Blethen Maine Newspapers, owner of the Portland Press Herald, the Maine Sunday Telegram, the Kennebec Journal in Augusta and the Morning Sentinel in Waterville, announced Thursday that the company is negotiating for the sale of its publications to Maine Media Investments LLC, an investment group headed by Bangor… Read More
    The name of an author conducting a book signing was incorrectly stated in the July 31 edition of The Weekly and in Thursday’s Mark Your Calendar section of the Bangor Daily News. The correct name is Heather Austin, formerly of Orrington, who will sign copies of her book… Read More
    CONCORD, N.H. – A mortgage company that does business in New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts has been accused of fraud in New Hampshire. Mortgage Specialists Inc. faces $200,000 in fines from New Hampshire banking officials. The company is accused of forging signatures, destroying documents and… Read More
    PORTLAND – Japan has lifted a ban on imports of North American lobster that had been linked to a misunderstanding over safety, industry officials said Thursday. The ban took effect this week after the Food and Drug Administration warned consumers not to eat the green… Read More
    With warnings about tomatoes and then jalapeno peppers tainted with salmonella, food safety has been a concern this summer. So it is not surprising that a federal warning against eating lobster tomalley quickly led to fears about the crustaceans, resulting in a short-lived ban on lobster shipments to… Read More
    A second report has found political views were improperly considered, and in some cases the top consideration, in hiring decisions at the Department of Justice. While it is helpful that Attorney General Michael Mukasey wants to ensure such a situation doesn’t happen again, much more is needed. The… Read More
    Thursday’s editorial “Loony Wildlife Funding” needs clarification. Lawmakers in 2003 agreed to cover 18 percent of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife budget from the state’s General Fund. Read More
    Let’s say that in my lifetime I earned $1 million. That’s $50,000 a year for 20 years. Wow, a lucky guy, I would say. Now let’s take the Boston Red Sox left fielder Manny Ramirez. He has a $20 million-a-year contract and is in his last year of… Read More
    Soon the “pellet police” will be at your front door wondering whether you’re in compliance with all the new rules regarding wood-pellet stoves which are likely to be written in the near future. You see, the Maine Oil Dealers Association conducted a self-serving study which showed that “pellet… Read More
    I read the article concerning drivers who speed through neighborhoods with no regard for children, pets or elderly. Occasionally, some of us from The County have to travel to Bangor, which is usually an all-day trip. We shop, grab lunch, shop more, maybe have supper, then travel an… Read More
    Regarding the July 23 letter to the editor, “The truth about converters,” I, too, discovered the hard way, by buying one, that a strictly VHF antenna is inadequate for a UHF digital signal. It took much Internet research just to find out that digital is UHF. None of… Read More
    While I appreciate Emily Burnham’s article (BDN, July 26-27) about vacationing near home this summer, I must point out that neither Fort Knox nor the Penobscot Narrows Bridge is in Bucksport. Fort Knox is still in Prospect and the bridge spans water between Prospect and Verona Island. Read More
    I have read numerous articles in the BDN about the 220-acre area of old timber near Big Wilson Stream in Elliotsville Township that is owned by Plum Creek Timber Co. In the July 25 BDN, Kevin Miller writes about the issue of protecting versus harvesting this area and… Read More
    Sen. John McCain and the GOP say that if we open up offshore drilling, gas prices will come down. In about 10 years. Maybe. But wait, why aren’t the oil companies drilling on the millions of acres that are already open to them? Why did… Read More
    This week, ClickBack asked editorial page readers to comment on the economic impact and role of fairs in community life; the Maine Office of Tourism’s decision to promote “stay-cations,” and the Bangor Housing Authority’s compromise over the display of a flag at one of its housing complexes. Look… Read More
    Supporters of the new Dirigo taxes on soda, beer, wine and health care services have gone on the offensive. In an attempt to frighten and manipulate Maine voters, they have resorted to outrageous claims of dire consequences to Dirigo and our entire health care system should the new… Read More
    An organization of community activists called on state officials Thursday to pick up the pace developing a cleanup plan for vast amounts of contamination still left at the former HoltraChem factory in Orrington. Members of the Maine People’s Alliance acknowledged that “significant progress” has been… Read More
    If it rains enough, I can bathe. I am staying in the house of Adela Garcia Martinez, a 73-year-old matriarch in the rural Mexican village of Charahuen. A little town of 60 families, Charahuen has no running water and no sewage system. Drinking water is… Read More
    BELFAST – In the first application at trial of what is known as Maine’s Jessica’s Law, a Rockland man was sentenced to 22 years in prison for sexually assaulting a 4-year-old girl. Micah Boland, 31, was sentenced Thursday in Waldo County Superior Court. Boland had… Read More
    EAST MILLINOCKET – When Sandra Rhoda opened her mail this week and found a new FairPoint calling card, she wondered just how much using it would cost her. The answer: more than she wants to pay. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
    Maine is again on the national media map and not just because President Bush is visiting the family’s vacation home. CBS’ “The Early Show” will broadcast live from the Maine Lobster Festival from 7 to 9 a.m. today at Harbor Park. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
    WEST LUBEC – A public baked bean supper is planned from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at the United Methodist Church off Route 189. The menu will include beans, salads, casseroles, rolls, pickles, cream cakes and more. The cost will be $7 for… Read More
    BUCKSPORT – Coastal Crescent Kennel Club will hold its 33rd annual American Kennel Club-sanctioned dog competition at 10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, at the Middle Field on Miles Lane. Trophies and ribbons will be presented for breed conformation and obedience events and a Rally-O match. Read More
    BLUE HILL – Dr. Richard Woychik, president and CEO of The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor since 2002, will discuss “A Healthier Future Through Individualized Medicine: Promises, Realities and Challenges” as part of the George Stevens Academy Summer Speaker Series at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, at the… Read More
    Knox County Superior Court Cases July 21-26 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
    PITTSFIELD – It’s easy to tell when Bossov Ballet’s summer students are in town: Clusters of rail-thin girls, walking with the trademark turned-out feet and ramrod-straight backs of a ballet dancer, can be seen visiting the local ice cream parlor or just getting some air at the town… Read More
    BANGOR – Not only does the University of Maine System serve as the state’s largest educational asset, but it’s also an economic benefit to the region, Chancellor Richard Pattenaude said Thursday. Pattenaude was the featured speaker at the Bangor Breakfast Kiwanis meeting at Geaghan’s Restaurant… Read More
    BELFAST – Waldo County General Hospital is offering a new program for women undergoing cancer treatment. The American Cancer Society’s “Look Good, Feel Better” program provides women with a free, one-time beauty consultation with a licensed cosmetologist or aesthetician. Each participant will receive a complimentary… Read More
    BANGOR – The Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce will hold its third annual Riverside Flea Market from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Riverfront Park, corner of Main and Railroad streets. Read More
    GREENVILLE – The Saint-Come-Liniere Student Exchange Program will launch its first year by having a welcome reception with the help of the Moosehead Historical Museum, for eight students and their parents from Quebec at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, at the Community House. Interested community members are welcome. Read More
    FORT KENT – Municipal officials, with help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, have identified more than $681,000 in recovery and repair projects stemming from this spring’s flooding. Official approval has been given to federal and state funding for $456,246 worth of the work. The… Read More
    BANGOR – Five vehicles all heading west on Union Street ended up crashing into one another early Thursday evening in what police describe as a double accordion-style incident. The first three vehicles had stopped near the junction of Union Street and Cottage Street to allow… Read More
    BANGOR – Three area men were arrested Wednesday afternoon in connection with the theft of $6,000 worth of electrical wiring from a Bradley contractor earlier in the day or late Tuesday night. Chauncey Russell Hulbert, 24, of Old Town and Eric Roy, 19, of Bangor… Read More
    BELFAST – The Diane Coller Wilson garden at 124 Charles St. will be featured Friday, Aug. 8, as part of the Belfast Garden Club’s annual “Open Garden Days” tour. Coller Wilson describes her garden as “sort of English country. It has stone and rusted ironwork,… Read More
    CARMEL – A family movie marks the start of this year’s annual two-day Carmel Days celebration, which begins tonight and continues Saturday. “E.T: The Extra-Terrestrial” directed by Steven Spielberg and released in 1982 will be the featured movie this year and will be shown in… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – The Sebasti-cook Valley Hospital Diabetes Support Group will meet from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14 at the Cianbro Building, 1 Hunnewell Square in Pittsfield. The topic for the meeting will be insulin pump therapy and glucometer management. The meeting is free and open to… Read More
    A taxicab driver noticed a car filled with teens being driven erratically in Bangor on Wednesday evening, and when it passed him he could smell marijuana, so he called Bangor police, Sgt. Bob Bishop said Thursday, reading from the report. An officer pulled over the… Read More
    UNITY – Tickets for the 2008 Common Ground Country Fair are available at ticket outlets throughout the state. The fair will be held 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 19, Saturday, Sept. 20, and Sunday, Sept. 21, at the home of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners… Read More
    BANGOR – Biologists said Thursday that continued monitoring and federal laws would help protect Maine’s population of bald eagles if the bird is removed from the state list of endangered and threatened species. For much of the past 30 years, bald eagles have been shielded… Read More
    To offset rising fuel costs, Maine and Vermont are taking steps to make the two states’ abundant supplies of firewood available to homeowners at reduced costs. Vermont has launched a firewood subsidy, hoping to supply low- and moderate-income Vermonters with firewood to fill their wood-burning… Read More
    PORTLAND – A 46-year-old inmate at Cumberland County Jail has died after being taken to the hospital. The county Sheriff’s Department says Mark Kemberling of Brunswick, who was serving a seven-day sentence for operating a motor vehicle after license suspension, was in medical distress Wednesday… Read More
    ROCKLAND – The Coast Guard took a sick crew member from a 25-foot recreational vessel to Rockland for medical help. Cutter Moray answered a distress call Wednesday for medical help offshore from Rockland from the Huntress, a 25-foot recreational vessel out of Point Judith, R.I.,… Read More
    GARDINER – A fundraiser for the Pittston family victimized by a machete-wielding intruder was held in Gardiner last night and raised thousands of dollars for medical bills. Comedian Bob Marley entertained supporters who filled the Gardiner Area High School gymnasium in the fundraiser for the… Read More
    GREENE- Authorities say a father and son were plucked from Sabattus Pond when an experimental plane flipped. There were some anxious moments Thursday, but Shawn and James Moody of Gorham were rescued by a couple of residents who lived nearby. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
    So much of success in competitive sports stems from athletes first recognizing an opportunity and then striving to make the most of it. But such opportunities had been hard to come by for Cody Johndro, Derek Amoroso and Jordan Richards – until last weekend. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
    ORONO – The University of Maine volleyball team received an American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award for the 2007-08 season. One of 70 NCAA Division I teams to receive the award, Maine was the only one in America East to be honored. The AVCA… Read More
    The team lineup for the 2008 Senior League World Series in Bangor has changed as the Latin American champs from Maracaibo, Venezuela was disqualified this week for using an ineligible player. Because it used an ineligible player during the Latin American Tournament in St. Thomas,… Read More
    Even after I told you I couldn’t stand an hour of screaming, crying and whining on “The Baby Borrowers,” I became interested (not entertained) and have been following the show for the past few weeks. At the end of last night’s finale, in which each… Read More
    Given the similarities between Maine and Minnesota, it’s a wonder Kevin Kling’s “The Ice Fishing Play” hasn’t become a staple of theater companies in the Pine Tree State. After all, many a Mainer has retreated in the dead of winter to a customized shack on one of the… Read More