TORONTO – Canada’s major pulp and paper companies said Tuesday they will restrict logging in environmentally sensitive areas of the country’s northern boreal forest as part of a groundbreaking deal with environmental groups. The Forest Products Association of Canada, whose members include forestry giants such as AbitibiBowater Inc. and Weyerhaeuser Co. Ltd., said the industry […]

This is a difficult time for the organizers of the Franco-American festival in Biddeford. Bad luck and bad decisions have left the perennially popular cultural fair in an uncomfortable position. La Kermesse this year is coping with a lack of money, an investigation of its finances and the loss of what had been a prime […]

Editor’s Note: George Douglas, a regular columnist on this page for more than two years, died more than a week ago. We have not received an obituary, but George has always been more than capable of speaking for himself. His columns about dialysis were about life itself particularly his own life, which was filled with […]

With approval from the Maine Public Utilities Commission in hand, Central Maine Power hopes to soon begin reinforcing and improving the region’s power grid. The project approved by the PUC emerged from closed-door meetings involving the major parties contesting the case. Compromises and deals were clearly needed to get this essential project underway, but the […]

Thumbs up to Biddeford City Councilor Pat Boston, who was inadvertently omitted from our thumbs up last Monday acknowledging Councilors Rick Laverriere and George “Pete” Lamontagne, as well as the Public Works staff, for hosting a very well-organized hazardous materials collection day on May 1. Boston was also among those who helped out with the […]

It’s that time of year again. In just a few weeks, high-school seniors will don caps and gowns, walk up to a podium and reach out for that piece of paper that ultimately represents freedom, accomplishment and tradition. In the weeks leading up to graduation, with marching practices and finals, one night provides a respite […]

A garden house can be simple and spare, or very comfortable, with lights, water and heat.

Considering the outrage over government spending, perhaps U.S. military costs needs a closer look. Out of the hundreds of billions spent annually on national defense, billions could surely be saved by a secretary of defense dedicated to efficiency. That’s just the role Secretary Robert Gates apparently intends to take on. Speaking last weekend at the […]

As municipalities work to form budgets this year, considering programs like pay-as-you-throw trash disposal is the responsible way to go. Many town leaders have trimmed their budgets as far as they can and are trying to find ways to increase revenues without increasing property tax bills. A pay-as-you-throw program enacted by the Sanford Council in […]

Just two weeks ago the Senate seemed unable to begin debate on financial reform legislation. Then last week, in a sudden burst of bipartisanship, the bill reached the floor. Now that compromise and debate are underway, the odds are better that a strong bill protecting consumers and the economy will soon emerge. There is no […]