PITTSFIELD — The Born to Read Program is celebrating its fifth year with a party from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, in the Cianchette Conference Room, Sebasticook Valley Hospital. All 1999 Born to Read babies, parents and siblings are invited to attend. Born… Read More
CLINTON — The Clinton-Benton Transfer Station will be closed Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. Read More
OLD TOWN — A man with a gun and wearing dark clothing and a blue ski mask robbed a Gulf gas station on Stillwater Avenue on Wednesday evening. Shortly after the 6 p.m. robbery was reported, police from several agencies scoured the area near the… Read More
One extremely upsetting ghost of the mega-corporate merger between Exxon and Mobil is the financial and moral obligation of Exxon still owing restitution to the residents of Cordova, Alaska. More than 10 years ago, due to the negligence of Exxon employees, the supertanker Exxon Valdez spilled 11 million… Read More
ORONO — Town offices will be closed on Friday, in observance of New Year’s Day, and will reopen at 8:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 3, 2000. Trash pickup will be on the regular schedule. Recycling will be one day earlier than usual. The landfill will be closed on Saturday,… Read More
Millennium magic is making its mystical march across Maine. From Berwick to Bingo, Belfast to Bryant Pond, people all over the state are anticipating the New Year’s revelry. Whether they intend to join in the organized “gala celebrations” some of the state’s larger communities are… Read More
Beginning today, readers will find old and new features offered in the Bangor Daily News business pages in a freshly remodeled package. Daily stock listings have been consolidated to include the most active stocks from the combined New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange and… Read More
The University of Maine System is asking lawmakers for $28.4 million in additional funding over the next 18 months. The total includes funds to lower by one-third the credit-hour cost of community college courses taken in the university system. The main thrust of the requested… Read More
Another teen-ager has died. How many friends are going to die in automobile accidents before they all start slowing down? It makes me ill to think such young lives are being taken needlessly. Haven’t they heard of better safe than sorry? Why take risks with speed in an… Read More
ORONO — Nomination papers for the March 14, 2000, municipal election are available at the town office. Papers must be filed in the clerk’s office by 4:30 p.m. Jan. 28, 2000. There will be three vacancies on the Town Council, with the terms of Philip… Read More
AUGUSTA — Old Fort Western, the 1754 National Historic Landmark fort and museum on the Kennebec River, will hold an 18th century-style New Year’s open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 2. In early New England, Christmas often wasn’t celebrated as a public… Read More
PALMYRA — Law enforcement officials could only speculate Wednesday what chain of events sent one of their own to his death late Tuesday night in a single-car crash in Palmyra. Somerset County Sheriff’s Deputy Charles Baker, 53, of Pittsfield, a 15-year veteran of the department,… Read More
FAIRFIELD — They endured the ice storm of 1998, which left much of Maine frozen and in the dark for days. If they could handle that, emergency response officials say, they can handle any problems Y2K might send their way. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
PORTLAND — A Freeport man has died at the hospital after crashing his car into a utility pole. Stephen Dorsey, 78, died at Maine Medical Center after Tuesday’s crash. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
AUGUSTA — The Augusta Mental Health Institute has a new director, its eighth in three years. Lynn Duby, state mental health commissioner, has appointed Dr. Benjamin C. Grasso as medical director at the mental health center. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
HANCOCK — The fate of complaints about a contractor mining in the town’s rural undeveloped zone won’t be decided until next week. The town’s selectmen had agreed earlier this month to take action this week on seven complaints filed with the town after a particularly… Read More
ORONO — One son quietly wept at his mother’s funeral Wednesday while another remained at large, suspected of being her killer. Barbara Barnes, 59, was found stabbed to death the morning of Dec. 21 in her Dryden Terrace apartment. Family, friends and co-workers filled the… Read More
ORONO — A rabies clinic will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, 2000, at the Public Safety Building Fire Bay. The cost for the rabies shot will be $8. Animals must be at least 12 weeks old and not pregnant. Orono residents may license… Read More
Lura Jarvie’s (BDN, Dec. 23) is right to be concerned about our youth. However, being forced to recite ritualistic words of worship while seeing examples of lying, cheating and greed is not the answer. Our children learn from what we do. We need to teach… Read More
BANGOR — A former Bangor businessman found guilty in September of stealing money from a University of Maine fraternity was sentenced Wednesday to 18 months in jail and four years probation. John R. Moon, 46, also was ordered to pay $21,789 in restitution, perform 400… Read More
ST. GEORGE — The planning board intends Jan. 11 to review an application it approved for Hurricane Island Outward Bound School to develop a 45-acre site on Wheeler Bay for its sea programs. Several neighbors filed an appeal with the zoning board last month, claiming… Read More
MADAWASKA — The St. John Valley has been getting ready for the millennium bug for much of the last 18 months, and contingency plans are in place for possible emergencies. While not anticipating any problems, the towns of Fort Kent and Madawaska have plans in… Read More
OWLS HEAD — The “golden boy” would have been easy to hate if he wasn’t so damn funny. Andrew J. “Pete” Coffey, who died suddenly Monday night at 45, could do anything, with the exception of hitting a softball. He was a skilled athlete who… Read More
In an effort to create greater efficiency in its repair and maintenance, the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad will consolidate those operations at Derby near Milo in 2000. Gary Dunham, chief mechanical officer for the railroad, said Wednesday that the diesel repair shops at Northern Maine… Read More
Lawmakers convene next week for the session devoted, theoretically and constitutionally, to unfinished business and emergencies. One bill, LD 2206, meets both criteria. An Act to Implement an Atlantic Salmon Conservation Plan was introduced last session by Rep. Eddie Dugay, Democrat of Cherryfield, with a… Read More
HOULTON — The Forest Resources Association, Northeastern Technical Division, will hold its Industrial Forestry Forum on Fraser Papers’ harvesting technology Thursday, Jan. 6, at the Shiretown Restaurant. A social hour is scheduled at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and a presentation at… Read More
A few comments regarding the article that appeared in the Bangor Daily News on Dec. 27. As noted, American Skiing honored its guarantee for a white Christmas (defined by having at least 70 percent of its terrain open) by issuing discounts and vouchers to reservation… Read More
SOUTHWEST HARBOR — The animals of the Hancock County SPCA shelter in Southwest Harbor can benefit from any clothing donations made by the public at the following drop-box sites: Don’s Shop ‘n Save, Bar Harbor; Southwest Foodmart, Southwest Harbor; Neighborhood House, Northeast Harbor; L.E. Norwood… Read More
Citizens all along the Maine coast who are sickened by “bad air days” should support the Maine DEP NOX reduction proposal for Wyman Station at a public hearing to be held at 1 p.m. Jan. 6 at the Holiday Inn in Augusta. I remember the… Read More
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK — Acadia National Park staff will decide late Friday whether to open the park road to the summit of Cadillac Mountain for early risers to usher in the new year. The decision depends entirely on road conditions, according to Chief Ranger David… Read More
ORONO — The University of Maine has appointed Dr. Ian Davison as Sea Grant director, a position he has held on an interim basis for the past two years. Davison has reorganized Maine Sea Grant, hiring two new field agents and coordinating outreach efforts to… Read More
Editor’s Note: Brad Viles is an avid hiker and volunteer trail maintainer on the Pleasant Pond Mountain section of the Appalachian Trail. He is filling in this week for Jeff Strout who is on vacation. I can’t wait for snow. Not a dusting. Not a… Read More
MILO — A veterans service officer from the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management will be available from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Jan. 12, and on the second Wednesday of each month, at the Milo Town Office. She will assist veterans, widows and their dependent children… Read More
WATERVILLE — Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area is offering a community education stress relief workshop from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 4, at 76 Silver St. Dr. James Dudley of Dudley Chiropractic will demonstrate pressure point therapy and muscle relaxation techniques in addition to… Read More
WARREN — Preliminary modeling from St. George River water tests indicates the Warren Sanitary District could handle the extra sewage flow from a planned expansion of the Supermax prison — up to the plant’s licensed discharge limit. But the modeling is not final, state Environmental… Read More
BAR HARBOR — Police arrested a shotgun-wielding Bar Harbor man late Tuesday after responding to a domestic complaint in which the man allegedly said he would “take matters into his own hands” and later waved the gun. Responding to the complaint, Bar Harbor police Officer… Read More
EDDINGTON — A free preschool screening will be held by SAD 63 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, 2000, at the Eddington Consolidated School. The event is for children ages 3 and 4 and for those 5 years old who are not eligible for kindergarten. For… Read More
MILFORD — A free preschool screening will be held by School Union 90 from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2000, at the Lewis S. Libby Elementary School. The event is for children ages 3 and 4 and for those 5 years old who are not eligible… Read More
I want to thank all of the generous, hard-working people who helped the Salvation Army give hope and Christmas to hundreds of people. I found myself struggling this year and applied in Bangor. I was told the local service agent would contact me. Three days… Read More
MILLINOCKET — A veterans service officer from the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management will be available 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Jan. 6, at the District Court office to assist veterans, widows and their dependents in filing for state and federal benefits. Read More
PORTLAND — Wildlife biologist Jerry Longcore thought he saw a rare patch of snow. Then it moved. What Longcore saw were two snowshoe hares, easy targets for coyotes, great horned owls and other hungry predators because there is no snow to provide camouflage. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
BOSTON — State regulations designed to thwart the sale of cheap handguns can go into effect, a Superior Court judge ruled Wednesday. The consumer protection regulations, written by former Attorney General Scott Harshbarger in 1997, require that handguns pass minimum performance and drop tests. They… Read More
CRANSTON, R.I. — Leonard Cohen, a retired editorial writer for The Providence Journal and Guy Gannett Newspapers in Maine, has died. He was 82. Cohen passed away Monday, Dec. 27, at a Providence hospice after a long illness. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
BANGOR — Although a half-dozen individuals inquired about the cruise boat the city may sell, only one submitted a firm proposal Wednesday. Dorian S. Klam, a Bangor businessman who owns apartment houses in Bangor and Brewer, offered to purchase the River Dog for $92,000 —… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE — The Presque Isle Center of Maine Centers for Women, Work and Community is accepting nominations from throughout The County for the 2001 “Celebrating Women of Aroostook” calendar. Aroostook residents are asked to nominate an outstanding woman within their family or community and… Read More
We love lists. They are simple and symmetrical and somebody else has done all the thinking. For the past few months the lists have come fast and furious, covering everything from artists to xylophones. In sports, every media outlet that covers the games has publicized… Read More
HAMPDEN – Allison Wing scored a game-high 20 points to lead Brewer to a 51-47 schoolgirl basketball win over Hampden Academy Tuesday. Liz Boone contributed 13 points, while Katrina Peterson netted nine and ripped down 10 rebounds for the Witches. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
Trisha Ripton was a key member of the University of Maine women’s basketball team from 1993-96, but ankle surgery prematurely ended her Black Bear career prior to her senior season. Three years later, the Newport native is back on the court. This time, she’s playing… Read More
University of Maine redshirt freshman right winger Tommy Reimann will be sidelined indefinitely by post-concussion syndrome. Reimann, who has suffered two concussions this season, had been skating with the team since their return from the holiday break on Sunday evening. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
DANBURY, Conn. – Jamie Vielmetti scored 18 points and dished out seven assists to lead the Westfield State Owls to a 51-49 women’s basketball victory over the Husson College Braves Tuesday night. Michaela Blaney netted 11 points and A.J. Belle provided 10 points and eight… Read More
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The first half was the ballgame Tuesday afternoon for the University of Maine women’s basketball team. Boston College shot 61 percent from the field, held the Black Bears without a field goal for the last nine minutes and came up with 18… Read More
HODGDON – David Carter scored 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds and Jeremy Kervin contributed 17 points and nine rebounds as Hodgdon overcame Rusty Nadeau’s 35 points to edge Madawaska 71-65 Tuesday night. Hodgdon avenged its only loss, 63-61, earlier this month while dealing the… Read More
ORONO – Tuesday was Sing the Blues Day for Danielle McCabe. The talented Hampden Academy sprinter just couldn’t get comfortable in the blocks, had disappointing starts, and finished no better than second in all three of her events at Tuesday’s Eastern Maine Indoor Track League… Read More
Holiday Inn Express Tournament MAINE vs. LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY 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
DEXTER – With a height advantage, players that can score inside and outside and four starters back from last season’s Eastern Maine Class C championship squad, the Penquis boys basketball team probably should have had a big lead on Dexter in the second quarter of Tuesday night’s matchup. Read More
High school AT HOWLAND Penobscot Valley Christmas Tourney 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 () { //… Read More
HAMPDEN – Allison Wing scored a game-high 20 points to lead Brewer to a 51-47 schoolgirl basketball win over Hampden Academy Tuesday. Liz Boone contributed 13 points, while Katrina Peterson netted nine and ripped down 10 rebounds for the Witches. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
ROCKLAND — Jealousy led a St. George man to fatally shoot a rival for his estranged wife’s affections, according to court records. David A. Brown, who died of multiple gunshot wounds Monday morning inside a mobile home in Thomaston, was described Tuesday as a “wonderful”… Read More
PITTSFIELD — “Horseplay” in a car traveling east on Peltoma Avenue in Pittsfield Tuesday sent two Troy teen-agers to the hospital with injuries, according to investigating officer, Sgt. Tim Roussin of the Pittsfield Police Department. Anthony J. Holden, 18, of Manchester, N.H., and recently of… Read More
PORTLAND — Three Mainers from the Portland area are suing Microsoft for allegedly using its monopoly power to drive up the price they paid for their computers and the operating systems that run them. The lawsuits, filed last week by Barbara and Harvey Melnick of… Read More
MACHIAS — The University of Maine Cooperative Extension will again offer Master Gardener Volunteer Training starting Tuesday, Jan. 11. The Master Gardener Program trains volunteers to conduct gardening education programs in their communities. Participants receive 40 hours of intensive gardening training. The training will be… Read More
BINGHAM — Officials along the upper Kennebec Valley from Bingham to the U.S.-Canada border say their communities are prepared for Y2K emergencies that might arise with the advent of the new millennium this weekend. In the event of an emergency, officials urge residents to call… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT — A county budget of $2.49 million, representing a 4 percent increase over last year’s spending plan, was adopted Tuesday by Piscataquis County commissioners. The budget will increase the mill rate from $1.324 to $1.37 per $1,000 valuation. Assessments to the 17 municipalities, two… Read More
CARIBOU — The next communitywide meeting of Focus on the Future will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, in the Caribou Performing Arts Center. The program will include presentations from Focus teams, with updates on accomplishments and plans. For information call 498-2578. Read More
Kudos to [Bangor Daily News reporter] Diana Graettinger and her colleagues for the stand they took with the Calais City Council in regard to executive sessions and the Maine Freedom of Access Law. On Dec. 16, this same type of executive session was held by… Read More
BREWER — The city has put together an extensive contingency plan for the century change. “Each city department has reviewed the Y2K issues and feels the city is ready to move into the new millennium with little or no disruptions,” Mary Stuart, the city’s technology… Read More
Critics of the nonprofit Maine Educational Services, the state’s largest provider of student loans, have homed in on MES’ relationship with the for-profit, Internet-based Portland College. According to top officials of both MES and Intelligent Learning Corp., the MES spinoff that is the parent company… Read More
After years of debate, and a series of often contentious public hearings, the Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission has imposed a statewide ban on all recreational fishing for sea-run Atlantic salmon. The ban went into effect Tuesday and applies to all 16 salmon rivers in Maine,… Read More
As a graduate of the University of Maine at Machias and a former volunteer at the Pleasant River salmon hatchery, I took great interest in Andrew Goode’s Dec. 13 commentary. Goode questioned Gov. Angus King’s use of scientific information to publicly oppose the effort by U.S. Fish and… Read More
On a recent December morning a mother called the office of John Bapst Memorial High School to inform them her son wouldn’t be present that day as they were traveling to Boston for an admissions interview with a prestigious university. Thus began the near Dickensonian destruction of a… Read More
FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield bureau of the Bangor Daily News has moved. The new address is 102 Main St., in the same building as Atlantic Quality & Technical Services Inc. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT — Piscataquis County and Dexter municipal officials say they are well prepared for any emergency that Y2K may bring, but they also are optimistic that the event will pass without incident. The worst that could occur at midnight New Year’s Eve, they say, is… Read More
SKOWHEGAN — A new state law allows small towns without their own police forces to hire their own state troopers, and some western Maine towns are interested. But one sheriff says they might experience sticker shock when they add up the cost of training, equipping… Read More
HOULTON — It took three votes and more than an hour of discussion by the Town Council on Monday night, but on March 7, local residents will get to vote on the town’s position with regard to a landfill being proposed by the regional waste district board. Read More
DEER ISLE — The sun rose and set on the island Tuesday, a reminder that life goes on, even in the presence of death. Island residents paused in their lives, however, as they gathered at the Deer Isle-Stonington High School gymnasium to say goodbye to… Read More
MACHIAS — The crowds expected at Lubec and Eastport millennium celebrations are the top concern as the Washington County Sheriff’s Department and the Maine State Police prepare for the holiday weekend in Washington County. “We’re going to have extra people out all New Year’s Eve… Read More
WARREN — A Spruce Head man escaped injury Monday when he lost control of his vehicle on Route 90, left the roadway and struck several small trees. John Grossbaum, 63, was uninjured in the 2:15 p.m. crash that demolished his 1998 Chrysler van, Knox County… Read More
SKOWHEGAN — Two elderly women were seriously injured Tuesday morning when they drove from a side street directly into the path of an unloaded pulp truck traveling south on North Avenue. Doris Boynton, 82, and her passenger, Marion McLaughlin, age unknown, both of Skowhegan, received… Read More
PITTSFIELD — Although the town managers of Skowhegan and Pittsfield are confident that the new year will be welcomed in without incident, both said Tuesday they are prepared in case of emergencies. Pittsfield Town Manager D. Dwight Dogherty said that he will be at the… Read More
The dawning of the new milennium has brought forth the vision of a better lifestyle for me, my family and my nation — a vision free of the four major scourges of humankind: disease, depravation, devastation and death. It took some research, but the results are awesome. Read More
With two bills held over from the last session, legislators will once again consider the idea of creating charter schools when they reconvene in January. This time, proponents are arguing for the creation of public charter schools, which are simply public schools set up for… Read More
This letter is to respond to two articles written by Jeff Tuttle related to the rehiring of employees at Eastern Maine Medical Center. One article states that many of the positions that were cut were in “administrative and support areas.” The consumers of EMMC should know some of… Read More
No, Gov. King, the sky is not falling. Predictably, opponents of the federal government’s latest attempt to protect Maine’s imperiled wild Atlantic salmon, including the governor, have reacted with inflammatory rhetoric but little fact. They falsely claim that protecting Maine’s heritage salmon under the Endangered Species Act would… Read More
I was extremely ambivalent about our New Year’s Eve celebration this year, debating what sort of commemoration would be significant for this once-in-a-lifetime event. The hoopla and commercialism of the holiday seemed so unappealing, as were trips to far-off destinations. We (and many others I’ve… Read More
The December issue of the journal of the National Conference of State Legislatures has a cover story titled “Can the Sales Tax Survive Cyberspace?” A more appropriate, though wordy, title for this well-researched and comprehensive piece would be “Can Common Sense Survive the Debate over the Sales Tax… Read More
GREENVILLE — Luke Fontaine of Lyman has been named vice president of finance for the Charles A. Dean Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home in Greenville. Fontaine’s most recent employment history includes nearly 11 years as controller with Southern Maine Medical Center in Biddeford. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
WASHBURN — An organizational meeting of the potential Northern Aroostook and New Brunswick Mushers Club will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, at the municipal building on Main Street. Those attending are asked to bring possible club names, goals and expectations. Refreshments will be… Read More
HOULTON — A planning session for the Houlton High School Alumni Centennial Celebration will held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, in Room 32 of the high school. The celebration is scheduled for July 7-9, and activities include a float for the Fourth of July… Read More
MISS MANNERS: A CITIZEN’S GUIDE TO CIVILITY, by Judith Martin, Three Rivers Press, New York, 1999, 366 pages, paperback, $18. Etiquette is not elitist, snobby, old-fashioned or stuffy, as many of us think. After all, Miss Manners (a k a Judith Martin) writes, it embodies… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE — The University of Maine at Presque Isle will hold an open house from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, at Preble Hall. Anyone interested in taking classes in the spring or fall should attend. Representatives of the admissions department, financial aid… Read More
BENTON — Authorities continue to investigate the cause of a fire that destroyed an automotive repair garage Monday. The late-afternoon fire caused more than $100,000 damage to Dan’s Used Cars and Parts in Benton. Nearly a dozen vehicles were demolished along with the building, according… Read More
The towns of Millinocket, East Millinocket and Lincoln have made preparations in the event that Y2K becomes a disruption. All three towns have drafted contingency plans, and in Millinocket and Lincoln, preparation coordinators have been appointed. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
Ellsworth District Court David A. Emery Jr., 23, Bangor, keeping unlicensed dog, $50. 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… Read More
In response to Emily B. Wesson’s letter, “Paving paradise” (BDN, Dec. 22). Yes, the mall sprawl does worry others of us in the community. I, too, have watched pastures turned to pavement at the outskirts of Bangor while the downtown founders in neglect and abandonment. Read More
PRESQUE ISLE — The Aroostook County Chapter of Habitat for Humanity meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the Grant Memorial United Methodist Church, 79 Fleetwood St. The public is welcome and can call 762-9531 for information. Read More
Bangor police arrested a 22-year-old man with an admitted drug habit Tuesday and charged him in connection with thefts at two Bangor Mall stores and a car burglary. The thefts span a six-week period and include a Nintendo 64 video game system taken from Sears… Read More
LUBEC — Candidates who want to run for the vacant seat on the Lubec Board of Selectmen may pick up nomination papers at the Lubec Town Office, clerk Diana Wilson said Tuesday. The filing deadline is Jan. 10, 2000, and the election is scheduled for Jan. 24. The… Read More
Towns in eastern Hancock County, from Dedham to Gouldsboro, have discussed the implications of the Y2K bug, but no formal contingency plans have been made. Most towns report that the fire departments will be on call, as always, in case any problems come as a result of the… Read More