The University of Maine may be partnering with local business owners to create a complex between the Orono campus and Main Street in downtown Old Town, city council president David Mahan revealed.
Mahan says the location of the complex would be optimum, as it would have access to all of the technology available on the UMaine campus and still be readily accessible via a proposed through-way. Old Town officials, including Mahan, are conducting feasibility research to determine whether or not the complex is a sound business option, but officials are confident that the plan will succeed. Several local businesses have already looked into the plan or agreed to it, according to Mahan.
The city council will debate the issue further when they meet on Monday, October 5th.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Old Town residents can't seem to decide one way or another about whether the new distracted driver law is for better or worse. On one hand, citizens like Paul Cartolano say it will keep drivers on their toes.
On the other hand, residents like Ryan Aguilar say it's just another example of government restriction taking over everyday life.
Similar sentiments from both sides of the issue seem to echo throughout the state, leaving some drivers more cautious and others more skeptical than ever. Bill White, a delivery driver for Acme Pizza in Old Town, is still on the fence.
The distracted driver law was enacted on September 12th, however police say they will issue warnings for the first couple of months before ticketing drivers.
Maine is one in a long line of states to outlaw the practice. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported that eighteen states have banned texting, and seven of those states have also banned talking on a hand-held cell phone.
Larry Zeitlin, an Old Town resident who admits to sometimes using his cell phone when he drives, thinks talking on a cell phone is OK at times, but that the real danger is in texting.
Some residents see the bill as Maine's willing submission to Congress, which is in the process of reviewing a nationwide bill submitted by New York senator Charles Schumer to ban cell phones while driving. The punishment for non-compliance would be a 25% loss of federal highway funds. With most of the state being rural, Maine relies more on its highway system than most and cannot afford to pass up government money.
Even city officials are worried that the law may be difficult to put into practice. Old Town city council president David Mahan says he'll be more cautious now, but doesn't know if the law will be easily enforced.
Over half a million people were injured in 2008 due to some kind of distraction while driving. Nearly 6,000 deaths occurred due to inattention, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association.
On the other hand, residents like Ryan Aguilar say it's just another example of government restriction taking over everyday life.
Similar sentiments from both sides of the issue seem to echo throughout the state, leaving some drivers more cautious and others more skeptical than ever. Bill White, a delivery driver for Acme Pizza in Old Town, is still on the fence.
The distracted driver law was enacted on September 12th, however police say they will issue warnings for the first couple of months before ticketing drivers.
Maine is one in a long line of states to outlaw the practice. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported that eighteen states have banned texting, and seven of those states have also banned talking on a hand-held cell phone.
Larry Zeitlin, an Old Town resident who admits to sometimes using his cell phone when he drives, thinks talking on a cell phone is OK at times, but that the real danger is in texting.
Some residents see the bill as Maine's willing submission to Congress, which is in the process of reviewing a nationwide bill submitted by New York senator Charles Schumer to ban cell phones while driving. The punishment for non-compliance would be a 25% loss of federal highway funds. With most of the state being rural, Maine relies more on its highway system than most and cannot afford to pass up government money.
Even city officials are worried that the law may be difficult to put into practice. Old Town city council president David Mahan says he'll be more cautious now, but doesn't know if the law will be easily enforced.
Over half a million people were injured in 2008 due to some kind of distraction while driving. Nearly 6,000 deaths occurred due to inattention, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association.
Three cars collide on Stillwater Avenue
Second multi-car accident in two weeks
by Derek McKinley
A three-car collision on Stillwater Avenue in Old Town diverted traffic for nearly an hour this afternoon after a Jeep Grand Cherokee smashed into the back of a grey sedan, causing heavy damage to the car's rear and scattering debris onto the road.
A pickup truck was also involved in the accident, but was undamaged and allowed to leave shortly after police arrived.
There was only one person in the Jeep, a college-aged man, and the sedan carried an elderly couple. None of the three reported any injuries, but ambulances were called as a precaution. Fire trucks were on the scene as well, as both cars were leaking fuel and heavy debris was strewn onto the busy street.
Several officers were dispatched to divert the flow of traffic into one lane, causing lengthy delays. A clean-up crew quickly removed fenders and large pieces of metal from both cars to allow the flow of traffic to resume.
Officer Debbie Holmes was at the scene to hear the victims’ stories, and determine the cause of the initial impact.
This is neither the first nor the largest accident that has occurred on the busy stretch of road in the last couple of weeks, Holmes said. Distracted driving, which Maine passed a law against on September 12th, may be at the heart of some of the accidents, she added.
Currently, a law must be broken before a person can be pulled over and additionally ticketed for distracted driving. Officers around the state have said they will issue warnings for the first couple of months before citing offenders. Several drivers are either unaware of the law or unsure about the boundaries it sets. Old Town resident Bill White is not totally sure about what is still allowed.
Although all passengers were unhurt in this instance, Holmes says it's good to have the emergency crew on hand just to be safe.
Here is video footage of the accident scene:
Second multi-car accident in two weeks
by Derek McKinley
A three-car collision on Stillwater Avenue in Old Town diverted traffic for nearly an hour this afternoon after a Jeep Grand Cherokee smashed into the back of a grey sedan, causing heavy damage to the car's rear and scattering debris onto the road.
A pickup truck was also involved in the accident, but was undamaged and allowed to leave shortly after police arrived.
There was only one person in the Jeep, a college-aged man, and the sedan carried an elderly couple. None of the three reported any injuries, but ambulances were called as a precaution. Fire trucks were on the scene as well, as both cars were leaking fuel and heavy debris was strewn onto the busy street.
Several officers were dispatched to divert the flow of traffic into one lane, causing lengthy delays. A clean-up crew quickly removed fenders and large pieces of metal from both cars to allow the flow of traffic to resume.
Officer Debbie Holmes was at the scene to hear the victims’ stories, and determine the cause of the initial impact.
This is neither the first nor the largest accident that has occurred on the busy stretch of road in the last couple of weeks, Holmes said. Distracted driving, which Maine passed a law against on September 12th, may be at the heart of some of the accidents, she added.
Currently, a law must be broken before a person can be pulled over and additionally ticketed for distracted driving. Officers around the state have said they will issue warnings for the first couple of months before citing offenders. Several drivers are either unaware of the law or unsure about the boundaries it sets. Old Town resident Bill White is not totally sure about what is still allowed.
Although all passengers were unhurt in this instance, Holmes says it's good to have the emergency crew on hand just to be safe.
Here is video footage of the accident scene:
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Welcome to Old Town
Old Town is a small city in Maine with a population around 8,000 people. Much of the town is located on a large island, surrounded by the Penobscot River to the east, and the Stillwater River to the west.
Old Town was originally referred to by the Abenaki Indian word "Pannawambskek," which means, "where the ledges spread out." The name Old Town comes from Indian Old Town, the English name for the area currently known as Indian Island, home to the Penobscot Nation.
The town's welcome sign proudly proclaims itself as the home of Old Town Canoe, a major producer of canoes and kayaks that has been based in Old Town for over 100 years.
The town's education system is comprised of the K-6 Old Town Elementary School, J.A. Leonard Middle School, and Old Town High School. The team, who compete in green and white uniforms, recently changed their mascot from the Indians to the Coyotes.
The city council is comprised of seven members, and is led by president Dave Mahan. It meets on the first Monday of every month, provided that it does not fall on a holiday. Meetings begin at 7:00 pm.
The city manager is Margaret Daigle. She can be contacted by phone at (207) 827-3965 or via e-mail at pdaigle@old-town.org.
Old Town was originally referred to by the Abenaki Indian word "Pannawambskek," which means, "where the ledges spread out." The name Old Town comes from Indian Old Town, the English name for the area currently known as Indian Island, home to the Penobscot Nation.
The town's welcome sign proudly proclaims itself as the home of Old Town Canoe, a major producer of canoes and kayaks that has been based in Old Town for over 100 years.
The town's education system is comprised of the K-6 Old Town Elementary School, J.A. Leonard Middle School, and Old Town High School. The team, who compete in green and white uniforms, recently changed their mascot from the Indians to the Coyotes.
The city council is comprised of seven members, and is led by president Dave Mahan. It meets on the first Monday of every month, provided that it does not fall on a holiday. Meetings begin at 7:00 pm.
The city manager is Margaret Daigle. She can be contacted by phone at (207) 827-3965 or via e-mail at pdaigle@old-town.org.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Swine flu over-hyped
Old Town residents skeptical of virus
by Derek McKinley
The H1N1 virus, more commonly known as swine flu, has claimed nearly 900 lives in North America and 2,800-3,700 worldwide according to the Center for Disease Control. Old Town residents, however, remain largely unfazed. Many believe a common sense approach to avoiding illness of any kind is sufficient, and are actively engaging in regular illness prevention measures.
Despite the Center for Disease Control's warnings about the seriousness of the virus, Old Town residents like Jeff Allen believe the reports are overblown by a national media in need of the next big story.
The Maine CDC reports 370 cases of swine flu in the state, including 19 hospitalizations and one death. More than half of those who have contracted the disease are under the age of 25.
With a recent mass outbreak of the virus at Washington State University, the threat of contracting the illness in less hygienic areas, such as college campuses, is hitting a bit closer to home. Dillon Bates, 21, is a member of the university's football team, but he too doesn't quite buy into the coverage.
Liam McSweeney, 21, works part-time at a Montessori school and attends UMaine. It's not that the news doesn't have him worried, he says, but his concerns lie elsewhere.
The World Health Organization expects to have a vaccine by the end of 2009, just as the virus is expected to peak in severity. The vaccination campaign will be the largest since Jonas Salk created the vaccination for polio in the 1950s.
The national CDC has stated that cases worldwide are usually not severe, and most deaths can be attributed to a combination of swine flu and an underlying condition like asthma, heart disease or a weak immune system.
Swine flu is spread in the same way as the common cold or flu by coughing, sneezing or touching infected surfaces and then inhaling the virus. Its symptoms are also similar to the common flu. Personal efforts to prevent the spread of the virus extend only as far as basic hand-washing and other hygienic practices.
Old Town residents skeptical of virus
by Derek McKinley
The H1N1 virus, more commonly known as swine flu, has claimed nearly 900 lives in North America and 2,800-3,700 worldwide according to the Center for Disease Control. Old Town residents, however, remain largely unfazed. Many believe a common sense approach to avoiding illness of any kind is sufficient, and are actively engaging in regular illness prevention measures.
Despite the Center for Disease Control's warnings about the seriousness of the virus, Old Town residents like Jeff Allen believe the reports are overblown by a national media in need of the next big story.
The Maine CDC reports 370 cases of swine flu in the state, including 19 hospitalizations and one death. More than half of those who have contracted the disease are under the age of 25.
With a recent mass outbreak of the virus at Washington State University, the threat of contracting the illness in less hygienic areas, such as college campuses, is hitting a bit closer to home. Dillon Bates, 21, is a member of the university's football team, but he too doesn't quite buy into the coverage.
Liam McSweeney, 21, works part-time at a Montessori school and attends UMaine. It's not that the news doesn't have him worried, he says, but his concerns lie elsewhere.
The World Health Organization expects to have a vaccine by the end of 2009, just as the virus is expected to peak in severity. The vaccination campaign will be the largest since Jonas Salk created the vaccination for polio in the 1950s.
The national CDC has stated that cases worldwide are usually not severe, and most deaths can be attributed to a combination of swine flu and an underlying condition like asthma, heart disease or a weak immune system.
Swine flu is spread in the same way as the common cold or flu by coughing, sneezing or touching infected surfaces and then inhaling the virus. Its symptoms are also similar to the common flu. Personal efforts to prevent the spread of the virus extend only as far as basic hand-washing and other hygienic practices.
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