Bangor Daily News

Youthful Altruism On the Rise

Anyone who's hungry for a bit of good news might have found a nourishing morsel to chew on in a brief article in Monday's paper about the rate of volunteerism among young people. According to The Associated Press, a new study shows that college students nationwide are volunteering in their communities at a rate that has been growing sharply over the last few years. Their ranks rose more than 20 percent, from 2.7 million to 3.3 million, between 2002 and 2005. The Corporation for National & Com...

Court Security Focus of Forum in Bar Harbor

BAR HARBOR - Run, duck and cover. Michael A. Coty, the director of court security, told prosecutors Monday that's the best advice he can give them about how to react if someone brandishes a weapon in a courtroom.

Veteran Montana Conservationist Criticizes Plum Creek Tactics

A veteran of Montana's wildlife conservation efforts criticized Plum Creek's record out West on Monday and urged Mainers to "drive a hard bargain" as the company pursues its development plans for Moosehead Lake. A Plum Creek representative, meanwhile, said the company has a long history of working with conservation groups across the nation.

2nd District Hopefuls Spar in Waterville

WATERVILLE - Questions regarding health care and the war in Iraq were high on the priority list at a debate Monday between Maine's 2nd Congressional District candidates at Thomas College. While incumbent Rep. Michael Michaud and challenger Laurence "Scott" D'Amboise agreed on a few issues raised during the debate, such as how to bring more jobs to Maine and that the state needs an east-west highway, their opinions regarding health care weren't so similar.

Fair's Midway Operator to Get Another Ride

BANGOR - Despite a competing offer that sounded more lucrative, a majority of city councilors meeting Monday as the finance committee opted to back the company that has been operating the Bangor State Fair midway for the past 12 years. The midway contract is expiring and the city is contemplating a five-year agreement. A request for proposals yielded offers from two operators.

Pittsfield Planners Debate Scope of Their Role

PITTSFIELD - What began as a discussion by planning board members Monday night regarding updates and revisions to the town's 10-year- old comprehensive plan ended in board members questioning the scope of their roles. One of the 113 strategies of the comprehensive plan was to determine whether town planners wanted more emphasis on eventual creation of an indoor or outdoor pool.

News in Brief Brewer: Lane Closures On I-395

News in Brief Orono: Police Welcome New Member

News in Brief Orrington: Lavoie, Lawrence Earn Seats

Main, Union Crossing to Be Reduced to 1 Lane

Orono Lecture to Focus On Women's Influence

ORONO - A panel of Orono women will present a glimpse into the lives of the women who have shaped Orono and the world at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at the Orono Municipal Building, 59 Main St. The panel will feature University of Maine social historian Carol Toner, a specialist in women's labor history and recent Maine immigrant history; Mazie Hough, associate director of UM's Women in the Curriculum and Women's Studies Program; and Betsy Beattie, who researches Canadian migration to New Engla...

Fingerprinting Clinic Offered for Children

Three Days of Flu Clinics at Bangor Auditorium

Historians Against War Plan Oct. 24 Teach-In

ORONO - A group of University of Maine history professors opposed to the war in Iraq will hold a "teach-in," starting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, in Room 101, Neville Hall at the University of Maine. The event, called "The Iraq War and The Elections: A Teach-In Sponsored by Historians against the War," is part of a national educational initiative by historians opposed to the war.

Police Witness Bangor Man Crush, Snort Pills

Police arrested a Bangor man Sunday evening at the Ranger Inn on Hammond Street after they witnessed him crush and snort pills in front of his children. According to police reports, Officers Dan Herrick and James Dearing responded to a call about a family fight. When they arrived, there was no fight. Through the window, they could see Alan Smith, 25, Angela Goss, 42, also of Bangor, another female and two small children.

Hampden Council Weighs Concerns About Tabor

HAMPDEN - While many communities have voted on resolutions to oppose the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, Hampden councilors simply opted during Monday's council meeting to discuss the bill, which will appear on November's ballot. All councilors who spoke about the bill shared concerns about its effect on the town and their level of control at the local government level.

New Time Set for Young Family Benefit Supper

The time has been changed for a Benefit Spaghetti Dinner and Raffle for the Young family of Newburgh. Royce Young has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's Stage 3 lymphoma and will be undergoing treatment in Bangor and Boston.

Preservationist Proposes Sears Island Compromise

SEARSPORT - Though he is squarely in the camp that wants to permanently conserve Sears Island, Scott Dickerson is working to find common ground with the group that desires to build a container port on the state-owned property. At a meeting Monday of the committee working to draft recommendations for the island, Dickerson challenged the port proponents on the committee to consider transferring the island to Department of Conservation management.

Tribe Seeks Fast Action On Racino Signatures

Newly elected Passamaquoddy tribal state Rep. Donald Soctomah charged Monday that the Secretary of State's office is "dragging its feet" in certifying the signatures the tribe submitted in August to get a tribal racino question on next year's ballot. Soctomah has support from former tribal state Rep. Fred Moore, who, acting on complaints from tribal members, sent an e-mail Monday to the Secretary of State's Office detailing their concerns.

Milo Man Spared Jail Time in Online Mail Fraud Case

BANGOR - A Milo man will be spared jail time for mail fraud so that he can care for his 7-year-old son, a federal judge ruled Friday. Ronney L. Vick, 57, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Bangor to six months of home confinement, followed by five years of probation, Assistant U.S. Attorney James Moore said Monday.