Bangor Daily News

Belfast Tanker Crash Closes Three-Mile Stretch of Route 1

BELFAST - Disaster and emergency crews rushed to Route 1 on the city's east side Wednesday night after a fuel truck carrying 10,000 gallons of gasoline went off the road and landed leaking on its side in a ditch. The incident resulted in a 3-mile section of Route 1 from the bridge in Belfast to Searsport being closed while the Department of Environmental Protection and the hazardous materials response firm Clean Harbors worked to clean up the spill. They were immediately summoned to the scene...

Future Home for Orono Public Library Readied

ORONO - The walls came down Wednesday at 37 Pine St., and for the first time since the Orono Public Library Foundation was formed, visible action occurred at the future home of the town's library. Dana Devoe, board president and co-chairman of the campaign committee, was excited by all the activity he witnessed Wednesday as an excavator from Sargent Corp. turned the corner at Birch Street to begin demolishing a two-story house to make way for the new library.

State Lighthouse Museums Poised to Unite Collections Rockland Facility to Become Largest Repository in U.S., Maybe the World

ROCKLAND - The phrase, "There's strength in numbers," was uttered several times Wednesday during an announcement that the Museum of Lighthouse History in Wells will join forces with the Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland. And those numbers will add up to the largest lighthouse museum in the U.S., if not the world, once the Wells museum, operated by the American Lighthouse Federation, begins to transfer its extensive collection to the Rockland museum.

Allagash Panelists Drop Board Oversight Plan

AUGUSTA - Members of a state panel on the Allagash Wilderness Waterway reversed course Wednesday by dropping a proposal to place management of the scenic river in the hands of a board of appointees. Instead, the panel opted to create a "waterway superintendent" position in hopes that an empowered manager could help resolve the disputes that seem to echo from the Allagash to Augusta every few years.

Officials Give Conflict Policy Tentative Green Light

BANGOR - A policy that aims to prevent conflicts of interest on the part of school committee members sailed through the first part of the school committee's two-step approval process Wednesday night. After suggesting a few tweaks, committee members unanimously voted to approve the policy, crafted by Superintendent Robert Ervin.

Holden Cocaine Bust Leads to Four Arrests

HOLDEN - Four people were charged Wednesday with cocaine-related crimes after drug agents raided an Eastern Avenue residence and then recognized two men who drove by in a car while the search was under way. Police Chief Gene Worcester said the arrests stemmed from a two- year investigation.

No Injuries in Dexter Chimney, Rafter Fire

DEXTER - Fire crews from Dexter and Garland responded to a chimney fire at a house on Old Charleston Road on Tuesday night. The homeowner noticed the fire and reported it himself.

Mainers' Discrimination Stories Sought by Student

Requests from schoolchildren throughout the United States for the assistance of Maine residents with special class assignments often come to us in the spring, but this one came in late fall, and it is a most unusual request. Ferial Pearson and Trisha Rogers teach a ninth-grade special education English class at Omaha South High School in Nebraska.

Teenager Summoned in Nokomis Incident

NEWPORT - A juvenile was charged Wednesday in connection with an incident that prompted a lockdown the day before at Nokomis Regional High School. The 17-year-old male, whose name was not released because of his age, was charged with reckless conduct and criminal mischief.

'Buck' Buchanan Recalled

BANGOR - Carl Edward "Buck" Buchanan, former Maine State Police detective and private investigator, was remembered as a tenacious worker at a memorial service Wednesday. Buchanan, 77, died unexpectedly on Saturday in Millinocket. Rev. Robert Carlson, chaplain of the Penobscot County Sheriff's Department, officiated at the service held at the Brookings-Smith Funeral Home.

Biomass Boiler Discussion Dominates Public Hearing

AUGUSTA - The biomass boiler at the former Georgia- Pacific mill in Old Town was once again center stage Wednesday during a hearing on Maine's complex and controversial waste management laws. Members of a state commission held a public hearing Wednesday to hear comments on a lengthy list of proposed recommendations on everything from Maine's emphasis on recycling to the current ban on new commercial landfills.

Couple Gives St. Croix Land for Easement 2,313 Acres in New Brunswick to Be Permanently Preserved

ST. STEPHEN, New Brunswick - In what is being described as one of the largest ecological gifts of its kind in Canada, an Ohio couple has donated a 2,313-acre conservation easement on their riverfront land north of this river community. The donation is valued at more than $500,000.

Maine Rural Partners Helps Washington County Group

EASTPORT - They are an enthusiastic group as they formulate their direction with a new name, Washington County - One Community, and a new mission statement. The group is part of a community-building model developed by the nonprofit Maine Rural Partners from the University of Maine. Maine Rural Partners' mission is to develop a model for sustainable community development, spokesman Nate Michaud said Wednesday.

Holiday Yoga Retreats Offered in Belfast

BELFAST - Belfast Yoga Studio will offer two holiday stress- buster retreats: "Relax and Renew" and "Restorative Yoga for Stressful Times" from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, and Saturday, Dec. 30. The class will be led by Marianna Moll, certified Iyengar yoga instructor.

Campaign Complaint Declined by Panel

AUGUSTA - Following the advice of its staff, the Maine ethics commission declined to take action Tuesday on a complaint filed by David Metz of Rockport charging newly elected Rep. David Miramant, D- Camden, with violating a pledge to avoid deceptive campaign advertising. Metz charged that Miramant, in his campaign to unseat Republican incumbent Stephen Bowen, R-Rockport, sent out of flier to residents in which he argued that Bowen, among other things, voted against protecting the victims of d...

Ellsworth Board Oks Development Acadia Crossing Project in Myrick Street Triangle Approved by Planners

ELLSWORTH - A major retail development in the Myrick Street triangle cleared its final local hurdle Wednesday night when the city's planning board gave final approval to the project. Pending additional state and federal approvals, W/S Development Associates of Chestnut Hill, Mass., could break ground on the project next spring. The Acadia Crossing project calls for nearly 500,000 square feet of retail space off Myrick Street, consisting of 26 commercial units, including a 200,000-square-foot ...

Council Allocates $10,000 for Dvd Video Committee Producing Documentary On History of Houlton

HOULTON - A project that is going to give residents now and in the future a glimpse of the town's past received the full support of the Town Council on Monday evening. During the two-hour session, councilors opted to give $10,000 to the Houlton Historical Video Committee, a nine-member panel that has been working for two years to produce the 50-minute DVD.

4 Legislators Offer Preview of Next Session Tax Reform Will Be Addressed, Leaders Tells Bangor Chamber

BREWER - Four newly elected leaders of the 123rd Legislature gazed into their crystal balls Wednesday and offered some forecasts for the coming session. It came as little surprise that members of the leadership panel - consisting of two Democrats and two Republicans - thought tax reform would continue to be an overarching issue in the months ahead.

Transfer of Old Town Mill Permits Challenged

OLD TOWN - Operating permits for the former Georgia-Pacific Corp. paper mill have been transferred to the facility's new owner, but some area residents are opposing the approval. The state Department of Environmental Protection on Nov. 2 issued the transfer of all existing licenses at the facility to new owner and redeveloper Red Shield Environmental.

Well Protection Measure Ready for Vote

HOULTON - After more than two years of work by town officials, the planning board and Houlton Water Co., the Town Council next month will consider adopting an ordinance that officials say will further protect the McPartland Wells, a major water source for the town. The council will take action on the document during a public hearing on Jan. 22.