Articles by Kevin Miller
POLL QUESTION
As trains start to carry crude oil across Maine, environmentalists start to worry
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 …
DEP awaiting results of sediment tests at Bucksport derailment site
BUCKSPORT, Maine — 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
ELLSWORTH, Maine — 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, Maine — 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
BUCKSPORT, Maine — 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. …
VIDEO
Crews remove chemicals from two derailed train tankers in Bucksport
BUCKSPORT, Maine — 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
ELLSWORTH, Maine — 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
BUCKSPORT, Maine — 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, Maine — 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
BUCKSPORT, Maine — 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
BAR HARBOR, Maine — 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
TRENTON, Maine — 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
TRENTON, Maine — 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
DANFORTH, Maine — 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, Maine — 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, Maine — 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
BUCKSPORT, Maine — 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, Maine — 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
ELLSWORTH, Maine — 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, Maine — 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 …
Orono man gets a surprise: 4 bears living not far from his front door
Presque Isle duo arrested after alleged assault near downtown pub
Hermon woman arrested after allegedly smoking pot at eye center, refusing to leave
Only 3 Maine schools still have Indian nicknames; tribal leader praises effort to eliminate them
By expanding Medicaid, Maine lawmakers can make a difference for the uninsured
Let’s rethink Maine’s telephone policy in this digital age
Legislature’s $73 million small business jobs bond isn’t perfect, but Maine needs it
More dependency or opportunity: What’s at stake in Maine’s Medicaid expansion debate
Safety net pole hits Mainers after Boston Bruins game at TD Garden
Former UMaine football player Dom Cusano dies
Pistorius breaks down, retches as girlfriend’s wounds are described during murder trial
UMaine hockey eager to avenge home losses to Friars in Providence as NCAA Tournament looms
Scientist: Odd-looking Maine lobsters are not mutants, and still safe to eat
Why are more Maine novelists turning to the life of crime?
Daniel Williams named interim director of Collins Center for the Arts
Belfast journalist takes on America’s favorite drug in new book
Argyle pipe welder refurbishing statue of soldier in effort to restore Orono Civil War monument