Bangor Daily News

Heat Costs

Heating fuel prices for week of Feb. 23 Area prices averaged from reports of local dealers. Statewide price of oil, kerosene and residential propane from Governor's Office of Energy Independence and Security. Local price of kerosene from MaineOil.Com.

Nuke Plant Rehab Worries Some Down East

MACHIAS - Worries about delays and "first-of-its-kind" technology used during the $1.4 billion refurbishment of a nuclear power plant just 30 miles from Maine's border has the Washington County commissioners wondering if NP Power has an emergency plan that includes Maine emergency personnel. That concern prompted the commission to send a letter to Gov. John Baldacci, asking about the state's safety arrangements with the Point Lepreau plant.

Sears Island Plan Challenged in Court

ROCKLAND - Claiming a religious attachment to Sears Island, an environmental activist has taken legal action against the Department of Transportation over its plan to divide the island into separate port and conservation zones. Ronald Huber of the group Penobscot Bay Watch filed the petition for review of the plan in Knox County Superior Court last week.

Cut Campuses, Boost Umaine, Task Force Told Forums Planned Around State

ORONO - Jeremy Logan is a doctoral student in the computer science department at the University of Maine, but before arriving in Orono he did undergraduate studies at the University of Southern Maine and the University of Maine at Augusta's Biddeford-Saco Center. Logan has clearly benefited from the small campuses and schools in the University of Maine System. Still, Logan sees a need to close some of the system's smaller campuses.

Salvation Army Honors Bdn with Prestigious Service Award

BANGOR - The Bangor Daily News, led by publisher Richard J. Warren, for decades has helped to feed the hungry, clothe the cold, heat homes and provide children with toys when Santa needed help. Through the Santa's Helper Fund, created 35 years ago by Warren's mother, Joanne Van Namee, more than three-quarters of a million dollars has been raised to help the needy, and every cent went to support the local Salvation Army.

Art Sale to Benefit Student Volunteers

ORONO - The University of Maine's 2nd annual public Alternative Spring Break Art Auction is scheduled for Saturday, March 21, at the Buchanan Alumni House. The auction is intended to support an endowment to help cover expenses for national and international student service trips. More than 80 students will spend spring break this year, Feb. 27 through March 13, volunteering at humanitarian aid sites in Texas, Utah, Florida, Georgia, West Virginia and Peru. These students raise the majority of...

Quick Action Contains Fire in Hampden

HAMPDEN - Though it took only minutes for Hampden firefighters to put out a small bedroom fire Wednesday, determining what sparked it proved more elusive. The State Fire Marshal's Office has been called in to help determine the cause of the fire, which occurred shortly after 6 p.m. at a two-story house at 25 Main Trail, Lt. Ray Pipes of the Hampden Fire Department said Wednesday night.

Sad 68 Directors Asked to Delay School Decision

MONSON - SAD 68 directors were asked Wednesday to delay their consideration of closing the Monson Elementary School for a year to allow residents the time to research options that might be available to them. "I just feel like this process has been very fast," Town Manager Julie Anderson told directors Wednesday during an informational meeting at the Monson school.

Valley Hospital Gets New Imaging System

PITTSFIELD - In a continuing effort to provide high quality diagnostic imaging and patient care, Sebasticook Valley Hospital has purchased a Siemens e.cam nuclear medicine imaging system. This state-of-the-art system is ideal for the early detection and staging of cancer, heart disease and other hard-to-diagnose disorders. The innovative system performs a variety of single photon emission computed tomography, or SPECT, imaging tasks. It is the first nuclear medicine camera designed to perform...

Registration, Screening for Kindergartners

MILFORD - Registration and screening for kindergarten students entering the Dr. Lewis S. Libby School in September 2009 will be held on Thursday, March 12. Screening for students planning to enter school in September 2010 will be held on the same date. Due to the registration and screening process, regular kindergarten students will not have school on March 12.

Palmyra Church to Host Evangelistic Crusade

Phoneathon to Benefit Animal Orphanage

Books2eat Contest Open to Community

Sebasticook Chamber Trade Show, Fair May 2

PITTSFIELD - The Sebasticook Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold its 13th annual Trade Show & Community Fair 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at the Warsaw Middle School gym and cafeteria, 167 School St. The event provides an opportunity for business, nonprofits, artisans and craftspeople to promote their services or display their products at a low cost. Discounts on booths are available to those who pay in full early.

Dhhs to Host Meeting On Adoption, Foster Care

Walk Fundraiser to Aid Brain Injury Group

BREWER - The Brain Injury Association of Maine will hold its 19th annual Walk for Thought fundraiser Saturday, March 21. Participants may walk inside or outside. The event will take place regardless of rain or snow. Walker check-in will begin at 8:30 a.m. before the official kickoff at 9:25 a.m. A light breakfast will be available. Walkers will enjoy a lively party atmosphere with music and lunch donated by local businesses.

Beecher Boys and Girls to Perform for Manna

Once again I have received some good news from Ben Dresser about a coming performance of the Beecher Boys and Girls Hillbilly Band. Dresser reports this delightful, community-minded group will entertain you during a fundraiser for Manna Ministries of Bangor at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Next Generation Theatre at the Between Friends Art Center, 39 Center St., Brewer.

Volunteer of the Year Teaches Independence

BANGOR - April Bowley, local Working Opportunities Unlimited leader, works at The Salvation Army's thrift store, teaching her volunteers a skill and about interacting with others in the community. Her "peeps," as she described them, are people of varying backgrounds and skills who are getting adjusted to jobs and independence, she said.

Volunteers with Flu Wanted for Study

BANGOR - Acadia Clinical Research is conducting a clinical study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a medication to treat seasonal influenza. If you are at least 18 years of age, feel feverish or have a fever, and have noticed symptoms of the flu such as cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, muscle aches, headache and fatigue, you may qualify. Call quickly because to qualify, you must be able to go to a study center within 36 hours from when you first noticed you were getting sick.

Police Seek Suspect in Attempted Robbery

RANDOLPH - The Kennebec County Sheriff's Department is on the lookout for a woman wanted in connection with an attempted robbery of OxyContin on Tuesday from a Randolph grocery store. The suspect also made verbal threats during the incident. Though no arrest had been made as of late Wednesday afternoon, Sheriff Randall Liberty said police are examining evidence gathered at the scene, including video surveillance footage.