WASHINGTON – With the House likely to vote today on the financial rescue plan, Democratic Rep. Mike Michaud, who voted against the plan Monday, said Thursday he was undecided about how to vote on the Senate-approved version. “We have a long way to go,” Michaud… Read More
    WASHINGTON – Republican presidential candidate John McCain conceded battleground Michigan to Democrat Barack Obama on Thursday, a major retreat as he struggles to regain his footing in a campaign increasingly dominated by economic issues. McCain’s campaign confirmed it was pulling staff and advertising out of… Read More
    BY MAL LEARY AUGUSTA – No state agency is exempt from Gov. John Baldacci’s order to find budget cuts totaling 10 percent of current spending levels. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for… Read More
    A group of Fort Kent residents is proposing a moratorium on industrial wind turbines within town limits until local officials can develop ordinances governing the enormous structures. The group has gathered roughly 220 signatures on a petition seeking a 180-day moratorium on construction of commercial… Read More
    An article on Page B2 in Wednesday’s paper about the bankrupt Downeast Heritage Museum in Calais contained an error. The St. Croix Valley Chamber of Commerce does pay rent to use the building. Read More
    WASHINGTON – Nine states sued the Bush administration on Thursday over federal rules on water dumped from ships, claiming there is an illegal loophole that could hurt fisheries and contaminate drinking water. The states contend that an administrative ruling could allow the transfer of polluted… Read More
    BANGOR – Whether it was takeout Chinese food, Buffalo-style chicken wings or pork loin they were eating, one thing was clear Thursday evening. No matter what the food, local Democrats and Republicans took time while they munched to feast on the only debate between the two vice presidential… Read More
    BANGOR – Jeff Lucas donned a nice blue suit Thursday morning and readied his resume. Some attendees at the Fall Job Fair wore jeans and casually loped around the Spectacular Event Center, scoping out the area’s available jobs. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
    LINCOLN – As First Wind of Massachusetts finishes building a wind farm on Stetson Mountain and prepares applications for another on Rollins Mountain, New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo continues probing allegations that the company dealt improperly with public officials in upstate New York. Read More
    MILLINOCKET – A “nightmare” of technical problems has forced G&G Marketing LLC to suspend temporarily its Spring Street call center operations and not pay its workers for at least two weeks, a company owner said Thursday. Mel Gould III conceded that the company’s 22 workers… Read More
    Who are the geniuses who have created the current financial disaster? One can only hope that the American people remember the past week when talk of privatizing Social Security emerges once again. Just imagine what creative ways the Wall Street gang could find to drive that program to… Read More
    Maine’s lobstermen, the key players in a $250 million-a-year industry, are in sorry shape. With herring bait selling at $35 a bushel – when they can get it – and diesel fuel at $4 a gallon, and lobster’s “boat price” down to $3 a pound, they often can’t… Read More
    When he won re-election in 2004, President Bush asserted that he had won a mandate from the voters and earned political capital. A short time later, Mr. Bush spent that capital on a proposal to privatize Social Security. The idea gained little traction with the public and even… Read More
    Once again the buck is passed: “Offshore oil drilling nears vote in House” (BDN, Sept. 17). I am frustrated and find it unbelievable that the two parties, once again, pull the old bait and switch. And even more unbelievable is that we are buying it. I cannot imagine… Read More
    While Sara Palin’s beliefs regarding abortion, birth control, conservation (or lack of it), gun control and religion are shared by many – Democrats as well as Republicans – they do not automatically become the law(s) of the land if she becomes our vice president-elect. Any changes she may… Read More
    This is one of the few times that I wish I lived in two districts in Washington County. I am eager to vote for Marie Emerson for our state representative. I have firsthand knowledge that Marie has been extremely involved and influential in education and an aggressive advocate… Read More
    As free market devotees, Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snow endorse fiscal responsibility and minimal governmental intervention in our greatest of all economic systems. Consistent with their espoused belief of unregulated capitalism is the reality of risk and the Darwinian notion of free market natural selection. Read More
    I cannot believe that some of my fellow Mainers are trying to support the belief that Sarah Palin is the best choice that could have been made by their fellow Republicans as the VP choice. How bizarre it is that Mainers have a sitting senator with over 30… Read More
    Not long ago I saw Sen. Elizabeth M. Schneider at an Eagle Scout ceremony, then she was at the Howland town office and just yesterday she popped by my house to ask if I have questions and to talk with me. I have never seen a state senator… Read More
    Imagine the courthouse doors slamming shut. If current budget goals are imposed on the court system, a number of courthouses around the state may be closed for good. At those courthouses that survive, shortages of clerks and other staff will reduce the ability to resolve the variety of… Read More
    This week, ClickBack asked readers to consider the bailout, Sarah Palin and the recent presidential debate. Here are some of the comments. Go to bangordailynews.com and pull down the Opinion menu and look for ClickBack to participate. Look for more questions on Tuesday. Will the… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Thirty years from now, a new generation of policymakers will be asked to make critical decisions about the fate of the world’s remaining wetlands, forests and streams. Many of them will never have seen such features of the natural world and likely will have little regard… Read More
    ADDISION – It was a tag team of scam artists, but a 75-year-old woman outfoxed them and closed her bank account before they could take money out for a phony Medicare prescription discount card. Now she is wondering whether other senior citizens may have received… Read More
    BAR HARBOR – The largest employer in Hancock County, known as a worldwide leader in biomedical research, is facing a possible fine of more than $200,000 over alleged federal environmental violations. The Jackson Laboratory could be fined $213,670 for improperly storing chemicals, insufficiently training employees… Read More
    I know right away that Karl Hoffman is a good guy because of how happy his animals are. When we pull into the driveway of his Arizona ranch, two of his horses come out to greet us like giant, overgrown housecats. They stick their noses into the car… Read More
    Republican Douglas A. Thomas 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 slot_sizes… Read More
    Democrat Katherine W. Cassidy 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 slot_sizes… Read More
    A Bangor man who recently sold drugs to undercover agents of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency was seen walking down a Bangor street on Tuesday and arrested by Bangor police. Walter Wilhelm II, 53, who lists his address as the Bangor Homeless Shelter, was part… Read More
    NEWPORT – Town selectmen Wednesday night authorized local inventor Thomas Hart to build a cofferdam to allow him to retrofit the North Street Dam gate. Hart’s design uses steel flashboards, sealed with rubber, which are hydraulically raised and lowered, allowing the gate to remain in… Read More
    NEWPORT – If the voters in SAD 48 – Corinna, Hartland, Palmyra, Plymouth, St. Albans and Newport – or the voters in SAD 38 – Etna and Dixmont – reject the Nov. 4 school consolidation vote, Superintendent William Braun said the penalties levied by the state could be… Read More
    The following divorces have been granted at Rockland District Court on grounds of irreconcilable marital differences: David Drinkwater, Owls Head, and Gloria L. Drinkwater, Owls Head, married Oct. 15, 2001, at Las Vegas, Nev. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
    CARIBOU – It has been more than a month since a masked man walked through the darkness up to the drive-thru window of the McDonald’s Restaurant on Bennett Drive. He reportedly told the employee working at the window that he had a gun. The masked… Read More
    TRENTON – Hinckley Yachts is laying off 49 people at the company’s luxury picnic jet boat production facility on Route 3, a company official said Thursday. Ed Roberts, Hinckley’s vice president for marketing and product development, said employees were told about the decision on Wednesday,… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Management Information Systems Program will present its seventh Technology Fair, “Collaboration from Home or Office,” from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, in the Campus Center. The event will cover technology needs and… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – Musicians Michael Wingfield and Michael Shea will offer a performance of jazz, Afro-Brazilian and Afro-Cuban music at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, in the University of Maine at Presque Isle Campus Center. Wingfield, a percussionist, and Shea, a keyboardist, will offer an… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – The University of Maine at Presque Isle Outdoor Adventure Program International will offer an excursion Oct. 10-13 to Acadia National Park for those who want to hike, camp and experience the natural beauty of the coast of Maine. Cost for the trip… Read More
    BUCKSPORT – Buck Memorial Library will celebrate 121 years of library service with an open house and book sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11. The sale will include hardcover books, paperbacks, videos, audio items and books from the library attic. Homemade… Read More
    BELFAST – Communities making up SAD 34 and SAD 56 will have an opportunity to learn about the plan to consolidate the two school districts during a series of informal meetings this month. SAD 34 Superintendent of Schools Bruce Mailloux said the districts’ regional planning… Read More
    BELFAST – Police have recovered the truck, trailer and tractor stolen from Belfast Area High School on Sunday night. Detective Michael McFadden said the equipment was undamaged. He said the trailer and tractor were found parked on Cross Road in Swanville late Monday. The truck… Read More
    LINCOLNVILLE – A search for a stolen car resulted in three people being charged with drug offenses Tuesday evening. Mark Peak, 21, of Maynard Way was charged with two counts of possession of Schedule W drugs, possession of Schedule Z drugs, possession of marijuana and… Read More
    ROCKPORT – The Skating Club of Maine, located at the Midcoast Recreation Center on Route 90, will feature the following classes and events during October: Open house: noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5. Free family events, skating lessons, a skating exhibition and opportunity to register for… Read More
    DAMARISCOTTA – Spectrum Generations’ first fall Healthy Maine Walk hike will be hosted and led by the Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7. The walk will take place on property owned by Sarah and Jim Birkett, which is under conservation easement… Read More
    ROCKLAND – Author Linda Tatelbaum will read from and speak about her latest book, “Woman Who Speaks Tree: Confessions of a Tree-Hugger” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, in the Reading Room at the Rockland Public Library. Appleton author Linda Tatelbaum and her husband came… Read More
    ETNA – Investigators with the State Fire Marshal’s Office were mum Thursday on details of a fire that destroyed an Etna home late Monday night. The fire was reported by a neighbor about 11:35 p.m. and firefighters from eight communities fought the blaze until early… Read More
    BREWER – A Bangor woman who apparently ripped a purse out of the hands of a family member on Tuesday afternoon is facing Class A robbery charges. “The family member attempted to keep the purse and it was physically ripped from her. She took the… Read More
    BREWER – The Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation has awarded Food AND Medicine a $50,000 grant to help support laid-off, low-income and unorganized workers, the nonprofit group has announced. “This winter, with the economy in crisis, recent layoffs and skyrocketing fuel prices, laid-off workers are… Read More
    DETROIT – A bean supper will be served from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at the town hall to benefit the Detroit Meeting House Improvement Fund. The supper will feature traditional baked beans, hot dogs, casseroles, salads, rolls and desserts. For information, call Joan Bradley at… Read More
    WATERVILLE – United Way of Mid-Maine is accepting applications for minigrant projects for their “Keeping Mid-Maine Warm” program. Projects must address at least one of five specific strategies to help assure that Mainers will stay warm this winter. Strategies include providing access to emergency heat assistance and maximizing… Read More
    BANGOR – 2008 Solar System Ambassador Donald Aucoin, appointed by NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, will speak at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, in the Bangor Public Library Lecture Hall. The topic will be “Beyond Mars: The Search for Life,” with revelations about Cassini’s Saturn discoveries and… Read More
    BREWER – The Brewer Historical Society will hold a meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the Clewley Museum, 199 Wilson St. Tanya Pereira, economic development assistant, will talk about the Brewer waterfront. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
    The Bangor Nature Club’s annual Fall Luncheon will be held at noon Wednesday, Oct. 8, at the North Brewer-Eddington Methodist Church on Route 9. The cost is $12 and a meeting follows at 1 p.m. Read More
    Belfast District Court Cases Sept. 15-19 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
    THOMASTON – Montpelier, the General Henry Knox Museum on Route 1, will be open for its annual Harvest Weekend from Saturday, Oct. 11, to Monday, Oct. 13. Full tours will be available every hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The museum will charge its regular admission fee. Read More
    BLUE HILL – Blue Hill Public Library is offering a hand-held electronic magnifier called a “MonoMouse” on a trial basis next month as part of a loan program designed to help visually impaired members of the community. The trial program will help the library staff decide whether they… Read More
    WARREN – The annual dinner and meeting of the Knox-Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District will be held Thursday, Nov. 6, at the North Nobleboro Community Hall on Upper East Pond Road. Dinner is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. followed by brief reports from… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – Maine Coast Memorial Hospital is planning an extensive campaign to provide flu shots to residents of Ellsworth and surrounding communities. Public clinics will be scheduled in a variety of locations in late October and November and will continue through December. Schedules for these… Read More
    FORT KENT – The University of Maine at Fort Kent’s Acadian Archives will hold an exhibit honoring the 130th anniversary of the Madawaska Training School. On display are yearbooks dating from 1930 through 1997, historic photographs, documents and memorabilia. The exhibit is open from 8… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s SAGE Program – Students Achieving Greater Education – will celebrate 10 years of providing courses and excursions for intellectually curious adults age 50 and older on Friday, Oct. 17. A celebration has been planned from… Read More
    ELLSWORTH – The fourth annual Down East Family YMCA Craft Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at the YMCA, 238 State St. The fair is open free to the public. Tables are still available for $30 each. For… Read More
    CHERRYFIELD – Cherryfield Academy will hold a Harvest Festival from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11. The festival will include crafts by area craftspeople, children’s activities, a science room, games, face painting, prizes, surprises and performances by Corey the Magician. Chili, corn chowder,… Read More
    The public is invited to the Eastern Maine Community College annual Autumn Shindig, a scholarship fundraiser and auction, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, at Spectacular Event Center on Griffin Road in Bangor. Elizabeth Clayton of EMCC wrote this is a “denim preferred, flannel optional” event,… Read More
    GREENVILLE – Although it was an appealing meal for some, the Black Frog Restaurant will no longer promote a free Skinny Dip sandwich for a naked plunge into Moosehead Lake. Restaurant owner Leigh Turner came to that decision on Thursday on the heels of the… Read More
    PORTLAND – A new law taking effect today in Maine’s largest city will prohibit smoking within the outdoor areas of restaurants and bars where beverage or dining service is available, but smokers will be allowed to light up after 10 p.m. Portland City Council enacted… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Gearing up for the last half of his last term, Maine Gov. John Baldacci is shuffling some top staff assignments. The changes announced Wednesday involve one new recruit: Deborah Friedman, who has worked as policy director for Senate President Beth Edmonds. She will… Read More
    PORTLAND – A Maine soldier preparing to deploy to Iraq was injured Thursday in a hit-and-run accident while jogging in North Yarmouth, according to police. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department said a driver came upon the injured soldier, dialed 911 and administered first aid. The… Read More
    TOWNSHIP A RANGE 11 – A Massachusetts hiker who had injured his knee was airlifted from the Appalachian Trail on Thursday afternoon. It was unclear how long Lawrence Shlansky, 55, of Beverly, Mass., had been at his tent site near the East Branch of the… Read More
    GREENVILLE – Town officials voted unanimously Wednesday to support a temporary all-terrain vehicle trail along Pritham Avenue from Greenville Junction to the downtown. A letter from the board expressing its support will be forwarded to the Department of Transportation, which will make the final determination… Read More
    BREWER – While some regions of the country are facing a shortage of road salt for the coming winter, Maine is one of the lucky ones. Salt supplies remain strong among Maine towns and wholesalers, although the price has increased dramatically in the past five… Read More
    PORTLAND – Organizations that provide financial education are seeing an increased demand for services as the nation remains in economic distress. The Institute for Financial Literacy in Portland is considering expanding its call center hours and the number of walk-in clients has increased. Inquiries rose… Read More
    The University of Maine Center on Aging and the Maine Rural Relatives as Parents Project are inviting grandparents raising their grandchildren, and other parenting relatives, to participate in a free online seminar. “Mindfulness 101: Making time for yourself when you have none,” will take place… Read More
    BANGOR – A Canadian couple arrested in January who admitted to smuggling hundreds of pounds of marijuana across the border and delivering it to out-of-state customers were sentenced Wednesday to about two years in federal prison. Andy Michaud, 29, was sentenced to 27 months. His… Read More
    ORONO – With a slippery field causing the ball to skip, fullbacks and goalkeepers in Wednesday’s America East women’s soccer game between the University of Maine and Albany were under a lot of pressure. The potential was there for a high-scoring affair. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    When Paul Soucy became Hermon High’s athletic administrator in 2002, one of his early priorities was to identify sports-related needs at the steadily growing school. What he has discovered since then is an abundance of community spirit that is steadily turning that wish list into… Read More
    MAINE vs. NORTH DAKOTA Time, site: Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m., Alfond Arena, Orono 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())… Read More
    WATERVILLE – Eric Walton knocked in two goals while James Gorneau and Keegan Curtin teamed up for three saves as Thomas College blanked Unity 5-0 in men’s soccer action Thursday. Scott Stratton, Tyler Hansen and Bryan Connell each added goals for the Terriers. Tyler Hansen,… Read More
    Losing three members of a five-piece band has at least one upshot – the remaining two musicians can sell the van. Justin Wiley and Joshua Francis from the Portland-based electro-rock duo Dreamosaic did just that earlier this year. “It makes for an extremely mobile situation,”… Read More
    One of the leading ladies of TV science fiction returns tonight in a new series. For 10 years on “Stargate SG-1” and one season on its spinoff, “Stargate: Atlantis,” Amanda Tapping played the brilliant Col. Samantha Carter. Now she’s back, out of uniform and in a new role. Read More
    CALAIS – He chases news, punches buttons in the control room as a disc jockey and still finds time to paint. Artist Tom “Fire Dog” McLaughlin was all smiles Tuesday at a reception in his honor kicking off an exhibition of his paintings at the… Read More
    Retro is everywhere, and now it’s creeping onto our television screens with more frequency. It used to be that Nick At Night was where you’d find reruns of your old favorites, but it seems that reruns are out and redos are in. They’ve already brought… Read More
    On DVD TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE, written and directed by Alex Gibney, 106 minutes, rated R. 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++) {… Read More
    Republican Zachary Smith 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 slot_sizes =… Read More