Special Olympics Maine recently recognized Det. Richard Alexander of the Damariscotta Police Dept. for his “support and dedication to” the non-profit organization.

RSU 2 has a new superintendent, announced March 23. He’s California native Virgel Hammonds who begins July 1, and replaces current superintendent Donald Siviski who steps down at the end of the current school year.

A team of researchers from the Maine Education Policy Research Institute recently chose Great Salt Bay Community School to participate in a study of “higher performing, more efficient public schools in Maine.”

On March 10, The Gateway 1 Implementation Steering Committee held their first meeting since the Maine Dept. of Transportation suspended their involvement in Gateway 1 earlier this month.

A devastating, early morning fire at 16 Ocean Side Lane in New Harbor destroyed the house and garage of John and Lynn Ring. The family also lost a cat and at least one vehicle to the March 9 fire.

The Bremen Board of Selectmen is considering hiring an independent engineer to evaluate the heating system at the town office and make recommendations for upgrading the system.

A Lincoln County grand jury indicted State Trooper Gregory Vrooman, 45 of Nobleboro, on four counts of unlawful sexual contact, four counts of unlawful sexual touching, four counts of assault and one count of tampering with a witness.

At the directive of Gov. Paul LePage and the Commissioner of the Maine Dept. of Transportation all work on Gateway 1 will cease indefinitely, effective immediately.

It was a revelation to selectmen Monday that since 2007 Whitefield has had 43 fire department standard operating procedures and other policies, covering such matters as rules and regulations, personal protection equipment inspection, and workplace harassment, spelled out in a compliance manual.

Michael and Tiffany Winchenbach of Whitefield are pleased to announce the arrival of a baby boy, Charles Thomas.

The United States Attorney’s Office announces that United States District Judge George Z. Singal, sitting in Portland, sentenced Wayne N. Collamore, age 60, originally of Damariscotta, to serve 17.5 in federal prison for escape and possession of a firearm after having been convicted of a felony. Collamore pleaded guilty to the charges in December 2010.

A Newcastle resident will appear on “Jeopardy,” the popular, long-running game show, Wed., March 30.

A defense motion for change of venue in the case of former Great Salt Bay Community School teacher Peter Simonds was granted March 10.

South Bristol residents approved every article on the warrant for the 2011 town meeting with minimal dissent March 8.

The town bought a new, $208,000 fire truck and a generator or generators for South Bristol School; approved a $1.66 million education budget and elected two members of the South Bristol Budget Committee