ELLSWORTH – The sentence for convicted murderer John J. Turner came down Tuesday like a heavy mallet: 50 years. For the family of Tad Howard, the victim of Turner’s crime, it was the final chapter in a sad story. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
WASHINGTON – Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens asked Congress on Tuesday to “clear the path” for his plan to boost use of wind and natural gas for U.S. energy needs. Pickens has been on a $58 million publicity tour to promote his plan to erect… Read More
BANGOR – Aiming to hold down health care spending and medication errors, the federal Department of Health and Human Services this week announced it will begin paying doctors and other health care providers to give up their paper prescription pads and switch to electronic prescribing. Read More
A University of Maine researcher told members of Congress on Tuesday that offshore wind power offers enormous potential for helping wean the U.S. off its fossil fuel dependence and that Maine is ready to lead the charge in developing the technology. Habib Joseph Dagher, director… Read More
AUGUSTA – A report presented Tuesday to Gov. John Baldacci calls for a series of energy-reducing efforts, such as expanded home weatherization and additional energy audits, to help the state prepare for the coming heating season. “Everybody that I talk to, everywhere I talk to… Read More
A story about a meeting of the Brewer City Council on Page B3 of the July 16 paper contained an error. Employees who participate in the newly created home energy efficiency loan program offered by the city will pay no interest. In a story on… Read More
WASHINGTON – U.S Sen. Olympia J. Snowe, R-Maine, on Tuesday expressed concern about Monday’s closure of the Great Eastern Mussel Farm in Tenants Harbor and vowed to help those who lost their jobs. The 30-year-old company eliminated 40 full-time jobs in the closure, which it… Read More
The good news is, I bought the infamous TV converter box. Using the infamous $40 coupon, the box cost $12. The bad news is the converter box doesn’t work with my ancient VHF antenna. The proper antenna required by digital TV is a combination VHF/UHF. It will cost… Read More
You know summer has come to Maine when you hear the screen doors slamming and your dear friends from away start showing up. They are a blessing but also, to be frank, a burden. Of course we love the chance to be with them once… Read More
The debate about the future of U.S. troops in Iraq has once again devolved into a parsing of words. Beyond the semantic maneuvering, however, it is clear that the context and tone of the discussion of when U.S. troops will leave Iraq has fundamentally changed. The difficulty now,… Read More
I had the opportunity the other day to hear Sen. Susan Collins speak about the cost of energy. The senator said, “We have to produce more, use less, and develop alternative forms of energy.” I remember the energy crisis of the mid-70s. The senator makes… Read More
The U.S. Department of Interior is quoted in the Bangor Daily News as saying that we could have 18 billion barrels of oil and 77 trillion cubic feet of natural gas under the 574 million acres of federal coastal waters that are now off limits. Let’s get some… Read More
Gov. Baldacci now is seeking to place one of his longtime pals into one of the most critical board positions in government (“Cashman eyed for spot on state PUC,” BDN, July 16). Can you believe it? The Public Utilities Commission, which deals with all facets… Read More
Carle G. Gray in his letter “Sham protest,” (BDN, July 16) claims that American soldiers slain in Iraq were “dishonored’ by marchers in the Bar Harbor July 4 parade who carried banners listing their names. On the contrary, these marchers were not only mourning and honoring these soldiers,… Read More
Something rarely seen and wild wanders into town and due to public safety it needs to be killed? Give me a break! If the Maine Warden Service doesn’t have at least one tranquilizer gun in their arsenal, perhaps we should buy them one for Christmas. Read More
I’m concerned about the black bear shooting in my neighborhood Saturday, July 19. It raises questions about the warden’s decision-making and his support. It’s not that I care more about the animal than about my own children’s safety. We play in Fairmount Park every day… Read More
Within a few weeks, the Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) will decide whether to allow Plum Creek, a Seattle-based real estate investment trust, to develop Lily Bay as part of its proposal for the Moosehead Lake region. I recently returned from a family reunion in… Read More
Nancy Pelosi called the president a failure Thursday. Well you know what they say: “Takes one to know one.” For an ordinary gal, I spend quite a bit of time in Washington, D.C. I spent the Fourth of July with one of my heroes, Sen. Read More
AUGUSTA – The City Council in Maine’s capital is supporting unanimously a resolution urging legislators to change the name of an Augusta bridge that now is named for a deceased Catholic priest. The matter next goes to the Legislature, which would have to authorize a… Read More
Friends of the Tennessee couple who were critically injured when a pickup truck hit their motorcycle head-on last week are seeking assistance for family members who traveled north to be by their side and comfort them. Cecil and Linda Gentry, both 62, of Algood, Tenn.,… Read More
ROBBINSTON – The Maine Forest Service on Tuesday continued to talk with individuals who were in close proximity to a fire that charred 131 acres of forestland earlier this month. The fire burned a seasonal camp and for a time threatened other homes and camps in the area. Read More
ROCKLAND – A sign on the railing overlooking Rockland Harbor gave testimony to the emotions that pervaded a vigil Tuesday night for homicide victim Jessica Marie Nichols. “If love could have saved you, you would still be alive today,” said the sign, taped to the… Read More
PORTLAND – The Navy has decided to scrap its newest destroyer after the first two are built in shipyards in Maine and Mississippi, Sen. Susan Collins said Tuesday. Collins, R-Maine, said Navy Secretary Donald Winter called her to alert her of the outcome of a… Read More
BANGOR – An ordinance amendment that would expand installation options for wood-fired boilers in some parts of Bangor is headed to the City Council for a decision. As it stands, city ordinances allow wood-burning boilers to be used only if they are located within the… Read More
BANGOR – City councilors gave a tentative green light Tuesday to a revised proposal to protect students at John Bapst Memorial High School from traffic on Broadway. During a meeting of the council’s transportation and infrastructure committee, councilors directed the city’s legal staff to draft… Read More
BREWER – A large barge and crane Monday was moved into place in the Penobscot River, just offshore of Cianbro’s new Eastern Manufacturing Facility, and will be used to dredge the river to make a channel deep enough to handle heavy barges, a company official said. Read More
ROCKLAND – A 90-foot fishing boat was towed into the Coast Guard station Tuesday morning after the boat became disabled Monday evening off the Maine coast. The Coast Guard Cutter Grand Isle was dispatched Monday to assist the seven fishermen aboard the Huntress, which lost… Read More
BELFAST – Aarhus Gallery is reaching outside the scope of Maine artists for its July 22-Aug. 10 show by welcoming the well-known New England mixed media artist Doug Bell as its guest artist. An opening reception will be held 5-8 p.m. July 25. Bell is… Read More
CASTINE -The Wilson Museum announced this week that the Civil War program scheduled July 23 and 24, including a presentation on Civil War Medicine and the aftermath of the battle at Gettysburg by Michael Celli have been canceled due to illness. The Wilson Museum sends… Read More
BELFAST – Nomination papers for municipal offices will be available at the city clerk’s office beginning July 24. Completed papers must be returned by Aug. 29 to earn a place on the Nov. 4 ballot. Two-year terms on the City Council for wards one, two… Read More
CUTLER – After eight years of restoration work, the volunteers at the historic Little River Lighthouse on Little River Island are making the lighthouse available to overnight guests. The lighthouse station, which dates back to 1847, on the 15-acre wooded island overlooks the Bay of… Read More
CUTLER – Maine’s Friends of Little River Lighthouse, a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation, recently received a donation of a dual-hulled boat, a catamaran style 16-foot Nautico Seagull. Mac McCullough of Hampden donated the boat, which included a trailer and 50-horsepower outboard engine, all… Read More
ST. AGATHA – The town faced a number of the same fiscal challenges confronting other towns in Aroostook County and around the state this year – the skyrocketing cost of heating oil and energy and an increase in the cost of education. But Town Manager… Read More
ELLSWORTH – The City Council voted unanimously to approve a new fire ordinance during their meeting Monday night. The Fire Protection and Prevention Ordinance will take effect Sept. 1, 2008. It will require businesses and residents to receive permits from the Fire Department approving their… Read More
ROCKLAND – The developer for Walgreens Pharmacy and the City Council are going to try again to work out a conditional rezoning plan to allow construction and operation of a pharmacy at Camden and Maverick streets. In June, Kevin Bunker, consultant for Walgreens developer WAG… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Musical genres from around the world will intermingle in Aroostook County by week’s end, and organizers behind the nine-day Northern Maine Music Festival are excited for revelers to take in the sounds to both old – and new – types of music. Read More
LEE – Penquis Child Development is closing the Penquis Head Start Center in Lee and one of the classrooms in the Penquis Head Start Center in Lincoln. The Penquis Head Start Policy Council approved the reductions on June 25. A decrease in funding made it… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Local police are investigating the overnight burglaries Tuesday of two residential garages on Madawaska Avenue. Both homeowners reported the burglaries Tuesday morning but Officer Marty Cochran said the events happened between 10 p.m. Monday and 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
MILLINOCKET – The July 9 fire that burned much of the town’s volunteer-funded creative playground was an arson that did more than $43,000 in damage, town officials said Tuesday. Police have a juvenile suspect that they believe used an accelerant to set the fire, but… Read More
BANGOR – Penobscot County commissioners unanimously voted Tuesday to enter into a contract with Bangor Gas Co. to supply natural gas to the Penobscot County Jail, courthouse and 3rd District Court building. Bangor Gas Sales Manager Jon Kunz told commissioners that he was hopeful the… Read More
BANGOR – A Calais man waived indictment and pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court to a gun charge. Bruce Thibeault, 34, faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for transferring a firearm to a nonresident. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
PALMYRA – Several police agencies responded to a report of an armed robbery in Palmyra shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesday. Somerset County Sheriff’s Department Detective Lt. Carl Gottardi confirmed late Tuesday that a lone male entered a Lang Hill Road home and demanded money from… Read More
JONESBORO – When John Cox heard about plans to turn 87 miles of inactive rail bed in Washington and Hancock counties into public trails, he hoped someone would start a petition against it. He just never thought he would have to do it himself. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
Belfast District Court Cases July 14-18 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
Knox County Superior Court Cases July 7-14 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
GREENVILLE – Festivities to celebrate the first anniversary of the Thoreau-Wabanaki Trail will be held in Greenville beginning July 24. Mainers and visitors from across the region are expected to gather to honor Henry David Thoreau and the Penobscot guides who made two of his… Read More
BREWER – Tax increment financing is nothing new, but city officials are taking the idea a step further by setting up a municipal economic development TIF that will pay for part of the new public safety building and improvements downtown and along the river. The… Read More
JACKSON – Members of the Monty Dunphy family lost their home and all their belongings when fire ripped through their Kendall Hill Road residence Tuesday morning. Fire Chief Donald Nickerson Sr. said the wood-frame home at the end of a long dirt road was already… Read More
MILO – Chelsea Clark, daughter of Jamie and Jennifer Cail of Milo has been selected the 28th annual Maine Homecoming Queen. Clark, who was Penquis Valley High School’s Homecoming Queen, will represent Maine at America’s Homecoming Queen competition on Aug. 6, at the Disneyland Hotel… Read More
BOZEMAN, Mont. – A West Yellowstone man accused of abandoning 33 sled dogs without food, water or shelter pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty as part of a plea agreement. John T. Hessert, 24, wore a vest embroidered with an Iditarod… Read More
Here is news from Paula Carson Charette about a rather unusual type of reunion. The eighth-grade class of 1968 of Woodland Consolidated School in Aroostook County “is planning a 40th class reunion for Aug. 30,” Charette wrote. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
RANDOLPH, Vt. – Children’s librarian Judith Flint was getting ready for the monthly book discussion group for 8- and 9-year-olds on “Love That Dog” when police showed up. They weren’t kidding around: Five state police detectives wanted to seize Kimball Public Library’s public access computers… Read More
HARTFORD, Conn. – A program aimed at restoring the lobster population in Long Island Sound is working well enough to keep the current minimum legal size for lobsters taken by fishermen, environmental protection officials said Monday. But a state biologist said it is too early… Read More
EAST MILLINOCKET – Renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden has nearly finished his review of the Joyce McLain case and hopes to have a decision by Friday on whether to pursue exhuming the body, he said Tuesday. “I will have to speak to the family… Read More
PATTEN – A storm that brought whipping winds, torrents of hail and lifted some animals right off the ground in the Patten area last week was caused by a straight-line wind event, according to the National Weather Service Office in Caribou. Straight-line winds are associated… Read More
NEW PORTLAND – Maine animal welfare officials say nearly four dozen dogs have been seized from two homes in New Portland where they were caged. The 46 dogs, mostly medium-size and mixed breeds, were discovered after an anonymous complaint last week. They were malnourished, matted… Read More
LEWISTON – A Wilton man is having trouble sleeping since he found a 9-foot-long python under the engine of his pickup truck. Harley Burgess’ shocking discovery Saturday is the second of its kind in less than a week in Maine. Last Wednesday, a Gorham woman… Read More
The high cost of gasoline – and other services and supplies – is a tough pitch for Senior League World Series organizers to handle, but they say it won’t be enough to strike them out as Bangor hosts the international tournament for a seventh straight year. Read More
OXFORD – Sprint Cup series driver Kevin Harvick has won at two of the most prestigious tracks in the Cup series. He won at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2003 and he captured the Daytona 500 in 2007. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
Mark Reed’s time away from the basketball court proved to be short-lived – a little more than two months. Reed, who coached the Brewer boys varsity basketball team for the last eight seasons before resigning in May, on Tuesday was named to the same position… Read More
Race fans at the annual TD Banknorth Oxford 250 are usually torn. Beginning in 2004, when progressive Oxford Plains Speedway owner Bill Ryan began scheduling the 250 during Sprint Cup’s off-weekend so he could attract NASCAR drivers to run his race, race fans have found themselves choosing sides. Read More
BANGOR – Tovie St. Louis of Royal Palm Beach, Fla., had caddied for her father Dan for a few years before finally playing in her first Hollywood Slots Greater Bangor Open golf tournament in 2006. Then all of a sudden it looked like her summer golf trips to… Read More
HEBRON – All-star training camps can make for some strange bedfellows. After all, the football teams at Foxcroft Academy and Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln have met helmet-to-helmet on the gridiron five times in the last three seasons, three times in regular-season play and twice in… Read More
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The University of Maine track and field program has announced the commitments of eight incoming student-athletes, including several local athletes who have enjoyed outstanding high school careers. Joining coach Mark Lech’s Black Bears in the fall will be Riley Masters and Jennie Lucy of Bangor,… Read More
HOLE-IN-ONE JEFF HOWARD 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
PORTLAND – Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz went hitless Tuesday night in another rehab appearance with the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs. Ortiz struck out looking in the first, reached on an error, scored in a five-run fourth inning and then grounded out twice. It… Read More
BANGOR – Lonnie Hackett hit a double and two singles while driving in three runs to lead Bangor past Brewer 17-2 at Mansfield Stadium to win the state Senior League baseball title. Bangor advances to the Senior League World Series in August at Bangor. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
BANGOR – Lonnie Hackett hit a double and two singles while driving in three runs to lead Bangor past Brewer 17-2 at Mansfield Stadium to win the state Senior League baseball title Tuesday. Bangor advances to the Senior League World Series in Bangor that begins… Read More
Lucas Marks of Trenton and Ian Edwards of Bangor earned top honors Tuesday evening as the 2008 American Legion Zone 1 baseball all-star teams were selected by the league’s coaches. Marks, a catcher, was named the Zone 1 player of the year for leading the… Read More
The MBR 17-and-under boys basketball team reached new heights for a Maine AAU program last summer, finishing 11th in a field of 153 teams at the junior boys AAU National Championships at Orlando, Fla. That team, coached by Bangor’s Carl Parker, is considerably different this… Read More
The key to “Twelfth Night” is the pacing. It must start off at a trot, quickly switch to a canter and be moving at a gallop by intermission so that theatergoers barely have time to catch their breaths before they are astride again rushing headlong for the curtain… Read More
In the summertime, art lovers who wander into the many galleries on the Maine coast, including the galleries in the tony town of Northeast Harbor, are accustomed to seeing the same kinds of images. Coastal scenes, landscapes and seascapes tend to prevail. Political statements and… Read More
Special delivery Ten Bangor area restaurants have taken the take out of takeout, now that they’ve banded together to bring delivery service to hungry diners. OneCall Restaurant Delivery recently started offering cheap, fast delivery from any of the following Queen City eateries: Asian Palace II,… Read More
ROCKLAND – The Project Puffin Visitor Center will host a presentation by Swedish artist Karl Martens at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 23. Today’s show is Martens’ first in the United States and it features 20 paintings of puffins, terns, gulls and other seabirds that nest… Read More