DOVER-FOXCROFT – The owners of the Moosehead Manufacturing Co. plant in Dover-Foxcroft plan to hold a public auction on Nov. 15 to sell both the building and the remaining contents inside. That announcement, which was shared by Dover-Foxcroft Town Manager Jack Clukey on Monday with… Read More
STONINGTON – A local oil distribution company has been fined $8,000 for failing to take required precautions against possible oil spills, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. An inspection by the EPA and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection found that R.L. Greenlaw’s oil… Read More
AUGUSTA – The state Bureau of Financial Institutions is launching a “Financial Literacy Project” to help students, teachers and parents acquire the knowledge needed to successfully manage their finances and avoid common pitfalls, Superintendent Lloyd P. LaFountain III announced. The first stage of the project… Read More
AUGUSTA – Some $29 million in contracts awarded by the state without competitive bidding are being investigated to make sure taxpayers are getting their money’s worth. The Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee ordered the review of “cooperative agreements” by the state controller’s office to see whether… Read More
ORONO – Researchers at the University of Maine’s Advanced Engineered Wood Composites Center have been awarded a patent for new technology that could change waterfront construction methods for both large companies and individuals. The AEWC researchers have developed extruded composite sheet piling panels that connect… Read More
Maine home sales have dipped almost 10 percent in a year, and the median home price has declined by about 6.5 percent, according to the September statistics from the Maine Association of Realtors. The association compiles numbers from across the state, and things seem bleak… Read More
Two eastern Maine banks are among the “Best Places To Work In Maine,” according to a program that recognizes employee-focused businesses in Maine. Bangor Savings Bank, with 629 employees, won fifth place in the large-employer category. Machias Savings Bank, with 220 employees, was ninth out… Read More
AUGUSTA – Maine’s energy office says heating oil prices continue to fall, with the cash price dropping 15 cents a gallon to a statewide average of $2.93. Prices have tumbled by $1.78 since they peaked at $4.71 in early July. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
PORTLAND – The start of the new workweek brought lower gasoline prices to Maine motorists. According to AAA, a gallon of regular sold for $2.73 on Monday, down 4 cents from a day earlier and 87 cents in the past month. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
Quoddy Bay LNG is withdrawing its controversial applications for a liquefied natural gas facility on Passamaquoddy tribal land in Washington County. In a letter to state regulators, Quoddy Bay officials said uncertainties in the international energy market meant the company would be unable to update… Read More
Recent chilly nights mean the heating season is upon us. And fluctuating oil prices have prompted lots of us to take another look at wood for heat. The warmth and glow of a wood fire can cheer us on the darkest winter day. Following some… Read More
MACHIAS – Turn back the clock, take a deep breath and slow down when you visit the Machias Hardware Co. on U.S. Route 1, because you are visiting another time. A time when the person behind the counter really knew which tool you needed or which nail to… Read More
NEW YORK – Existing home sales in the Northeast dipped more than 1 percent in September from last year, while the median sales price in the region sank 5.4 percent to $246,800 – the lowest level in four years, the National Association of Realtors said Friday. Read More
We have had our first hard frost. We are now officially starting to heat our homes. We have already traversed 6 percent of the heating season. We know that because the Bangor Daily News tracks degree-days on the weather page. A degree-day is the measure… Read More
OLD TOWN – Although the sale of the bankrupt Red Shield mill should become final next week, it will take “several months” before the dust from the sale – and the company’s debts – settles, according to its attorney. “Literally, you’d have to go through… Read More
By Dec. 8 the typical Maine household will have spent 25 percent of its annual heating fuel budget; by Jan. 21, 50 percent; and by March 5, 75 percent. These data consider only the effect of outside temperature on home heating requirements. No consideration is given to the… Read More
PRESQUE ISLE – Although attendance at this year’s Eastern States Exposition was down overall, that didn’t stop more than 7 percent of those who attended from consuming more than 3 acres worth of potatoes. More than a million fairgoers attended the “Big E” this year. Read More
WESTBROOK – Idexx Laboratories is trimming its full-year profit and revenue expectations after reporting flat profits during its third quarter. Idexx, a producer and supplier of diagnostic products and services and pharmaceuticals for animal care, said Friday that it earned $25.7 million for the period… Read More
PORTLAND – A stronger U.S. dollar could be bad news for Maine’s tourism and export industries. Canada is the state’s largest trading partner. On Thursday, the Canadian dollar was worth 80 cents U.S. after running roughly on par with the dollar for most of the… Read More
The bankrupt mill that dominates Old Town’s skyline and economy has been sold to a New York investment group for almost $19 million and will soon manufacture pulp once again, officials said Thursday. A federal bankruptcy judge in Portland on Thursday approved the sale of… Read More
AUGUSTA – The Maine Gambling Control Board gave its initial approval Thursday to a request by Hollywood Slots Hotel and Raceway in Bangor to offer Sunday morning gaming. The five-member board will now hold a public hearing and gather comments before making a final decision,… Read More
WASHINGTON – Unemployment claims, already well into recession territory, are rising even faster than expected, leading economists to warn Thursday that the worst is yet to come. As the Labor Department released bleak new numbers on the job market, Goldman Sachs, Chrysler and Xerox all… Read More
AUGUSTA – Drilling for oil and gas in the Gulf of Maine, wind power farms off the coast and tidal power will be among the issues a task force will study in the next few months to help craft a new state energy strategy, Gov. John Baldacci said… Read More
BANGOR – When Lewiston-based Oxford Networks decided to expand its communications company into Bangor, it invested more than $2 million in fiber optics and promised several new, good-paying jobs. For that, the city has recommended that it extend its Pine Tree Development Zone – and… Read More
PITTSFIELD – Ten women sat on one side of a long table Thursday with their work portfolios and resumes proudly displayed in front of them. Their hair was recently styled, their makeup was in place and they were exuding self-confidence. Together, the women represented more… Read More
BANGOR – Edmund Skeffington of Old Town, a retired postal worker and military serviceman, has won $1,000 worth of home heating oil in a contest sponsored by Bangor Federal Credit Union and R.H. Foster Energy. “Normally for Credit Union Day, we bring in treats for… Read More
The Maine Grocers Association has honored the Tozier family – Dale Tozier Sr., Mary-Jo Tozier, Dale Tozier Jr., Michele Tozier and Aubrey Atherton – with its Grocer of the Year award. The family owns grocery stores in Searsport and Brewer. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
The sprawling Old Town pulp and paper mill that once employed hundreds of area residents has once again been sold, although the identity of the buyer and sale price will not be disclosed until today. Bob Keach, an attorney representing Red Shield Environmental LLC, confirmed… Read More
ROCKLAND – The president and chief executive officer of a major financial services company heaped praise on Maine’s work force Wednesday and credited the reception of state and local officials as reasons for locating a new office in Rockland. Stephen Hooley, speaking at a ceremony… Read More
WASHINGTON – Defense contractor General Dynamics said Wednesday that third-quarter earnings were up 16 percent on higher sales in its shipbuilding unit and information technology business, topping Wall Street’s earnings forecast. The Falls Church, Va.-based company earned $634 million, or $1.59 per share, for the… Read More
PORTLAND – FairPoint Communications Inc.’s phone customers in parts of Maine that were formerly served by Verizon will see rate decreases in their coming bills, the company said Wednesday. FairPoint President Peter Nixon said the rate decreases “will greatly benefit our customers in these difficult… Read More
Area prices averaged from reports of local dealers. Statewide price of oil, kerosene and residential propane from Governor’s Office of Energy Independence and Security. Local price of kerosene from MaineOil. Com. No. 2 heating oil, cash price per gallon googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
Burned last year after she failed to lock in a contract for heating oil, Corinne Wilkins, a home-health aide who lives in New Hampshire, signed a contract this year before winter set in. As it turns out, there are many people like Wilkins, and entire… Read More
LINCOLN – The planning board doesn’t believe a moratorium on wind farms, or new regulations regarding massive wind turbines, are necessary, but other Maine and upstate New York towns disagree, a news survey revealed Wednesday. B. Michael Ireland, vice chairman of the planning board, said… Read More
LINCOLN – Planning board Chairman Peter Phinney will review a proposed $120 million wind farm for Rollins Mountain when it is submitted despite working for one of its benefactors and the board will not pursue a moratorium that would delay the project. Board members made… Read More
UNION – A regional home heating oil company has been fined $32,000 for oil spills while making deliveries to customers in Rockland, Warren and Washington. Knox County District Court in August issued a consent decree and order against Butler, Maxcy & Heath Inc. after the… Read More
ROCKLAND – Altogether 33 local merchants plan to be involved in a giveaway program Saturday to help the local lobster industry. Heidi Stevens, co-owner of By George Jewelers and organizer of the movement, said Wednesday the idea to help local lobstermen came to her early… Read More
Many people who signed up for their winter’s supply of heating oil in June or July are regretting the prices they agreed to. Big price declines have hit the market. Below is a listing of average per-gallon prices of No. 2 home heating oil in… Read More
RUTLAND, Vt. – The prison inmates had to think for a moment when Missy Shea of the Vermont Secretary of State’s office asked them to name the only crime that would prevent an incarcerated person from voting in the state. “Murder,” answered one of the… Read More
AUGUSTA – In September, more Mainers were out of work and looking for work than live in Waldo County. An estimated 39,800 workers were unemployed last month – part of a trend Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman said is troubling. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
BATH – Bath Iron Works, the Navy shipyard once thought to be expendable because of excess shipbuilding capacity, has impressed the Navy by boosting efficiency to the point the highest-ranking officer in the Navy now views Bath as setting the standard for the industry. Adm. Read More
The Maine Pharmacy Association has selected Bangor pharmacist Maureen Burke as the state’s recipient of the 2008 Bowl of Hygeia award for outstanding community service. The award is presented annually by the Wyeth pharmaceutical company, headquartered in New Jersey. A Wyeth representative announced Burke’s award at the Maine… Read More
PORTLAND – Gasoline prices continue to fall in Maine and nationwide with the start of a new workweek. According to AAA, a gallon of regular was averaging $2.92 a gallon in Maine on Monday. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
AUGUSTA – The latest state survey shows that heating oil prices in Maine continue to tumble, with the cash price down 20 cents in the past week to a statewide average of $3.08 per gallon. The state energy office reports a wide range of prices,… Read More
PORTLAND – A three-day food and wine festival being held this week in and around Portland represents an attempt by Maine to tap into the market for culinary tourism. Harvest on the Harbor, which gets under way Thursday, was the brainchild of the Convention and… Read More
AUGUSTA – State officials have released a new, comprehensive consumer protection resource titled “Downeaster Guide to Elder Financial Protection.” The free, 32-page publication provides strategies and practical financial advice for seniors and their caregivers. Produced and distributed by the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation’s… Read More
BREWER – No one is pointing fingers, but when Cianbro’s Eastern Manufacturing Facility ships out its first barge of modules to a Texas oil refinery it will be two months later than originally planned. Motiva Enterprises LLC hired Pittsfield-based Cianbro Corp. to build 52 refinery… Read More
LINCOLN – An Upper Pond resident says planning board chairman Peter Phinney should recuse himself from deliberations over a proposed $120 million wind farm because Phinney works for a landowner who likely stands to benefit from the project. Phinney said Monday he has no conflict… Read More
PORTLAND – Even as the municipal bond market has frozen up nationally with the upheaval on Wall Street, Mainers have been showing high interest in buying state-issued bonds. Maine buyers last week bought $37.7 million in housing bonds from the Maine State Housing Authority, surpassing… Read More
BANGOR – Eastern Maine Medical Center announced that it has achieved national recognition for its use of information technology in managing patient care. EMMC is the winner of the 2008 Nicholas E. Davies Organizational Award of Excellence, sponsored by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society. Read More
Q. My daughter at college has just been served with papers alleging she has illegally downloaded movies off the Internet. First, is it worth it to hire a lawyer, or should we just pay the money they are asking for? Second, if she did this off my computer… Read More
CALAIS – The nation may have “Joe the Plumber,” but Washington County has Wendy the plumber. Wendy Harmon, a licensed plumber from Calais, was a featured tradeswoman at the Totally Trades Conference held Friday at Washington County Community College. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
With Maine’s weather turning colder, our thoughts turn to the rising cost of keeping warm. Our column this week includes an appeal not to trade safety for savings. House fires become more frequent during the heating season. Fires tend to happen when we are at… Read More
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has dismissed an application by Oklahoma-based Quoddy Bay LNG to build a liquefied natural gas terminal and pipeline in Perry. In a letter Friday, FERC notified Quoddy Bay that it was dismissing the application because the company had failed to… Read More
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Thursday conditionally approved rate incentives for a $1.4 billion transmission project in Maine that will increase reliability and capacity to export power to southern New England. According to a news release issued by the federal agency, FERC granted Central… Read More
My kids joke a lot about the tools I have. I was working on my daughter’s house a couple of years ago. She and her friends joked about how many saws I had there at any given time. They were mostly power saws and there were usually more… Read More
The Town Council will review a proposed five-year, $700,000 plan for Lincoln’s municipal airport next month that would vastly improve the airport’s ability to serve the Lincoln Lakes region, officials said Thursday. Town Economic Development Director Ruth Birtz said the council expects to have the… Read More
GREENVILLE – The Board of Selectmen granted a 12-month lease to Pepin Associates on Wednesday for the high-tech firm’s use of about 3,000 square feet in the Greenville Business Incubator. The vote, which came after an executive session held at the end of a lengthy… Read More
MILLINOCKET – Lincoln Regional Airport isn’t the only area travel outlet looking for an upgrade, town officials said Friday. Work will begin as early as next week on a $250,000 tree-removal operation that will clear safety zones in and around the Millinocket Regional Airport in… Read More
Indoor relative humidity of 50 percent and a temperature of 70 degrees imply a “dew point” of about 50 degrees. In many households a 50-degree temperature may well be measured in back of an electric outlet, on the floor of an upstairs closet, etc. These surfaces will be… Read More
LINCOLN – As opponents of a $120 million wind power development slated for Rollins Mountain, the Friends of Lincoln Lakes residents group will ask the Town Council and planning board next week for a moratorium on all pending wind projects, its organizers said Thursday. Group… Read More
Health insurance premiums in Maine rose more than five times faster than median income in the state between 2000 and 2007, according to a new report from the national health care advocacy organization Families USA. The report, updated from a 2006 study, does not provide… Read More
PORTLAND – Uncertainty in the bond markets is delaying a passenger terminal expansion for Maine’s busiest airport. The Portland International Jetport is putting a four-story addition to the passenger terminal on hold for a year. Director Paul Bradbury says work on the 160,000-square-foot addition was… Read More
ORONO – Muscle met machine at the University of Maine on Wednesday morning when the UM department of computer science unveiled its new ecofriendly supercomputer, recently purchased from Massachusetts-based computer company SciCortex. The supercomputer was powered during the presentation by a team of cyclists from… Read More
The price of a barrel of oil dropped below $75 on Wednesday, a mark not seen since September of last year. Relieved Mainers have been seeing prices skidding at the gas pump, and home heating fuel prices are falling, too – although not as fast… Read More
DEER ISLE – Deer Isle lobsterman LeRoy Bridges lost two traps recently. When he figured out how much it would cost to replace them, he realized how bad the state’s lobster price crisis has become. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
DEER ISLE – In an effort to generate a market for Maine lobster, the Maine Lobster Promotion Council has developed a radio campaign in Maine that will run public service announcements on 25 radio stations around the state. Council Executive Director Dane Somer said the… Read More
BANGOR – A group of outstanding volunteers were honored guests at the annual 2 Those Who Care Awards during a gala ceremony on Oct. 2 at the G. Peirce Webber Campus Center at Husson College. The ceremony will be televised as a primetime special on WLBZ 2 later… Read More
BANGOR – When the Courtyard by Marriott hotel on Sylvan Road opened earlier this month, it was nearly 10 months behind schedule – although most agree that the wait was worth it. Boasting spacious, modern rooms and a prototype interactive lobby and lounge area, the… Read More
OAKFIELD – Katahdin Cedar Log Homes has been awarded the Maine Forest Product Council’s annual Outstanding Manufacturing Award for 2008. The award was presented at the council’s annual meeting on Sept. 30. The award recognizes companies, including manufacturers, loggers and distributors in the forest products… Read More
Jeffrey C. Lewis has joined the Allen Agency of Camden as a commercial lines agent, specializing in ocean marine insurance and sustainable energy development insurance. Lewis has more than 20 years’ experience in the marine industry. He is a licensed ship’s captain, having crewed for a variety of… Read More
BUCKSPORT – Verso Paper’s four mills have been independently audited and certified to the International Organization for Standardization ISO 14001:2004 for environmental management systems, Verso said Monday. The internationally recognized standard identifies requirements for organizations that want to implement a comprehensive environmental management system aimed… Read More
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration has unveiled a new Web site geared to the 50-plus entrepreneur that provides information, links and resources vital to starting, growing and expanding a small business. The new Web site at www.sba.gov/50plusentrepreneur features interactive information and links to… Read More
PORTLAND – The start of a new week is bringing lower gas prices to motorists in Maine and across the country. According to AAA, which tracks prices nationwide, a gallon of regular self-serve gas was averaging $3.16 on Monday. That’s down 4 cents from Sunday… Read More
SACO – General Dynamics says it has been awarded a $9 million Army contract for production of .50-caliber M2 machine guns at the company’s plant in Saco. Delivery of the heavy-barrel weapons is expected to begin late next year. The factory in Saco has produced… Read More
DEER ISLE – The decline in the price fishermen get for lobster will be the topic of a community meeting at 6 tonight at the Reach Performing Arts Center. Sponsored by the Penobscot East Resource Center, the “Community Lobster Crisis” meeting will provide an opportunity… Read More
JAY – Wausau Paper plans to cut back from a seven-day to a five-day-a-week schedule on its No. 11 paper machine in Jay because of the economic slowdown. The statement Friday night by Mike Nelson, vice president of sales and marketing, comes after the company’s… Read More
Many Maine families have buttoned up their homes in advance of what’s likely to be another long – and probably costly – winter. It’s no secret that heating costs have gone up dramatically, and we’re all well advised to do what we can to keep those costs from… Read More
ORONO – A group of Maine Business School professors at the University of Maine – experts in finance, investments, management and marketing – are teaming up to present a symposium for the public on Thursday, Oct. 16, to explain the financial crisis currently hobbling economies throughout the nation. Read More
PORTLAND – Kittery Trading Post, reflecting the uncertainty of current economic times, expects to hire only half as many workers as it did last year for the holiday shopping season. Fox Keim, vice president for hunting and fishing at Kittery Trading Post, said employers walk… Read More
ELLSWORTH – A new online company called Designer Health Net offers comprehensive fitness and nutrition programs designed for use at home or in the office. Owner Kriste Bouvier Sprague said she decided to develop the business to battle several health concerns, especially obesity, smoking and… Read More
BAR HARBOR – The Sun Journal of Lewiston has won daily and weekend Newspapers of the Year awards in the Maine Press Association’s annual contest. The Ellsworth American and the Houlton Pioneer Times were named the state’s best weekly papers. The winners were announced Saturday… Read More
AUGUSTA – The global economy may be in crisis. The stock market might appear to be in a free fall. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i… Read More
AUGUSTA – Former Gov. Angus King shared one of his favorite quotes with an appreciative crowd Friday afternoon at the GrowSmart Maine Summit. “‘The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate for the stormy present,'” he said, rolling the words off his tongue with gusto. Read More
The debate over wind power soon will be blowing into additional Maine towns. First Wind, the Massachusetts company behind Maine’s two largest wind energy facilities, plans to file applications with the state late this year or early next year for a facility with roughly 30… Read More
Much has been said about insulation, alternative heating systems, etc. But the essential problem is “thermal comfort.” We tend to think of temperature alone as the condition dictating comfort, but air velocity, clothing, activity, mean radiant temperature and relative humidity also contribute to thermal comfort. The most overrated… Read More
Many of the tools we use today are cordless. What a revolution we have lived through over the past 20 years regarding these tools. My first cordless tool was a Makita 9.6-volt cordless drill. It was a like a gift from God, when you consider… Read More
WASHINGTON – Maine’s foreclosure rate is low compared with other states. But homeowners facing foreclosure still need help, state officials say. Of the 435 congressional districts nationally, Maine’s 1st and 2nd Districts rank 402nd and 388th, respectively, on the list of worst rates of foreclosures… Read More
DOVER-FOXCROFT – The third annual Rural Maine Small Business Conference and Business to Business Show will be held 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 29, at the Penquis Higher Education Center, 50 Mayo St., Dover-Foxcroft. The conference will help foster the success of microenterprises doing business in… Read More
MILLINOCKET – Brookfield Asset Management will spend about $1.5 million to winterize and assess the Katahdin Avenue paper mill for a biomass boiler that will generate about 20 megawatts of electricity, a company senior vice president told the Town Council on Thursday. The official gave… Read More
AUGUSTA – An in-state network of brokers and financial institutions will begin selling MaineHousing’s bonds directly to Maine investors today, the state housing authority announced Thursday. MaineHousing Director Dale McCormick said the uncertainty on Wall Street is one reason the agency wants to market its… Read More
BANGOR – In one bright spot in the economic gloom, the company that helps to light up Maine is adding new personnel. “We’re actually growing, which is really good news,” Susan Faloon of Bangor Hydro-Electric Co. said Thursday. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
AUGUSTA – Some Maine companies are delaying expanding, and some entrepreneurs are shelving plans for new projects, as concerns about credit availability persist even as bankers say they have money to lend. “There is no doubt about it that it is going to have some… Read More
SOUTH PORTLAND – Wright Express Corp. is the latest Maine company to announce layoffs. The company said it is laying off 22 of its 730 employees. Twelve of the people work in the company’s headquarters in South Portland. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
BELFAST – A Women, Work and Community’s workshop, “Career Exploration: Paying The Bills and Feeding The Soul,” will be offered from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursdays, beginning Oct. 16 and running through Nov. 6. The free four-week class will be held at Women, Work and Community, 118 High… Read More
BUCKSPORT – The old No. 1 paper machine at the Verso mill is doing different duty these days. The machine no longer produces the lightweight coated paper that remains the staple of the mill. It now turns out a noncoated specialty paper for a niche… Read More
BANGOR – Sandra Hodgins of Brewer and her husband bought a stove from Sunrise Home & Hearth in late May with the promise that it would be delivered in six weeks. As of this week, 19 weeks later, they still hadn’t received their stove. “In… Read More
MILLINOCKET – Having already invested about $70 million in the Katahdin Paper Co. LLC mill, multibillion-dollar conglomerate Brookfield Asset Management won’t restart it without help, Fraser Papers Chief Executive Officer Peter Gordon said Wednesday. Gordon’s message to millworkers and Gov. John Baldacci this week is… Read More
ROCKLAND – The board of directors of the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce has approved a slate of five candidates for positions on the board for the 2009-2011 term. The candidates are Jane Dagley, KeyBank (second term); Everett Spear III, E.L. Spear Inc. (second… Read More
BANGOR – “Financing Your Future,” a six-session workshop exploring attitudes toward and behavior with money, will be held by Women, Work, & Community 9:30-11:30 a.m. Mondays starting Nov. 10 at University College of Bangor. The classes are designed to help participants become more comfortable with… Read More