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Vol: ▬▬▬▬▫▫
Derry News Archive
Calendar Year 1994 — In Reverse Chronological Order
Compiled and maintained by Michael Hanlon, Head Librarian, Derry Public Library
This archive collects headlines and abridged article summaries from the Derry News, the Bangor Daily News (Derry coverage), and other regional publications. Full article texts are available for review at the library reference desk. Articles are arranged in reverse chronological order, most recent first.
Other archives: Derry News 1993 • 1985 [restricted] • 1958 [restricted] • 1929-30 [restricted]
October 1994
DERRY NEWS — OCTOBER 12, 1994 — FRONT PAGE
EIGHTH CHILD REPORTED MISSING
IN DERRY THIS YEAR
IN DERRY THIS YEAR
Derry police confirmed Tuesday that Edward Corcoran, age 11,
has been reported missing by his family. The boy was last seen Sunday
afternoon walking in the vicinity of Kansas Street. He becomes the eighth
child reported missing in Derry in 1994 — a figure that, in the words
of one veteran officer who spoke on the condition of anonymity, "doesn't
happen anywhere else. Not in Maine. Not anywhere."
Chief Andrew Rademacher characterized the case as "under active investigation" but declined to comment on possible connections to the seven prior cases. Asked whether Derry residents should be concerned, the Chief replied: "The DPD has the situation under control."
Chief Andrew Rademacher characterized the case as "under active investigation" but declined to comment on possible connections to the seven prior cases. Asked whether Derry residents should be concerned, the Chief replied: "The DPD has the situation under control."
DERRY NEWS — OCTOBER 1, 1994 — SECTION A
SEVENTH CHILD MISSING IN DERRY
THIS YEAR; POLICE "BAFFLED"
THIS YEAR; POLICE "BAFFLED"
Police remain baffled as another child vanishes in what some longtime
residents are calling a "familiar pattern." Similarities to events in
1957 and 1984 have been noted by local
historian Michael Hanlon, though police dismiss the
comparison as "unhelpful speculation."
Mr. Hanlon, head librarian at the Derry Public Library, told this newspaper: "The pattern is real and it is documented. The children of this town are being taken, and the institutions of this town are failing them. I have made my research available to anyone willing to look."
Mr. Hanlon, head librarian at the Derry Public Library, told this newspaper: "The pattern is real and it is documented. The children of this town are being taken, and the institutions of this town are failing them. I have made my research available to anyone willing to look."
September 1994
DERRY NEWS — SEPTEMBER 18, 1994 — SECTION B
STRANGE SOUNDS FROM STORM
DRAINS REPORTED BY DOZENS
DRAINS REPORTED BY DOZENS
Over 30 residents in the Canal District have reported
hearing "music," "laughter," and "voices" from storm grates over the past
eight weeks. The Derry Department of Public Works attributes the sounds to
"acoustic resonance from underground water flow" and has
requested that residents refrain from filing additional reports unless
a clear public safety concern is observed.
Mrs. Norberto Garcia, 41, of Witcham Street, disagreed with the official explanation. "It's not water," she told this paper. "Water doesn't sing lullabies."
Mrs. Norberto Garcia, 41, of Witcham Street, disagreed with the official explanation. "It's not water," she told this paper. "Water doesn't sing lullabies."
DERRY NEWS — SEPTEMBER 6, 1994 — SECTION A
TOWN COUNCIL VOTES TO RESTRICT
HISTORICAL ARCHIVES ACCESS
HISTORICAL ARCHIVES ACCESS
The Derry Town Council voted 5-2 Monday evening to pass
Resolution 94-23, restricting public access to certain
historical records pending "review and reclassification." The restriction
applies primarily to police, vital records, and newspaper archives covering
the years 1929-1930, 1957-1958, and 1984-1985.
Councilors voting in favor cited "privacy concerns" and "the public interest in not disturbing the families of historical victims." Councilors Hagerty and Plante voted against. Mr. Hanlon, the head librarian, attended the meeting in opposition and has since filed three written appeals.
Councilors voting in favor cited "privacy concerns" and "the public interest in not disturbing the families of historical victims." Councilors Hagerty and Plante voted against. Mr. Hanlon, the head librarian, attended the meeting in opposition and has since filed three written appeals.
August 1994
DERRY NEWS — AUGUST 22, 1994 — SECTION B
DPW WORKERS FILE DISTRESS CLAIMS
AFTER TUNNEL INCIDENT
AFTER TUNNEL INCIDENT
Three Derry Department of Public Works employees have filed workers'
compensation claims citing "psychological distress" following
maintenance work in Section 13-B of the town's underground tunnel system
on August 17th. Two additional employees resigned effective immediately
following the incident; both declined to provide exit interviews.
DPW Superintendent Richard Macklin issued a written statement: "The DPW respects the privacy of the employees involved and is reviewing maintenance procedures for the affected section." Section 13-B has since been designated "access prohibited" by order of the Superintendent.
DPW Superintendent Richard Macklin issued a written statement: "The DPW respects the privacy of the employees involved and is reviewing maintenance procedures for the affected section." Section 13-B has since been designated "access prohibited" by order of the Superintendent.
DERRY NEWS — AUGUST 1, 1994 — FRONT PAGE
CURFEW IMPOSED AFTER FIFTH
CHILD DISAPPEARS THIS SUMMER
CHILD DISAPPEARS THIS SUMMER
Mayor James A. Keene announced Sunday evening that a town-wide curfew for
minors under the age of 16 will take effect Monday at 9:00 PM, in response
to the disappearance of Patrick Hockstetter, 12, from the
vicinity of the town dump on July 30th. He is the fifth
child reported missing in Derry this summer.
"We will not stand by while our children are taken," the Mayor said. "Every parent in Derry shares my anger and my heartbreak." The curfew has since been progressively extended; it currently applies to all minors under 18 with a return time of 7:00 PM.
"We will not stand by while our children are taken," the Mayor said. "Every parent in Derry shares my anger and my heartbreak." The curfew has since been progressively extended; it currently applies to all minors under 18 with a return time of 7:00 PM.
July 1994
DERRY NEWS — JULY 30, 1994 — FRONT PAGE
BICYCLE FOUND AT CANAL;
BOY, 8, MISSING
BOY, 8, MISSING
A child's bicycle has been recovered from the bank of the Kenduskeag
Stream near the edge of The Barrens, the Derry Police Department confirmed
Saturday. The bicycle belongs to Matthew Clements, age 8,
reported missing by his parents Friday afternoon.
The bicycle was found upright, the chain still engaged, approximately 30 feet from the water's edge. Investigators described the scene as "unusual" but would not elaborate. Volunteer search efforts in The Barrens are ongoing, though residents have been discouraged from entering the area due to safety concerns.
The bicycle was found upright, the chain still engaged, approximately 30 feet from the water's edge. Investigators described the scene as "unusual" but would not elaborate. Volunteer search efforts in The Barrens are ongoing, though residents have been discouraged from entering the area due to safety concerns.
DERRY NEWS — JULY 15, 1994 — SECTION B
SUMMER CONCERT SERIES CANCELLED
AFTER "DISTURBANCE"
AFTER "DISTURBANCE"
The remainder of the Derry Parks & Recreation Summer Concert Series at
Memorial Park has been cancelled following an incident at the June 15th
opening performance. Officials would not describe the nature of the
disturbance but referenced police report #94-0533.
Refunds are available at the Town Clerk's Office.
Patrons who attended the June 15th performance described "a strange figure" moving along the perimeter of the audience during the third song. The performing ensemble, the Bangor Brass Quintet, did not complete the evening's program.
Patrons who attended the June 15th performance described "a strange figure" moving along the perimeter of the audience during the third song. The performing ensemble, the Bangor Brass Quintet, did not complete the evening's program.
DERRY NEWS — JULY 4, 1994 — SECTION A
INDEPENDENCE DAY PICNIC
ENDS EARLY DUE TO "ANIMAL SIGHTING"
ENDS EARLY DUE TO "ANIMAL SIGHTING"
The annual Derry Community Picnic at Bassey Park ended approximately two
hours ahead of schedule Monday afternoon following a reported
"animal disturbance" in the wooded area along the park's southern
edge. The Derry Parks Department reports no injuries, though
four families required assistance leaving the park.
Animal Control Officer T. Williams indicated that no animal was located following the incident. "We searched the area thoroughly," he said. "There was nothing there." Witnesses, however, described an animal "larger than a wolf" and "moving wrong."
Animal Control Officer T. Williams indicated that no animal was located following the incident. "We searched the area thoroughly," he said. "There was nothing there." Witnesses, however, described an animal "larger than a wolf" and "moving wrong."
June 1994
DERRY NEWS — JUNE 20, 1994 — FRONT PAGE
TEENAGER REPORTED MISSING
NEAR TOWN DUMP
NEAR TOWN DUMP
Patrick Hockstetter, age 12, was reported missing
Saturday by his parents. The boy was last seen near the Derry town dump
and adjacent junkyard area Friday evening. A bicycle and certain personal
items were recovered, but no further information was available at press
time.
Animal Control report #94-0551, filed separately the following morning regarding "unusual remains" found in the dump area, has been sealed pending investigation.
Animal Control report #94-0551, filed separately the following morning regarding "unusual remains" found in the dump area, has been sealed pending investigation.
DERRY NEWS — JUNE 3, 1994 — FRONT PAGE
SEVEN-YEAR-OLD VANISHES
FROM FRONT YARD
FROM FRONT YARD
Jimmy Cullum, age 7, of Canal Street, was reported missing
Friday afternoon. The child was last seen by his mother in the front yard
of the family home, playing with a paper boat. His mother, who
had stepped inside the house for what she described as "less than three
minutes," returned to find the yard empty.
The case is the third child disappearance reported in Derry in 1994. Police are requesting that anyone with information come forward immediately.
The case is the third child disappearance reported in Derry in 1994. Police are requesting that anyone with information come forward immediately.
May 1994
DERRY NEWS — MAY 15, 1994 — SECTION C
CANAL DAYS FESTIVAL SEES
RECORD LOW ATTENDANCE
RECORD LOW ATTENDANCE
The annual Derry Canal Days festival concluded Sunday with attendance
figures roughly 60% below 1993 levels. Several
out-of-town vendors withdrew prior to the event, citing "safety concerns."
A Bangor-based carnival operator declined to bring rides this year for the
first time since the festival's founding in 1962.
"It's hard to put a finger on," said Mayor Keene. "People just aren't coming out the way they used to. We will work to bring them back."
"It's hard to put a finger on," said Mayor Keene. "People just aren't coming out the way they used to. We will work to bring them back."
April 1994
DERRY NEWS — APRIL 10, 1994 — SECTION B
SPRING FLOODING REVEALS
"PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN TUNNEL"
BENEATH CANAL DISTRICT
"PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN TUNNEL"
BENEATH CANAL DISTRICT
Heavy rainfall and snowmelt in late March caused localized flooding in the
Canal District, exposing a section of underground passage which DPW
Superintendent Richard Macklin acknowledged was
"not reflected on any existing map" of the town's infrastructure.
"The construction appears to be quite old," Mr. Macklin said. "We have temporarily sealed the opening pending a geological survey." Mr. Hanlon, the librarian, told this newspaper that the tunnel's existence had been mentioned in "a 1908 surveyor's report" filed in the historical archives. Asked whether the tunnel system might be older than the town itself, Mr. Hanlon replied: "Some of it almost certainly is."
"The construction appears to be quite old," Mr. Macklin said. "We have temporarily sealed the opening pending a geological survey." Mr. Hanlon, the librarian, told this newspaper that the tunnel's existence had been mentioned in "a 1908 surveyor's report" filed in the historical archives. Asked whether the tunnel system might be older than the town itself, Mr. Hanlon replied: "Some of it almost certainly is."
March 1994
BANGOR DAILY NEWS — MARCH 1, 1994 — SECTION A
DERRY NAMED "MOST DANGEROUS
SMALL TOWN IN MAINE"
BY STATE REPORT
SMALL TOWN IN MAINE"
BY STATE REPORT
A state-issued report compiling violent crime and disappearance statistics
for Maine municipalities under 50,000 residents has identified
Derry as having the highest per-capita rate of violent
death of any small town in the state. The report, based on data from 1985
through 1993, finds Derry's rate to be approximately
5.8 times the comparable national average.
Mayor Keene disputed the findings: "Our community is safe. These numbers reflect decades of historical data and are not representative of Derry today." The state report's compilers declined to comment further.
Mayor Keene disputed the findings: "Our community is safe. These numbers reflect decades of historical data and are not representative of Derry today." The state report's compilers declined to comment further.
February 1994
DERRY NEWS — FEBRUARY 14, 1994 — SECTION C
VALENTINE'S DAY DANCE AT CIVIC CENTER
PROCEEDS WITHOUT INCIDENT
PROCEEDS WITHOUT INCIDENT
Approximately 220 residents attended Saturday's Valentine's Day Dance at
the Derry Civic Center. The event, organized by the Derry Lions Club,
featured live music by the Penobscot Jazz Trio and dessert provided by
the Derry Garden Club. Door prizes were donated by Center Street Drug
and Freese's Department Store.
Mr. Norbert Keene of Center Street Drug commented: "It's nice to see the community come together. Derry needs evenings like this."
Mr. Norbert Keene of Center Street Drug commented: "It's nice to see the community come together. Derry needs evenings like this."
January 1994
DERRY NEWS — JANUARY 5, 1994 — FRONT PAGE
NEW YEAR, NEW HOPE:
MAYOR KEENE ADDRESSES TOWN
MAYOR KEENE ADDRESSES TOWN
Mayor James A. Keene delivered his annual State of the Town address before
a packed audience at the Derry Civic Center on Tuesday evening. The Mayor
outlined budget priorities for 1994, including
"long-overdue investment" in the town's storm drain and water
utility infrastructure, expanded library hours, and additional staffing
at the Derry Police Department.
"1994 will be a year of renewal for Derry," the Mayor said. "Our community has weathered many storms in its history, and we have always emerged stronger. This year will be no different."
"1994 will be a year of renewal for Derry," the Mayor said. "Our community has weathered many storms in its history, and we have always emerged stronger. This year will be no different."
Compiled by Michael Hanlon, Head Librarian.
For full article texts or to request additional materials, contact the library reference desk.
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the headlines from 1957 read like these the headlines from 1985 read like these
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© 1993-1994 Derry Community Online • Derry, Maine 04401A service of the Derry Town Clerk's Office & Information Technology Dept.
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The Town of Derry is not responsible for content posted by residents in the guestbook or bulletin board.
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eight children this year and counting eight and the year is not over
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