ELLSWORTH – A former Bar Harbor funeral director has pleaded guilty to four criminal charges that he mishandled more than $480,000 from 200 customers who set aside money for use in prearranged burial plans. Paul C. McFarland is expected to be sentenced later this month. Read More
The controversy over whether the state should have the authority to issue federal water pollution permits – a debate that has gotten the governors of two Indian tribes declared in contempt of court – became much more complicated Monday when wild Atlantic salmon in several Maine rivers were… Read More
THOMASTON – When a former town manager and his wife had their Booker Street property dug up, they wound up opening a can of worms. What developed from Monday’s excavation of William and Theresa Judson’s 1-acre parcel was a handful of court motions, including a… Read More
When I see MBNA’s community involvement being bashed, my blood turns cold. As executive director of Yokefellow House, an aftercare facility for ex-offenders, I saw what MBNA’s hands-on support could do. One of their upper-echelon employees was on our board of directors and our treasurer… Read More
ORONO – The Maine Association for Middle Level Education recently honored exemplary educators at its annual conference. This year’s recognition ceremony was highlighted by the presentation of a new award, the Friends of Middle Level Education, which was presented to Robert Cobb, dean of the College of Education… Read More
FORT FAIRFIELD – Aroostook Magazine, a monthly publication with a controlled circulation of more than 8,000 has been purchased by Eastern Publishing Co., owners of two Maine community newspapers. Eastern Publishing Co., a subsidiary company of Henley Publishing Ltd. of New Brunswick, publishes the Fort… Read More
An article published Tuesday about Pan American Airlines beginning to offer jet service on Jan. 8 between Bangor and Allentown, Pa., inaccurately reported that flight time from Bangor to Sanford, Fla., would be reduced because of better connecting flights in Allentown. In fact, the flight from Bangor International… Read More
Every Thanksgiving, people get up before dawn to cram a 35-pound turkey into the oven. It’s all about the bird. For one day, the pursuit of a moist, juicy, perfectly browned and basted gobbler supersedes all else, except football. There are turkey hot lines filled with people crying… Read More
ELLSWORTH – At first glance, Hancock County and Cuba seem to have little more in common than the Atlantic lapping their shores. But Kathy Veilleux, vice president of clinical services at Mount Desert Island Hospital in Bar Harbor, and Jeanne Fortier, vice president of nursing… Read More
With Florida’s recount deadline past and the threats from the Gore and Bush camps piling up faster than votes did for Pat Buchanan, Florida Judge Terry Lewis needed to act decisively to protect the integrity of the voting process. Instead, he ducked the issue, sending it to Florida’s… Read More
Maine Maritime Academy said Tuesday it wants $21 million to revamp buildings, endow professorships and boost scholarships at the Castine college. MMA President Leonard Tyler, in back-to-back news conferences in Bangor and Portland, said the campaign is called “Enhancing a Legacy of Excellence: The Campaign… Read More
WASHINGTON – A Missouri company is recalling about 3.7 million Craftsman brand radial arm saws sold over the last 40 years because of about 300 reports of severe injuries caused by incompletely guarded blades. Emerson Tool Co., of St. Louis, Mo., is recalling the saws… Read More
MACHIAS – The decision has been made and the long wait to see what it will mean has begun. And it will be months or even years before anyone knows the full effect of Monday’s announcement by two federal fish agencies that they are listing… Read More
BANGOR – An instructional class was taught last Friday night at the Bangor Auditorium and the topic was “Classic Rock Concerts 101.” The guest “instructors” were some of the field’s foremost experts: Survivor, REO Speedwagon, and Styx. Survivor found its way out onstage just after… Read More
ROCKLAND – A judge offered a Tenants Harbor man more time Tuesday to decide whether to testify in his trial on charges he sexually abused his daughter. Maurice Hupper, 65, and his wife, Delores Hupper, 44, were arrested in March on charges that they sexually… Read More
This is shaping up as the year to look at political systems, to see if they are working right. With all six Maine referendum items gone to defeat in this latest election, it is time for another look at our state’s referendum system. The problem… Read More
SCARBOROUGH – The Titans, Red Storm and Red Rebels are among the top contenders to replace the Redskins as the mascot for Scarborough High School. A survey of high school students earlier this year found they favored retaining the Redskins nickname by a margin of… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – A federal order issued Tuesday will require that CommutAir continue service at the Northern Maine Regional Airport until a replacement carrier is found, according to announcements by Maine’s congressional delegation. The order, issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation, also will allow… Read More
WASHINGTON – A majority of terminally ill patients say the options of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide should be available to Americans but very few would consider such choices themselves, says one of a series of major new studies on how we die. When it comes… Read More
ORONO – Broadway is back at Orono High School. A company of eight devoted Orono High School performers will sing and dance their hearts out Thursday night to raise funds for an auditorium they’ll never get to use. “Broadway Tonight 2,” to be performed at… Read More
BELFAST – Waldo County commissioners have approved a building contract for the new regional communications center, and hired a city man as center director. The commissioners Tuesday approved the $292,000 bid submitted by Birco Inc. of Liberty for construction of the dispatch center building on… Read More
The BDN story (Nov. 4-5) about Maine children scoring at the top of the nation in reading and writing is important information. One of the reasons for these high scores is the teacher-student ratio in our state which is among the lowest in the nation. Our teachers have… Read More
AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Transportation will begin another winter of snow removal and ice control on some 3,800 miles of Maine highways. Marc Guimont, director of maintenance and operations for MDOT, points out that there are a number of things the public can do to assist… Read More
AUBURN – Opponents of the development of a new Wal-Mart store have gathered nearly 3,000 signatures on a petition calling for changes in the city’s development rules. The discount retailer wants to build a 220,000-square-foot Supercenter that would take up about twice the space of… Read More
Paul Willey began playing virtual golf on his home computer as a way to fill his time after the onset of multiple sclerosis ended his Army career in 1995. On Monday, the 37-year-old Bangor man parlayed those talents into a $100,000 payday by winning the… Read More
BAR HARBOR – The Abbe Museum’s capital campaign has received a year-end challenge grant of $200,000. The grant requires the museum to raise an equal amount from other sources. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
OLD TOWN – The Penobscot Nation Boys and Girls Club Teen Center will hold an open house 1-5 p.m. Nov. 18, at Indian Island. The Teen Center is the result of a first-time collaboration between the Penobscot Nation and the Maine Youth Alliance, the parent… Read More
PORTLAND – A 6-year-old Penobscot County boy has been diagnosed with the state’s first confirmed case of the flu, marking the early arrival of the influenza season in Maine. “This doesn’t necessarily mean we’re going to have widespread influenza illness,” said Dr. Kathleen Gensheimer, the… Read More
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The merger of Entergy Corp., parent company of Arkansas’ largest electrical utility, and Florida utility owner FPL Group Inc. will result in loss of 1,271 jobs, or 5.3 percent of their combined work force of about 26,000. The two companies announced… Read More
Now that the World Series is over and Christmas is almost here (I know that because it’s that time of the year when we are told by TV ads to skip Thanksgiving), and spring training is about to begin since we’re engaged in the annual argument over who’s… Read More
ELLSWORTH – The Acadia Bell Choir will perform at the Ellsworth Public Library. The group will play holiday favorites at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4, on the main floor of the library. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes =… Read More
The place where I voted, Coplin Plantation, has a population of 127 homo sapiens and about the same number of moose, deer, black bears and the occasional wandering wolf from Canada. The Tuesday presidential vote was thus: George W. Bush, 37. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
Jason Stern, a former Bangor High School swimming star and son of the late Marshall Stern, died unexpectedly Monday on Mount Desert Island. A private funeral service for the 28-year-old Stern, formerly of Bangor, was scheduled for 12:30 p.m. today in Canton, Mass. Services were… Read More
FORT KENT – The town of Fort Kent is looking for a few good men and women willing to volunteer some time serving on four municipal boards. Needed are two people to serve as alternates on the Planning Board. Pam Saucier and James Bourgoin were… Read More
HOLE-IN-ONE Mark Grubb 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
BAR HARBOR – With an early shortage of the flu vaccine resolved, Mount Desert Island Hospital and the MDI Community Health Plan have scheduled community flu clinics. The vaccine is necessary for people such as the elderly or health care providers who are at risk… Read More
BANGOR – School department officials on Monday will present to the city’s finance committee a plan to expand the crowded Bangor High School. Robert “Sandy” Ervin, Bangor school superintendent, said this week that the plan, which carries a preliminary price tag of $4.5 million, is… Read More
FALL RIVER, Mass. – The leader of a small Attleboro religious sect, along with his wife and sister, all pleaded innocent Tuesday in the starvation death of his infant son. They were ordered held on bail. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
WASHINGTON – Bath Iron Works has lost out in the government’s review of options on what to do with the USS Cole (DDG-67), Defense officials said. The U.S. Navy has decided to use Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Miss., for the yearlong repair work on the Cole,… Read More
BREWER – Here’s a guarantee. Within 20 seconds of walking into the Bangor-Brewer Lanes during the World Candlepin Team Championship you will hear the word “hammer” used in some context. There are a variety of uses of the word but the most commonly heard refrain… Read More
BLUE HILL – The Bagaduce Chorale will present a holiday concert with guest conductor David Friedell. The 80-member chorus will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, and 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the First Congregational Church of Blue Hill. The program will include… Read More
Bangor District Court Daniel Leduc, 20, Bangor, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, $150, $150 suspended; theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, $250, $250 suspended; theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, $200, $200 suspended; trafficking in dangerous knives, $200, $200 suspended. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – A Portland man is in custody after a chase from Maine to New Hampshire early Tuesday. Berland LaPlace, 25, was arrested shortly before 1:30 a.m., after crashing into two cars in a Portsmouth driveway, police said. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
ST. FRANCIS – Annie Dow was 80 years old in 1985 when she started the St. Francis Historical Society, wanting to document and preserve the history of her hometown, nestled along the St. John River in extreme northwestern Maine. She died last summer, at 95,… Read More
LOCAL At Bangor, Sunday 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
WINTER HARBOR – The Winter Harbor Water District has issued a boil water notice to customers from the corner of Main and Newman streets and eastward along the service area. The order, issued Tuesday, will remain in effect until further notice and is due to… Read More
A Brewer police officer went to investigate a report of a car accident on South Main Street late Monday night and found the car with its front end on the ground and its rear end in the air, propped up by the metal pole it had run over. Read More
NORRIDGEWOCK – Few here would argue that a three-way intersection near the Kennebec River bridge is dangerous. Concrete arches block the views of oncoming vehicles approaching U.S. Route 201A from a pair of side roads. Drivers often must inch out, sometimes narrowly avoiding collisions with… Read More
HOULTON – Town Councilor Philip Bernaiche has, for a third time, introduced an ordinance before the council calling for that body to approve competition for cable TV services in the town. On two previous occasions in July and September, the same ordinance failed to get… Read More
UNITY – The University of Maine-Machias placed seven players in double figures while cruising to victory over Unity College. Tony Heal led the way for the Clippers with 22 points, Sharrief Sims tossed in 21 and Miguel Khan connected for 16. Albert Whittaker netted 14… Read More
EAST MACHIAS – The town was presented with a $15,000 check to help fund the first phase of repairs to the Gardner Lake Dam. The money came through a grant from the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
HAMPDEN – A sewer overflow tank under construction at the Souadabscook Stream along Route 1A should be completed by the first of the year, the public works director said Tuesday. The project, which costs around $500,000 and was approved by the Town Council a few… Read More
A new crop of sweaty faces arrived recently at my neighborhood gym, which can only mean that the holiday season is gaining on us fast. “Check this out,” said a young man on a Stairmaster, chuckling as he lifted his T-shirt so his neighbor could… Read More
FORT KENT – The Fort Kent Town Council was informed Monday night that a Community Development Block Grant to assist in the funding of an aeration system for the municipal water supply will not happen, at least this year. The municipal water system has not… Read More
University of Maine freshman midfielder Katie Hodge didn’t get to play in Saturday’s memorable 3-1 win for the Canadian national women’s soccer team over the United States in Columbus, Ohio. But that didn’t dampen her enthusiasm for her country’s second-ever win over the United States… Read More
We may slowly sink into constitutional chaos unless bold leaders step forward. With two respected Republican senators, Maine is in a unique position to add a very strong voice to those calling for a revote in Palm Beach County, the only clear and fair path out of this… Read More
OLD TOWN – Because of the Thanksgiving Day holiday on Thursday, Nov. 23, rubbish and recyclables regularly collected on that day will be collected on Friday, Nov. 24, along with the regular Friday collection, according to the Old Town Public Works Department. Read More
OLD TOWN – A pet pigeon who loves perching on people’s heads was out and about last week, alternately scaring and charming everyone he met. Kyle has always had a penchant for pates, according to owner Amy Fletcher, who said the friendly 5-month-old pigeon flew… Read More
PORTLAND – The state supreme court has overturned the conviction of a lobsterman accused of attacking another lobsterman with a gaff when a dispute over island fishing rights escalated into violence. David McMahan was convicted of assault after a melee 20 miles off Maine’s coast… Read More
After posting a 15-4 regular-season record and traveling to the National Small College Athletic Association tournament, Ron Brown’s Eastern Maine Technical College men’s basketball team had reason to expect great things this year. With a beefed up schedule and a solid recruiting class entering the… Read More
George Bush kept telling Americans during his campaign that he trusted the people. Well, the popular choice in this election across the entire nation was Al Gore, so what’s the problem? Are the Republicans trying to block a hand tally of Florida votes because it might uncover the… Read More
BANGOR – The Meals for Me program is experiencing a shortage of drivers to deliver hot meals to homebound elderly in the Bangor, Brewer, Hermon and Old Town areas. The shortage is a result of volunteers going south for the winter. With the holiday season… Read More
AUGUSTA – Majority Democrats in the House of Representatives on Tuesday agreed without dissent that the speaker’s gavel in the new Maine Legislature should go to Rep. Michael Saxl of Portland. By making Saxl their nominee for presiding officer of the House, the newly elected… Read More
HOULTON – The Aroostook Crime Stoppers would like to solve a crime that occurred at about 1:50 a.m. April 7, when an armed robbery took place at the County View Hotel on the Houlton Road in Presque Isle An unknown person entered the hotel with… Read More
GUILFORD – A local man was charged Tuesday for possession of marijuana and for possession of drug paraphernalia. John Spack, 36, will make his initial court appearance on the charges Dec. 11 in 13th District Court. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
The election imbroglio in Florida raises a question that has been troubling me during the past several national elections: Of what serious value to American citizens are these projections of winning candidates? I can think of no worthy value . The projections are usually made… Read More
BOSTON – A new alliance of doctors and public health advocates called Tuesday for a 50-cents-per-pack increase in the excise tax on cigarettes in New England – with the extra money going to pay for increased health care. The Alliance for a Healthy New England… Read More
ELLSWORTH – The state Attorney General’s Office has concluded that a state trooper was justified in firing two shots at a runaway teen-ager who displayed a gun when police confronted him in some woods off Route 1A in September. Maine State Police have yet to… Read More
BAILEYVILLE – The town soon will have copyright rules to guide its local cable access station. The new Baileyville cable committee is working to establish guidelines and operating rules for the town’s only public access channel, known as Channel 10. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – A Greenville Junction woman has filed a two-count civil lawsuit in Piscataquis County Superior Court against a local man she thinks is responsible for her husband’s death in 1998. Wendy Gordon, the personal representative of the estate of Roy Dean Gordon, is suing… Read More
Should the election crisis continue getting worse, I suggest the following resolution: Al Gore and George Bush would agree to creatively use the Constitution to allow another person to be elected president. The procedure is complicated, but it could be done. The person chosen would… Read More
BRUNSWICK – The Hampden Citizens Coalition received an award Saturday for its efforts to stop the expansion of the Sawyer Environmental Recovery Facility and protect the nearby Souadabscook Stream. The “outstanding activism” award was presented by the Toxics Action Center during the environmental group’s first… Read More
WASHINGTON – Isuzu Motors Ltd. is recalling some 2000 and 2001 model year Troopers after the sport utility vehicle leaked fuel in crash tests by an insurance industry group. The recall affects 18,460 vehicles – all 2000 Troopers with four-wheel drive and 2001 models with… Read More
CARIBOU – With the funding situation looking tight, city officials are starting the 2001 budget process earlier than usual in order to garner as much public input as possible. The proposed $6.5 million proposed spending plan presented on Monday to the Caribou City Council includes… Read More
COLLEGE Devon Goree Devon Coree, a freshman football player at the University of Maine, has been selected as the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week. Coree registered five tackles, two pass breakups and his team-leading third interception of the season in Maine’s 42-17 win over… Read More
COLLEGE At Bowdoin College, Brunswick University of Maine women 145, Holy Cross 98 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
COLLEGE MAC (Maine Athletic Conference) All-Conference Teams Women’s Soccer First Team 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
Several scheduling changes will mark the 2001 version of the Eastern Maine basketball tournaments. The opening day of the Classes B-C-D tournament (Friday, Feb. 16) will now feature four Class B quarterfinal games instead of two, and two Class D games will be moved from… Read More
BREWER – Chris Hollett of Halifax, Nova Scotia, featured consistency and captured $2,000 by winning the singles knockout in the World Team Candlepin Championships Monday at the Bangor-Brewer Bowling Lanes. Hollett, a member of the defending team champ, MacLaughlin Truck & Trailer, edged Ray Dube… Read More
The University of Maine men’s hockey team used to be among the nation’s leaders in penalty-killing percentage. However, over the last three seasons, the Bears haven’t even been among Hockey East’s leaders. Maine hasn’t finished higher than fourth in the league in penalty-killing percentage. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
GREENVILLE – Wardens can be a funny lot. For example, with the weather crisp and the wind putting the temperature near freezing, a warden might say to one wary of catching pneumonia in an outhouse: “Best of luck.” googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
Cover men’s hoop I would like to concur with Barry Terrill’s letter (BDN, Nov. 7) about the men’s basketball team at the University of Maine in Orono. As a Portland resident I log on to your paper to see an update on the team and… Read More
The University of Maine women’s basketball team began its preseason practices with only 10 healthy players on the 11-woman roster. In hopes of building some depth on the squad, first-year coach Sharon Versyp has announced the addition of Black Bears softball star Erica Sobel to… Read More
BANGOR – Warren Caruso enters his seventh year as the Husson College men’s basketball coach with a loaded roster, a couple of concerns, and the optimism bred by 32 seasons of 20-win campaigns. The Braves will be good, Caruso figures. Just when they’ll become good,… Read More
BLUE HILL – Blue Hill Memorial Hospital’s Health Education Center will offer an indoor Winter Walkers program. The program, which offers a safe a warm environment in which to walk, is held seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through May in… Read More
ROCKLAND – The youth choir of St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Thomaston will present a concert at the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland. The concert will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. Anthony Antolini will direct. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
Bangor District Court JSB Energy Inc., Old Town, operating commercial motor vehicle with missing or broken brake components, $100. 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;… Read More
PORTLAND – The state supreme court Monday upheld the constitutionality of the Maine Grandparents Visitation Act in a case in which a couple sought to stay in touch with three grandchildren, including one who referred to her grandparents as “mom and dad.” Ruling on the… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – The Aroostook County Action Program will hold its annual meeting 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. The guest speaker will be Kay Rand, chief of staff, office of the Governor, who will address this year’s… Read More
BUCKSPORT – Student artists are displaying their works at the Bucksport Bay Area Chamber of Commerce through November. The art may be viewed Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. The display is sponsored by the Parent Teacher Association, which offers after-school art classes. Local… Read More
I am outraged by the decision of Judge Robert Crowley to find three tribal governors in contempt of court on Thursday. Separate from the legal and political issues, his harsh decision was way out of proportion to the situation. It can only inflame people, both native and non-native… Read More
BANGOR – For the third year in a row, the Residential Fire Safety Institute recently awarded the Bangor Fire Department with a Life Safety Achievement Award. The prestigious award is given to select fire departments that, because of excellent fire prevention activities, have no recorded… Read More
BANGOR – One of the former owners of Beacon Cadillac Oldsmobile Jeep and Eagle has filed a civil lawsuit against the lawyer and his firm who represented his former business partner. The former partner was convicted of embezzling nearly $1 million from the auto dealership. Read More
ST. JOHN VALLEY – In recognition of National Diabetes Month, Northern Maine Medical Center will offer free risk testing for diabetes throughout the St. John Valley. Testing should be considered for all people age 45 years and above.” googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
SKOWHEGAN – The Maine Center for Women, Work, and Community is offering a new support group, “Choices and Changes,” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, at 203 Madison Ave. The support group provides varied discussions weekly at no cost. Call 474-0788 for… Read More
THORNDIKE – The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will conduct a free snowmobile-ATV safety education course at Mount View High School. The course will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at the school. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
BANGOR – The Bangor Police Department announced that it will take part in “Operation ABC Mobilization,” a national program spotlighting the need for children to be properly restrained in vehicles. America Buckles Children will be conducted the week of Nov 19-25, with informational road checks… Read More
AUBURN – Maine’s three tribal governors did not go to jail Monday. Instead, their attorneys filed an appeal to a state court ruling ordering them to turn over to paper companies documents relating to water regulation or face imprisonment. As the judge’s 9 a.m. deadline… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – The Disabled American Veterans and Auxiliary Smart-Ricker Chapter 10, Presque Isle Chapter 10 will hold its annual Thanksgiving Day dinner at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, at the Opportunity Training Center. Read More
ELLSWORTH – The Down East chapter of Maine Audubon will host College of the Atlantic professor John Anderson at a presentation about Great Duck Island seabirds. The presentation will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, at the Unitarian Universalist Church on the Bucksport… Read More