This week, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS are starting to send nearly 4 million economic impact payments by prepaid debit card, instead of by paper check. Card recipients can make purchases, get cash from in-network ATMs, and transfer funds to their personal bank accounts without incurring any fees. They can also check their card balance online, by mobile app, or by phone without incurring fees.

The Damariscotta Mills Fish Ladder property reopened to the public on Monday, June 1, the first day of the second phase of Gov. Janet Mills’ plan to reopen the state. Visitors must wear masks and practice physical distancing.

The June meeting of the Newcastle Historical Society has been canceled and the presentation scheduled for later in June has been postponed. Members are pitching in to help with work on the cemetery restoration project now that good weather has returned.

The Lincoln County News will print a special section for the high school class of 2020 in its June 4 edition.

Thanks to the United States Postal Service, there’s a new way to experience Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. The American Gardens Forever series of stamps features ten public gardens, all of whose images were captured between 1996 and 2014 by photographer Allen Rokach.

At the Nobleboro selectmen’s meeting on Wednesday, May 6, selectmen decided to close the Damariscotta Mills fish ladder to the public this year. The state’s COVID-19 regulations would require time and resources that would be difficult to manage at the fish ladder.

The Twin Villages Foodbank Farm in Damariscotta is adapting to an increased demand of food needs in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. To cover the cost of necessary changes, the farm has launched an online crowdfunding campaign to raise $22,500 by the end of May. First National Bank of Damariscotta has led the campaign with a generous gift of $7,500.