Bangor Daily News

N.H. Man Dies in Tree-Cutting Accident

NORTHPORT - A New Hampshire man was killed Wednesday afternoon when a tree he was cutting fell on him. Timothy Dugal, 51, of Bow, N.H., was killed while trying to cut down the tree at his vacation home in the town's Bayside neighborhood at approximately 3:30 p.m., according to Maine State Police.

Bangor Water Deemed Drug Free Testing Shows Lack of Contamination

BANGOR - Testing conducted this spring by the Bangor Water District shows that the city's drinking water supply is free of pharmaceuticals, the district's general manager reported Wednesday. The tests were conducted in April on both raw and treated water samples from Floods Pond, which is the district's water source, general manager Kathy Moriarty said.

Bangor Area Seeks Ideas On Open Space

A dozen Penobscot Valley communities are partnering with a national organization to develop a regional approach to expanding the amount of open space and conservation land in the area. Towns in the Bangor area all face challenges as they seek to balance growing development pressure with public demand for parks, trails and green spaces.

Courts

Dover-Foxcroft District Court Cases March 27-April 16

East Millinocket Plans Partial Revaluation

EAST MILLINOCKET - The town will undergo a partial property revaluation this year to offset a growing difference between homeowner and business property valuations, officials said Wednesday. Expected to be finished by August, the revaluation will be done by William Van Tuinen, who is Skowhegan's assessor. It will be the first for the town since 1997, town Administrative Assistant Shirley Tapley said.

At Emcc, Pittsfield Man's Culinary Skills Lauded

PITTSFIELD - When Tom Swieczkowski was growing up, he had a difficult relationship with his father. "He was very strict, a real disciplinarian," Swieczkowski recalled this week. But his father also loved to putter about in the kitchen and the young man quickly figured out that he could be his dad's right hand man. "I could help," Swieczkowski said, "and therefore bond with my father. It was finally a love of something that we could share."

Military News

Old Town's Draft Budget Indicates Tax Hike

OLD TOWN - The City Council gave its tentative approval Tuesday night of the proposed city budget for fiscal year 2009, despite a potential increase in the city's mill rate, during a workshop at the Old Town Public Library. The council voted unanimously to move the budget to a first reading set for May 5.

Hydro Utility Seeks Tax Abatement in E. Millinocket

EAST MILLINOCKET - Great Lakes Hydro America seeks a property tax abatement from the town for 2007, citing a 70 percent valuation difference between the town and state appraisals. In a letter to town Administrative Assistant Shirley Tapley dated Monday, Brian Stetson, general manager of Brookfield Renewable Power, the former Brookfield Power Co., which owns Great Lakes Hydro, said that the abatement request results from "significant differences" between the town and state valuations.

Schools

Bangor Christian Schools Third quarter honor roll

Penobscot Theatre Company Loan Request Headed to Council

BANGOR - The Penobscot Theatre Company's request for $90,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds cleared the first of two key hurdles Wednesday night, when members of a City Council subcommittee sent it on to the full council with an ought-to-pass recommendation. The theater group is in the midst of a $500,000 overhaul of its home, namely the historic Bangor Opera House building on Main Street. Much of the work aims to restore the building to its original 1920s Egyptian art-deco style.

Burglars Hit Two Homes in Bangor

Jewelry, cash, a laptop computer and collectible coins worth $3,000 were stolen from two Bangor homes Tuesday and Wednesday in separate burglary incidents. During the day Tuesday, a burglar broke a porch window at 228 Palm St., entered the home and stole the coins and computer, according to Bangor police. A checkbook and credit card also were taken.

Councilors Seek Public Input On Post Office Site

BANGOR - Local officials decided Wednesday night to hold a public workshop next month to allow residents and other users of the current Bangor post office to weigh in on where the next one should go. That's because the post office is such an integral part of city life, Councilor Gerry Palmer, chairman of the City Council's business and economic development committee, noted Wednesday night.

Palmyra to Exceed State Spending Cap

PALMYRA - About 60 residents attended a special town meeting Wednesday night and approved exceeding the state's limit on municipal spending growth, even though it meant a tax increase. Voters at the March town meeting had voted against exceeding the cap, which was $131,000 over last year's appropriations, but then they approved all other articles. This effectively put the town $156,000 over the cap. Without Wednesday's meeting, several cuts were proposed that would have eliminated much of the...

'Sole Sisters' Raising Funds for Breast Cancer Event

The "Sole Sisters" are proud to announce that they will be joining thousands of others in raising money to participate in the Breast Cancer 3-Day, Aug. 15-17, in Boston, to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and National Philanthropic Trust. Each team member must raise a minimum of $2,200.

Kids' Program Opens $6m Campaign Penobscot Nation Boys & Girls Club Receives $70,000 Startup Donation

INDIAN ISLAND - Paige Hauger spent her Wednesday of school vacation playing Wiffle ball and taking a walk on the island with a group from the Penobscot Nation Boys & Girls Club. Sure, the 10- year-old resident could have spent the day riding her bike or taking a swim. But the Boys & Girls Club is something different - and special.

Wagner Middle School Students Go Green

WINTERPORT - Students from Wagner Middle School will present the first annual Wagner Environmental Fair from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 30. Sixth, seventh and eight graders will be showcasing their knowledge of the environmental issues and practices learned over the past year.

Dedham Church Sets Baked Bean Supper

Jewelry Maker to Help with Mother's Day

BELFAST - On the eve of Mother's Day, Beyond the Sea will make shopping for Mom easy with a one-day trunk show of Mimi Steadman Handmade Jewelry from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 10. Steadman creates her jewelry in her studio overlooking the Damariscotta River. Each piece is handcrafted, and all but a few signature pieces are one-of-a-kind designs.

Salmon Company Seeks Work Permit

CUTLER - Phoenix Salmon US Inc. is seeking a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for work in waters of the United States in conjunction with expanding an existing salmon aquaculture facility near this community. Plans are to expand an existing salmon aquaculture facility that was previously authorized by the corps of engineers. It is located in Cross Island Narrows west of Cutler Peninsula in Cutler.