As the price of heating oil soars and the cold reality of winter settles in, many Lincoln County residents are scrambling to meet the very basic need for heat this year. Fuel prices are on average $.50 to $.60 higher than a year ago, an increase that can mean hundreds, if not thousands, of extra dollars for individual consumers.

The National Weather Service (NWS) delivered its own holiday surprise at 3:01 p.m. on Christmas Day when it cancelled a Winter Storm Watch for Sunday evening and replaced it with a much more significant Blizzard Watch and dire predictions of snowfall accumulations over 12 inches. Coastal communities, including those in Lincoln County, will see the brunt of the coming storm, including the heaviest snow accumulations, according to the NWS.

The Restorative Justice Project of the Midcoast will hold a volunteer seminar Wed., Jan. 19 at the Second Congregational Church in Newcastle.

The Waldoboro Planning Board approved the proposed broadcast Internet tower on Storer Mountain at their regular meeting Dec. 8.

A series of Christmas cards that local artist and The Lincoln County News cartoonist Glenn Chadbourne made for Stephen King’s personal use are now available for sale on King’s website, www.stephenking.com.

John and Kristen Roberts, Damariscotta, are pleased to announce the arrival of a baby boy, Matthew John, born at Maine Medical Center in Portland on Nov. 26.

Togus, the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs medical center in Augusta, will honor Muriel “Willie” Wilhelm, a Bristol resident, on April 12, 2011 for surpassing 10,000 hours of volunteer service.

Jason and Heather Knowles of Windsor are pleased to announce the arrival of a baby girl, Sophie Lynn Knowles.

Meagan M. Dobson, 23, Portland, driving to endanger, $575, license suspended 30 days; operating under the influence, dismissed.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a somewhat tardy Winter Weather Advisory late Wednesday night forecasting continued snowfall through Thursday morning. Also issued was a Special Weather Statement that warns of dangerous travel conditions due to snow-covered roads that should continue through the morning commute.

The Bremen Board of Selectmen is calling for residents who would like to serve on the town’s Shellfish Committee to step forward.

In a special town meeting Dec.7, Wiscasset voters approved a revamped budget for the municipal planning department. By a vote of 186-76, voters appropriated $29,576.20 toward the department for the last six months of the fiscal year, effectively reducing the hours of the town planner from the current 40 hours a week to 30.

The Town of Damariscotta has designated the area of the municipal parking lot behind Stars Jewelry (not up against the building, see map) as “short term snow storm parking.”

Robyn Phillips and Briceson Henny of Nobleboro are pleased to announce the arrival of a baby girl, Gracelynn Rae Henny.