ROCKLAND – Historic Inns of Rockland will roll out a welcome mat on Saturday. The public is invited to enjoy a peek into historic homes decorated in holiday splendor as part of the Festival of Lights. The inns are within walking distance from Main Street… Read More
    OLD TOWN – The City Council Monday night put on hold the sale of a Bennoch Road property until after the first of the year. After three failed motions and much discussion, the council voted 4-3 to table the sale of a 71-foot-by-51-foot parcel that was deeded to… Read More
    HOULTON – Postsecondary education in southern Aroostook County will get a major boost this morning when an official renovation ceremony is held to mark the start of work on the new University of Maine at Presque Isle Houlton Higher Education Center. “The community is very… Read More
    Central Aroostook Junior-Senior High School First quarter honor roll Seniors, highest honors: Heather Johnston, Gaye Pierce; high honors: Craig Allen, Donna Bell, Craig Durost, Stephenie Goodall, Jennifer Grant, Melissa Robinson, Joseph Sargent, Betsy Tweedie; honors: Lacey Bell, Gary Belyea, Ryan Blanchard, Deniz Egilmez, Adam Hall,… Read More
    MONSON – A wood stove-related fire swept through an elderly Monson man’s home Monday, demolishing everything the man owned. When firefighters arrived at Daniel Gallagher’s home on the Elliottsville Road about 12:30 p.m., the fire had already consumed one wall and was raging throughout the… Read More
    CAMDEN – A proposal from a town committee to charge for parking at the public landing died a quick death Monday night. Three members of the select board said they were leaning in favor of the proposal when they first heard it explained by the… Read More
    BANGOR – A Bradford man convicted in 1983 of murdering a city cabdriver was indicted Monday on charges that he robbed a Hampden woman outside the Bangor Mall last week. A Penobscot County grand jury handed up the indictment against Scott Allard, 37, on a… Read More
    The Santa’s Helper Fund is growing quickly as the outpouring of support from readers has been tremendous. Surpassing 20 percent of our $50,000 fund-raising goal in 10 days is very promising. It is comforting to know that The Salvation Army, with your help and that of the Santa’s… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – University students may gain valuable experience in working with high-caliber athletes as a result of an agreement signed Monday with the Maine Winter Sport Center. The agreement, signed with the University of Maine at Presque Isle, will allow physiology faculty members and… Read More
    ANSON – Travelers over the Madison-Anson Bridge each weekday may think that the protesters carrying signs in the early morning are from Madison Paper Industries, which is located next to the bridge. But the men and women gathered there each morning before heading to classes… Read More
    To the old quip that success in life largely consists of choosing your parents carefully, a new study of higher education adds that academic success might depend on picking your home state with equal care. Measuring Up 2000, from the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education… Read More
    BANGOR – A Pearl Harbor memorial ceremony will be held at noon, Thursday, Dec. 7, at the Kenduskeag Stream Plaza in downtown Bangor by veterans organizations of the greater Bangor area. The commemorative service is for the members of the U.S. Navy and Air Force… Read More
    SOUTHWEST HARBOR – When Joe Lachance reported his car stolen, he wasn’t too concerned about the financial loss: The battered 1984 Mercury Cougar isn’t worth more than a couple of thousand dollars. But the car represents a time-honored tradition for the sailing and fishing community… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – The following divorces were granted in Maine District Court in Presque Isle by Judge David Griffiths. Unless noted, they were granted on the grounds of irreconcilable marital differences. Kent L. McLellan of Mapleton and Della R. Monson of Fort Fairfield, married in… Read More
    Coach says thanks I would like to extend my most sincere appreciation to all of those responsible for the honor that was given to me at the Center Drive School ceremony to recognize my 50 years of coaching. A special thanks to Rick Cortis who… Read More
    ROCKLAND – The search for a Knox County Jail administrator may be over. Sheriff Daniel Davey has chosen Richard Robbins of Warren to fill the post. The job has been vacant since June when Maj. David Lovejoy resigned to take a position with the state… Read More
    Bangor District Court Toby L. Howard, 20, Bar Harbor, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, $200. 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… Read More
    Caribou District Court William S. Jenkins, 36, Limestone, operating motor vehicle after suspension of driver’s license, transferred to Superior Court; violating condition of release, transferred to Superior Court. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner =… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – The SAD 53 board of directors discovered Monday night that a simple request from a group of support staff within the district – secretaries, educational aides, custodians – to join the local teachers’ union, has become more complicated. Superintendent Terrence McCannell told the… Read More
    Maine Public Radio was once a lovely oasis in the desert of soul-numbing programming provided by most other radio stations and many of us gladly supported it with our membership dollars. Over the years, that oasis has gradually become shrunken by program changes. The latest changes seem to… Read More
    BANGOR – Charles Dickens’ classic story of the power of Christmas spirit comes to life once again with Penobscot Theatre Company’s 8th annual production of “A Christmas Carol” beginning Dec. 13 at the Bangor Opera House. Performances are scheduled at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13;… Read More
    AUGUSTA – House Republican leaders suggested Monday that the new power sharing agreement in the Maine Senate could diminish the clout of majority Democrats in the House. But House Majority Leader Patrick Colwell, D-Gardiner, argued his caucus would push forward with a number of initiatives… Read More
    DEXTER – The monthly meeting of the Alzheimer’s Support Group will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, at Dexter Health Care, 64 Park St. For more information, call Dianne Coppola at 924-5516. Read More
    Gov. Bush won the election and it is time for Al Gore to concede for the good of the country. He should pack it in, shut up, send the lawyers home, quit twisting the truth and give up the tantrums on TV. This country needs… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – A former Boy Scout leader, who was also a former employee of the Northern Maine Juvenile Detention Center, pleaded guilty Monday to three counts of gross sexual assault. Dale E. Greaney, 34, of Norridgewock entered the plea in 13th District Court before Judge… Read More
    ST. GEORGE – A request to fund the preliminary design of a new fire station was rejected Monday, but could return to voters at the March town meeting. By a 36-27 vote, taxpayers decided not to spend $35,000 for initial design costs for a building… Read More
    Claims regarding the sacredness of the vote are disturbing. One can not hold that the ballot after it has been turned in is sacred while the process of marking the ballot is unrestrained or is common. Contrast the attitude of some of our politicians regarding… Read More
    AUGUSTA – The Harvest Fund, a new small grant foundation for the Maine Initiatives Fund, has announced the foundation’s first eight grants. According to Deborah Felder, director of the nonprofit organization, six Maine groups have received grants totaling $8,000. The goal of the Harvest Fund… Read More
    BANGOR – Former Millinocket Town Manager James F. Kotredes was indicted Monday on a felony theft charge for allegedly using a town credit card to steal between $15,000 and $20,000 from the town between 1995 and 1997. A Penobscot County grand jury handed up the… Read More
    DOVER-FOXCROFT – State, county and municipal officials focused their attention Monday on a long-term solution to alleviate the overcrowding and cramped space at the District Court building. The need for more space at the courthouse has been a pressing issue for some time. On court… Read More
    Let me say up front, I hate opera. I am one of those who is delighted that MPR has done away with that horrid wasteland on Saturdays. Saturday afternoon was one of the times when I didn’t have to be in my office, when I could relax and… Read More
    PORTSMOUTH – The Maine-New Hampshire boundary dispute may play a role in the trial of a part-time Stratham police officer accused of drunken boating. Thirty-four-year-old Michael Gobbi was charged with boating while intoxicated, refusing to take a chemical test and improperly displaying his bow lights… Read More
    BANGOR – A former employee of WLBZ-2 television in Bangor has sued the station and its owners for sex discrimination and retaliation, claiming she left her position of 33 years after a new male supervisor subjected her to what the lawsuit terms “relentless gender-based harassment.” The employee claims… Read More
    ROCKLAND – A city woman was injured when her car was hit broadside at the intersection of Broadway and Park Street on Saturday morning. Carolyn Hahnl, 57, of Rockland was traveling south on Broadway in a 1981 Mercury sedan when she entered the intersection of… Read More
    The really scary thing about the two 16-year-olds who shot two horses in a field (and possibly shot into the cab of a moving truck on a highway) is that in just two years these mindless young men will be eligible to vote. Ethel M. Schwalbe Steuben… Read More
    AUGUSTA -The Maine Speak Out Project has organized a “Speakout” and a question-and-answer session with Gov. Angus King at 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, on the steps of the State House. The session was planned to give supporters throughout the state an opportunity to air… Read More
    WISCASSET – A Wiscasset man accused of shaking a toddler so violently that she later died from her injuries pleaded guilty Monday under an agreement with prosecutors. Erik Hart pleaded guilty to manslaughter in Lincoln County Superior Court in exchange for the state dropping a… Read More
    HOPE – A Rockport man fell asleep while driving on Route 17 Sunday and ended up demolishing his vehicle. Matthew D. Rogers, 20, was traveling east on Route 17 in a 1995 Nissan Altima when he dozed off and awoke to his vehicle being out… Read More
    While our media have been obsessed with judicial and legislative efforts to resolve not only a presidential election but a potential constitutional impasse, Canadians seemingly reconfirmed a tranquil status quo in their elections. Jean Chretien’s Liberals even increased their parliamentary majority. Chretien thus became only the fourth Canadian… Read More
    MILO – Smoke inhalation caused the death of the unidentified 36-year-old man whose body was found after a fire Sunday flattened his River Road mobile home, officials said Monday. Flames apparently spread and gutted a second mobile home 10 feet away, according to Stephen McCausland,… Read More
    MACHIAS – A New Brunswick couple accused of stealing almost $90,000 in an automatic teller machine scam and later using the cash to buy a house, car and jewelry were sentenced Monday on theft charges. Richard Libby, 30, and his wife, Lisa Libby, 29, of… Read More
    ROCKLAND – A Union woman suffered minor injuries in a Sunday evening accident at a Broadway intersection. Colleen Hupper, 34, was treated at Penobscot Bay Medical Center and released, according to a hospital spokeswoman Monday. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
    Recent articles and an editorial in the Bangor Daily News have discussed legislation proposed by the Bureau of Insurance, an agency within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. In addition, the release of the Report of the Year 2000 Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care has heightened… Read More
    Machias District Court Patrick L. Shannon, 22, North Lubec, failure to register motor vehicle operating on public way, $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
    BANGOR – For the final seven minutes of Sunday’s championship game of the Paul Bunyan Invitational, two words dominated James Catalano’s periodic sideline bellows. “Yo!” was the first (That succeeded in getting the attention of his New Jersey Institute of Technology players). googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
    COLLEGE At Middletown, Conn. Bates women 161, Wesleyan 81 Bates men 143, Wesleyan 100 At the University of Maine, Orono Black Bear International McGill women 428, Maine 366.5, New Hampshire 306, New Brunswick 302, Dalhousie 133, Sherbrooke 123.5 googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – After a heartbreaking one-point loss in its first-round game Saturday night, the Maine Central Institute postgraduate basketball team was less than thrilled to play in the consolation game of its own tournament, the MCI Invitational. But the Huskies made the most of the… Read More
    College At Bates College, Lewiston Southern Maine men 68, Bates 67 Pole vault: Andrew Wheeler (B) 10-6, Stamp (USM) 10-0; long jump: Kevin Furia (USM) 19-10, LaRose (USM) 18-2, Paul 17-10, Matsdorf (B) 17-3 googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
    AUGUSTA – Ashley Sennett of Winslow High School was honored Sunday as the third recipient of the Miss Maine Field Hockey Award. Sennett, a senior, scored 30 goals and notched 29 assists while leading coach Brenda Beckwith’s Black Raiders to a 19-0 record and the… Read More
    WATERVILLE – Zeb Davis hit two 3-pointers in overtime Saturday to lift the Colby College White Mules to a 75-69 men’s basketball victory over Hamilton (N.Y.) College in the Colby Invitational championship at Wadsworth Gym. Davis finished with 21 points and earned tournament MVP honors. Read More
    Dexter Regional High School First quarter honor roll Seniors, highest honors: Erin Cole, Heather Currier, Angela Ellis, Dan Fields, Jennifer Fogler, Matthew Foster, Kristine Gilbert, Rachel Goetze, Amy Hazlett, Megan Hitchcock, Angela Hogan, Ryan Lane, Tiffany Pooler, Benjamin Robinson, Laurie Walker, Robert Worcester; high honors:… Read More
    OLD TOWN – The Stillwater Montessori School will present an open house and informational program from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, at the Holy Family Parish, 117 South Brunswick St., for people interested in learning about high-quality education with individual attention for ages 6 through 12… Read More
    Though a time for celebration and reflection, the bright and joyous holiday season is too often tarnished with tragedy. Each year across America 10,000 accidental deaths directly related to holiday decorations occur in December alone. Most of these deaths and injuries are the result of fire – and… Read More
    Gloria Loud, in her letter “Too many immigrants” on Nov. 15, was perfectly justified in complaining about the behavior of Somali immigrants in Portland who continue their ethnic hostilities after coming to America. Marc Edwards reminds us in his letter, “Closer to home” on Nov. 20, that we… Read More
    I’m sitting here in shock on hearing what Eastern Maine Medical Center and St. Joseph Hospital want to do about forcing people who are hospitalized for treatment, people who are visitors and the working personnel who are employed by these establishments, not to smoke. I… Read More
    Daniel B. Moore of Charleston woke up to a triple hangover on Sunday, finding himself arrested on three outstanding warrants after a night in which he was charged with OUI. Just after 1 a.m., Bangor police and ambulance personnel responded to a report of a… Read More
    It is unfortunate that state Sen.-elect Tom Sawyer resorted to negative campaign tactics to win a seat in the Maine Legislature. Sawyer’s misleading mailings during the final days prior to the election casting blame on Rep. Jane Saxl for nonexistent debt, accusing her of excessive spending and claiming… Read More
    PORTLAND – The percentage of families living in poverty is going down in Maine, according to a new report by the U.S. Census. The report estimates that 14.9 percent of Maine families with children ages 5 to 17 were living in poverty in 1997. That… Read More
    Your editorial (“Public and radio,” BDN, Nov. 25-26) and Bruce Kyle’s column (BDN, Nov. 23) are right on target. It has been clear for some time that Maine Public Radio’s claims of continued commitment to classical music are not to be trusted. We have seen a continued erosion… Read More
    BANGOR – The 13th annual Maine Beef Conference was an opportunity Saturday morning for the state’s producers to hear from several experts that the future of the industry in Maine is bright. The Maine Beef Industry Council has spent more than $400,000 in the last… Read More
    MACHIAS – The proposed Washington County budget will go to public hearing on Dec. 7 calling for a 10 percent increase in spending and a 5 percent increase in county taxes. The budget, as proposed by the county budget committee, now stands at $4,371,854 with… Read More
    Visitors to the Pacific Northwest often return to Maine filled with admiration for the numerous state and national parks along the coast. Long ago, Maine lost many pristine coastal areas to private ownership. The nation’s rich settled into their very large (and very private) summer homes in places… Read More
    COBURN GORE – A 61-year-old muzzleloader hunter was found safe Saturday morning after spending a snowy night lost in the remote woods of western Maine. Temperatures dropped below 10 degrees Friday night, according to Warden Sgt. William Allen, after Richard Arsenault of Gorham was reported… Read More
    PEMBROKE – With the loss of ambulance services just days away, municipal officials from more than two dozen Washington County communities will meet Tuesday to consider proposals from other service providers. The 10 a.m. meeting at the Pembroke American Legion Hall comes in the aftermath… Read More
    You may have seen the Maine Old Cemetery Association Inscription Project records, also known as MIP, on microfilm in several libraries. The first two series are available at the Bangor Public Library, University of Maine’s Fogler Library, the Maine State Library in Augusta, Penobscot Marine… Read More
    George Smith supports private rather than public ownership of Maine’s forests except when a billionaire purchases 15,000 acres for, in Smith’s words, “his own private playground.” Many who oppose public ownership (state or federal) of Maine’s forests also want free and unlimited access to those forests for their… Read More
    BANGOR – A key court appearance was postponed Friday for Dana McGovern of Calais, the owner of a Down East ambulance firm, who recently was indicted by a federal grand jury in Bangor for alleged financial fraud. No official reason was given for the postponement… Read More
    MORO – A Castle Hill man and his grandson escaped serious injury Saturday when the car in which they were riding left Route 11 and struck some trees. Richard Watt, 63, was driving south at about 1 p.m. when he apparently blacked out, according to… Read More
    In Theaters KESTREL’S EYE Directed by Mikael Kristersson. 85 minutes. No rating. Now playing, Railroad Square Cinema, Waterville. 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
    The Bangor City Council will consider reducing the number of polling places now that it has ordered a special election for next March to fill the unexpired term of former Mayor Michael Aube. Though the concern over the cost of the election is appreciated, the confusion such a… Read More
    PORTLAND – When Stephen King launched his serial novel “The Plant” into cyberspace last July, he set off a wave of speculation about the publishing industry’s future in a marketplace where author and reader can do business directly, with no middleman. Now that he has… Read More
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Susan Collins and Rep. John Baldacci have announced nominations of area students for admission to United States service academies. Officials at the academies will evaluate each nominee’s qualifications early next year. “A nomination to one of our service academies is a… Read More
    Mount View High School, Thorndike First quarter honor roll Seniors, high honors: Emily Cochrane, Miranda Downs, Turin Dragonetti, Logan Feeney, Ryan Fortin, Phoebe Garfinkel, Brittany Henderson, Sarah Lavway, Sara Spaulding, William Terry, Indra Wiralaksmana; honors: Meredith Arute, Josh Bardeleben, Jonah Brugger, Christopher Bryant, Audra Caler,… Read More
    Bangor District Court Kimberly Garceau, 39, Stillwater, operating motor vehicle while under influence of intoxicating liquor, $1,300, jail 120 days, all but 40 suspended, probation one year, license suspended 90 days, operating motor vehicle after suspension of driver’s license, dismissed. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
    Ellsworth High School First quarter honor roll Seniors, highest honors: Rachel Decker, Katherine Fink, Nicole Higgins, Lara Jacobson, Rebecca Lock, Jessica Moreau, Christopher Raposa; high honors: Michael Archer, Brian Bohm, Shawn Connor, Jade Courtemanche, Katie Hodgkins, Ruth Isaacson, Amy Jones, Rebecca Joy, Angelique Kelley, Erin… Read More
    As a founding member of the campus Sustainability Coalition, I applaud the administration’s appointment of a Campus Planning Committee at the University of Maine. One of its four charges is to incorporate environmental protection issues into campus planning. But we need not await Planning Committee decisions to treat… Read More
    ROCKPORT – An Islesboro man with a background in educational management was hired by selectmen as interim town manager on Friday. Ken Smith will work three days a week until a permanent town manager can be hired, Peter Hall, chairman of the Board of Selectmen,… Read More
    Bangor High School First quarter honor roll Seniors, high honors: Kim Cammack, Tracy Collins, Terra Curtis, Joshua Johnson, Shannon Karam, Heather Kitchen, Justin Libbey, Tsega Menelik, Jana Savage, Justin Umel, Sara Walton, Samantha Warner; honors: Kyleen Allen, Matthew Anderson, Robert Baker, Barry Barker, Megan Batty,… Read More
    PITTSFIELD – A proposed convoy to press prosecutors to hand out stern punishment to two teen-age boys who confessed to shooting two horses in a field last month is getting support from around the world, according to its organizers. The convoy, planned for next Saturday… Read More
    ORONO – The Maine Center for Student Journalism needs a logo, and high school students from around the state are invited to design and enter either a hand- or computer-designed logo representing the center. The logo should symbolize student journalism or student publications in the… Read More
    Do you ever feel like you’ve been labeled for bad luck? One family writes that their luck seems to have gone from bad to worse. There was an accident that injured the father, and shortly after returning to work, he was laid off. They have exhausted his unemployment… Read More
    Madison Area Memorial High School First quarter honor roll Seniors, honors: Melissa Aube, Naomi Barnum, Allison Brown, Christopher Derby, Brandie Dow, Sarah Duley, Jonathan Fortin, Terri Godin, Dione Hanron, Maegan Lemay, Ashley Morris, Lyndsi Paine, Sandra Paredes, Lars-Erik Siren, Kristi St. Peter, Kathy Steward, Stephanie… Read More
    PRESQUE ISLE – For the second straight year, two University of Maine at Presque Isle students have earned the top awards among honors students from across the UMaine System. Lea Allen of Lower Kintore, New Brunswick, received the first-place L. Edward Willard Jr. Award, while Eric Pelkey of… Read More