Bangor Daily News

News in Brief Rockland: Pedestrian Hit by Car

Perry Group Negotiates Offer with Lng Firm

PERRY - The million-dollars-a-year offer from an Oklahoma developer is back on the table - if the town of Perry is willing to support a liquefied natural gas facility. But the signatures on the offer this time around are not those of the town's three selectmen, who had signed a similar contract offered last spring, but of the members of the Perry Improvement Association.

Wind Power Firm Files with Lurc

A Yarmouth company is moving forward with plans to build 30 wind turbines within sight of Sugarloaf Mountain and the Appalachian Trail. Endless Energy Corp. announced Monday that it had filed an application with the Land Use Regulation Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection seeking approval to erect the 410-foot-tall wind towers on Redington Pond Range and Black Nubble mountains near the Carrabassett Valley.

Former Teacher Indicted

SKOWHEGAN - James Morel, 25, formerly of Pittsfield and now living in Kittery, was indicted Monday by a Somerset County grand jury on three counts of gross sexual assault on a former high school student. The rapes allegedly occurred between May and September 2003. Morel was a mathematics teacher at Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield, and the alleged victim was a 16-year-old student who attended MCI but was not in Morel's classes, according to court documents.

Alito Foes Rally in Portland Senators Urged to Reject Nominee

PORTLAND - A coalition of activist groups urged Maine's two moderate Republican senators Monday to oppose the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court. Neither Sen. Olympia J. Snowe nor Sen. Susan M. Collins has taken a position on Alito, a member of the 3rd U.S. Circuit of Appeals who was nominated for the high court by President Bush in October. The nominee's confirmation hearings are scheduled to begin Jan. 9.

2005's Word of the Year Announced

As a living language, English must forever be fluid in order to maintain its freshness and effectively communicate the changes in our rapidly evolving world. And as such, most lovers of language eagerly welcome the newest arrivals to the linguistic fold, the creative coinages that each year seem to emerge out of nowhere to both brighten and enlighten the way we speak and write.

Medal of Honor Recipient Recognized

BLAINE - More than 60 years ago, when Ed Dahlgren was running around Oberhoffen, France, dodging enemy fire and blasting his way into German-held houses, receiving a Medal of Honor was the furthest thing from his mind. Thanks to his valor during World War II in helping to save an Army unit surrounded in an enemy counterattack, the Blaine resident, 89, received that medal, and now his story and portrait are among many being compiled as part of a major project to honor the country's remaining 1...

Water Tax Backers Lose Ballot Bid

Maine's water bottlers have been spared another round with the tax man, at least for now. Supporters of a water tax on Maine's largest bottlers fell roughly 1,400 signatures short of the number needed to place the proposal on the November 2006 ballot, Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap's office announced Monday.

St. Albans Dispute Over Manager's Job Intensifies

ST. ALBANS - Tensions among residents and selectmen ran high during a meeting Monday night that began with a rehash of questions about why the town manager's contract was not renewed in November, and ended with loud shouting and accusations of lying, followed by a quick adjournment. For more than a month, Selectmen Dan Hanson and Wolfgang "Gus" Fasse have steadfastly refused to answer residents' questions about their decision not to rehire Town Manager Larry Post, even after a citizens petiti...

Hampden Council Oks Review of Waste Disposal Ordinance

HAMPDEN - The town ordinance governing waste disposal will be reviewed and possibly modified after a unanimous vote Monday by the Town Council. Councilor Matthew Arnett proposed the motion, saying many residents have approached him with concerns about an odor coming from Pine Tree Landfill.

Eddington School Board Member Resigns

HOLDEN - Eddington resident Scott Baillargeon resigned from the SAD 63 board of directors Monday in order to take a full-time teaching position in the law enforcement program at Beal College. "In addition to teaching at Beal College, I will also continue teaching at the University of Maine," his resignation letter states. "As you can imagine, this will leave me little time for other during the week obligations, such as school board activities."

Trio of Incidents Keeps Bangor Firefighters Busy

BANGOR - Firefighters were called to the downtown three times in a two-hour period Monday evening for reports of smoke in buildings. Even though no fires were discovered and no one was hurt in the unrelated incidents, Assistant Fire Chief Rick Cheverie said there was a time early on when firefighters thought they might have a larger, connected problem on their hands.

Millinocket Planners Say No to Goats, Ducks

MILLINOCKET - The owners of a small Medway Road campground were considering on Monday moving their business in response to a planning board decision last week denying permission to keep ducks and goats on their property. Michael "Skip" Mohoff and his wife, Nicole, said they had to give their two Nubian goats and seven Indian Runner ducks to a farm in Kingman to comply with zoning regulations that don't allow such animals in town limits.

Mattawamkeag Fire Chief to Keep His Position

MATTAWAMKEAG - Robert Powers will remain the town's fire chief. In an occasionally stormy meeting, the Board of Selectmen voted 2- 0 on Monday to refuse to accept the resignation letter Powers tendered more than a week ago after Selectmen John Whitehouse and Bion Tolman and Town Administrator Joseph E. Clark met with Powers for about 30 minutes in executive session.

Diamond Raffle to Benefit Lincoln Monument

Yet another opportunity exists for a very lucky individual to win, for himself, herself or someone very special, a lovely diamond ring. Josephine DiCenso, secretary of the Lincoln Veterans Memorial Monument Committee, wrote me that organization is conducting a Diamond Raffle to help raise money for the proposed veterans monument in Lincoln.

How Can You Help?

Food banks and shelters in Maine are struggling to meet the increasing demands on their dwindling resources. Here are a few ways to help those less fortunate: Donate cash or groceries to your local food bank. Don't forget soap, detergent and diapers. (Food stamps don't pay for these things.)

Bucksport Awarded Federal Grants Homeland Security Gives Town $100,000

BUCKSPORT - The town's police and fire departments have been awarded two federal Homeland Security grants totaling more than $100,000. The Police Department will receive $70,500 to improve its communications system and the Fire Department will get $37,680 to purchase safety equipment.

Searsmont Man Faces Theft, Drug Charges

BELFAST - A Searsmont man was arrested on theft and drug charges this weekend after allegedly shoplifting items from a local jewelry store. Kane Ackley, 20, of Searsmont was charged with theft and possession of marijuana after his arrest at approximately 12:30 p.m. Saturday. He was booked at the Waldo County Jail and released.

Camden Panel Concerned About Economy

CAMDEN - A "blue ribbon" task force formed to combat the town's perceived transformation from a vibrant, locally based economy to a seasonal residential community issued its report Monday, and concludes more work must be done. The task force was formed in mid-October when concerned business and community leaders learned about the plan to redevelop the Knox Mill complex - formerly offices for MBNA - into high-price condominiums.

News in Brief Bangor: Challenger Center Plans Space Programs