Bangor Daily News

News in Brief Palmyra: Dog Club Pursues Park Project

Old Town Cuts $740,000 From Schools

OLD TOWN - In the wake of the Legislature passing a bill to reduce the city of Old Town's state valuation as a result of the recent closure of the Georgia-Pacific Corp. mill, the school board voted Wednesday to reduce its budget by $740,000. While this round of school budget cuts isn't related to the mill shutdown, there are more reductions to come as a result of the lost tax revenue from the mill closing, officials said.

Maine Girl a Volunteer Success Story

Like most 16-year-olds, Amelia Butman would dearly love to take a driver's education course and get her license. Unfortunately, it's one goal that may have to wait a while longer for the Greenville High School junior, who has enough other activities going on to more than fill her days.

Businessman Gets 5 Years in Child Sex Case

Normand Corno, 52, of Edmundston, New Brunswick, has been sentenced to five years in prison for intending to engage in illicit sex with a 13-year-old girl. Corno pleaded guilty last February to the charge. He was arrested in a sting operation last November in Massena, N.Y.

High Court Sends Mission Case Back to Unemployment Panel

PORTLAND - The Maine Supreme Judicial Court on Wednesday sent back to the state Unemployment Insurance Commission for clarification its denial of benefits to a former Maine Sea Coast Missionary Society employee. In a 4-2 decision, the court instructed the commission to clarify whether the Bar Harbor mission is principally supported by an association of churches or donations from individuals.

$60m Transportation Bond Stalls in the Maine House

AUGUSTA - The fate of a $60 million transportation bond remained in legislative limbo Wednesday after Republican and Democratic leaders granted a last-minute request for a reconsideration vote. Earlier Wednesday, the House rejected by a 76-67 vote a motion to accept an $18 million supplemental transportation budget with the bonding provision attached. Some members had been expecting to debate the bill, but an unintentional oversight by Rep. Boyd Marley, D-Portland, resulted in LD 1974 moving ...

Bangor Man Charged After Chase

A Bangor man was arrested Wednesday evening after police chased him into a basement at 148 Union St. David Patrick, 21, of Bangor was seen by Bangor's Selective Enforcement Team in Pickering Square around 5:30 p.m. and the team attempted to arrest him on a warrant for unpaid fines for criminal mischief and criminal trespass.

Newport Panels Ok Licenses, Project Plans

NEWPORT - Town officials, in back-to-back meetings Wednesday night, grappled with rising costs of rubbish removal while also approving new development. The Newport selectmen met first, approving liquor and victualer's licenses for a new restaurant, Anglers. It is the former Log Cabin Restaurant on Route 2 and is currently under renovation.

Levant Scraps Plan for Costly Changes to Intersection Officials to Take On Junkyard Violators

LEVANT - Town officials scrapped plans Wednesday to make major changes to the area where the Pine Tree, South Levant and Griffin roads meet. The town had planned to straighten out some of the curves on Griffin Road and raise sections to improve visibility on the road. Town Manager Scott Pullen said that because of the curves and knolls, motorists on Pine Tree Road have a difficult time seeing traffic coming from the other two roads that meet at the Pine Tree Road.

More Towns Join River Cleanup Day Seven Communities to Pick Up Trash Along the Penobscot On May 20

BREWER - Last year's Penobscot River cleanup within the city was so successful that it is expanding this year to include six other local communities that skirt the river. Brewer is part of the Bangor Area Storm Water Group and is partnering with other member communities - Bangor, Hampden, Milford, Orono, Old Town and Veazie - to have a coordinated cleanup Saturday, May 20.

Sad 22 Board Approves $21.1 Million Budget

WINTERPORT - The SAD 22 board of directors Wednesday unanimously approved a $21.1 million budget that is 6.9 percent higher than currently, and that calls for hiring another reading teacher and four more educational technicians, expanding a nursing position, and purchasing used laptop computers. The proposed 2006-2007 budget, which is $1.3 million higher than the current plan, also reflects increases in salaries and benefits and in the costs of health insurance, fuel, utilities, electricity a...

Benefit Auction to Aid Newport Cultural Center

When I spoke a while back with Thalia Webb, she said that plans for a benefit auction for the Newport Cultural Center Community Campaign were going very well. That event begins with a silent auction at 6 p.m. and a live auction at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 29, at the Millennium on Route 100 in Palmyra.

Donation Will Keep Visitors Center Open

GREENVILLE - Robert Hamer had just come down off the roof where he had loosened the bolts to the Moosehead Lake Region Chamber of Commerce's Visitor's Center sign on Wednesday when the telephone rang and a caller offered a donation. Facing financial woes, the chamber's board of directors recently had voted to close the information center on Indian Hill.

Lng Issues Incite Infighting On Perry Panel

PERRY - LNG issues continue to split this small town of about 900 people, and now a serious rift has developed between some members of the Board of Selectmen and planning board. The fracture has led to claims of secret meetings and a call by at least one member of the planning board for the resignation of fellow members involved in what he called the Comprehensive Planning Grant Application "coup d'etat."

Charges Dropped in Eatery Robbery

BANGOR - Prosecutors on Wednesday dismissed armed robbery charges against an Old Town man who was arrested earlier this week. Roger A. Meserve, 26, still may face less serious charges, according to the Penobscot County District Attorney's Office.

Former Brewer Chief to Speak to Historians

Volunteers Needed for Relay for Life

OLD TOWN - Walkers, cancer survivors, community leaders, team captains and dedicated workers are needed to help plan the American Cancer Society Relay for Life at 6 p.m. May 19, at the Old Town High School track. The walk is the signature overnight event of the American Cancer Society to celebrate survivors, remember loved ones, and raise money for the fight against cancer.

Rockland House Fire Under Investigation

ROCKLAND - A fire Wednesday afternoon that started near the front steps at 77 Lawn Ave., and spread to the front door is under investigation by local fire officials. The owners of the ranch-style home, Bruce and Cindy Kilgore, were not at home when the fire broke out, Assistant Fire Chief Mikial Mazzeo said Wednesday.

Police Say Hampden Shooting Death Appears to Be a Suicide

HAMPDEN - A man apparently shot himself inside a Hampden home shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday, according to Sgt. Steve Pickering of the Maine State Police. The gunshot death originally seemed suspicious, and despite some undefined "unusual circumstances," Pickering said he was comfortable the case was not a homicide. He also stated it appeared to be a suicide.

Pa. Man Charged with Cash Smuggling

BANGOR - A Pennsylvania man who allegedly was going to Canada to buy drugs appeared Wednesday in U.S. District Court on charges of bulk cash smuggling. Alfred Saulnier Jr., 33, of Carlisle, Pa., was arrested about 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Calais border crossing with $12,785 in $100s and $50s hidden in his boots.