MEMPHIS, Tenn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Verso Paper Corp. (NYSE: VRS) today reported financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2012. Results for the quarters ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 include:

• Adjusted EBITDA before pro forma effects of profitability program of $50.2 million in the third quarter of 2012, compared to $23.5 million in the second quarter of 2012 and $64.2 million in the third quarter of 2011. (Note: Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and is defined and reconciled to net income later in this release).
• Net loss before items of $12.0 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2012 compared to net loss before items of $43.1 million, or $0.81 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2012 and net income before items of $0.8 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2011.
• The closure of the Sartell mill resulted in an aggregate pre-tax charge to earnings of approximately $97.2 million in the third quarter of 2012. This includes approximately $16.3 million for severance and benefit costs; $75.8 million in non-cash charges for fixed asset and other impairment charges; and $5.1 million related to other costs.

Click Here to read the full report from Verso Paper Corp.

In cooperation with the MFS, the Oxford Co. Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) recently completed their first Big Tree contest for Oxford Co.  Nominations for the biggest tree of each native Maine species were solicited from landowners, foresters and other interested folks in Oxford Co., similar to the state Big Tree register maintained by the Maine Forest Service for the whole state.  The Ox. Co. contest started in May and finished in October, generating dozens of nominations.  Some species, like White pine generated multiple nominations from different landowners.  District employees, with assistance from District Forester Merle Ring, measured each of the nominations using the same point system as the state register.  Winners in each species category were issued a certificate and given a Forest Trees of Maine book, and are listed on the Ox. Co. Big Tree register.  A new contest will be started each spring to update the register with new nominations.  An Ox. Co. Big Tree booklet has been printed for distribution listing the winners, similar to the state Big Tree booklet.

For more information contact: Jean Federico, Ox. Co. SWCD, 743-5789, Ext. 111. Or visit our Website

Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting and Related Activities in Shoreland Areas will be taking effect in certain municipalities January 1, 2013.

On January 1, 2013 organized towns that have decided to adopt statewide standards for timber harvesting and related activities in shoreland areas will have statewide standards go into effect.

Towns that have either elected to retain their old shoreland zoning ordinance for timber harvesting or not taken action on statewide standards will continue under their old shoreland zoning rules until they take action.

Areas under the administration of the Land Use Planning Commission (formerly know as LURC) will also continue under current rules for the time being.

A map and list of the status of each town is below. The map and list will be updated as new towns adopt statewide standards.

Town Status List (pdf)

Town Status Map (pdf)

Informational Training Sessions

The Maine Forest Service will be holding a series of informational training sessions on statewide standards for timber harvesting and related activities in shoreland areas.  These standards will be replacing old town ordinances for timber harvesting in the shoreland zone in certain municipalities starting January 1, 2013. These sessions will run from 6:30-8:30 PM at each location and will take place regardless of weather. Each session will give an overview of the standards, provide information on resources for assistance with the standards and be an opportunity to ask questions.  Foresters, loggers and landowners who harvest timber in shoreland areas are encouraged to attend.

Click Here For More Information and Info. Session Schedule

In Memoriam: Richard A. Thomas (February 8, 1945 – October 14, 2012)

GUILFORD- Richard A. Thomas, age 67, passed away surrounded by family on Sunday, October 14th at Mayo Regional Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft. He was born on February 8th, 1945 to Clyde and Carolyn (Pray) Thomas.

He graduated from PCHS in 1963 and went on to start his own business, R.A. Thomas Logging. He enjoyed snowmobiling, hunting, ice fishing and smelting, talking, and working. He was one of the original members of the Master Loggers Organization. He spent countless hours at his cottage on Lake Onawa with family and friends.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Roberta; his children, Melissa, Richard, Angela, and Jeanine; 10 grandchildren; 2 brothers, Gerald Thomas and his wife Carol, and Kenneth Thomas and his wife Wanda; a sister, Rose (Thomas) Folsom and her husband Stan; Snickers (his much loved dog and riding partner) and many amazing friends.

He was predeceased by his parents; and a brother, Russell Thomas.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, November 3rd at 1:00pm at the PCSS gymnasium.

Burial will be in the Lawn Cemetery in Guilford at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please, feel free to make donations to our local school, SAD #4, Attn: Superintendents Office, 25 Campus Drive, Drop #2, Guilford, ME 04443 or the Guilford Fire Department, 390 Church Street, Guilford, ME 04443.

Arrangements by Crosby & Neal, Guilford.

Editor’s Note:

We are saddened by Richard Thomas’ passing. Richard was a long time member of the board of the PLC of Maine and his wisdom and insight will be greatly missed.

From all of us at the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine, our condolences, thoughts, and prayers are with Richard’s wife Roberta, the Thomas family, and the employees of R.A. Thomas Logging.

10-18-2012 Update: Richard’s Celebration of Life service will be at Piscataquis Community Secondary School, 9 Campus Dr. Guilford, Maine 04443, on Saturday November 3rd @ 1:oo PM.

FYI: Mapquest (http://www.mapquest.com) lists the school as “Piscataquis High School” not “Piscataquis Community Secondary School”.  – MAB

September 27, 2012

Dear customers:

Media outlets have recently reported a story regarding indictments of Enfield, Maine corporation Haynes Timberland and five people.

Since that story broke, we have received some calls from concerned customers under the mistaken impression that H.C. Haynes was somehow involved, which we are not.

In an effort to clarify any confusion regarding company names, we at H.C. Haynes assure you that our business is a separate company from Haynes Timberland, with a separate management team.

Based in Winn, Maine, H.C. Haynes Inc. is a distinct operation, family owned and operated by the Haynes family since its founding in 1963.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

Jay Haynes

President, H.C. Haynes, Inc.

The Maine Turnpike Authority Board of Directors voted Thursday on a tentative toll increase scheme that would raise $21 million a year…the plan would[also] raise commercial truck rates…

Read more in the Portland Press Herald

Maine Senator Doug Thomas (R-Ripley); Everett O’Neill, GPN’s Vice President of Operations and Manufacturing, and Maine Senate President Kevin Raye (R-Perry)

EAST MILLINOCKET – Maine Senate President Kevin Raye (R-Perry) and Senator Doug Thomas (R-Ripley) visited the Great Northern Paper mill in East Millinocket on Tuesday, June 5th, where they toured the mill and met with representatives of Cate Street Capital.  Raye and Thomas also visited for a first-hand look at the site on the campus of the closed Millinocket mill where Thermogen Industries plans to create jobs manufacturing torrefied wood pellets.

The Thermogen proposal received a boost in May when Raye and Thomas successfully included an amendment to the state budget that makes the project eligible for participation in Maine’s New Markets Capital Investment Program (NMCIP).  Raye sponsored the law establishing the New Markets tax credit last year, in an effort to encourage private sector investment in job creation in areas of Maine that have been left behind economically.

The amendment pushed by Raye and Thomas this year increased the cap for the program from $10 million to $40 million, which will encourage Cate Street Capital to make an investment in the project through its Thermogen Industries subsidiary.

“Cate Street really did create a dual opportunity,” said Senator Thomas. “Making use of the idled Millinocket paper mill property as a wood-product manufacturing facility is a great idea, a natural fit, and a boost to a town sorely in need of new jobs,” said Senator Thomas. “It’s also a boost to Maine port towns where these wood products will be shipped overseas.”

“The New Markets Tax Credit is designed to boost the economy in areas of greatest need,” said Raye.  “That’s why I introduced it, and it is exciting to see it hold such great promise for the Katahdin Region, which has been hit so hard by the loss of traditional paper-making jobs.  We need to do everything we can to encourage quality jobs and ensure a bright future for rural Maine.”

The Senators were greeted in East Millinocket by Richard Cyr, CEO and President of Great Northern Paper (GNP) and Thermogen, and COO of Cate Street Capital. Everett O’Neill, GNP’s Vice President of Operations and Manufacturing, took Raye and Thomas on a tour of the East Millinocket mill, and then the Senators visited Millinocket with Cyr and other company officials.

“Those of us who live and work in rural Maine have seen so many manufacturing plants idled and wasting away,” said Senator Raye. “The New Markets Tax Credit and other steps we have taken to make Maine more jobs-friendly are making a difference as we look to the future.”

By Jen Lynds, BDN Staff

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — A Bridgewater man was convicted on Friday on a charge connected to a joy ride he took on equipment owned by a logging company.

According to a statement Sunday from the Maine Forest Service, Louis Finemore, 27, pleaded guilty to theft by unauthorized use of property…

…The pieces of equipment were parked at an active logging operation and were owned by Robin Crawford Logging Co. of Lincoln.

Read full story on BangorDailyNews.com

PORTLAND, Maine — Heavy trucks are being temporarily banned from thousands of miles of secondary roads across northern New England with the early arrival of spring…

…In the northern Maine town of Fort Kent, TNT Road Co. employees are working shifts starting at 10 p.m. to load and deliver shipments of wood chips, bark and sawdust to biomass energy plants. They have to work at night rather than their usual 4 a.m. shifts because that’s when the temperatures cool down far enough, to below 28 degrees, so they can drive on the rural paved roads and dirt logging roads to pick up and deliver their loads.

Read full story on BangorDailyNews.com

See an interactive the current posted state roads on MDOT’s website

updated on Wednesday, Mar 14, 2012 at 10:10 am

JAY — Police are involved in what appears to be an early morning standoff and hostage situation inside Verso Paper.

At 9:50 a.m. officers from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and Jay police could be seen outside the mill. A dispatcher at the sheriff’s office was unable to comment…

Read full story:  Sun Journal.com