Archive for March, 2011
New marine species discovered off Gulf of Mexico
The Associated Press on March 31, 2011, at 11:44 p.m.
TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. — A new marine species has been discovered in the Gulf of Mexico. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced Thursday the discovery of Chromodoris fentoni, a type of shell-less snail known as a nudibranch (pronounced “nu-da-brank”). Biologists discovered the unusual creature after a fisherman donated ...
US-S. Korea trade pact will bar imports from N. Korea
The Associated Press on March 31, 2011, at 11:40 p.m.
WASHINGTON — A senior U.S. official says a proposed U.S.-South Korean free trade agreement will not provide a back door for imports to the United States from communist North Korea. The top U.S. diplomat for east Asia, Kurt Campbell, told lawmakers Thursday that the pact, which is pending congressional approval, ...
FDA panel votes to study food dyes, hyperactivity
By Mary Clare Jalonick, The Associated Press on March 31, 2011, at 11:39 p.m.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel recommended Thursday that the agency further study the link between food coloring and childhood hyperactivity but said products that contain the dyes do not need package warnings. The committee, made up of doctors, scientists and consumer representatives, narrowly voted 8-6 ...
Wisconsin governor halts plans to implement union law
By Todd Richmond And Scott Bauer, The Associated Press on March 31, 2011, at 11:38 p.m.
MADISON, Wis. — A Wisconsin judge on Thursday did what thousands of pro-union protesters and boycotting Democratic lawmakers couldn’t, forcing Republican Gov. Scott Walker to halt plans to implement a law that would strip most public workers of their collective bargaining rights and cut their pay. Dane County Circuit Judge ...
RELIGION NEWS BRIEFS
Ex-Sarkozy aide lashes out at debate on Islam
The Associated Press on March 31, 2011, at 11:37 p.m.
PARIS — French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s ousted adviser on diversity called the president’s conservative party the “plague of Muslims” amid a growing furor over its plans to debate Islam’s role in France. Even Prime Minister Francois Fillon, a prominent member of the governing UMP party, is distancing himself from its ...
Celtics snap funk, send Spurs to 5th straight loss
The Associated Press on March 31, 2011, at 11:09 p.m.
SAN ANTONIO — The Boston Celtics finally got a big win and their big man back. They may also reclaim the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. And the San Antonio Spurs, at this dismal rate, may give first place in the West away. Rajon Rondo had 22 points ...
CONVERSATIONS WITH MAINE
Concert at the dump, and other stories
Back in the summer of 1979, I learned about an unsung social hot spot in Maine. Shortly after arriving in the border town of Vanceboro, I was invited to a popular Saturday night activity: “Let’s go to the dump and watch the bears!” Sure enough, several well-fed black bears browsed ...
Alaskan and Maine students team up to present ‘Dear Fish’
DEER ISLE-STONINGTON — Fishermen in Juneau, Alaska, catch millions of pounds of salmon, halibut and crab each year, while across the country, fishermen of Deer Isle-Stonington haul in millions of pounds of lobster. As these fishermen navigate the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, they accumulate stories and pass them down to ...
Pet group puts out the call for April Stools Day volunteers
BANGOR, Maine — A year after taking part in the first April Stools Day cleanup event in the Lewiston-Auburn area, two Bradford residents hope to expand the volunteer day all the way to Bangor. April Stools Day? “We can’t take credit for that one,” Cassandra Lang of Turner said with ...
Pleasant River Hatchery still suffering from diesel spill; local smelt fishery closed
COLUMBIA FALLS — “We are still very on the edge here,” Dwayne Shaw of Downeast Salmon Federation’s Pleasant River Hatchery said Thursday, two days after 1,000 gallons of off-road diesel fuel spilled into the river and contaminated the waters both inside and outside of the hatchery. The spill began Tuesday with ...
Rites of Spring: Robinson Ballet’s April shows allow dancers to contribute personal expression
BANGOR, Maine — If the winter performances of “The Nutcracker” are a chance for all dancers of all ages in the Robinson Ballet to shine in a classic ballet setting, then the dance company’s spring show is an opportunity for dancers to experiment, reinvent and learn new things. Where else ...
Federer, Nadal to renew rivalry in Key Biscayne
The Associated Press on March 31, 2011, at 10:07 p.m.
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. — Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have played each other 22 times on hard courts, grass and clay. Now, for the first time in six years, the best rivalry in tennis is back on U.S. soil. Rafa and Roger will meet Friday night in the semifinals at ...
Library volunteers fighting against bottle bill changes
STOCKTON SPRINGS, Maine — Over the last 10 years, a nonstop bottle drive for the Stockton Springs Community Library has generated $56,000, enough money to keep the volunteer-run program well-supplied with books. If major changes are made to Maine’s 35-year-old bottle bill, that income stream could slow to a trickle ...
POLICE BEAT
Bangor police probing reported break-in at Diva’s Gentleman’s Club
BDN staff reports on March 31, 2011, at 10:05 p.m.
Bangor police are investigating a report of a break-in at Diva’s Gentleman’s Club on Harlow Street. The possible break-in was reported by Diana Cormier, owner of the downtown exotic dance club, who discovered someone had entered her business overnight. “When I left last night, everything was normal. When I came ...
Husson softball sweeps Southern Maine
on March 31, 2011, at 9:58 p.m.
BANGOR — Husson University scored four times in the fourth inning to top the University of Southern Maine of Gorham 8-5 in Thursday’s first college softball game. The Eagles completed the sweep with a 6-1 victory in the second game. In the first game, Megan Richards doubled and single with ...
Yankees capture opener
The Associated Press on March 31, 2011, at 9:58 p.m.
NEW YORK — Curtis Granderson hit a go-ahead homer leading off the seventh inning and Mark Teixeira had a three-run shot off Justin Verlander, lifting New York over the Detroit Tigers 6-3 Thursday in the first regular-season game played in the Bronx in March. CC Sabathia pitched six workmanlike innings, ...
FAN FEEDBACK: Blodgett needed more time
on March 31, 2011, at 9:49 p.m.
Blodgett should be allowed to grow as coach I feel insulted by the standards the university has applied to firing of Cindy Blodgett. They were careful to say no taxpayer money has been used. I feel a moral approach should be applied to the coaches and players. These programs are ...
Katahdin leaders meet to discuss mill tax breaks
EAST MILLINOCKET, Maine — East Millinocket and Millinocket town leaders had no comment after meeting Thursday to discuss a San Francisco investor’s attempt to secure property tax breaks from the towns as it seeks to buy two Katahdin region paper mills for $1. The 1½-hour meeting occurred in the basement ...
Top filmmakers offer fervent endorsements of the movie theater
By Richard Verrier, Los Angeles Times on March 31, 2011, at 9:44 p.m.
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Even in the distant future in a galaxy far, far away, there will still be movie theaters. “Star Wars” filmmaker George Lucas, a pioneer in digital technology, offered an impassioned show of support Wednesday for a century-old institution: the movie theater. “What you bring to the ...
2 Chicago Police officers accused of sex assault
By Don Babwin, The Associated Press on March 31, 2011, at 9:42 p.m.
CHICAGO, Ill. — Chicago police said Thursday they were investigating allegations that two on-duty officers picked up a crying woman in their squad car this week and at least one of them sexually assaulted her. Interim Police Superintendent Terry Hillard said the two veteran officers were placed on administrative duty ...
Police find remains believed to be Nichole Cable, 15, in Old Town woods
Orono man facing murder charge in connection with death of missing Glenburn teen
Items found, authorities pursuing leads in search for Glenburn teen
LePage hopes to eliminate income tax by end of second term
Central High principal placed on administrative leave with pay after police charges
Obama’s boyfriend line
Ignore LePage politics, get to root of DHHS funding needs
Nichole Cable: In our minds, hearts
Basketball season never ends for Worcesters of Washburn, a family of 1,000-point scorers
UMaine narrows candidate list, hopes to name men’s hockey coach next week
Eastport teen notches first ‘Bandolero’ racing victory
Not even chemotherapy could quell Maine woman’s longing to be in the kitchen
Keyboardist Ray Manzarek of The Doors dies at age 74
Fun, informative or just plain strange: 8 museums in Maine worth a road trip
Penobscot Theatre Company ends season with whirlwind production of ‘Around the World in 80 Days’