Articles by Diana Bowley
SAD 46 gives up wage increases in light of poor local economy
DEXTER, Maine — In recognition of the poor economy, all four of SAD 46’s bargaining units have agreed to no wage increases for the 2011-2012 year. SAD 46 directors have ratified new contracts with the district’s bus drivers, custodians, the SAD 46 Education Association and the SAD 46 Education Association ...
Milo selectmen appoint new police chief
MILO, Maine — Milo selectmen have been so pleased with Damien Pickel’s performance since he started as a police officer in 2009 that they voted unanimously Tuesday to promote him to police chief. Pickel, 43, who served as a New York police officer for 20 years, started his new $44,000-a-year ...
Race is on for seat vacated by rep. accused of pulling gun
DEXTER, Maine — Three candidates are vying for the House District 24 seat left open by the resignation of Republican Frederick Wintle of Garland, who submitted his resignation after he allegedly pointed a gun at a Waterville man. Wintle, who has been charged with carrying a concealed weapon and criminal ...
Piscataquis County budget draft up $120,154
DOVER-FOXCROFT, Maine — Piscataquis County department heads have proposed a 2012 county budget that reflects an increase of 3.13 percent in expenditures. The budget draft has been forwarded to the county’s budget advisory committee for review. The committee will hold its first meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, in ...
State police divers search Sangerville stream for evidence connected to Bingham robbery
SANGERVILLE, Maine — Several members of the state police dive team spent much of Thursday searching for evidence along the swampy shore and murky depths of Carleton Stream in Sangerville. Part of the stream runs parallel to Route 23 across from the home of James Stile, 55, who was arrested ...
Piscataquis County officials tell sheriff he’s breaking the law
DOVER-FOXCROFT, Maine — Piscataquis County commissioners directed Sheriff John Goggin on Tuesday to follow state law and county statute by seeking approval first when he needs to transfer funds in his budget from one line-item account to another to cover costs. In past years and without prior approval, Goggin said ...
Little Lad’s to start snack production in Guilford plant
GUILFORD, Maine — It is expected that within a month, the former Pride Manufacturing Co. plant in Guilford that once made golf tees will be converted into a production facility for herbal popcorn and other healthy snacks. Larry Fleming, founder and owner of Little Lad’s restaurants in Portland and New ...
Good Shepherd Food-Bank head to step down
AUBURN, Maine — Rick Small, who has served as president and chief executive officer of Good Shepherd Food-Bank in Auburn, the state’s largest hunger relief network, has submitted his resignation. Small came under fire earlier this year when several nonprofit food cupboard operators complained about the high fees Good Shepherd ...
Dover-Foxcroft teenager dies from injuries in car accident
DOVER-FOXCROFT, Maine — An 18-year-old local man died Monday afternoon after being critically injured in a car accident Saturday morning, according to Police Chief Dennis Dyer. Christopher Bartlett of Dover-Foxcroft died at 3:38 p.m. at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Dyer said Monday afternoon. Bartlett and a 17-year-old female ...
Hundreds turn out to stand up against domestic violence in Piscataquis County
GUILFORD, Maine — A groundswell of support to end domestic violence, all too familiar with the recent deaths of Amy, Coty and Monica Lake of Dexter, was shown this weekend in Piscataquis County with events held in Dover-Foxcroft and Guilford. More than 600 people participated Sunday in the annual walk ...
Wardens come to aid of lost Houlton hunter
HODGDON, Maine — A 22-year-old Houlton hunter who was reported missing by his family when he failed to return to his truck late Saturday was located Sunday in a bog in Hodgdon. Wardens and other searchers were working Sunday afternoon to rescue T.J. Quint Jr. from the “very spongy, difficult ...
Sangerville woman injured in ATV accident
DOVER-FOXCROFT, Maine — A Sangerville woman was injured early Saturday morning after she lost control of her all-terrain vehicle and it hit trees on Gray Hill Road. Tricia LaBree, 30, was taken by by ambulance to Mayo Regional Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft, where she is being treated for injuries that are ...
Hooked on Fishing draws youngsters to the outdoors
DOVER-FOXCROFT, Maine — Jim Ellis of Dover-Foxcroft said he has no greater pleasure than seeing youngsters enjoy fishing and hunting, so it was no surprise he was assisting at the Hooked on Fishing event in Dover-Foxcroft on Saturday morning. Several children gathered around the small pond were casting line after ...
Abbot event to help clothe those in need of winter gear
ABBOT, Maine — Victor and Cheryl Morin of Abbot end up every year with tons of used winter clothing left over from their annual fundraising yard sale for the JD Foundation, a nonprofit suicide prevention organization. Rather than discard the clothing, the couple have organized their annual “Keeping Our Communities ...
Two teenagers injured in early morning crash in Dover-Foxcroft
DOVER-FOXCROFT, Maine — An 18-year-old local man was critically injured early Saturday morning when he lost control of his vehicle and struck a tree on Route 15 in Dover-Foxcroft. Christopher Bartlett of Dover-Foxcroft was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor after the 1:45 a.m. accident, ...
Cleanup of old cabin on Big Spencer Mountain on tap
AUGUSTA, Maine — A popular hiking area on Big Spencer Mountain in the Moosehead Lake region will get a face lift next month as volunteers work to clean up an old fire ranger’s cabin that has fallen into disrepair. Ten volunteers are being sought to help with the project being ...
Hiker who died on Appalachian Trail identified as New Jersey man
TOWNSHIP 1 RANGE 11, Maine — An Appalachian Trail hiker who became ill in the 100 Mile Wilderness region Thursday afternoon died later that day at Millinocket Regional Hospital, according to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Robert Yerike, 69, of Brick, N.J., was nearing the end of his ...
Willimantic residents may deorganize town
MONSON, Maine — After months of turmoil in town government and a lack of candidates willing to run for municipal offices, Willimantic residents agreed at the annual town meeting Thursday to investigate deorganization. Selectman Linda Packard resigned earlier this year and Selectmen John Tatko and Tom Capraro both abruptly resigned ...
Wardens on way to help ill Appalachian Trail hiker
TOWNSHIP 1 RANGE 11, Maine — Wardens from the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, along with a warden pilot, were in the process of trying to rescue an ill Appalachian Trail hiker late Thursday in the 100 Mile Wilderness area south of Baxter State Park, according to the Piscataquis ...
Four candidates running for Dexter Town Council
DEXTER, Maine — Four people are vying for the two three-year terms on the Dexter Town Council during municipal elections on Nov. 8. Nomination papers, which were due Monday, were submitted by Frederick Banks, Charles Merrill, Michele Smith and incumbent David Clukey. Outgoing Councilor Roger Brawn has been term limited, ...
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The Esther II: A father’s boat, a son’s heart