AUGUSTA – Democratic lawmakers, moving swiftly through a long legislative day, mustered votes of final approval in the House and Senate late Tuesday night for a bill to broaden beer and wine taxes as part of a change in the funding mechanism for Maine’s Dirigo Health program. Read More
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UNION – The Mid-Coast Regional Planning Commission annual meeting will be held 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, at the Union Town Office, 567 Common Road. Included will be a buffet dinner and presentations on collaborative planning and public participation in development review by Jack Kartez;… Read More
KENNEBUNKPORT – President Bush went fishing on Friday, relaxing with his dad before his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Bush family estate. “Putin watching” will trump whale watching as the local sport as of Sunday. Taking advantage of the lull before the… Read More
Sure I knew where Nana and Granddad were buried – in Clinton. I’d been there 30 years ago when great-uncle Harry died. Driving home from Augusta one Saturday afternoon seemed the perfect time to “stop by” Clinton and look for the graves. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
HOWLAND – SAD 31’s board of directors honored with a proclamation on Wednesday night the high school wrestling coach they call “Hutch” for achieving his 400th career victory. Coach Gerald Hutchinson received a standing ovation for his 400th win on Jan. 21 and for his… Read More
Republican Gov. Bill Owens of Colorado says he led the state’s largest tax-relief package in its history, cutting sales, personal-income and capital-gains taxes while eliminating the marriage penalty. Conservative publications admire him, according to his web site, with plaudits from the Wall Street Journal, the Economist and by… Read More
The holiday hubbub is soon to begin. It’s often a blur, albeit a festive one. But this year, as you rush to shop and decorate and plan menus for special meals with loved ones, take a moment on Dec. 1 to reflect on, and maybe say a little… Read More
BANGOR – Politicians running for public office depend more on emotional pleas than facts to win the votes of constituents, Richard Kimball, president of Project Vote Smart, said Thursday. The independent group he heads, founded by a multipartisan board in 1992, aims to change that… Read More
BELFAST – The proposal to build a new Waldo County Jail and sheriff’s office may have been on the City Council’s back burner, but not any longer. During their meeting Tuesday, members of the council took umbrage at Mayor Michael Hurley for commenting publicly that… Read More
CALAIS – It began with the “Street Scene”: a discussion of what drug addicts are doing every day to supply or protect their habit. A steal-or-deal philosophy now is a central part of the Down East drug culture, according to one expert. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
AUBURN – The rain-swollen Androscoggin River receded Tuesday after cresting just below flood stage, another sign that the drought-stricken state would escape the spring floods that often hit the region. More than 2 inches of rain fell in 48 hours in parts of the Androscoggin… Read More
Despite intense lobbying by the White House and oil industry, Rep. John Baldacci admirably voted to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, one of America’s last great wilderness areas. Unfortunately, despite his sensible opposition, the so-called Energy Security Act passed with the support of House Republican leadership who,… Read More
The weather man provided the opportunity. The men and women of the Fort Kent area are doing the rest. Three weeks ago, and with just a few days notice, the U.S. Junior Biathlon Championships were moved from the world-renowned and unexpectedly snowless Olympic facility at… Read More
MACHIAS — The annual town meeting was a short affair Tuesday as voters passed the 33 articles in just 45 minutes. Town Manager Scott Harriman said Wednesday about 40 people attended the second day of the annual meeting. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
PITTSFIELD — At least two town councilors objected to the new proposed subdivision ordinance at Tuesday night’s council meeting, claiming it would stifle all future development in Pittsfield. “It is just overzealous,” said Councilor Kathy Brattoya after the meeting. “It is very anti-development.” googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
BANGOR — National Veterinary Technician Week is Oct. 11 to 17. For information about veterinary technology, call University College of Bangor at 581-6191. Read More
The Maine Race for the Cure, a fund-raiser for breast cancer research and programs, will not take place until Sunday, Sept. 20. But it will also not take place without volunteers to get the fund-raiser going and without the necessary equipment to make it all work. Read More
Another Labor Day has come and gone. For many, Labor Day has become little more than an excuse for a three day weekend. To some commentators, the irrelevance of the holiday suggests that unions are obsolete. Despite modest success by the Teamsters in the recent UPS strike, the… Read More
NASHUA, N.H. — Snow insurance would come in handy to New Hampshire towns this winter, but many town officials have not heard of it. “It seems like it would have been a good investment on July 1, doesn’t it?” said John Andrews, executive director of… Read More
NOWLE’S PASSING, by Edith Forbes, Seal Press, 266 pages, $21.95. You don’t have to spend a lot of time in Vermont to see that although Edith Forbes grew up on a ranch in the dry West, in her six short years in the Green Mountains… Read More
There are many dedicated wildlife rehabilitators in Maine. This is fortunate; as is mentioned in your recent article, “Animals enjoy a new family at Echo Lake Center,” many wild creatures are indeed orphaned and wounded. Without these generous people, their lives would be shortened and painful. However, the… Read More
BOSTON (AP) — Even for the very, very old, it appears it’s never too late to benefit from getting in shape. A study found that frail people in their late 80s and 90s get around more quickly, climb stairs better and sometimes even throw away… Read More
Cheap power rates available soon from Bangor Hydro-Electric Co. will make some forms of electric heat competitive with oil heat. A proposal recently approved by the Maine Public Utilities Commission allows the company to sell electricity at night at extremely low prices to customers whose… Read More
A load of lobster, a sophisticated sting and the seduction of celebrity are the tools reportedly used by a group of people calling themselves Sid’s Liberation Army to recoup money supposedly owed to one of them by another man. The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department is… Read More
ROCKLAND — Gary S. Peters, 22, of Camden sat in Knox County Superior Court on Friday, for what must have been the longest day of his life. He was sentenced to four years in prison, with all but six months suspended, with a $500 fine… Read More
I was so pleased to see the “Family Ties” column by Connee Jellison appear once again. How about making it a weekly column? Certainly it is as appealing as the “What Is It?” feature. Thanks for resurrecting this very helpful column. Jeannine Peters Bangor… Read More
Potpourri this week. Attending a meeting of County Commissioners always produces a surprise. This week was no exception. 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
BANGOR – Penobscot Theatre continues its 35th anniversary season with two productions for the holiday season – the Tony-nominated family musical “A Year With Frog and Toad,” and the uproarious comedy for mature audiences, “A Tuna Christmas.” The productions run through Dec. 23 at the… Read More
ORONO – What better time than the holidays to hold the popular Maine Indian Basketmakers Sale and Demonstration, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Student Recreation and Fitness Center, University of Maine. The event offers the public an opportunity… Read More
BANGOR – Stephanie (Stevie) Dunham and Caleb McGary met at age 8 while taking a class at Caleb’s mother’s dance studio, River City Dance, and while performing with Robinson Ballet. Since that age they have danced in “The Nutcracker,” performing various roles separately or partnered… Read More
If you had a band, what would you call it? “The Copper Lights.” 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
Schools Maine Recycles Week 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
3rd District Court, Bangor Cases Nov. 10-14, 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
Bangor BSO Sneak Peek series at Maine Center for the Arts 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
From the governor’s office to the showrooms of small auto dealerships throughout the state, many Mainers are paying close attention to the proposed $15 billion bailout of U.S. automakers. Most involved in the industry are hoping that the U.S. Congress will vote to give the… Read More
BELFAST – State and local police converged on a High Street home after a male occupant was shot to death there Tuesday morning. Police said a woman was being questioned in connection with the shooting and a weapon was recovered. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
BANGOR – A group of local pastors plans to attend a meeting of the Gambling Control Board in Augusta today to oppose a proposal by Hollywood Slots Hotel and Raceway to offer Sunday morning gambling. Under the current rules, the facility at 500 Main St. Read More
Because of anticipated state and federal budget cuts, elderly residents at some Maine assisted living facilities will no longer be served breakfast beginning on Jan. 1. Freese’s Assisted Living in Bangor, Stearns Assisted Living in Millinocket and Merry Gardens Estates in Camden will continue to… Read More
BREWER – The national slowdown in the auto industry will cause a temporary shutdown at Brewer Automotive Components. Company officials are anticipating a two-week shutdown starting Dec. 19 at the Brewer factory, where 117 workers make suspension and steering components for Toyota of North America… Read More
ORONO – The Maine Better Transportation Association will host a program Thursday evening at the Best Western Black Bear Inn titled “Flight Plan: Weathering Turbulence and Finding Opportunity in the Passenger Air Travel Market.” The program begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11. Rebecca Hupp,… Read More
BANGOR – Fraser Papers Ltd. has sued a Michigan firm in U.S. District Court seeking payment for 1.8 million pounds of specialty paper manufactured at Fraser’s Madawaska facility and shipped to North Carolina between May 5 and June 2. In the breach-of-contract lawsuit filed Monday,… Read More
It’s good that the Bangor Daily News highlights the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (“Eleanor’s Declaration,” Dec. 8) and that the BDN states that “few in the West would argue these basic claims that come with being human.” One aspect of the human rights… Read More
Almost every day on TV one will view the suffering of little children who are victims of war, pestilence, famine and natural disasters. Then again there are agencies, which rescue children from picking in city dumps. If a civilization cannot control birth rates compared to… Read More
The country’s health insurance industry was praised last week for joining the national debate over universal health coverage. Pledges to give up its ability to reject people with pre-existing medical conditions and its longstanding objection to guarantees of insurance coverage could represent a significant change for the insurance… Read More
Several readers have written in about whether it is possible for President-elect Barack Obama to become president before Jan. 20. While the chances of this happening are virtually nil, there are constitutional paths to such a development. One would be for Condoleeza Rice to resign… Read More
There’s an intimidating picture on the front page of the Dec. 3 Bangor Daily News It shows an individual brandishing the Bible like some club with which to throttle those Christians (like me) who look into Scripture and see Christ’s words of love and tolerance. Read More
A loan program unveiled last week fills an important void by targeting money to small businesses in rural and downtown areas. The new loans also come at a critical time when credit markets across the country remain frozen. Coastal Enterprises, Inc. was selected by the… Read More