bangor International Airport Director Rebecca Hupp traveled last week… Read More
This week, ClickBack asks editorial page readers to post their thoughts on the search for vice-presidential candidates by Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain, the motives of Iran in testing missiles, and Maine’s groundbreaking bottle bill. As always, visit the BDN’s Web site, bangordailynews.com, and click on the ClickBack… Read More
In the 2003 Academy Award-winning documentary “The Fog of War,” former Defense Secretary Robert McNamara imparts lessons he learned from overseeing the Vietnam War. One key lesson, Mr. McNamara says in the film, is that it is imperative to understand why the enemy fights. That lesson should be… Read More
Where is the reporting? On the Fourth of July we saw hundreds and hundreds of signs in the parade demanding that America drill now and in our country for oil. The congressional delegation had to see them, as a candidate for Legislature I saw them. Did the BDN… Read More
Regarding the recent letter from a man complaining about the Caribou Department of Motor Vehicles needing his elderly parents to provide a physical street address of residence in order to renew a driver’s license: I’ve been in the Caribou DMV office many times and have always been impressed… Read More
The wrong people are scrubbing the walls (“Girls, 12 and 14, arrested in cemetery vandalism,” BDN, July 10). The people scrubbing the walls of the Quaker Hill Christian Church in Unity should be those responsible for the damage to the building and cemetery. If my… Read More
The BDN’s July 9 editorial “Misdirected Energy” contained this sentence: “Buying fewer plastic goods will reduce petroleum demand.” Please give me fewer plastic goods! I bought milk in paper cartons and watched as it got less shelf space and then finally disappeared entirely. I tried… Read More
Women’s life expectancy in Washington County is declining because Washington County’s economy is declining. Raise the standard of living and life expectancy rises as well. Put some money in the infrastructure and health will improve. Have you ever tried to take a walk in Washington… Read More
What do you want Bangor to look like in five years? In 25 years? We need your vision. Bangor is looking for volunteers to help with the revision of its Comprehensive Plan. In the past this has been done by our planning board. This year, Bangor is setting… Read More
I’d like to congratulate the shareholders of the “Monument to Man’s Gullibility,” or as it is more commonly called, Hollywood Slots. Moving gambling from the back alleys and darkened corners of society to a clean and bright new location under the gaze of Paul Bunyan is certainly rich… Read More
Slightly more appealing to me than being the team physician for Victoria’s Secret underwear models is the idea that we can solve America’s obesity problem by all of us simply being more responsible about personal health. I love the idea because it is simple and… Read More
The hot and lazy days of July are here, but already people across Maine are looking ahead to winter with genuine fear that they will not be able to afford to keep the oil tank full. The reasons for the skyrocketing price of oil lie… Read More
CALAIS – Last year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection came under harsh criticism for traffic delays at the border that sometimes lasted as long as two hours. But this summer is different. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
BOOTHBAY – A fire that destroyed a well-known boatyard and caused an estimated $30 million in damage was caused by sparks from a cutting torch, officials said Monday. Workers at Washburn & Doughty shipyard were using torches Friday morning while working on tugboats under construction… Read More
EAST MACHIAS – Police are on the lookout for a woman whose Rottweiler allegedly attacked another dog at the Gardiner Lake boat launch on Saturday. Machias resident Larry George said he and his wife were spending the day at the lake with their dog, a… Read More
AUGUSTA – A Superior Court judge ruled Monday that Maine’s secretary of state acted reasonably in rejecting a Democratic Party challenge to independent Senate hopeful Herbert Hoffman’s ballot eligibility. Justice Donald Marden issued a 10-page decision saying that Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap’s decision was… Read More
ROBBINSTON – The lush green area that just days before had been home to squirrels and rabbits was blackened ruins Monday as firefighters continued to douse flare-ups and dig deep into the earth with shovels and bulldozers to extinguish underground fires, the aftermath of Sunday’s fire that burned… Read More
BANGOR – In response to the tough financial times facing much of the country, the University of Maine System is taking steps to cut costs in an attempt to keep higher education affordable and accessible. “We want the public and students to know that we’re… Read More
PITTSFIELD – The Town Council has a varied agenda for its 7:30 meeting tonight, including a snowplowing contract, cleanup plans for a brownfields property, and acceptance of a building on town property that was formerly the home of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The agreement… Read More
MACHIAS – The traditional art of quilt making is being given a boost from modern technology for this year’s annual Machias Wild Blueberry Festival. For the first time, raffle tickets for the festival quilt are available online at the festival’s Web site. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
BARING – The Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge will provide free van tours and guided bird and nature walks during the next few months, general manager Bill Kolodnicki announced Thursday. Van tours of the Baring Division of the refuge will be available Tuesday evenings. The van… Read More
CALAIS – Calais Regional Hospital is conducting a community survey. The data collected will provide information to help the hospital plan for the future of the area’s community health needs. Avatar International Inc., a national survey company, will contact many households in the hospital’s service… Read More
COLUMBIA – The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Assistance program has awarded $320,830 in vehicle acquisition and operations and safety grants to fire departments in Columbia and Albion. A $252,434 grant has been awarded to the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department for vehicle acquisition. Read More
ELLSWORTH – Woodlawn Museum will hold a Wooden Window Restoration and Maintenance workshop 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, July 19, at the museum on Route 172. Taught by Todd Devenish of Wooden Window Restoration in Stonington, the workshop will teach window restoration, removal, reinstallation, repainting, reglazing and… Read More
BELFAST – Joe Mosier will be the guest speaker at the Belfast Historical Society program meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, July 28, at the Belfast Library. The topic for the presentation will be “Admiral William V. Pratt: Not Your Father’s Navy.” William V. Pratt was… Read More
THORNDIKE – The potatoes are flowering, the cabbage is heading and the lettuce is crisp and beautiful. A garden an acre big created by a group of young farmers is thriving in a Thorndike field, but the growers will reap only the knowledge that they are providing for… Read More
There’s a new mediator and a new set of pressure-inducing deadlines, but the people involved in a new effort to comply with a state education law and consolidate schools into one Regional School Unit of 27 towns mostly in northern Penobscot County are just about the same, officials… Read More
LINCOLN – Alan Dill grew up in Lincoln and wanted to open a video store on Main Street in early 2002, but the second of two unsolved arson fires that year, which devastated downtown, destroyed that opportunity. Six years later, the 49-year-old Howland man will… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Ann B. Bridge of Parkman will continue to serve SAD 68 as its superintendent. Directors last week voted unanimously to hire Bridge for the year and pay her $1,700 per week. Bridge has been serving as interim superintendent since John Dirnbauer resigned from… Read More
WINTER HARBOR – Schoodic Arts for All will hold a silent auction 3-6 p.m. Sunday, July 27, at Hammond Hall. Art, crafts, books, food, wine, lodging, golf and recreation items, concert tickets and more will be available. Proceeds support Schoodic Arts for All. For information,… Read More
BREWER – City councilors want time to do research and lay down laws before any methadone treatment facilities are allowed to open within city limits and will consider a 180-day moratorium at their meeting tonight. “Brewer needs more time to study the Land Use Ordinance… Read More
Three Hermon residents were taken to a Bangor hospital Monday afternoon after they were involved in a motor vehicle accident on Route 2 in Hermon. The accident happened at about 4:15 p.m. According to Deputy William Briggs of the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office, Steven Costigan,… Read More
Houlton High 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
DOVER-FOXCROFT – The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District’s Board of Supervisors will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, at the USDA Service Center. The public is encouraged to get involved in conservation efforts by participating in meetings, volunteering or… Read More
ST. ALBANS – Selectmen are forming a Cemetery Committee and are requesting interested residents to submit a letter of interest to Rhonda Stark, Town Manager, P.O. Box 100, St. Albans 04971, no later than Wednesday, July 16. This is an unpaid volunteer committee that will be working closely… Read More
DEXTER – A thief piled up empty milk crates left outside Dexter Variety Sunday night to gain entry into the Spring Street store. The thief used the milk crates to boost himself onto a roof where the person then squeezed through an attic vent to… Read More
NEWPORT – Selectmen will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, at the town office, to discuss a parking ordinance on Railroad Street and installing a moratorium on methadone clinics. The moratorium would buy the planning board time to investigate where such clinics should be… Read More
EAST MILLINOCKET – The Katahdin Region Higher Education Center will hold a series of free financial education and self-reliance seminars 3-5 p.m. starting Tuesday, July 15. Anyone who is a worker with one income, a business owner who wants to earn more money, a student… Read More
BREWER – The Penobscot County Conservation Association will hold a yard sale 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and a chicken barbecue 5-6 p.m. Saturday, July 19. The Conservation Club, at 570 North Main St., sponsors 50 local children to conservation camps each summer and the proceeds will… Read More
WINTER HARBOR – Schoodic Arts for All will hold a silent auction 3-6 p.m. Sunday, July 27, at Hammond Hall. Art, crafts, books, food, wine, lodging, golf and recreation items, concert tickets and more will be available. Proceeds support Schoodic Arts for All. For information,… Read More
WINTERPORT – The last of this year’s series of concerts to benefit the Union Meeting House will take place at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 20. Performing will be the group Nvr2Late with opening act the acoustic duo Martin and John. The Winterport Women’s Club will… Read More
EASTPORT – State Sen. Kevin Raye, R-Perry, and the Husson Boat School will be host to a public energy forum at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, at the Boat School Multipurpose Room. The purpose of the forum is to explore ways for area residents to… Read More
BANGOR – For the past seven years, River City Cinema has been in and out of locations all over the city, relying on different facilities around the area for showings, without a home of its own. The concept of different locations has worked well enough… Read More
BUCKSPORT – Town councilors have decided to install American flags along Main Street, but this decision did not come without discussion and lingering concerns. The council had chosen not to participate in a flag display program several years ago because of restrictions included in that… Read More
Eric Brooks, 18, of Columbia Falls is one of nearly 200 young volunteers nationwide to be awarded $1,000 scholarships through the Kohl’s Kids Who Care scholarship program. “Today’s winners truly are role models in their local communities,” Julie Gardner, executive vice president and chief marketing… Read More
CALAIS – There was plenty of laughter and even some crying this weekend as friends and family celebrated Police Chief Michael Milburn’s retirement. More than 100 people attended Milburn’s surprise party held Saturday at the American Legion. The city’s police chief resigned in June for… Read More
BELFAST – Authorities believe that a Swanville man arrested at his home Monday for an overnight car burglary may be involved with other recent burglaries in the area. Shawn Waldron, 24, of Swanville was arrested by Belfast Detective Michael McFadden and Waldo County Sheriff’s Detective… Read More
ROCKLAND – Thursday through Saturday, July 17-19, will see a gathering of 25 or more Friendship sloops at the Rockland Public Landing. Known as Friendship Sloop Days, held annually since 1961, this gathering serves to preserve the heritage of the Friendship sloop, which was the… Read More
BLUE HILL – Increased development in an area with poor soils has prompted town officials to develop a plan to extend the town’s sewer lines. Working with Olver Associates, the selectmen have put together a three-part, $1.9 million plan that they intend to send to… Read More
MACHIAS – Elaine Cale has been appointed executive director for the Washington County Children’s program. Cale has been employed by WCCP for the past 14 years and most recently served as programs director and has worked at the WCCP as early intervention coordinator, case management… Read More
ELLSWORTH – Maine Coast Memorial Hospital will offer a class for people at risk of developing diabetes or who have been told they are “pre-diabetic.” The course, which is open to the public, will be held 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, in the Medical Office Building classroom. Read More
MILBRIDGE – The Washington Hancock Community Agency Family Resource Center Downeast Division makes meals available to all enrolled participants in connection with the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. For information on participating centers and-or homes, contact Denise York, WHCA program manager, at WHCA,… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Stating that the town’s requirements were not met, planning board members Monday night denied Adam and Ronald Friend’s application to re-establish a used car dealership and repair shop on Lancey Street. This was the third time the issue came before the board and… Read More
Police in Hampden are looking for two people who attempted to steal a catalytic converter off a vehicle at Crawford’s Import Auto on Cold Brook Road early Monday morning. Officer Ben Eyles of the Hampden Police Department said Monday that a video recorder on the premises captured two… Read More
PORTLAND – A second guard at the Maine Correctional Center in Windham stands accused of sexually assaulting someone in custody. The Cumberland County grand jury has indicted Glen Works of Mechanic Falls on charges of rape and failure to report a sexual assault. Authorities at… Read More
Anyone who ever attended and thoroughly enjoyed the Greek Balls held in Bangor several years ago will be pleased to know that Bangor Rotarians Susan Jonason and Cathy Speronis are working with members of St. George Greek Orthodox parish to bring back this delightful event. Read More
MANCHESTER, N.H. – A New Hampshire man charged with killing a woman 22 years ago was brought back to Maine on Monday after waiving extradition. Portland police escorted Roger Bernier to Maine to face a charge of murder after his appearance in a Manchester courtroom. Read More
AUGUSTA – Nine candidates for the Maine Senate and 32 candidates for the Maine House of Representatives, according to a tally by state election officials, withdrew by Monday’s deadline for party hopefuls to drop out in time to allow replacements to step forward. “Not insubstantial,… Read More
PORTLAND – Republican Sen. Susan Collins has kept her fundraising advantage as both she and Democratic opponent Tom Allen raked in a little more than $1 million apiece in the latest quarter as overall contributions soared to new highs. Altogether, the two candidates have raised… Read More
Travelers should prepare for the inspection process before they reach the ports of entry, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently advised in a press release. People should have their crossing documents out and available for inspection when they meet the customs officer, the press… Read More
PORTLAND – The Maine Turnpike is less crowded this season, with a 4 percent drop in the number of cars and trucks using the toll road last month, officials said. For the year, traffic is down 1.3 percent, said Dan Paradee, spokesman for the Maine… Read More
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has awarded $2.44 million to the Maine State Planning Office to help it develop and monitor Maine’s coastal region plan in the areas of economic growth, housing, transportation and natural resources. “As a… Read More
AUGUSTA – Nighttime drivers using portions of U.S. Route 1, I-95 or I-295 in southern Maine as well as I-95 and I-395 in Bangor should use some extra care and caution for the next few weeks as Maine DOT crews will be out night striping on those sections… Read More
PORTLAND – A municipal water district in southern Maine is expected to shelve a proposal to sell groundwater to the Poland Spring water company. Norm Labbe, superintendent of the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Wells Water District, said Thursday he is asking the district’s board of trustees… Read More
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services has recognized 13 organizations for their efforts to provide better care to Maine people with both mental health and substance abuse conditions. Aroostook Mental Health Center in Caribou, Spring Harbor Hospital in Westbrook, and Crisis and Counseling… Read More
PORTLAND – A longtime partner at a prestigious Portland law firm has been permanently disbarred after pleading guilty to stealing nearly $300,000 from clients and the firm. The state board that oversees the profession said John Duncan is the first lawyer in Maine history to… Read More
KENNEBUNKPORT – John McCain is coming to Maine. According to McCain’s campaign Web site, the presumptive Republican presidential candidate will be in Kennebunkport Monday for a series of fundraising events. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
BANGOR – Maine restaurateurs and caterers appear to be the targets of a scam involving the sale of hand-washing posters. According to Dr. Dora Anne Mills, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, a number of restaurants and caterers recently have received… Read More
AUGUSTA – The final defendant in a Windsor home invasion is going to spend 191/2 years in prison for a robbery in which a 64-year-old man in a wheelchair was gagged and tied to a refrigerator. Jacob McInnis, 23, was ordered Friday to serve 16… Read More
The Maine Educational Opportunity Center has scheduled its Essentials of College Planning workshops for July. MEOC assists adults who are considering college but cannot do it alone. For information or to register, call 800-281-3703. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
PORTLAND – Some state governments are making the move to a four-day workweek to save on energy costs, but Maine is not among them. Not yet, anyway. Joy Leach, a spokeswoman for Maine Gov. John Baldacci, said the governor is reviewing options for a four-day… Read More
SACO – A crew digging in the ground to install a new fire hydrant along Route 1 in Saco has uncovered human remains. Police and an archaeologist were both brought in July 10 for an investigation that lasted most of the day. In the end,… Read More
AUGUSTA – An umbrella organization for unions representing 25,000 teachers in Maine is throwing its support behind Democrat Chellie Pingree in the 1st Congressional District race. The Maine Education Association announced Friday its decision to back the former Maine state senator and national director of… Read More
WASHINGTON – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has awarded a $456,680 grant to the Maine Department of Marine Resources, U.S. Sens. Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins announced. The funds will be used to develop and implement a conservation plan for a number of fish species. Read More
SULLIVAN – The Maine Curriculum Leaders’ Association announced today that Joanne Harriman of Sullivan has been selected as the 2008 Maine Curriculum Leader of the Year. Sullivan has been the director of curriculum and staff development for School Union 98 (including the towns of Bar… Read More
The Maine Cancer Foundation has announced $480,000 in cancer research grants for the 2008 funding cycle. Recipients include: . Andre Kahlil Ph.D., who will investigate wavelet-based image analysis of mammograms at the University of Maine in Orono. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
AUGUSTA – A Portland police officer was legally justified when he shot and killed a motorist who tried to drive off with the officer hanging from the vehicle during a traffic stop two months ago, Attorney General Steven Rowe said Thursday. Rowe concluded that Officer… Read More
It can be daunting replacing a coaching legend. Jason Harvey finds himself in that very position at Husson College in Bangor. 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
For most of us, most of the time, wildfires are an abstract concept that happens to other people, in other places, or during other times. Frightening? Sure. But abstract nonetheless. We listen and read and watch as the seemingly annual fires spread across California, threatening… Read More
Sean Daniels has moved on from the farming accident that caused him to lose his left hand and forearm last October. In fact, he plans to return to the potato fields this fall. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
PORTLAND – Last year, relative unknown Roger Brown captured the 34th annual TD Banknorth Oxford 250 after starting 30th. The Lancaster, N.H., driver, who was ninth in points in the American-Canadian Tour, pocketed $35,800. If he is able to defend his title on Sunday, it… Read More
Kevin Paradis, who has coached the Ashland High boys soccer team for the last five seasons, has been named the school’s new girls basketball coach. Paradis’ hiring was approved at a school board meeting Monday evening. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
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My beloved mother was a fountain of truisms. One of her favorites was “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i =… Read More
BANGOR – Nick Ashey hit a three-run home run and Brendan Moore and Nick Leach added back-to-back doubles during a five-run first-inning rally Monday that propelled Bangor East to a 13-2 victory over Holbrook in a District 3 Little League Baseball ages 11-12 elimination game at Taylor Field. Read More
PORTLAND – Baseball fans wanting to see Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz during his rehabilitation assignment with the Portland Sea Dogs have snatched up all available tickets. Team officials say it took 20 minutes Monday for the ticket office to sell all 500 remaining… Read More
There’s a lot to talk about an exhibit currently on display at the Courthouse Gallery in Ellsworth. Is art about line? Color? Texture? Some combination of two of those elements? Or a little bit of each? Those are some of the questions guest curator Bruce… Read More
I have to stay away from the Hampden Transfer Station. Too often I come home with more stuff than I hurl into the trash. Usually what I bring home is related to needlework – a bag of homeless yarn, a tin of orphaned tatting cotton,… Read More
BELFAST – Traditional music, cheese-rolling, wheel-barrow and kilt races, dancing, fireworks and Highland games will be just a part of the happenings at this weekend’s Maine Celtic Celebration. The four-day event runs July 17-20. It will take place at the city’s downtown waterfront parks with… Read More