With school costs increasing and state subsidies dropping, calls to close Wiscasset Middle School have been steadily growing louder.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has withdrawn a Winter Storm Watch for a storm expected to visit Lincoln County on Saturday. The Watch was originally issued for Lincoln, Knox and Waldo counties. However, early on some local broadcast forecasters were expressing doubt that the storm would bring up to 7 inches of snowfall, as forecast by the NWS.

Damian Benner and Shannon Cochrane, of Waldoboro, are pleased to announce the birth of a baby girl, Seryna Ann Benner.

Ryan Benner and Ashley Ranco of Friendship are pleased to announce the arrival of a baby boy, Tayler William Benner.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Winter Weather Advisory in advance of weather system forecast to arrive on late Thursday night and bring a mix of snow, sleet and rain through Friday.

Bella Aurora Lily Young was born at home in Newcastle on Jan. 20 at 9:59 a.m. She weighed 9 lbs., 14 oz. and was 22 inches long.

The union representing employees of the Waldoboro Public Works and the Waldoboro Police Departments has put a hold on a complaint filed against the town for alleged violations of labor relations law.

The first major winter storm of the season is expected to visit Lincoln County on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

The shooting of four domestic geese in Sheepscot on the morning of Christmas Eve has badly upset village residents.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office has received a donation of two new devices aimed at combating domestic violence.

The Alna Board of Selectmen agreed to renew the town’s snow-plowing and sanding contract with Hanley Construction Inc. for a fifth year at their regular meeting Jan. 12.

New England scientists are still investigating the cause of death of more than 162 harbor seals in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Scientists took notice when an unexplained increase in mortality rate occurred in predominantly young seal pups between September and November 2011.

Mishala Barlow and Justin Rogers of Jefferson are pleased to announce the arrival of a baby boy, Michael Westley Rogers.

The Bremen Board of Selectmen will convene an emergency meeting of the board at the Bremen Town Center, 1 p.m., Jan. 24.