The Finish Line

My Senior Clip Reel

2010-05-05T12:09:00.001-04:00

Pulitzer Prize Winner Visits the University of Maine

2010-04-03T17:17:00.001-04:00

Mark Feeney, Pulitzer Prize winning author of "Nixon at the Movies," visited the University of Maine on Thursday. "Nixon at the Movies" cleverly compares the relationship between Nixon and Hollywood. It analyzes Nixon's love for film and how it inspired him to make certain decisions. The Mobile Maine News crew decided to ask audience members, "Who do you think has best portrayed Nixon on the big screen?". The options: Philip Baker Hall in "Secret Honor," Anthony Hopkins in "Nixon," Dan Hedaya in "Dick," Frank Langella in "Frost/Nixon," or Robert Wisden in "Watchmen."

A Day in the Life: Cass Mendonca

2010-02-24T18:57:00.003-05:00

Journalism - Where The #$%@ Are We Going?

2010-02-11T14:44:00.002-05:00

It's hard to tell where journalism is going. Is the internet going to be the savior of newspapers, or are bloggers going to rule the day? Where do the changes leave journalism students as they try to crack into the shrinking job market? Journalists in the Bangor area weigh in on these issues and try to figure out what the media is headed for.

UMaine senior goes green

2010-01-27T14:49:00.009-05:00

by Derek McKinley

On a campus with thousands of students trying to make their mark before their academic career is over, it's hard to stand out.

In a country where millions of people hardly try at all to maintain a sustainable society, it may be difficult to change their minds.

Mike Maberry is is trying to do both.

As the coordinator of the Green Campus Initiative at the University of Maine, Maberry is primarily responsible for overseeing all of the organization's employees in their efforts to promote sustainability, as well as personally getting the pro-recycling message out to all parts of the university.

Recent economic troubles have forced GCI to rethink how they're getting that message across with their advertising campaign, which had been minimal to begin with.

Coordinating anything of that magnitude might seem like a daunting task, but for Maberry it's just one in a laundry list of activities he is involved in. In addition to being a resident assistant in Penobscot Hall, he is currently working on his senior thesis to earn a degree in history.

Maberry is most recognizable, however, for being one half of "Mike and Mike," hosts of a late night talk radio show on WMEB, UMaine's campus radio station. Maberry, along with broadcasting partner Mike Moody, often used the show as a forum for publicizing GCI's efforts until Moody's graduation brought an end to the show.

Those efforts currently include participation in the nationwide recycling competition known as "Recyclemania," which began on Jan. 17 and spans a period of ten weeks. Over 500 colleges and universities competed in 2009, recycling a total of nearly 70 million pounds of waste.

Maberry also hopes to host other events on campus to raise awareness of sustainability, including a "trashion show," where competitors create clothing out of recycled materials.

The group's current focus is on the First Year Resident Experience (FYRE) dorms, which Maberry says are recording very low recycling tallies this year.

GCI employs a staff of 12 employees and has a handful of volunteers. Maberry says he likes the small group atmosphere, but would never turn away an interested student. For information, Maberry is available via First Class, or at 581-3322, and also in his office in the basement of Androscoggin Hall.

Mofilm Pepsi Refresh Your World Contest

2010-01-21T14:10:00.003-05:00

I created this 60-second clip for the Refresh Your World contest sponsored by Pepsi and Mofilm. Although the clip is self-explanatory, I believe that I paint my world by getting to know people as a journalist and telling their stories to a large audience, creating a greater sense of community, even if that sense extends only as far as the college I attend.

Derek McKinley Clip Reel

2009-12-11T16:40:00.001-05:00

My name is Derek McKinley. I'm a journalism student at the University of Maine. This video is a compilation of various stand-ups, b-roll shots, and interviews I've done.

A Closer Look at Old Town Water District

2009-12-11T16:04:00.005-05:00

The Old Town Water District provides high quality, tested, and treated water for the city of Old Town and the towns of Bradley, Milford, and parts of Orono, and yet very few of the city's residents are aware of what the district is responsible for doing in order to ensure the safety of their product. I spoke to the district's superintendent Frank Kearney to find out how the citizens of Old Town get their water and University of Maine doctoral student James Killarney, a knowledgable source about contamination in local rivers.

2009-11-24T12:50:00.002-05:00

2009-11-12T15:02:00.001-05:00

2009-11-12T13:49:00.002-05:00

Assignment 14

2009-11-05T12:47:00.004-05:00

Ken Griffey Jr. made me want to be a journalist. It seems weird to say that, since we’ve never met, but when I was ten years old, there was no one cooler than Ken Griffey. Starting in center field for the Seattle Mariners (when they were good), he had just come off his first and only MVP season, and I was getting to that age where if you didn’t know sports, you sat alone on the swings at recess.

1998 was the year St. Louis Cardinals slugger Mark McGwire broke Roger Maris’ single season home run record, one of the most hallowed records in all of baseball. Chicago Cubs right fielder Sammy Sosa also passed the record that season. In third place that season was Ken Griffey Jr., who hit 56 home runs for the second year in a row.

I never trusted McGwire or Sosa. Even when I was ten, I’d read stories in the newspaper about McGwire using some kind of supplement. Of course, being ten, I had no idea what androstenedione was, and I didn’t care. I knew he was being dishonest.

There was something about Sammy Sosa that I didn’t like either. I kept reading about how he was taking “vitamins”, but I wasn’t totally sure about it.

The only person I ever really believed in was Griffey. In what came to be known as the Steroid Era in baseball, he stood as a beacon of integrity, above the suspicion that ran rampant throughout the sport. Although his numbers declined after that season, and his path to the top of the record books was cut short by nagging injuries, he is still widely considered to be one of the best players ever.

Griffey, Sosa, and McGwire were credited, by virtue of their race to the record, with saving baseball, which in 1998 was seeing a decline in ratings and attendance. For a class project, I wrote a report on the race, chronicling all three men and their respective seasons. That, I feel like, was my first journalistic experience. Was it biased? Totally. Was it very good? For a ten year old, I guess. But it sparked a desire to write about sports for a career.

I liked the feeling I got when I was doing the research, reading the stats, and writing the story itself. I still enjoy that feeling. I still want to do it for a living. I like being the guy who has all the answers. I like being the guy with the inside info that regular fans don't have access to. I like sitting in the press box with people who think like I do, and learning from them.

It's not a nine to five. I know that. I understand that I'm going to probably be working myself to the bone for pennies. I'll get over it. Like "The Kid" when he was in his prime, with his approach to the game he loves and his desire to succeed, I'll take a few strikes in my career, but when I get a pitch to hit... sayonara.

2009-11-03T12:00:00.001-05:00

2009-10-22T10:47:00.001-04:00

Old Town Canoe will stay in Maine

2009-10-08T14:32:00.001-04:00

Old Town Canoe will stay in Maine

2009-10-08T14:32:00.000-04:00

2009-10-07T23:34:00.001-04:00

City council delays vote on police cruisers
by Derek McKinley

The Old Town city council convened on Monday night with an agenda full of items to discuss and vote on. Most votes passed unanimously without debate. The longest discussion of the night came during the finance committee meeting, which began the night. There were two items on the agenda that were presented by Old Town police chief Donald O' Halloran.

Two police cruisers are scheduled for replacement in the upcoming year, and the department took bids from local auto dealers to replace them. Quirk Ford and Darling's Ford in Bangor both made offers, with Quirk offering $46, 518, which was $106 less than Darling's offer. While the committee recommended the approval of the allocation, councillor Jamie Dufour voiced his disapproval of the move based on the fact that the council had not had time to adequately prepare the budget for the 2010 fiscal year.

An ambulance is also scheduled to be removed from active duty, and a bid from Sugarloaf Rescue was put in to replace it in the amount of $148, 280. The council also supported that bid, but held it off until they had time to review the city's budget. The debate lasted for about 45 minutes before the council decided to delay their decision.

O'Halloran insisted on a Ford model, calling it, "a tried and true method," while other companies like Dodge are "still trying to work out some wrinkles." Ford plans to discontinue the Crown Victoria model by 2011. Currently the model is used primarily for police cars and taxi cabs, according to O'Halloran. The vehicles are heavy duty, and if they were a regular passenger vehicle they, "wouldn't last six months," Halloran said.

The life expectancy of a police cruiser is five or six years, including two years in full active duty.

The council will meet again on October 15th to decide on a new slate of issues facing the community.

2009-10-05T20:19:00.001-04:00

The council has adjourned until Thursday October 15th.

2009-10-05T20:04:00.001-04:00

Councillor May is not in favor of the yard sale ordinance being discussed. She says the only ones we see are the ones that bother us, thus the ordinance.

2009-10-05T19:53:00.001-04:00

The council is now debating the demolition of the former Water District Building. Councillor May doesn't want to tear it down without a building to replace it.

2009-10-05T19:44:00.001-04:00

The town council is now moving into their regular session, which will include ten items for consideration.

2009-10-05T19:05:00.001-04:00

Old town finance committee is discussing bids for new emergency vehicles. Councillor Dufour is against the note until budget season begins.

2009-10-05T18:46:00.001-04:00

Live updates from the Old Town city council meeting starting at 7:00.

2009-09-29T11:04:00.000-04:00

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.

2009-09-28T20:20:00.009-04:00

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.

2009-09-28T18:56:00.009-04:00

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:

2009-09-28T13:49:00.001-04:00

Exclusive interview with Officer Debbie Holmes. Video soon.

2009-09-28T13:04:00.001-04:00

Three car collision in Old Town. Video and story on distracted driver law will be up soon.

2009-09-27T19:40:00.001-04:00

This is a test to see if my phone works on Blogger.

Welcome to Old Town

2009-09-19T15:15:00.007-04:00

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.

2009-09-15T21:20:00.000-04:00

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.