Some collapsed into prolonged hugs of half-exhaustion and half-elation. Some smiled quietly to themselves. Some wept openly. For the many Barack Obama supporters who gathered Tuesday night at the Spectacular Event Center in Bangor, news of the Democrat’s decisive win was a thrilling validation. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins scored an easy victory Tuesday night in her bid for a third consecutive term in the U.S. Senate. Shortly after 2 a.m. Collins, a Caribou native and Bangor resident, was ahead of her challenger, U.S. Rep. Tom Allen of Portland, 60… Read More
A story that appeared on Page B1 of the Oct. 30 paper contained an error because of incorrect information provided to the BDN. The granite used to build the Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King Plaza at the University of Maine was not Deer Isle granite… Read More
North Haven Democrat Chellie Pingree swept to a commanding victory over her Republican opponent, Charles Summers of Scarborough, in the race to represent Maine’s 1st District in Congress. At 2:40 a.m. Wednesday, Pingree was polling 154,558 votes to Summers’ 122,180 votes. The results gave Pingree… Read More
Incumbent Michael Michaud won his fourth straight term as Maine’s 2nd Congressional District representative on Tuesday, defeating Republican challenger John Frary by a wide margin. The 53-year-old East Millinocket Democrat was ahead 160,128 to 77,568 votes – or 67.4 percent to 32.6 percent – as… Read More
Buoyed by an already record number of absentee ballots and anecdotal accounts from polling places across the state, the 2008 election in Maine appeared to be headed toward record turnout. Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap predicted Tuesday that more than 80 percent of registered… Read More
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Program has awarded a loan of $800,000 and a grant of $200,000 to Brewer-based Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems. “By reducing costs and enhancing treatment efficiency, these USDA Rural Development funds will help the Eastern Maine Healthcare System improve… Read More
A national magazine has ranked the Maine-based Hannaford supermarket chain one of the nation’s 10 most healthful grocery stores. The November issue of Health ranked the chain fifth out of the 10 in a survey, citing its standing as the largest certified-organic supermarket in the… Read More
RICHMOND, Va. – Circuit City Stores plans to close about 20 percent of its U.S. stores, but none in Maine, Vermont or New Hampshire is on the closure list. The No. 2 consumer electronics retailer made the announcement Monday. The Richmond, Va.-based company said closing… Read More
WASHINGTON – The Navy is moving ahead with plans to award combat ship contracts to Lockheed Martin Corp. and General Dynamics Corp. by early next year. The service asked Lockheed and General Dynamics late Monday to submit bids to build five littoral combat ships, speedy… Read More
OLD TOWN – In the dim, smoke-filled Elks Club bar Monday evening, Del Brown finally got the phone call he had been awaiting for nearly half a year. It was the payroll clerk from the bankrupt Red Shield pulp mill. She wanted to let the… Read More
Gov. Baldacci needs to get tough with the state highway department. I observed three mowers operating just west of Bangor cutting dead grass on I-95 on Oct. 30. I’m sure the commissioner will come up with some lame excuse for wasting money. The crew could be better used… Read More
By delaying a decision on reforming subsidies for telecommunications services, the Federal Communications Commission has given itself time to get the changes right. The FCC is wisely looking at ways to reform the subsidies and to use some of that money to provide fast Internet connections across the… Read More
Nearly a decade after listing Atlantic salmon in eight small Maine rivers as an endangered species, the federal government proposes to expand that designation to include the state’s three biggest rivers – the Penobscot, Kennebec and Androscoggin. In the years since the first listing, it has become clear… Read More
Thank you for shedding light in Tuesday’s editorial, “Time For More Vitamin D,” on revised recommendations for vitamin D for children and adults. It is an important health issue affecting both children and adults in Maine, especially as the daylight becomes less during the fall and winter. The… Read More
While the solo performances were excellent Sunday afternoon, the Bangor Symphony Orchestra seemed subdued, without the fire and spirit I’ve enjoyed in the past. It must have been difficult for concertmaster Trond Saeverud to step forward and assume the role of conductor on such short notice. Read More
The warden shown with Gov. Baxter in the Oct. 30 edition of the BDN is David C. Priest, warden supervisor from Winn. Gov. Baxter liked Dave and Dave would chauffeur him when the governor made his rounds in Baxter Park. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
Maine must be a good place to live. Saturday’s BDN obituaries pages carried some interesting figures. Of the 22 listed deceased, six were 90 or older; five were 80 or older; and five were 60 or older. The average age of the 19 whose age… Read More
My thanks to the Bangor residents who attended the recent Penobscot Theatre production of “State of the Union” at the Bangor Opera House. I had never been to Bangor before performing in this show, but I hope to return to your community in the future. Read More
This Veterans Day, let us not forget: “It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath… Read More
Waiting for mom at EMMC for her yearly mammogram, I only half-listened as the hospital registrars explained a new form waiver to her and several other patients, effective Sept. 1. The phrase “information may be released to charities” kept breaking through my concentration on a sock I was… Read More
A passing reference to wetlands mitigation banking was omitted from the Bangor Daily News’ coverage of the Legislature’s Transportation Committee meeting on Sears Island, “Sears Island compromise tabled” (BDN, Oct. 16). It is unfortunate that the reporter, Walter Griffin, failed to note Transportation Commissioner David Cole’s comment because… Read More
Well, yesterday was Election Day and you know a whole lot more about the decisions that we all made than I do. Not because I don’t pay attention; but because my deadline for this column was just about the time that people started heading to the polls. And… Read More
Shortly after midnight, No on One proponents in Portland celebrated their victory in getting Maine’s new tax on beverages repealed. “When we started this effort seven months ago, we were confident that if Maine people had a voice on these new taxes they would reject… Read More
A $184 million casino and resort proposed for western Maine was defeated Tuesday despite a high-profile push by backers in recent weeks. With 79 percent of precincts reporting, opposition to the controversial Oxford casino was holding steady at roughly 54 percent. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
BANGOR – A Superior Court judge late Tuesday afternoon sentenced a red-faced and weeping Jeremy Hart, 35, of LaGrange to 15 years in prison with all but 12 years suspended for killing his wife during a drug-fueled party at the their home nearly a year ago. Read More
SKOWHEGAN – When Richard Reynolds showed up at his estranged wife’s residence in Fairfield early on Jan. 12, 2007, he was armed with a gun and a purpose. What is being argued in a Skowhegan courtroom this week is whether he was there for suicide or murder. Read More
SHERMAN – Investigators with the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department on Tuesday were investigating a possible child abduction attempt that happened Sunday. No leads had been uncovered by Tuesday afternoon. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Customers of the Dover-Foxcroft Water District on Tuesday defeated a move to increase the district’s debt limit from $1.5 million to $3.5 million. The vote was 647 against and 579 for the referendum question. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
BREWER – By a margin of 187 votes, Joseph Ferris earned another three-year term on the Brewer City Council, defeating Gail Kelly, a former councilor and mayor, according to unofficial election results supplied by the city Tuesday night. “It was close, very close, but I’m… Read More
Belfast District Court Cases Oct. 27-31, 2008 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
ORLAND – In a close contest, residents on Tuesday rejected a proposal to eliminate high school choice. The vote was 671-644 against the proposal, which was presented to the town by a petition after the Orland School Committee voted earlier this year to retain high… Read More
BELFAST – With just over half the votes counted, the municipal election of three City Councilors and the recall of two other councilors was too close to call. Preliminary unofficial results indicate the Ward 2 incumbent councilor Roger Lee was trailing newcomer Julieta Zeilor, and… Read More
HOULTON – Approximately five months into the two-year project, construction crews are on time and on budget with the reconstruction of a section of Route 2A known as Bangor Street. Crews began repairing the road in the spring after the project was delayed for about… Read More
BANGOR – Gerry Palmer was re-elected to the Bangor City Council on Tuesday joining former councilor David Nealley and newcomer Rick Bronson. City voters also overturned a somewhat controversial ban on left turns to and from Howard Street by a substantial margin, 5,460 to 2,121. Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – Piscataquis County commissioners agreed Tuesday to include $4,713 in the next Unorganized Territory budget as a contribution for the rehabilitation of the Greenville Junction Wharf. The town of Greenville has been planning for several years to rehabilitate the rotting wharf used by residents… Read More
LINCOLN – Incumbent Steve Clay and challenger Marscella Ireland won two open Town Council seats by substantial margins in the election Tuesday, Town Clerk Lisa Goodwin said. Ireland will join her husband, Michael, on the council thanks to her receiving 1,366 votes, while Clay was… Read More
Though the final results of the school consolidation vote weren’t available by early Wednesday, it squeaked by in the SAD 38 towns of Etna and Dixmont, and passed in two of the six SAD 48 towns, too. Based on those early reports, SAD 48 Superintendent… Read More
HERMON – The nays had it. Residents voted in large numbers Tuesday not to amend the town charter to allow them to fire the town manager themselves and not to build a pricey new community center. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
Lincoln District Court Cases June 17-Sept. 4 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
WARREN – The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency will be providing up-to-date information on the Farm Bill in meetings scheduled for next month. The Waldo County Soil and Water Conservation District will hold a meeting 10 a.m.-noon Tuesday,… Read More
HOLDEN – Town officials are selling a parcel along the railroad tracks west of Old Fisher Road that was acquired through tax lien, and those interested in buying the land have until Thursday to submit their sealed bids. Bids must be marked with the words… Read More
DEXTER – David Clukey and incumbent Roger Brawn were elected Tuesday to the two three-year positions on the Town Council. The voting results during the municipal election were as follows: Brawn, 810; Clukey, 792; David Giles, 649; Peter Haskell, 634; and Ella Munday, 526. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
Air Force Airman Heather A. Perez has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. She is the granddaughter of Wallace Mays of Americus, Ga., and the daughter of Kimberly Perez of Spring Street, Dover-Foxcroft. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
OLD TOWN- The City Council on Monday night stepped back from a proposal to construct a new $2.8 million City Hall. Instead the council directed City Manager Peggy Daigle to revisit and present information on other available options, including renovation of the Erland Sleight Building… Read More
A St. Albans hunter, who had climbed a tree Monday afternoon to get a better look at a couple of deer he was hunting, fell and broke a bone in his lower back, Game Warden Aaron Cross said Tuesday. Brian Gervais, 31, was hunting alone… Read More
SOUTH THOMASTON – A granite memorial to the town’s first casualty in World War I was restored this summer and is scheduled for a rededication ceremony on Veterans Day. The tribute to Cpl. Oscar A. Hix, who died in action at age 25 in World… Read More
BELFAST – Farm Service Agency committee member elections in the Waldo County and Knox-Lincoln County areas began Tuesday with ballots being mailed to eligible voters. The deadline for eligible voters to return ballots to their local FSA offices is Dec. 1. The Waldo County area… Read More
The Millinocket Historical Society is now selling its 2009 calendars for $8.50 each, reports MHS member Trudy Wyman. The calendar’s theme is Millinocket People and Places: 1930s and 1940s, and the calendars may be purchased at the MHS Museum from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursdays… Read More
Late returns showed Mainers narrowly favoring a $3.4 million bond issue to support drinking water programs, to support the construction of wastewater treatment facilities and to leverage $17 million in other funds. With 79 percent of precincts reporting, the measure was passing by 51 percent… Read More
FARMINGDALE – The Maine Democratic Party says two of its volunteers saved a home from going up in flames when they were going door-to-door in Farmingdale. Two volunteers were canvassing a neighborhood as part of a get-out-the-vote effort Tuesday morning when they spotted smoke coming… Read More
Glenburn officials will meet with an economic development consultant on Thursday to discuss opportunities for attracting new businesses and to assess housing needs within the town. Glenburn is in the midst of examining whether the community wants to increase the size of its business community… Read More
NEWFIELD – Wardens are investigating a hunting accident in which a 16-year-old boy shot himself in the toe while tracking the first deer he had ever shot. Wardens say William Tarbox of Newfield was taken to Maine Medical Center after shooting the middle toe of… Read More
PORTLAND – Sen. Olympia Snowe is seeking federal assistance to lend a hand to Maine’s struggling lobster industry. Snowe announced Tuesday that she has written the Small Business Administration, the Department of Commerce and the Department of Agriculture asking each agency to help as lobstermen… Read More
When the University of Maine men’s basketball team opens its 2008-09 season on Nov. 14 in Kennesaw, Ga., one of the team members will be on the bench but much more formally dressed than he’d like to be. Westbrook native Jason Hight, who up until… Read More
To say the Presque Isle girls soccer team is on a hot streak is an understatement. The Wildcats have won 13 consecutive games since an early loss to Ellsworth, and coach Ralph Michaud’s top-seeded club will take that momentum into today’s 5:15 p.m. Eastern Maine… Read More
A battle between the last two Eastern Maine Class A champions highlights Wednesday’s schedule of regional schoolboy soccer finals. That game is set for 5 p.m. at Bangor High School, where the top-seeded Rams will host No. 2 Brunswick. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
There is a unique excitement that comes with being in the hunt for the postseason. That feeling is palpable among the members of the University of Maine football team, which finds itself one of the many teams still in contention for the NCAA playoffs. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
Guess what? The phone rang and there was an actual live voice on the line! It wasn’t a recording from a candidate! Anyway, is it me or are we seeing Matt Cassel develop into a legitimate NFL quarterback in front of our very eyes? googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
COLLEGE North Atlantic Conference 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
HIGH SCHOOL KVAC All-Stars 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
GORHAM – Junior forward India Lowe scored an unassisted goal at 66:18 to break the 1-1 tie and lead fourth-seeded University of Southern Maine to a 2-1 college field hockey victory over No. 5 Salem State College to advance to the Little East Conference semifinals. Read More
A holiday classic It’s the sweetest form of architecture around. Pairings, the fine-dining restaurant and cooking school in Winterport, will offer a Gingerbread House Competition this holiday season. On Nov. 11 and 18, Carmen Montes of Montes International Catering in Bangor will offer a two-part… Read More
ROCKLAND – Lora Urbanelli, the executive director of the Farnsworth Art Museum since January 2006, has stepped down to assume the directorship of the Montclair Art Museum in Montclair, N.J. Urbanelli will remain at the Farnsworth until the end of December, at which time chief… Read More
DEXTER – In the two years it has been in existence, the Christian Community Church has taken its name seriously. The members minister to the community through a prayer shawl ministry in which shawls are made for those experiencing tough times. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has awarded $725,374 to Maine as part of the State and Community Highway Safety Grant Program. U.S. Sens. Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins, R-Maine, in a joint release announcing the grant, said,… Read More
CALAIS – In Canada they are “CTV News at 6,” but for a few hours Tuesday they were “live at 5” from this border community’s downtown. The CTV Atlantic News crew came from Atlantic Standard Time in the Maritimes – an hour earlier than Eastern… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – A South Portland woman, who assaulted a motorist who had stopped to check on her and a Greenville police officer who responded to the motorist’s call on Oct. 23, was sentenced Monday in Piscataquis County Superior Court. Lynne Mulkern, 40, pleaded no contest… Read More
HOLDEN – Town councilors, saying they want to stop “further waste of state and local resources,” recently voted to oppose plans for an Interstate 395-Route 9 connector designed to improve traffic flow between the Canadian Maritimes and the Bangor area. “There are too many issues… Read More