The modern-day oil boom in the western U.S. and Canada is fueling interest in shipping crude oil by rail across Maine to a refinery in the Maritimes. But the prospect of long trains of oil-filled tanker cars rumbling through Maine also has state environmental officials concerned, particularly in the wake …
Articles by Kevin Miller
DEP awaiting results of sediment tests at Bucksport derailment site
The remnants of the late-May train derailment in Bucksport that sent several cars into the Penobscot River have largely been cleaned up. But questions over what caused the derailment as well as the extent to which the nonhazardous materials that leaked are still present in the local …
Jackson Lab effort to develop facility in Ellsworth progresses
The Jackson Laboratory’s long-term plan to take over the former Lowe’s building in this city took a small step forward this week. Ellsworth’s planning board unanimously endorsed a change to the area’s zoning that would expand the types of activities that can be carried out in research …
Officials looking into death in Acadia National Park
BAR HARBOR | Acadia National Park officials are investigating the death of a local elderly man who was found lying in a marshy area along a trail in the park on Wednesday afternoon. Rangers said the death is not suspicious. John Baer, 85, of Bar Harbor was walking his …
Bucksport natural gas project cost estimates higher than anticipated
The project to bring natural gas service to Bucksport residents and businesses may have hit another financial obstacle. Representatives from Bangor Gas Co. recently told Bucksport town officials that cost estimates for a gas pressure regulation station needed for the project came back significantly higher than anticipated. …
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Crews remove chemicals from two derailed train tankers in Bucksport
Work crews on Wednesday emptied chemicals from two of the four train tanker cars that derailed on the banks of the Penobscot River last week. Response staff with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection also said that the amount of a synthetic latex chemical that spilled from …
Ellsworth residents urge withdrawal from RSU 24
Loss of local control and a perception of growing apathy among residents were the top reasons given Tuesday night by those who would like to see the city of Ellsworth withdraw from RSU 24. On June 12, residents of Ellsworth, Hancock and Lamoine will vote on whether …
Recovery of chemicals in Bucksport train derailment expected to begin Wednesday
Work is expected to begin Wednesday to remove tens of thousands of gallons of chemicals from railway cars that derailed in Bucksport and crashed into the Penobscot River last week. The derailed tankers, meanwhile, may be removed from the river bed and embankment later this week. Pan …
Officials say tourism season off to promising start
BAR HARBOR | Sunny skies, warm weather and somewhat lower gas prices helped lure visitors to parks and coastal communities throughout Maine over the extended Memorial Day weekend, kicking off what tourism officials said looks to be a promising season. Business and traffic in downtown Bar Harbor was brisk …
DEP: 4,000 to 6,000 gallons of paper chemical spilled in Bucksport derailment
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is estimating that 4,000 to 6,000 gallons of a chemical used to make coated paper spilled into the Penobscot River when several train tanker cars derailed in Bucksport on Friday. And while the chemical is not believed to be hazardous, DEP …
Trash truck crash causes diesel spill in Bar Harbor
A trash disposal truck en route to Bar Harbor’s transfer station went off the road on Sunday and crashed into a small stream, injuring the driver and spilling diesel fuel into the water. The incident happened around 8:45 a.m. on Great Meadow Drive. The truck apparently …
2 killed, 3 injured in Trenton crash
Two men were killed and a third person was seriously injured during a two-vehicle crash on Route 230 in Trenton on Sunday night. Joseph L. White, 23, of Trenton and James L. Crawford, 22, of Otis died after the vehicle White was driving crossed over into the …
Police investigating serious crash in Trenton
A section of Route 230 in Trenton was closed to traffic Sunday night as police investigated a serious crash. The crash happened on Route 230/Oak Point Road after 7 p.m. Fire and rescue crews from several towns as well as the LifeFlight helicopter service were called to …
Forest service battles woods fire in Danforth
About 20 forest rangers and firefighters were working Sunday evening to contain a fire on a remote mountain in northern Washington County. The fire is located in a cleared area on top of Flagstaff Mountain east of Danforth and had affected about 4 to 5 acres as …
LePage’s critical wind-power stance creating uncertainty
ELLSWORTH | Recent statements from Gov. Paul LePage regarding wind energy are causing some angst in Maine’s wind power industry at a time changes in Augusta and Washington, D.C., are creating uncertainty over political support for renewable energy. Since his election in 2010, LePage has questioned the economics behind …
Bald eagles thriving in Maine, but health still studied
ELLSWORTH | Nearly three years after being removed from the state’s list of threatened species, Maine’s bald eagle population appears to be doing well as nests continue to appear in new and sometimes populated areas. But how, exactly, eagles have fared since their change in status won’t be known …
Crews still working on Bucksport train derailment that sent 2 cars into Penobscot River
Railway crews were still on the scene Saturday of a trail derailment in Bucksport that tore up roughly 200 feet of track and sent two tanker cars into the Penobscot River. The 4-car derailment happened Friday evening around 7 p.m. on a stretch of Pan Am Railways …
Tree knocks out power to 4,400 on MDI
BAR HARBOR | More than 4,000 customers on Mount Desert Island lost power for several hours Friday morning when a tree fell on a major power line. The outage happened at about 5:30 a.m. Friday and affected 4,447 Bangor Hydro Electric Co. customers in Bar Harbor, Bass Harbor, Seal …
Ellsworth hospital recognized for response to quadruple shooting
As one of the state’s rural hospitals, Maine Coast Memorial in Ellsworth doesn’t typically see many patients with gunshot wounds come through the emergency room doors. In fact, a year can pass without hospital staff seeing any. So when four men with gunshot wounds came into the …
Horse gets stuck in hole after escaping from stall at Acadia, causing large rescue effort
MOUNT DESERT | A carriage horse in Acadia National Park apparently got out of his stall and into trouble Wednesday morning, triggering a massive effort to extricate the 1,800-pound animal from a deep hole in the stable floor. Duke, a 12-year-old Belgian Suffolk Cross horse that helps pull carriages …
State police investigating suspicious death in Houlton
Former girlfriend of Kyle Dube testifies at Nichole Cable murder trial
After race, Can-Am musher greeted by litter of 7 new sled puppies
Kyle Dube’s ex-girlfriend: ‘He told me that he had killed Nichole’ Cable
A workshop of facts on the minimum wage for BDN commenters
Man drives car through Westbrook pharmacy
Boosting tourism in rural Maine will take more than a national park
Behind the barriers at a Portland homeless shelter
Respect the ecosystem for Bagaduce oysters
Here are my picks for the top plays, players and efforts in the state basketball finals
Skijoring adds another day of dog-powered sports to Can-Am weekend
Frozen Motor Mayhem II Coming to the County Soon
Midwives once again pursue licensing, birth rights bill
Horror film shot in Maine to premiere at South by Southwest festival
The color of a dress doesn’t matter if you’re colorblind
‘Dumps, billboards, parks': Bangor reformers aimed to improve city
Weezer set for summertime concert on Maine State Pier in Portland, July 31