As 12-year-old Sienna Mazone was attending the Kids’ State Dinner at the White House on July 18, she not only realized she was experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but also recognized her responsibility of being a role model for Maine children.

I have been practicing midwifery for 15 years. I guess after practicing that long, some would say I have experience. Experience, I think, may just be enough time doing something that you are able to recognize patterns.

It’s 4 p.m. on a summer Friday, and a southbound Maine Eastern Railroad passenger train chugs through Waldoboro. After crossing Old Route 1, the train suddenly accelerates, fails to negotiate a turn, and derails, striking the Route 1 overpass near Moody’s Diner.

A fourth-generation lobsterman has opened a lobster roll takeout stand in downtown Damariscotta and claims to sell the freshest, most savory lobster rolls in the county at the best value.

The Wiscasset Planning Board has approved plans for the Wiscasset NAPA auto parts store to build a new building adjacent to the McDonald’s and Shell station on Route 1 in Wiscasset, pending obtaining a permit before development begins.

Dresden Take Out celebrated its grand opening on Saturday, June 28. The event was very busy, as several lucky motorists were able to buy 20 gallons of gas for $1.99 a gallon and the country music station 99.9 The Wolf broadcast live from Greg’s Used Cars & Service.

The Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in East Boothbay celebrated its 40th anniversary with a formal program, laboratory tours, and a reception on June 27. U.S. Sen. Angus King delivered the keynote address in front of a crowd of about 100.

One of the most contentious discussion topics in Washington these days concerns the role of government in our economy. “Businesses are being choked to death and driven away from this country by over-regulation and unreasonable taxation.” “Unbridled multinational corporations are destroying the lives and liberties of millions of Americans who cannot afford food, shelter, transportation, and healthcare.” What tasks are properly tackled by the public sector?

Damariscotta property owners will see a tax increase resulting from the 2014-2015 rate set by the Damariscotta Board of Selectmen on July 16.

A benefit organ recital given by organist Mitch Boucher at the Damariscotta Baptist Church Sunday, July 27 marked the first fundraising event to assist burn victim Charlotte Ramsdell, who is 2 years old.

Many years ago, when Ron Leeman was a little boy, he enjoyed the jams his mother and grandmother would make. Little did he know that later in life he would be cooking and canning 12,000 jars of jam and relishes each year for sale throughout Maine and in Connecticut and Colorado.

An over 200-year-old barn in North Waldoboro is getting some necessary repairs and a slightly new home at the hands of a local housewright.

A two-vehicle accident on Route 32 at Lower Round Pond Road around noon Friday temporarily closed the road to traffic while responders cleared the scene.

When children return to the Whitefield Elementary School in September, they will be thrilled to see new playground equipment, which has been made possible by a small town community effort.